Pastors, Priests, Ministers, Preachers ?
Sunday, May 13
Class Plan - Content
1. Introduction
2-3 Of much we have been FORGIVEN, 
therefore we pray that all men be saved
4 Personal Relationships – how we should treat others
5-6-7 False Teachers; Why, How, What
8  All SCRIPTURE is inspired by GOD and PROFITABLE 
9-10 The role of WOMEN in the Church
11-12 Widows; Then & Now
Speak Confidently
Titus 2:15 _(NASB) ^15These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you. 
Titus 3:8 _(NASB) ^8This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. 

http://church-of-christ.org/churches/United_States
Big Active Church of Christ
Cedarloo Church of Christ
Anywhere Church of Christ

Cedarloo Church Of Christ
3110 Loma Street
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613 United States
Map and Directions 
Telephone Number: (319) 266-5039
E-mail Address: cedarloo@cedarnet.org
Web Site Address: http://cedarnet.org/cedarloo/index.html
Total Membership: 103
Times of Worship and Bible Study:
Sunday Morning Bible Study: 9:30 Sunday Morning Worship: 10:30
Sunday Evening Worship: 6:00
Wednesday Night Bible Study: 7:00

Cedarloo Church Of Christ
We have:
Elders
Deacons
An active Youth Program
An active Evangelism Program

Our congregation is active in the following ministries:
World Bible School

Anywhere Church of Christ
1001 Love of God Lane
Small Town, USA
Map and Directions 
Telephone Number: (555) 568-3463 
E-mail Address: joegospel@gmail.com
Web Site Address: http://www.anywherecoc.org
Total Membership: 85
Times of Worship and Bible Study:
Sunday Morning Bible Study: 10:00 Sunday Morning Worship: 11:00
Sunday Evening Worship: 6:00
Wednesday Night Bible Study: 7:00

Anywhere Church of Christ
We have:
A full time Preacher
Our congregation is active in the following ministries:
Youth Program
Name of Preacher: Joe Gospel

Pastors, Priests, Ministers, Preachers
Although churches of Christ staunchly claim to be “undenominational” or “non-denominational” …
We have a strong tendency to be “Pastorized”
SO MANY Congregations have “Full Time Preacher” but no Elders, no Deacons
“Full Time Preacher” classification implies a Status
What do you answer when someone asks you “Do you have a Pastor yet?”
Many who come from denominational roots view a congregation without a full time professional trained clergyman who has been ordained (certified by a governing authority) as not really a church.
How did we get here?
Restoration Movement
AKA Stone-Campbell Movement, First Great Awakening
Influential Preachers:
  James O'Kelly – Methodist, Virginia
  Abner Jones & Elias Smith – Congregational, New England
  Barton W. Stone – Presbyterian, Kentucky
  Thomas Campbell – Anglican->Presbyterian, Penn.-Ohio
  Alexander Campbell – Presbyterian->Baptist, West Virginia
  Walter Scott – Baptist, West Virginia
Unifying Themes
Rejection of Hierarchical Government 
Rejection of Calvinism
Local Control - (Independence)
Rule of Scripture

Roots
“Circuit Preachers”
Itinerant Denominational Preachers
“Ministers”

These Men acted bravely-boldly to throw of denominational doctrines
But they brought with them the denominational tradition of “The Pastor” 

Doesn’t the Bible speak of Pastors?
Ephesians 4:11_(NASB)   ^11And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists^G209, and some as pastors^G4166 and teachers ^G1320
G4166 poimēn Thayer: 
1) a herdsman, especially a shepherd 
 1a) in the parable, he to whose care and control others have committed themselves, and whose precepts they follow 
2) metaphorically 
 2a) the presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly: so of Christ the Head of the church
  2a1) of the overseers of the Christian assemblies

Elder – Bishop/Overseer – Shepherd
Used in connected and interchangeable ways
Elder - Bishop/Overseer
Titus 1:5, 7 _(NASB) ^5For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders^G4245  in every city as I directed you, … ^7For the overseer^G1985 must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain,
Bishop/Overseer – Shepherd
1 Peter 2:25_(NASB) ^25For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd^G1985 and Guardian of your souls. 
Acts 20:28_(NASB) ^28“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers^G1985, to shepherd^G4165 the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 

Doesn’t the Bible speak of Evangelists?
Ephesians 4:11_(NASB)   ^11And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists^G2099, and some as pastors^G4166 and teachers ^G1320

G2099 euaggelistēs Thayer: 
1) a bringer of good tidings, an evangelist 
2) the name given to the NT heralds of salvation through Christ who are not apostles

Church of Christ fall-back
We just call them “Ministers”
It’s a word we find the Bible

Ministers
The Office of the Christian Minister is a human invention
“Pastor” or “Priest” are terms is used with the same meaning
Permits the Ordination of Clergymen who do not meet the qualifications of either of the Offices authorized in the Bible; Elders/Shepherds/Overseers or Deacons
Ordination requires that the Candidate profess to believe and promise to teach the Doctrines and Dogmas of the authority ordaining him 
These Doctrines and Dogmas tend to be the doctrines of men, teaching that itching ears want to hear
But doesn’t the Bible say that certain people were “Ministers” ?
Colossians 1:25_(NASB) ^25Of this church I was made a minister ^G1249 according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God,
1 Timothy 4:6_(KJV) ^6If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister ^G1249 of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
The New Testament word is  “diakonos^G1249”
Thayer: one who executes the commands of another, especially of a master, a servant, attendant, minister
NASB: deacons (3), minister (7), servant(s) (19)
KJV:    deacons (3), minister(s) (20), servant(s) (7) 

Didn’t Jesus appoint Paul  to be a minister ?
Acts 26:16_(NASB) ^16‘But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister^G5257 and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you;

G5257 hupēretēs 
Thayer Definition: 
1) servant 
 1a) an underrower, subordinate rower 
 1b) any one who serves with hands: a servant 
 1c) any one who aids another in any work
NASB  attendant (1), helper (1), minister (1), officer(s) (14), servants (3).
KJV officer(s) (11), servants (4), minister(s) (5)

Wasn’t Jesus called a “minister”?
Hebrews 8:1-2_(NASB)  ^1Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, ^2a minister^G3011  in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.
G3011 leitourgos 
Thayer Definition: 
1) a public minister, a servant of the state 
2) a minister, servant
NASB minister(ing) (3)
KJV minister(s,ed) (5)

G3008 leitourgeō
Thayer Definition: 
1) to serve the state at one’s own cost 
2) to do a service, perform a work
NASB (3) minister(ing)
KJV (3) minster(ed,ing)
What it meant for Jesus to be a “minister”
Hebrews 7:26-28_(NASB)  ^26For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; ^27who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. ^28For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.
Hebrews 5-13
The whole point of Hebrews to explain the Hebrew people is that Jesus is our Perfect High Priest and because of his ministry before the Throne of God, the need for Earthly Priests has been eliminated
Do you recall where we ended our last class?
2 Timothy 4:1-4_(NASB) 
^1I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: ^2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.  
^3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, ^4and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 
What would you call…
A woman who shares companionship, intimacy and affection with a man out of love and devotion? 
Is it honorable for her to share in his prosperity?
What would you call…
A woman engages in similar acts for wages?
A Professional ?
Ministers
The Office of the Christian Minister is a human invention
“Pastor” or “Priest” are terms used with the same meaning
Permits the Ordination of Clergymen who do not meet the qualifications of either of the Offices authorized in the Bible; Elders/Shepherds/Overseers or Deacons
Ordination requires that the Candidate profess to believe and promise to teach the Doctrines and Dogmas of the authority ordaining him 
These Doctrines and Dogmas tend to be the doctrines of men, teaching that itching ears want to hear
Being supported …
As a wife is entitled, one who spends all his time in the service of Christ is entitled to share in the prosperity of the church
But if making a living is the goal, there are other jobs that pay more money, 
Being paid subordinates one to the payer
Do you want to be a Minister?
A Pro ? Someone who does it to make a living?
Or, one who serves at his own expense, as Jesus does?
, one who rows under another?
, one who is a servant? 
Pastors, Priests, Ministers, Preachers ?
John 10:12-14_(NASB)  ^12“He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. ^13“He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. ^14“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,