Monday, October 7, 2019

SCRIPTURAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BEING A PASTOR

The following is a response to this video.

The early church did not have pastors as we think of them today. Those mentioned in 1 Timothy 3 1 were more like guides, somewhat comparable to the visiting pastors we have today, or when a "pastor" gives counselling.

What we think of when we think of the main role of a pastor (corporate ministry of the Word) is actually called "teaching." Therefore, Joe Schimmel is actually a teacher, not a "Pastor" according to proper interpretation of the New Testament.

Furthermore, these teachers did not stand in pulpits for 45 minutes delivering sermons. See 1 Corinthians 14 if you doubt this.

Thus, this blows the complementarian view of 1 Timothy 2 12-15 out of the water.

When considering this passage, it is helpful to remind ourselves what Ephesus-where Timothy had been sent by Paul-was known for. See the account of Paul's time in Ephesus in Acts.

Here is a well-researched article that sheds more light on these verses.

Also, there was never supposed to be a separate clergy, that is, a class of people differentiated from the rest of the body of Christ by the fact they taught or had pieces of paper from seminaries saying they were allowed to write sermons, author books or hold other offices. This helps to explain one of the reasons pastors have such great falls. We elevate these ordinary people to a role where they're above their brothers and sisters. The pressure becomes so great, Satan tempts these clergymen in their vulnerability and they yield.

Incidentally, deacons were not what we think of as deacons today, either. While they were in church government, their role was more that of a servant, helping the local body of believers in practical ways while the elders or bishops helped the people in spiritual ways. We see clearly from Romans 16 1 Phebe was one of these people, so there goes the false prohibition against female deacons.

No comments: