Bible Things By Bible Names
From Standout Studios.Net
Board - No where in the scriptures at all, comes from a worldly view of organization.
Pastor - Refer to Vines Dictionary, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastor
No. 7, May 29, 2007
The Pastor with all humility and with tears and with trials
which came upon me through the plots of the Jews;
20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you
In the current urge to “repent and be Baptist,” it is
anything that was profitable, and teaching you
common to find congregations that have adopted publicly and from house to house, 21 solemnly
the second-century model of church polity: the testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance
monarchial bishop. Preachers are declaring toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
themselves the Pastor of the Church, as if the 22 “And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on
biblical doctrine of leadership has somehow my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will
become irrelevant. It harmonizes with culture to happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit
solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that
give ecclesiastical authority to a winning and
bonds and afflictions await me.
competent personality, but it defies the authority
24 “But I do not consider my life of any account as
of Scripture, and it ignores the lessons of history.
dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and
the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus,
Roger Chambers said that at the 1985 Florida to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.
Christian/National Missionary Convention1. I‟m not sure 25 “And now, behold, I know that all of you, if even he knew the full stampede of preachers that was among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, later to claim that title. I‟m not wanting to make more of will no longer see my face. 26 Therefore, I testify to this than it is, but if we are to be true to the Word of you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all
men. 27 For I did not shrink from declaring to you
God, calling Bible things by Bible names, then we need
the whole purpose of God.”
to examine why it is that so many preachers choose to
28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the
use the title “the Pastor” over the Scriptural designation
flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you
of evangelist.
overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He
The Greek word that gets translated as “Pastor” is
purchased with His own blood.”
poimÁn (poimen) and is only translated as “Pastor” one
While Paul was still in Miletus he called for the
time, i.e., Ephesians 4:11. I‟m not going to take the time
elders from Ephesus to meet with him. As he is saying
at this junction to show that the “pastors and teachers”
his goodbye he calls them elders (v. 17, presbÚteroj –
mentioned in the verse are part of the same office. But
presbuteros) and also tells them God has made them
they are. In this text Jesus gives four gifts to the Church:
“overseers” (v. 28, TMp...skopoj – episkopos) in order to
“and He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets,
“shepherd” the Church. This word “shepherd” is the
and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and
word used in Eph. 4:11 translated as “pastor”.
teachers...” All four offices deal with the Word of God.
The reason, I‟m convinced, it gets translated as
The first two offices, Apostles and prophets, were givers
“pastor” in that one and only verse of Scripture is
of God‟s Word, and the last two offices are teachers of
because if they translated it accurately, i.e., as
that Word. This is the only place in the entirety of the
“shepherd”, a lot of preachers could not find themselves
New Testament that the English word “pastor” is used.
in the Bible. When Jesus gave the four gifts to the
And in this one and only case, it does not refer to the
Church He gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, and he
preacher.
gave elders. And there is always a plurality of elders
Let‟s look at another passage of Scripture. Acts
when discussed in the Scriptures. There is nothing
20:17-28:
wrong with the word “pastor” when it is used correctly,
17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to
meaning one of the plurality of elders. But too many
him the elders of the church. 18 And when they
preachers, for various reasons, prefer to usurp the title.
had come to him, he said to them, “You yourselves
Pride, pragmatism, sloppy theology, as well as other
know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how
things are all possible reasons for the name-grab. But
I was with you the whole time, 19 serving the Lord
adherence to the Word of God is not one of them.
I‟ve been told that there is so much overlap between
1
You can read the entire presentation here:
the elder and evangelist that to call yourself the Pastor is
www.crownhillchurch.com/Trends_In_The_Restoration_Movement2.pdf
1
Scripturally ok. You know, there was a lot of overlap in 2. Because it infers that I do not know my job or what responsibilities with my mom and my dad but I never my work is. would have called dad “mom,” nor my mom “dad”. 3. Because it infers that I am Biblically illiterate.
4. Because it infers that I am a “fad follower.”
Neither one of them would have appreciated it. And
5. Because it infers that I am “Pasadena oriented”
anyone else listening to me would have thought that I
instead of “Jerusalem oriented.”
was an imbecile. Usually people had other reasons for thinking I was, but not because I didn‟t know the 6. Because it infers that I am doctrinally questionable. difference between my parents. 7. It infers that I am denominationally inclined.
Some say it is a matter of pragmatics. “Everybody 8. It infers that I am not “restoration indeed.”
calls the Preacher „Pastor‟ nowadays.” I know from 9. It infers that I am a proud, preeminence lover who experience that many people do call the preacher “the looks for the respected titles of men.2 pastor.” They do so out of ignorance. When I am called “Pastor” I do not chastise them, nor bite their head off. I George may be onto something. Pragmatism is the do find a time in which I can teach them more accurately reason many preachers use this title. It seems to work.
And most people don‟t object. What works outvotes
in a manner that will not embarrass them. I have been thanked many times for my concern over their Scriptural what is right, or true. And this kind of thinking will work understanding. To my knowledge, I have never offended in our postmodern generation because nothing is anyone. The only people I know of that get offended are absolutely true, at least that is the societal understanding those that call themselves “the Pastor” when I tell them of our day. And I‟m sure some of that culture has slipped
into the Church. If someone‟s truth is that they are the
what I do.
It is convenient and hip (I‟m showing my age by Pastor, who are you or I to question that? But I do not
using words like “hip”) to call yourself what so many believe that is the attitude of most of those calling
themselves “The Pastor.” At least not the ones I know.
other preachers are calling themselves. It appears that
It is said, “Look at all the really big Churches. Most
many preachers are more concerned about fitting in with others around them than they are about following God‟s of them are led by a man calling himself „Pastor‟ and it
works for them.” They must be doing something right or
plan for the government of His Church. A lot of people think that praying Jesus into your heart is the plan of God would not bless them with large crowds. But when salvation. Are we to let that ignorance slide as well has size determined what is true, or right? Does that because “everybody” seems to think that way? I should mean the Mormons are closer to the truth than we are? hope not. I know some people that actually seem to gloat They are growing faster. Look at the growth God has in the fact that they are abusing a Biblical term. The given Islam in the last few years! Of course I am being reference may not completely apply here, but Nadab and sarcastic. Size only means a lot of people.
For many, it is a bad case of the “be-like-ums.”
Abihu come to mind.
If the Preacher is the Pastor, what does that make the Wanting to be like the evangelicals they chase after them
elders? If the Preacher is one of the elders, then at least it imitating whatever they do. An image comes to mind of makes sense to call him “a” pastor. I do not believe that a dog running down the street chasing after a car. What the preacher being one of the elders is the Scriptural would the dog do if he caught it? What are some plan, but it‟s better than someone calling himself Preachers willing to do to be like the big evangelical something he is not. And if he is one of the pastors, why Churches? I do not believe that someone calling is he called “The Pastor” unless he likes to have pre- themselves “The Pastor” will send anyone to Hell. eminence. However, it sure does indicate that there are other things
I cannot help but think of what Peter had to say: (1 amiss in that person‟s doctrinal understanding.
Peter 4:11) “Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is We at Crown Hill have just opened up to a new speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do Korean ministry. This is my second experience in so as one who is serving by the strength which God bringing in a different culture into the Church in which I supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified serve. These people, for the most part, do not know through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and English very well. They usually end up calling the
Preacher “the Pastor” because that‟s what they hear
dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
George Faull wrote an article many years ago Americans calling their preacher. Yes, I try to teach
entitled, Please Don’t Call Me “The Pastor” which was them the proper English words. published in the Restoration Herald. I have a copy of it I truly do not want to make more of this switching of which does not list the date. He gives nine reasons with titles than it deserves. But if we are to be a people of the explanations. Here are his nine reasons:
1. Because I am an evangelist and not one of the
elders of the Church 2
You can read the entire article here:
www.crownhillchurch.com/Please_Dont_Call_Me_the_Pastor.pdf
2
Book, then let‟s teach things as they are in the Book. Jesus gave four gifts to the Church:
Apostles: these were Jesus‟ ambassadorial
representatives to give us His Word and
establish His Church
Prophets: These were those who spoke the very
words of God at a time before the Word of God
had been written down.
Evangelists: These were to go into the Church and set
things in order, ordain elders, and preach and
teach the Word.
Pastors and Teachers: these were to lead, shepherd,
teach, and oversee God‟s people. They were to
be older in the faith and a little older in life.
Why would someone wish to try and improve upon
the gifts Jesus gave His bride? Beats me.
I am constantly amazed however, that these old issues
keep coming up. This whole issue was dealt with pretty well over 150 ago. J.W. McGarvey dealt with the fact that the pastor is an elder in his book The Eldership. I have articles by Moses E. Lard and others, all demonstrating the fact that the pastor is an elder, not the evangelist. Men who want to Restore the New Testament ways will do so in the little ways as well as the big ways. I pray we will get back to being a people of the book. And when I say “the Book”, I mean the Bible, not the current Church growth theory. Scott
Priest - 1 Peter 2:5&9
Saint - Phil. 4-21 "Greet every saint"
House of God
Sanctuary
Reverend
Father
