The Wednesday Notes
Pastorship
Table of Contents
Part 7 Watchman and Gatekeeper
Part 1, April 9, 2003 - Terms
Ephesians 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, (from New International Version)
PASTOR
poimen (poy-mane'); of uncertain affinity; a shepherd (literally or figuratively):
KJV - shepherd, pastor. All except one translated as "shepherd"
Matt 9:36; 25:32; 26:31; Mark 6:34; 14:27; Luke 2:8; 2:15; 2:18; 2:20
John 10:2; 10:11-12; 10:14; 10:16; Eph 4:11; Heb 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25
poimaino (poy-mah'-ee-no); to tend as a shepherd of (figuratively, superviser):
KJV - feed (cattle), rule.
Matt 2:6; Luke 17:7; John 21:16; Acts 20:28; 1 Cor 9:7; 1 Peter 5:2; Jude 12; Rev 2:27; 7:17; 12:5; 19:15
[Some translations punctuate and/or understand the last two as pastor/teacher – one gift.]
TEACHER
didaskalos (did-as'-kal-os); from NT:1321; an instructor (genitive case or specially):
KJV - doctor, master, teacher. Most frequently translated as "Master" such as when addressing Jesus.
Matt 8:19; 9:11;10:24; 10:25;12:38; 17:24; 19:16;22:16; 22:24; 22:36; 26:18
Mark 4:38; 5:35; 9:17;9:38;10:17; 10:20;10:35;12:14; 12:19; 12:32;13:1; 14:14
Luke 2:46; 3:12; 6:40; 7:40; 8:49; 9:38; 10:25;11:45; 12:13;18:18; 19:39; 20:21; 20:28; 20:39; 21:7
Luke 22:11; John 1:38; 3:2; 3:10; 8:4; 11:28;13:13-14; 20:16
Acts 13:1; Rom 2:20; 1 Cor 12:28-29; Eph 4:11; 1 Tim 2:7; 2 Tim 1:11; 2 Tim 4:3; Heb 5:12
James 3:1
rhabbi (hrab-bee'); of Hebrew origin [OT:7227 with pronominal suffix); my master, i.e Rabbi, as an official title of honor:
KJV - Master, Rabbi.
Matt 23:7-8; 26:25; 26:49; Mark 9:5;10:51; 11:21; 14:45; John 1:38; 1:49; 3:2; 3:26; 4:31; 6:25
John 9:2; 11:8
PASTOR
(pas'-ter) (ro`eh; poimen; literally, a helper, or feeder of the sheep (the King James Version Jer 2:8; 3:15; 10:21; 12:10; 17:16; 22:22; 23:1-2, and in Eph 4:11, the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American))): Besides the literal sense the word has now a figurative meaning and refers to the minister appointed over a congregation. This latter meaning is recognized in the translation of the King James Version.
(from International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1996 by Biblesoft)
PASTOR
The feeder, protector, and guide, or shepherd, of a flock of God's people in New Testament times. In speaking of spiritual gifts, the apostle Paul wrote that Christ "gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers" (Eph 4:11). The term pastor by this time in church history had not yet become an official title. The term implied the nourishing of and caring for God's people.
The Greek word translated pastors in Eph 4:11 is used elsewhere in the New Testament of sheepherders, literally or symbolically (Matt 25:32); of Jesus, the Good Shepherd (John 10); and of "shepherds," or leaders, of the church (Eph 4:11). The NKJV uses the word pastor only in this verse. Also compare Jer 23:1-2 (KJV).
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright (c)1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
PASTOR (Heb. ro`eh, "shepherd," and usually so rendered; Grk. poimen, "shepherd"). The rendering "pastor" in the KJV of the OT is confined to several passages in Jeremiah (Jer 2:8; 3:15; 10:21; 12:10; 17:16; 22:22; 23:1-2) and reflects the translation of those passages in the Geneva Bible. The NASB and NIV renderings, "shepherd," "shepherds," or, in 2:8 only, "ruler," or "leaders," lit., "shepherd," are to be preferred. The Gk. term poimen (Eph 4:11) is elsewhere rendered "shepherd."
PASTOR, CHRISTIAN (lit., "shepherd"). Paul's pastoral epistles contain the sum and substance of NT teaching on this subject. He laid down three functions: (1) The ministration in divine service includes the ordering of worship, administering the sacraments, and preaching the Word. Here the pastor is appropriately termed minister. (2) The responsibility of the pastoral care springs out of no. 1. The feeding of the flock is the instruction of its members, but it is also the vigilant distributive attention to all its interests in the whole economy of life. The shepherds must imitate the chief shepherd, who "calls his own sheep by name." (3) This pastoral relation passes naturally into what we have scriptural authority for calling the spiritual government of the church. Its ministers are called rulers (Grk. hegoumenoi) or presidents (Grk. proestotes), and all its members are bidden to obey them that have the rule. The design of the Lord's gift of pastors and teachers, as supplementary to that of apostles and evangelists, is "the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ" (Eph 4:12). Pastors are to be watchful (Heb 13:17; 2 Tim 4:5), gentle and affectionate (1 Thess 2:7-8), and should exhort, warn, and comfort (2:11; 4:14-15).
(from The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. Originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright (c) 1988.)
NAMES
Matt 23:8-12 "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Luke 22:25-27 Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 10:16 ...and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
Part 2, April 23, 2003 -
More Definition
"Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!
Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." Jabez
1 Chron 4:10 (from New International Version)
Ephesians 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, (from New International Version)
Romans 15:16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (from New International Version)
2 Corinthians 3:6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant-not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (from New International Version)
Colossians 1:7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, (from New International Version)
Colossians 4:7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. (from New International Version)
1 Timothy 4:6 If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. (NIV)
PASTOR
(from McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 2000 by Biblesoft)
Pastor, a shepherd (as elsewhere rendered). Besides this literal sense, the word is' employed figuratively in the Scriptures in somewhat the same way as it is now used to denote a stated minister appointed to watch over and instruct a congregation.
Pastor, Christian, – literally a shepherd, from pastor in Latin.
No idea has been for ages more familiar in Oriental countries than that of the shepherd as the feeder and guide of a flock. Yet the terms expressing it seem never to have been applied in the Old Testament in their figurative sense to the Jewish priests except by the later prophets, more especially Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Zechariah, whose writings have a strong Messianic tinge.
Those prophets denounced terrible woes against the "brutish pastors"' who sought not the Lord, but who destroyed and scattered the sheep of his pasture. That they were also authorized to announce the glorious coming day of "the Lord our righteousness," and to promise that he should "feed his flock like a shepherd," "gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom," "seek that which was lost," "bind up that which was broken," "strengthen that which was sick," "feed them with judgment," and "be their shepherd." They also recorded God's promise, in which he said, evidently with reference to the days of the Messiah "I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding" (Jer 3:15).
Under the new dispensation the Lord Jesus Christ was prominently recognized as "the great Shepherd of the sheep," "the chief Shepherd," and "the Shepherd and Bishop of souls." In this character Christ portrayed himself when he said, "I am the good Shepherd and know my sheep, and am known of mine." "The: good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" (John 10:11,14). He employed a similar idea when giving his parting injunctions to his disciples: "Feed my lambs," "Feed my sheep."
The foregoing injunctions, taken in connection with the great commission, "Go teach all nations," show at once the nature and importance of the pastoral office in Christianity. That office is a function of the Christian ministry supplementary to the preaching of the Word. In order to make full-proof of his ministry, the man of God must be both a preacher and a pastor.
Preaching and the pastoral care have a common object. Nevertheless they employ somewhat different though never antagonistic means for its accomplishment. Their relations and correspondences will be better understood from a comparative view.
Preaching is the initial work. It awakens attention, arouses conscience, proclaims the terrors of the law, offers the mercy of salvation, and persuades men to be reconciled to God.
Pastoral care feeds the flock of Christ, nourishes and cherishes the lambs of his fold, gives milk to babes, and strong meat to them that are of full age.
Preaching introduces the Gospel.
Pastoral care establishes and perpetuates the institutions of Christianity.
Preaching enlarges the area of Christian influence.
Pastoral care individualizes the application and consolidates the results of pulpit labor. Pastoral care increases attendance upon preaching, and secures interested hearers.
Preaching attracts hearers within the circle of pastoral influence, and pastoral care waters the seed sown in their hearts.
Preaching is aggressive. It is the pioneer work of the Church.
Pastoral care follows as the work of occupation.
Preaching challenges attention and. awakens inquiry.
Pastoral care removes doubts, settles anxieties, and imparts consolation and instruction.
Preaching attacks error in its various forms, and unfolds and defends the truth of God.
Pastoral care folds, watches, and guards the gathered flock.
Preaching not followed, or not duly sustained by pastoral care, fails of its ultimate objects.
Pastoral care, without preaching, is insufficient to accomplish the designs of a Christian Church.
Churches in which preaching is neglected decline both in numbers and spirituality. Those in which preaching is depreciated, or becomes powerless, verge over into ritualistic ceremonies and profitless formalities.
Churches in which pastoral care is neglected lose their organic power, and tend to dissolution. Preaching and the pastoral care are, in fact, so closely correlated, and so reciprocal to each other, that they should always be maintained in unison, and in mutual co-operation. Yet there are some particulars in which the administration of the two functions widely differs.
Preaching, in some important senses, is a universal duty, whereas the pastoral care is committed to comparatively few.
IS THIS STATEMENT TRUE?
What about Hebrews 3:13?
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today,
so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
All God's people may be prophets, to the extent that they may, by their lives, their example, and their influence, preach Christ, and make known the knowledge of his name and the power of his grace, thus multiplying Christian activities at every point of contact between the Church and the world.
HUH? Looks like a limited understanding of what a prophet is.
Pastoral duties cannot be thus subdivided and made diffusive. They are limited in extent of territory, and for completeness and efficiency they must necessarily focalize in an individual pastor, however he may be aided by assistant pastors or lay helpers. Not merely is a pastor to take the spiritual oversight of his flock, but also to stimulate and guide the individual efforts of its members. Into this responsibility a stranger cannot enter, however good or great as a preacher.
The spirit of true Christianity always demands illustration, by private as well as public labor, for the propagation of the faith and the salvation of men. It is therefore important that such labor be under wise direction, and not wasted through circumscribed views or impulses, lacking a worthy and specific aim.
As well might there be many heads to an army as many pastors for a single flock. The apostle James rebuked this error when he said, "My brethren, be not many masters." Rather should the energies of an entire flock be guided by the wisdom and zeal of a single responsible head. In this view Christian churches should not be too large, so that individual talent will be in danger of being overlooked or unemployed.
James 3:1 – SEVERAL TRANSLATIONS – DOES IT REALLY MEAN "SINGLE HEAD"
My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. KJV
The Tongue Is a Fire – Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. NASU
The Untamable Tongue – My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. NKJV
Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (from New International Version)
Controlling the Tongue – Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged by God with greater strictness. NLT
The Tongue – My brothers, not many of you should become teachers. As you know, we teachers will be judged with greater strictness than others. TEV
Be not many (of you) teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment. ASV
Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment. NAS
Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness. RSV
My brothers, not many of you should become teachers, for you may be certain that we who teach shall ourselves be judged with greater strictness. NEB
When, however, by internal growth or centripetal attraction, a pastorate becomes too large for efficient superintendence or practical work, preaching, as a centrifugal force, should come to its relief by going forth with colonies to plant new centers of Church action. While in all these respects the wise pastor will encourage and guide the efforts of his people, he will not forget that he, too, is a preacher, and that, in order to make full proof of his ministry, he must personally "preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine" (2 Tim 4:2).
"PREACH" Whose responsibility is it to preach? Is there a Gift of Preaching?
OT: Deut 13:5; Ezra 6:14; Isa 61:1; Jer 28:16; 29:32; Ezek 20:46; 21:2; Amos 7:16; Jonah 1:2
NT: Matt 3:1, 4:17, 23; 9:35; 10:7; 11:1,5; 12:41; 23:3; 24:14; 26:13
Mark 1:4,38-39; 2:2; 3:14; 6:12; 13:10; 14:9; 16:15, 20
Luke 3:3, 18; 4:18; 4:43-44; 7:22; 9:2, 6; 11:32; 16:16; 20:1; 24:47
Acts 8:4, 12, 25, 40; 9:20, 27; 10:37, 42; 13:24; 14:7; 14:21, 25; 15:21, 35-36; 16:6, 10; 17:13-18; 18:5; 19:13; 20:20, 25; 26:20; 28:31
Rom 1:9,15; 2:21; 10:14-15; 15:20
1 Cor 1:17, 21, 23; 2:4; 9:14; 9:16-18; 15:1-2, 15:11-12, 14
2 Cor 1:19; 2:12; 4:5; 10:16; 11:4, 7
Gal 1:8-9, 11, 16, 23; 2:2, 7; 4:13; 5:11
Eph 2:17; 3:8
Phil 1:15, 17-18
1 Thess 2:9
1 Tim 3:16; 4:13; 5:17; 2 Tim 4:2; Titus 1:3
Heb 4:2; 4:6
1 Peter 1:12; 1:25; 3:19; 4:6; 2 Peter 2:5
Communion
"Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!
Let your hand be with me,
and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain."
1 Chron 4:10 (from New International Version)
Ephesians 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, (from New International Version)
Pastoral Duties
ORDINANCES
The administration of the ordinances, whether of baptism or of the Lord's Supper, is peculiarly a pastoral function, and its right discharge involves no little solicitude and personal attention to their subjects. The ordinances of Christianity are not to be administered heedlessly or by mere routine, but rather with a just discrimination as to their design and significance. Nor is the minister to act merely as a judge in discriminating character, but also as an instructor to the ignorant, a helper to the weak, a guide to the erring, and as an appointed agent, by appropriate means, to turn men from the service of Satan to the obedience of the truth and the service of God. (from McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 2000 by Biblesoft)
IS ADMINISTRATION OF COMMUNION EXCLUSIVE TO PASTOR (BISHOP, PRIEST)?:
Lord’s Supper - Paul’s instructions
1 Cor 10:15-17 ... sensible people ...one loaf... 1 Cor 11:19-32 When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, 21 for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. 22 Don't you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. ...
KLAO
The word translated “brake” or “break” from the Greek especially means the “breaking of bread.” (klao (klah'-o); a primary verb; to break (specially, of bread). It is used in the following scriptures
Matt 14:19; 15:36; 26:26; Mark 8:6, 19; 14:22; Luke 22:19; 24:30; Acts 2:46; 20:7, 11; 27:35; 1 Cor 10:16; 11:24
APRIL 17, 2003
Pope John Paul II signs new encyclical "Ecclesia de Eucharistia" Rome, 17 (NE - eclesiales.org) This afternoon, during the Mass of the Lord's Supper, Pope John Paul II signed the Encyclical Letter "Ecclesia de Eucharistia",....The Eucharistic Sacrifice, "the source and summit of the Christian life", contains the Church's entire spiritual wealth: Jesus Christ, who offers himself to the Father for the redemption of the world. In celebrating this "mystery of faith", the Church makes the Paschal Triduum become "contemporaneous" with men and women in every age.
The first chapter, "The Mystery of Faith", explains the sacrificial nature of the Eucharist which, through the ministry of the priest, makes sacramentally present at each Mass the body "given up" and the blood "poured out" by Christ for the world's salvation....
The third chapter is a reflection on "The Apostolicity of the Eucharist and of the Church". Just as the full reality of Church does not exist without apostolic succession, so there is no true Eucharist without the Bishop. The priest who celebrates the Eucharist acts in the person of Christ the Head; ...
BUT DOES THAT CORRESPOND WITH THE SEDER WHERE JESUS GAVE INSTRUCTIONS?
Matt 26:26-30 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."
27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."
30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. [similar Mark 14:22-26]
Luke 22:14-23 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." [WHAT ABOUT EMMAUS?]
After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.. ...
ROAD TO EMMAUS
Luke 24:30-35 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. ...
EARLY CHURCH
Acts 2:45-47 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
PAUL: KID FALLING OUT A WINDOW BECAUSE OF LONG PREACHING.
Acts 20:11-12 Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left.
PAUL: ABOUT TO BE SHIPWRECKED.
Acts 27:35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat.
REALITY CHECK - What if there isn’t a bishop around with a direct apostolic link to St. Peter? Do we ignore the Lord’s Supper and the instructions He gave? Where is the “pastor” in your sphere of influence? Is it you?
Who is in your sphere of influence? List the names of all of them and add your name. Who is it who "breaks bread" for all of them?
Baptism
Ephesians 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, (from New International Version)
Pastoral Duties
ORDINANCES
The administration of the ordinances, whether of baptism or of the Lord's Supper, is peculiarly a pastoral function [?], ...(from McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 2000 by Biblesoft)
IS ADMINISTRATION OF BAPTISM EXCLUSIVE TO PASTOR (BISHOP, PRIEST)? WHO CAN BAPTIZE?
If a pastor is an "under shepherd" of Jesus and is to be like Jesus, Jesus never baptized anyone.
John 4:1-2 ... although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. [Oh, oh. That means Judas was baptizing people.]
The baptism from Jesus would and must be a baptism of fire. If under-shepherds are to do anything, it should be baptism of fire and power and Holy Spirit with signs and wonders following. Are people without fire Christian?
Mark 1:8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
But scripture teaches we are to baptize:
Matt 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them ...
Mark 16:15-17 ... Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, ...
WHO IS ALLOWED TO BAPTIZE? Peter did.
Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Baptism opens the door to the baptism of fire from the Holy Spirit?
Acts 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, ...
Philip baptized – and he was just a deacon – served tables at church.
Acts 8:12-13 But when they believed Philip ... they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 8:36-40 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?"
Laying on of hands gave Holy Spirit - Peter and John. Someone else was baptizing.
Acts 8:14-17 ...they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Ananias baptized Paul – he was not recognized as either an apostle or deacon
Acts 9:17-19 ... Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Gentiles are baptized after receiving Holy Spirit.
Acts 10:46-48 Then Peter said, 47 "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Paul baptized
Acts 16:13-15 ... When she and the members of her household were baptized, ...
AN INTERESTING COMMON ELEMENT WAS THE IMMEDIACY OF BAPTISM.
"Hey. Here’s water. Let’s do it."
Who was around? The person doing the communication about repentance. The person who repented made the decision in the normal Jewish tradition of baptism unto repentance - Mosaic rules.WATER BAPTISM IS RELATED TO JEWISH MIKVAH
– if we only studied our religious roots in Judaism.Some details:
The mikvah offers the individual, the community, and the nation of Israel the remarkable gift of purity and holiness.
The world's natural bodies of water -- its oceans, rivers, wells, and spring-fed lakes -- are mikvahs in their most primal form.
A mikvah must be built into the ground or built as an essential part of a building; the mikvah must contain a minimum of two hundred gallons of rainwater that was gathered and siphoned into the mikvah pool in accordance with a highly specific set of regulations.
The person in the mikvah submerges themselves three times – this is a personal and private event. Attendants are just that – attendants. Rabbis are there to teach when teaching is needed.
In many ways mikvah is the threshold separating the unholy from the holy, but it is even more. Simply put, immersion in a mikvah signals a change in status -- more correctly, an elevation in status. Its unparalleled function lies in its power of transformation, its ability to effect metamorphosis.
Utensils that could heretofore not be used can, after immersion, be utilized
in the holy act of eating as a Jew. A woman, who from the onset of her menses
was in a state of niddut, separated from her husband, may after immersion be
reunited with him in the ultimate holiness of married intimacy. Men or women in
Temple times, who were precluded from services because of ritual defilement,
could, after immersion, alight the Temple Mount, enter the House of G-d and
involve themselves in sacrificial offerings and the like. The case of the
convert is most dramatic. The individual who descends into the mikvah as a
gentile emerges from beneath its waters as a Jew....Even for the
ritually pure, ascending to a higher level of spiritual involvement or holiness
necessitated immersion in a mikvah. [Quotes
from By Rivkah Slonim, From http://www.chabad.org/library/article.asp?AID=1541]
Jesus could not have received a "baptism unto repentance" because there was nothing to repent.
And to state it was an example for us denies his Judaism. Jesus could not start his ministry without mikvah – ascending to a higher level of spiritual involvement. [Matt 3:15 Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. ] John the Baptist was that opportunity for mikvah.WHAT IS THE FORMULA?
"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." The early church had people immerse three times – very similar to mikvah. Who should administer? Whomever witnessed confession.Recognizing a "Call"
Ephesians 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
DIVINE CALL (from McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 2000 by Biblesoft)
The exercise of the preaching office is a primary requirement of the divine call. Whoever has received that call should preach wherever hearers can be found, and whether invested with the pastoral office or not. Faithful preaching will usually, if not invariably, create the necessity of the pastoral care, but that care will not necessarily devolve on the original preacher. Many useful preachers, in fact, never accept the pastoral oversight of a flock. Some feel themselves unadapted to it. Others are prevented from engaging in it by the demands of the Church in other departments of labor. Some, from constitutional or cultivated preferences, choose to labor wholly as evangelists, while other good men may not be chosen or accepted as pastors by the people. The last remark develops a distinctive peculiarity of the pastoral office. It cannot exist, in any proper sense, without the consent of those who are embraced within its jurisdiction.
“CALL” DEBUNKING
Rom 11:25-32
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:"The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins."
28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you. 32 For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all. (NIV)
In context, God’s gifts and his call are not able to be removed (IRREVOCABLE) from the ISRAELITES because of his love for the patriarchs. When maligned preachers are arguing how they can’t be “removed”, they are claiming to be Israelites and under the label of being God’s chosen people, descendants of the Patriarchs; physically, I doubt it, spiritually, yes, just like the rest of us who are redeemed. UNTOUCHABLE? How then are wolves removed?
1 Chron 16:19-22 and Ps 105:12-15
19 When they were but few in number, few indeed, and strangers in it,
20 they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another.
21 He allowed no man to oppress them; for their sake he rebuked kings:
22 "Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm."
Again, does this refer to the wolves in the pulpit or the nation of Israel?
WHO THEN, IS DOING THE “CALLING”? GOD OR MAN?
OR THE “CALLED” MAN OR WOMAN?Acts 13:2-3 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. ...
2 Peter 1:3 ... knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
1 Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, ...
1 Peter 3:9 ...because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example,...
1 Peter 2:9 ... declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 1:15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
Hebrews 9:15 ... that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance ...
2 Timothy 1:9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done ...
1 Timothy 6:12 ...Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
2 Thessalonians 2:14 He called you to this through our gospel, ...
1 Thessalonians 5:24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
Ephesians 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to one hope...
Ephesians 4:1 ... live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Ephesians 1:18 ...you may know the hope to which he has called you, ...
Galatians 1:15 But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased
Galatians 1:6 ... so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning ...
1 Corinthians 7:24 ...remain in the situation God called him to.
1 Corinthians 7:22 For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave.
1 Corinthians 7:21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you ...
1 Corinthians 7:20 Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him.
1 Corinthians 7:18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised.
1 Corinthians 7:17 ...retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called
1 Corinthians 1:26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you ...
1 Corinthians 1:24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, ...
1 Corinthians 1:9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, ...
1 Corinthians 1:2 ...in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, ...
1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, ...
Romans 9:24 even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?
Romans 8:30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; ...
Romans 8:28 ...who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 1:7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Romans 1:6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel ...
DIVINE CALL - Continued (from McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 2000 by Biblesoft)
There are, indeed, various ways in which the pastoral relation may be established; as, for example, by a formal compact between churches and ministers, or by the routine of a system accepted by both. In other instances the pastoral relation may be imposed by government authority or private patronage, and may have a legal and ceremonial existence, even contrary to the wishes of the people; but in no case can it be fully exemplified without the personal and cordial consent of its proper subjects. The pastoral relation, as between a minister and his people, being practically a matter of agreement, is capable of dissolution by either party. Owing to this fact. good ministers are sometimes dismissed or excluded from pastorates through misapprehension or the untowardness of circumstances. In such cases their pastoral functions may be involuntarily suspended for a longer or a shorter time, but not necessarily their duty of preaching. They may go forth and seek other fields, found other churches, and again resume pastoral relations under more favorable auspices. But if from any cause the pastoral relation should not be resumed, the preaching office, so far from being abandoned, may still be maintained, and great usefulness result from even its occasional exercise.
The ultimate rather than the primary order of pastoral labor in the Church is indicated by the New-Testament record. The whole period of our Lord's earthly ministrations was that of preparatory and missionary effort, and the pastoral office was not definitely established till near its close, while that of preaching was appointed at its beginning. It was during the last six months of Christ's public ministry that the Savior distinctly illustrated to his disciples, then somewhat prepared to understand it, his own character as the good Shepherd who was to lay down his life for the sheep.
It was not till the night before his betrayal that the Savior instituted the Holy Eucharist and commanded its perpetuation in the Church, and not till after his resurrection that he gave to his disciples, through Peter, the urgent and comprehensive command, "Feed my lambs," "Feed my sheep" commands speedily and significantly followed by the great commission, "Go teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost."
HOW DO WE KNOW THE "CALL"?
Acts 9:10-11 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!"
"Yes, Lord," he answered.
Acts 1:23-26 So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs." 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
1 Sam 3:1 The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.
Expectations of a Pastor
First: a little humor
The Perfect Pastor
A recent survey has compiled all the qualities that people expect from the perfect pastor. Here we share some of them with you:
Results of a computerized survey indicated that the perfect pastor preaches exactly 12 minutes.
He frequently condemns sin but never upsets anyone.
He works from 8 a.m. until midnight and is also a janitor.
He makes $60 a week, wears good clothes, buys good books, drives a good car, and gives about $80 a week to the poor.
He is 28 years of age, and he's been preaching for 30 years.
He is wonderfully gentle and handsome.
He gives of himself completely but never gets too close to anyone lest he be criticized.
He speaks boldly on social issues, but must never become politically involved.
He has a burning desire to work with teenagers; he spends all his time with senior citizens.
He makes 15 calls daily on parish families, visits shut-ins and the hospitalized, spends all his time evangelizing the unchurched, and is always in his office when needed.
If your pastor does not measure up, simply send this letter to six other churches that are tired of their pastor too. Then bundle up your pastor and send him to the church at the top of this list. In one week you will receive 1,643 pastors; at least one of them should be perfect.
Have faith in this letter. One church broke the chain and got its old pastor back in less than 30 days.
CONSIDER: If in your circle of friends, acquaintances, family, and neighborhood, you are the gift from God to lead them to clean water and fresh grass, what are your responsibilities? What are your expectations? What is expected of you? After all, are you not their pastor to some extent?
Ephesians 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, (from New International Version)
(from McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 2000 by Biblesoft)
When our Lord sent forth his disciples on a mission of evangelization, he sent them two by two, thus indicating that in the early stages of evangelical labor a plurality of preachers is needed. In like manner the apostles, in their more important missionary tours, went not singly, but- accompanied by one or more assistants. Modern efforts for the propagation of Christianity, whether in pagan nations or in nations nominally Christian, illustrate a similar necessity for a preponderance of evangelical rather than pastoral effort up to the time when churches become established. After that, a single pastor can take the oversight of a flock that has been gathered by multiplied labors, of which preaching is usually the leading and principal agency.
While preaching is not limited to the Sabbath, yet the regular and most impressive occasions for its exercise occur on that day; whereas the most laborious duties of the pastoral office, such as pastoral visiting and the visitation of the sick, are necessarily to be performed on week-days.
Summarily stated, the chief duties of a pastor are:
1. To feed the flock of God;
2. To guide its members in the pathway of duty and holiness;
3. To guard them so far as may be possible from moral and spiritual evil of every kind.
In the discharge of these duties, not only ministerial but personal influence must be employed with the greatest diligence. In this manner only may be illustrated the design of the Savior's gift of pastors and teachers as supplementary to that of apostles and evangelists, viz. "for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Eph 4:12). The coupling of the terms pastor and teacher together in this connection is in itself a comment on the meaning of both. It shows that the pastor is to feed his flock with intellectual and spiritual food, while as a religious teacher he is to communicate the saving knowledge of the Son of God as a means of edifying, singly and collectively, the body, of Christ.
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT A PASTOR TO BE DOING WHEN “PASTORING”?
Preaching on Sunday morning
Great communication and teaching skills
Teaching Sunday School
Organizing prayer meetings
Radio and / or Television personality
Articles and / or Books published
Weddings
Funerals
Hospital visitation
Membership visitation
Door-to-door evangelism
Youth, Children’s, and Music ministry
Street ministry
Jail ministry
Infirm ministry
Community religious cooperation
Civic or Political involvement
Denominational program involvement
Special Meetings (Outreach / Evangelistic)
Missions trips
Fund raising
Church administration
Handle church finances
Building program
Reaching the "lost"
Reaching the "never been found"
Personal / Individual Counseling
Marital / Couples Counseling
Established Office hours
24/7 Accessibility
Multiple hours of personal prayer
Multiple hours of study and reading
Advanced education (continuing)
SHOULD A PASTOR HAVE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT FUNCTIONING?
Wisdom
Knowledge
Faith
Healing
Miraculous Powers
Prophecy
Discernment
Tongues
Interpretation of Tongues
SHOULD A PASTOR HAVE ANOTHER JOB?
1 Tim 5:17-18 The elders ... are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
1 Cor 9:7-14 ... those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
Watchman and Gatekeeper
Ephesians 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, (from New International Version)
BEING A WATCHMAN
(from McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 2000 by Biblesoft)
Pastors are also to be watchmen, as indicated in the apostolic injunction, "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls. as they that must give account" (Heb 13:17). The idea of watchfulness for souls had been strikingly illustrated in connection with the prophetic office among the Jews. "I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet" (Jer 6:17). "If the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand" (Ezek 33:6). Paul, in the last epistle written by his inspired pen, specially enjoins watchfulness on Timothy as essential to the accomplishment of his ministerial work. "Watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry" (2 Tim 4:5). The human mind cannot grasp a higher sense of responsibility than that with which the watchman for souls is invested. He should recognize himself and should be recognized by his flock as, in an important sense, his brother's keeper. The care of souls rests upon him as an anxiety for which he can have no relief but in their salvation. Yet how has this sacred idea been trifled with in the perfunctory discharge or habitual neglect of pastoral duties!
What is the role of a watchman?
1 Sam 14:16 Now the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, ...
2 Sam 13:34 ...And the young man who was keeping watch lifted his eyes and looked, ...
2 Sam 18:24-27 ...And the watchman went ..., lifted his eyes and looked,...
2 Kings 9:17-18 Now a watchman stood on the tower ..and he saw ...So the watchman reported, ...
Isa 21:5-8 ...For thus has the Lord said to me: "Go, set a watchman, Let him declare what he sees."...
Ezek 3:17-18 "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me:
Watchmen watch and warn. They do not dictate behavior. They observe and report it. But as...
Heb 13:17 Obey your leaders and defer to them; for they are tireless in their concern for you, as men who must give an account. Let it be a happy task for them, and not pain and grief, for that would bring you no advantage. (NEB)
A watchman is not a dictator but a reporter of the way things are: words from God; observations of actions; cause and effect: "This is sin and will result in ...".
The "pastor" who tells you what books you are allowed to read and what TV programs you are allowed to watch is not a "pastor" but a cult leader wanna-be.
The "pastor" who tells you what music to use in worship and what position (standing or kneeling) to worship in is not watching – he is dictating – he wants to manipulate people into worship of himself.
David’s pastor was Nathan – Nathan reported to the king what the king was doing (at great personal risk). 2 Samuel 12 Nathan did not dictate to the king his behavior -- he could not.
If the watchman does not report, the watchman is guilty. Notice the Ezekiel account.
Ezek 3:16-21 ... "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me:18 When I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.19 Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.
20 "Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand.21 Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul."
Obey – obedience – is more "learn from the mistakes of others" than it is "Dog Obedience Training" and pastor clones or automatons.
BEING A GATEKEEPER
2 Sam 18:26... the watchman saw another man running, and the watchman called to the gatekeeper...
The gatekeeper determines what and who comes in and goes out. The body of Christ effectively also has a gatekeeper in that the pastor (leadership) determines what comes in to the body of Christ. Hopefully, the leadership is listening to the watchmen.
Examples:
– If the church leadership never teaches on healing, there will be no healing.
– If the leadership ignores or forbids speaking in tongues, that gift of the Holy Spirit will never happen.
– If the teachers bring in ridiculous interpretations of scripture; reality of scripture will not be seen.
– If novels or wisdom of man replaces scripture, knowledge of God goes away.
– If leadership tolerates some sin while preaching against others, leadership will fail.
– A vacuum of spiritual leadership will be filled by another spirituality which may not be of God.
The gatekeeper (doorkeeper) is the one who lets in the Good Shepherd -- and also can keep him out.
John 10:2-4 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
In your sphere of influence – your "pastorship" – are you watching and reporting? Are you gatekeeping?
