More Preliminary Remarks as to the Office of the Pastor
I feel a bit more explanation may be warranted on this topic. Even as I am offering this reintroduction I anticipate further questions as to the biblical office of pastor. I am not speaking here of a non-biblical, worldly pattern that perhaps some are inclined to embrace, this may come into better focus as we move to the qualities not the qualifications of a pastor. Let's bear with one another on this. May I remind you my purpose here is not exposing unbiblical views and there are plenty of them. Neither is it my intent to express here the various legitimate patterns as there are many . Instead, I am expressing the biblical Baptist view.
Hear the Word...
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
1Timothy 3:1-7; This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Titus 1:5-9 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
1Peter 5:1-3; The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.
I can almost hear one of my brothers saying "Break it down for 'em Oblio!"
I'll do my best...
The Verse
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock1, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers2, to feed3 the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
The Words
1 poym'-nee-on Neuter of a presumed derivative of poym'-nay a flock (literally or figuratively): - flock, fold.; a flock, that is, (figuratively) group (of believers): - flock. (Strong's)
2 ep-is'-kop-os From epi or ep-ee' and skopos; a superintendent, that is, Christian officer in general charge of a (or the) church (literally or figuratively): - bishop, overseer. (Strong's)
3 poy-mah'ee-no From poimēn; to tend as a shepherd (or figuratively superviser): - feed (cattle), rule. (Strong's)
I previously pointed up that, the Greek word poimen means shepherd this is where we get our word pastor. This can be discovered from Vine’s, Strong’s, Thayer’s, Zophiadite's, or my new favorite resource e-Sword.
The Context
In the text above Paul is exhorting some elders from Ephesus (Acts 20:17) He is confident that his mission was complete before moving ahead in God’s plan for him (Acts 20:27).
The Explanation
Let’s note that Paul indicates that it was the Holy Spirit that made (the Greek here can mean made, appoint, or ordain) them overseers not an apostolic laying on of hands or appointment. Paul is telling these elders that the Holy Spirit made them overseers (bishops) in other words the apostles may have had a formal recognition of these men of God, but it was the Holy Spirit that ordained them. These, recognized elders who the Holy Spirit ordained as bishops are then told here to feed (pastor) the church of God.
The Point
This text uses three words to denote one group of men performing three aspects of the same office. The elders were also the bishops and their job was to pastor.
Bear all this in mind as we unfold the next passage
The Passage
Titus 1:5-9 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders1 in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop2 must be blameless, as the steward3 of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
The Words
1 pres-boo'-ter-os Comparative of presbus (elderly); older; as noun, a senior; Christian "presbyter": - elder (-est), old. (Strong's) This term denotes wisdom and a level of maturity.
2 ep-is'-kop-os ...a superintendent, that is, Christian officer in general charge of a (or the) church (literally or figuratively): - bishop, overseer. (Strong's)
3 oy-kon-om'-os ...a house distributor (that is, manager), or overseer, that is, an employee in that capacity; by extension a fiscal agent (treasurer); figuratively a preacher (of the Gospel): - chamberlain, governor, steward.
The Context
Paul is instructing Titus, one of his protégées. By this time Titus was seasoned in the work of ministry and it is apparent that he had the spiritual gift of administration. Paul, therefore, wrote, "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders1 in every city, as I had appointed thee..." Paul then mentions some character traits we will call qualities (more on this later), then declares "For a bishop2 must be..." again linking eldership with the bishopric. One may ask, "What are these elder/ bishops to do?" Paul would then answer that they are to be, "Holding fast the faithful word as [they] hath been taught, that [they] may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers."
The Explanation
If you will allow me some liberty to cross reference with what we have seen in Acts 20:28 we can conclude that these elder/ bishops were to act as shepherds feeding the flocks.
The Point
If you see in what I see in this passage too, then you can agree that once again we see one office with three descriptions.
The Passage
1Peter 5:1-3; The elders1 which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder2, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed3 the flock4 of God which is among you, taking the oversight5 thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over6 God's heritage, but being examples to the flock4.
The Words
1 pres-boo'-ter-os This has been covered above.
2 sumpresbuteros ...a co-presbyter: - presbyter, also an elder.
3 poimaino ...to tend as a shepherd (or figuratively superviser): - feed (cattle), rule.
4 poimnion ...a flock, that is, (figuratively) group (of believers): - flock.
5 episkopeo ...to oversee; by implication to beware: - look diligently, take the oversight. Bishop
6 kat-ak-oo-ree-yoo'-o ...to lord against, that is, control, subjugate: - exercise dominion over (lordship), be lord over, overcome.
The Context
Peter here is exhorting elders reminding them and perhaps himself that they are on the same team and on the same level in other words though Peter has apostolic authority, and though here he is speaking ex-cathedra he is no Pope! He identifies himself as a co-elder. It was important for the readers to understand this, at that time, although empire-wide ban on Christianity had not yet taken place they were still oppressed, living godly lives among pagans. BTW its important for those who read this letter today to understand this instead of exulting Peter we need to keep our sight on the archipoimen, the head shepherd: - chief shepherd, Jesus Christ.
The Explanation
Paul is not the only apostle that speaks of this one office of elder/pastor/bishop. Here we see the elders being exhorted to pastor the church and being careful in their bishopric not to be overlords. Peter set forth an example referring to himself as a co-elder.
Conclusion of Preliminary Remarks
The Holy Spirit co-Author of the passages above used three words to describe this one office. Perhaps He did so to give us a fuller idea of what this office involves. Pastor points to the care, feeding, protection and comforting of God's people. Elder emphasizes that he is mature, sound in the faith among God's children. Bishop bears marks of one who guides, directs, and give oversight to God's church. We most often use the word pastor because it is the most endearing of the three.
I hope this further exlination helps others to see that Baptists derive thier pattern from the Bible.
Stay salty,
brother John
Hear the Word...
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
1Timothy 3:1-7; This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Titus 1:5-9 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
1Peter 5:1-3; The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.
I can almost hear one of my brothers saying "Break it down for 'em Oblio!"
I'll do my best...
The Verse
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock1, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers2, to feed3 the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
The Words
1 poym'-nee-on Neuter of a presumed derivative of poym'-nay a flock (literally or figuratively): - flock, fold.; a flock, that is, (figuratively) group (of believers): - flock. (Strong's)
2 ep-is'-kop-os From epi or ep-ee' and skopos; a superintendent, that is, Christian officer in general charge of a (or the) church (literally or figuratively): - bishop, overseer. (Strong's)
3 poy-mah'ee-no From poimēn; to tend as a shepherd (or figuratively superviser): - feed (cattle), rule. (Strong's)
I previously pointed up that, the Greek word poimen means shepherd this is where we get our word pastor. This can be discovered from Vine’s, Strong’s, Thayer’s, Zophiadite's, or my new favorite resource e-Sword.
The Context
In the text above Paul is exhorting some elders from Ephesus (Acts 20:17) He is confident that his mission was complete before moving ahead in God’s plan for him (Acts 20:27).
The Explanation
Let’s note that Paul indicates that it was the Holy Spirit that made (the Greek here can mean made, appoint, or ordain) them overseers not an apostolic laying on of hands or appointment. Paul is telling these elders that the Holy Spirit made them overseers (bishops) in other words the apostles may have had a formal recognition of these men of God, but it was the Holy Spirit that ordained them. These, recognized elders who the Holy Spirit ordained as bishops are then told here to feed (pastor) the church of God.
The Point
This text uses three words to denote one group of men performing three aspects of the same office. The elders were also the bishops and their job was to pastor.
Bear all this in mind as we unfold the next passage
The Passage
Titus 1:5-9 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders1 in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop2 must be blameless, as the steward3 of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
The Words
1 pres-boo'-ter-os Comparative of presbus (elderly); older; as noun, a senior; Christian "presbyter": - elder (-est), old. (Strong's) This term denotes wisdom and a level of maturity.
2 ep-is'-kop-os ...a superintendent, that is, Christian officer in general charge of a (or the) church (literally or figuratively): - bishop, overseer. (Strong's)
3 oy-kon-om'-os ...a house distributor (that is, manager), or overseer, that is, an employee in that capacity; by extension a fiscal agent (treasurer); figuratively a preacher (of the Gospel): - chamberlain, governor, steward.
The Context
Paul is instructing Titus, one of his protégées. By this time Titus was seasoned in the work of ministry and it is apparent that he had the spiritual gift of administration. Paul, therefore, wrote, "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders1 in every city, as I had appointed thee..." Paul then mentions some character traits we will call qualities (more on this later), then declares "For a bishop2 must be..." again linking eldership with the bishopric. One may ask, "What are these elder/ bishops to do?" Paul would then answer that they are to be, "Holding fast the faithful word as [they] hath been taught, that [they] may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers."
The Explanation
If you will allow me some liberty to cross reference with what we have seen in Acts 20:28 we can conclude that these elder/ bishops were to act as shepherds feeding the flocks.
The Point
If you see in what I see in this passage too, then you can agree that once again we see one office with three descriptions.
The Passage
1Peter 5:1-3; The elders1 which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder2, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed3 the flock4 of God which is among you, taking the oversight5 thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over6 God's heritage, but being examples to the flock4.
The Words
1 pres-boo'-ter-os This has been covered above.
2 sumpresbuteros ...a co-presbyter: - presbyter, also an elder.
3 poimaino ...to tend as a shepherd (or figuratively superviser): - feed (cattle), rule.
4 poimnion ...a flock, that is, (figuratively) group (of believers): - flock.
5 episkopeo ...to oversee; by implication to beware: - look diligently, take the oversight. Bishop
6 kat-ak-oo-ree-yoo'-o ...to lord against, that is, control, subjugate: - exercise dominion over (lordship), be lord over, overcome.
The Context
Peter here is exhorting elders reminding them and perhaps himself that they are on the same team and on the same level in other words though Peter has apostolic authority, and though here he is speaking ex-cathedra he is no Pope! He identifies himself as a co-elder. It was important for the readers to understand this, at that time, although empire-wide ban on Christianity had not yet taken place they were still oppressed, living godly lives among pagans. BTW its important for those who read this letter today to understand this instead of exulting Peter we need to keep our sight on the archipoimen, the head shepherd: - chief shepherd, Jesus Christ.
The Explanation
Paul is not the only apostle that speaks of this one office of elder/pastor/bishop. Here we see the elders being exhorted to pastor the church and being careful in their bishopric not to be overlords. Peter set forth an example referring to himself as a co-elder.
Conclusion of Preliminary Remarks
The Holy Spirit co-Author of the passages above used three words to describe this one office. Perhaps He did so to give us a fuller idea of what this office involves. Pastor points to the care, feeding, protection and comforting of God's people. Elder emphasizes that he is mature, sound in the faith among God's children. Bishop bears marks of one who guides, directs, and give oversight to God's church. We most often use the word pastor because it is the most endearing of the three.
I hope this further exlination helps others to see that Baptists derive thier pattern from the Bible.
Stay salty,
brother John
posted by J. Wendell at 3:26 AM
