The Pastorate
I. episkopus - overseer of the local church (commonly bishop)
N.T. (5) {ep-is'-kop-os} AV - bishop (2) - Bishop (1) - bishops (1) - overseers (1) [5] 1) an overseer, a man charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others are done rightly, any curator, guardian or superintendent; the superintendent, head or overseer of any Christian church --------------------------------------------------------The bishop does NOT oversee churches
"For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." (I Peter 2:25)
Christ is the overseer of our souls.
"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." (Acts 20:28)
Multiple number of pastors.
"Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:" (Philippians 1:1).
The bishop is the pastor.
"(1)This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
(2)A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
(3)Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;" (I Timothy 3:1-3).REQUIREMENTS.
A bishop is to be
blameless, pay bills on time,
the husband of one wife, vigilant - on your toes,
sober - gets serious,
of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker - does NOT write people off,
not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient - NEEDS this one especially. God was patient for us. People will try your nerves.
Not a brawler - one who is always picking a fight. Do NOT compromise against sin. Christ turned His cheek and walked the extra mile."(39)But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
(41)And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain." (Matthew 5:39,41)Not covetous.
"One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;" (Verse 4).
"(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)" (Verse 5).Verse 6: "Not a novice, ...." - NEEDS practical experience - especially today.
"(1)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:
(2)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;
(3)Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
(4)And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
(5)Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." (I Peter 5:1-5)The bishop's rule --^
If you feed the flock of God then this will cause the people to come back.
Be an overseer with humility.
Overseer: Lead, Govern, Command.
God rules His local church through the Son, the Holy Spirit and the pastor.
Let the elder . . .
"And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;" (I Thessalonians 5:12).
God puts the bishop over the flock.
Pastors are to be in control in love over the flock.
"Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand." (II Corinthians 1:24)
Advice: A good strong leader pastor leads his people in the faith. Be cautious though that these people are following the Lord.
Helpers
The pastor does NOT have absolute control of the people's lives but the Direction.
The vast majority of Problems of the local church usually will be your own fault. The Reasons: NOT enough love, NOT timely preaching, did NOT call on enough, did NOT council enough, etc.
Do NOT labour in the flesh; it is not worth it.
Always consider the saints. Try to build them up.
Everyone NEEDS help.
ONLY the Lord corrects the preacher.
Morals and doctrine are the ONLY areas which the local church can object to in the placement of a pastor.
Are these symptoms to more important problems?
II. presbuteros = Elder, a minister by definition
N.T. (15) {pres-boo'-ter-os} AV - elder (64?) - old man (1?) - eldest (1?) - elder woman (1?) [67?] 1) elder, of age, 1a) the elder of two people 1b) advanced in life, an elder, a senior; forefathers; received from the fathers 2) a term of rank or office 2a) among the Jews; members of the great council or Sanhedrin (because in early times the rulers of the people, judges, etc., were selected from elderly men); of those who in separate cities managed public affairs and administered justice 2b) among the Christians, those who presided over the assemblies (or churches). The N.T. uses the term bishop, elders, and presbyters interchangeably. 2c) the twenty four members of the heavenly Sanhedrin or court seated on thrones around the throne of God. ---------------------------------- appointed by the Holy Spirit
- [Lutherans, Presbyterians]
"Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil." (I Timothy 3:6)
"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:" (Titus 1:5).
"And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed." (Acts 14:23)
"And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church." (Acts 20:17)
"(1)And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
(2)When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
(3)And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
(4)And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
(5)But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
(6)And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter." (Acts 15:1-6)"(1)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:
(2)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;" (I Peter 5:1-2).III. poimen = pastor by definition, like a shepherd who shepherds the sheep
N.T. (8) {poy-mane'} AV - shepherd & shepherds (15?) - Shepherd (2) - pastors (1) [18] 1) a herdsman, esp. a shepherd 1a) in the parable, he to whose care and control others have committed themselves, and whose precepts they follow. 1b) metaph. the presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly: so of Christ the Head of the local church; of the overseers of the Christian assemblies; of kings and princes 1c) During World War II, a shepherd was a pilot who guided another pilot whose plane was partially disabled back to the base or carrier by flying alongside him to maintain visual contact. -----------------------------------------"(1)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:
(2)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;
(3)Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
(4)And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." (I Peter 5:1-4)"(1)Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
(2)Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
(3)And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
(4)And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD." (Jeremiah 23:1-4)"(35)And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
(36)But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." (Matthew 9:35-36)"(1)Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
(2)But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
(3)To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
(4)And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
(5)And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
(6)This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
(7)Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
(8)All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
(9)I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
(10)The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
(11)I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
(12)But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
(13)The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
(14)I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
(15)As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
(16)And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." (John 10:1-16)"(1)And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
(2)Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
(3)Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.
(4)The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
(5)And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.
(6)My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.
(7)Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;
(8)As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;
(9)Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;
(10)Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them." (Ezekiel 34:1-10)"(32)And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.
(33)And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.
(34)And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things." (Mark 6:32-34)"(7)Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
(8)Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
(9)Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
(10)We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
(11)For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
(12)Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
(13)Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
(14)For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
(15)By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
(16)But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
(17)Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
(18)Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
(19)But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
(20)Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant," (Hebrews 13:7-20)."(21)For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
(22)Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
(23)Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
(24)Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
(25)For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." (I Peter 2:21-25)"(11)And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
(12)For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
(13)Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
(14)That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
(15)But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
(16)From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." (Ephesians 4:11-16)"(1)This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
(2)A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
(3)Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
(4)One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
(5)(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
(6)Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
(7)Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." (I Timothy 3:1-7)The pastorate is a grave responsibility. Be there when the people NEED you. The pastor is to keep watch. He is to keep the people together.
IV. kerux = proclaimer or preacher
{kay'-roox} AV - preacher (3?) 1) a herald or messenger vested with public authority, who conveyed the official messages of kings, magistrates, princes, military commanders, or who gave a public summons or demand, and performed various other duties. In the N.T. God's ambassador, and the herald or proclaimer of the divine word. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------"(1)I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
(2)For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
(3)For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
(4)Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
(5)For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
(6)Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
(7)Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity." (I Timothy 2:1-7)We ought to be a thermostat.
"Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles." (II Timothy 1:11)
"And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;" (II Peter 2:5).
"(1)I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;"
(2)Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
(3)For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
(4)And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (II Timothy 4:1-4)He proclaims the truth which dispels the error.
logos = Word (Christ)
Christ is the Answer.
Learn to preach.
Expounding the Word is NOT pounding on the pulpit.
Do NOT mistake fire for fearlessness.
V. didaskalos = teacher
{did-as'-kal-os} AV - Master (Jesus) (40?) - teacher & teachers (10?) - master & masters (7?) - doctors (1?) [58?] 1) one who is fitted to teach, or thinks himself so. 2) the teachers of the Jewish religion. 3) of those who by their great power as teachers draw crowds around them i.e. John the Baptist, Jesus. 4) by preeminence used of Jesus by himself, as one who showed men the way of salvation 5) of the apostles, and of Paul 6) of those who in the religious assemblies of the Christians, undertook the work of teaching, with the special assistance of the Holy Spirit 7) of false teachers among Christians ----------------------------------"An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law." (Romans 2:20)
- methodical teaching
"And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." (I Corinthians 12:28)
List the officers.
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;" (Ephesians 4:11).
"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;" (I Peter 5:2).
Put feed in the trough. The food MUST be palatable.
"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." (Titus 1:9)
"(2)And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
(24)And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient," (II Timothy 2:2,24).Teach others.
Make it interesting.
Teach and preach Series, Books, Subjects (e.g. faith, love, etc.)
Retirement is a modernistic idea.
Preaching is a lifetime calling.
VI. diakonas = servants ONLY, an office
{dee-ak'-on-os} AV - minister (20?) - servant (7?) - deacon (3?) [30?] I) one who executes the commands of another, especially of a master; a servant, attendant, minister. 1) the servant of a king. 2) a deacon, one who, by virtue of the office assigned to him by the local church, cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected for their use. 3) a waiter, one who serves food and drink. ----------------------------------------The pastor is a servant.
Have rotating deacons (e.g. 1 for one year, 1 for two years and 1 for three years).
diaka(o) - doulos
{doo'-los} AV - servant (118?) - bond (6?) - bondman (1?) [125?] 1) a slave, bondman, man of servile condition 1a) a slave 1b) metaphorically, one who gives himself up to another's will; those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing His cause among men; devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests 2) a servant, attendant --------------------slave - hasten or pursue after
Note: diakoneo {dee-ak-on-eh'-o} -------------------------------- AV - minister unto (15) - serve (10) - minister (7) - misc. (5) [37] I) to be a servant, attendant, domestic,; to serve, wait upon. 1) to minister to one; render ministering offices to, to be served, ministered unto. 2) to wait at a table and offer food and drink to the guests, used of women preparing food. 3) to minister, i.e. supply food and necessities of life; to relieve one's necessities (e.g. by collecting alms), to provide take care of, distribute, the things necessary to sustain life; to take care of the poor and the sick, who administer the office of a deacon; in Christian churches to serve as deacons. 4) to minister, i.e. to attend to anything, that may serve another's interests ---------"(26)But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
(27)And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
(28)Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:26-28)"(5)His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
(6)And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
(7)Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
(8)And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
(9)When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
(10)And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now." (John 2:5-10)Governor, lord and servant.
"Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;" (I Timothy 3:8).
"grave" =
"Likewise"
"much wine": oinos {oy'-nos}