The Doctrine of the Church. Part 1 – The Lamp & Light Post

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The supreme business of God in this age is the gathering of the Church. Someday it will be complete (Eph. 4:12), and then the age will have served its purpose.

Ephesians 4:12 (NKJV) for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

I. Definitions; Distinctions

1. Old Testament Use of the Word

Lev. 4:13—”And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly. . . .” The Hebrew word for assembly means to call or assemble, and is used not only for the act of calling itself, but also for the assembly of the called ones. In this sense Israel is called a “church,” an assembly, because called out from among the other nations to be a holy people (Acts 7:38, “the church in the wilderness”). There is always a religious aspect associated with this particular call.

Leviticus 4:13 (NKJV) ‘Now if the whole congregation of Israel sins unintentionally, and the thing is hidden from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done something against any of the commandments of the LORD in anything which should not be done, and are guilty;

Acts 7:38 (NKJV) This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us,

2. The New Testament Use of the Word

The Greek term ἐκκλησία (ekklesia) is normally translated as “church” in the New Testament.

a) Ecclesia, from Two Greek Words Meaning “To Call Out From.”

This word is used in all about 111 times in the New Testament. It is used in a secular sense in Acts 19:39—”It shall be determined in a lawful assembly”; of Israel in the wilderness (Acts 7:38), and of the assembly of believers in Christ (Matt. 16:18; 18:17; 1 Cor. 1:2; Eph. 5:25-27).

Matthew 16:18 (NKJV) And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 18:17 (NKJV) And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

1 Corinthians 1:2 (NKJV) To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

Ephesians 5:25-27 (NKJV) ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, ²⁶ that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷ that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

In keeping with this idea the saints are said to be the “called-out” ones (Rom. 8:30; 1 Cor. 1:2; cf. 2 Cor. 6:17).

Romans 8:30 (NKJV) Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

1 Corinthians 1:2 (NKJV) To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

2 Corinthians 6:17 (NKJV) Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”

Saints

Hagios

(adjective) – The KJV translates Strongs G40 in the following manner: holy (161x), saints (61x), Holy One (4x), misc (3x).

Luke 1:49 (NKJV) For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy (hagios) is His name.

Luke 1:70 (NKJV) As He spoke by the mouth of His holy (hagios) prophets, Who have been since the world began,

Luke 1:72 (NKJV) To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy(hagios) covenant,

Luke 11:13 (NKJV) If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy (Hagios) Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Romans 1:7 (NKJV) To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints (Hagios): Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 7:12 (NKJV) Therefore the law is holy (Hagios), and the commandment holy (Hagios) and just and good.

Ephesians 1:1 (NKJV) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints (Hagios) who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:

Revelation 13:7 (NKJV) It was granted to him to make war with the saints (Hagios) and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.

Qadowsh

The KJV translates Strongs H6918 in the following manner: holy (65x), Holy One (39x), saint (12x).

First Mention

Exodus 19:6 (NKJV) And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

Leviticus 21:8 (NKJV) Therefore you shall consecrate him, for he offers the bread of your God. He shall be holy to you, for I the LORD, who sanctify you, am holy.

Leviticus 11:45 (NKJV) For I am the LORD who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

Isaiah 48:17 (NKJV) Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go.

Psalm 89:5-8 (NKJV) ⁵ And the heavens will praise Your wonders, O LORD; Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the saints.
⁶ For who in the heavens can be compared to the LORD? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened to the LORD?
⁷ God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be held in reverence by all those around Him.
⁸ O LORD God of hosts, Who is mighty like You, O LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You.

b) “Kuriakon”—That Which Belongs to the Lord

What most people do not know is that the English word “church” did not originate from the word ἐκκλησία (ekklesia) nor from the concept of the ἐκκλησία (ekklesia) as expressed in the New Testament.

Instead, the English word “church” originated with the Greek word κυριακός‚ (kuriakos), which means “belonging to the Lord”. This word is used twice in the New Testament:

1 Corinthians 11:20 (NKJV) Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper.

Revelation 1:10 (NKJV) I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,

In both of these verses, the adjective κυριακός (kuriakos) is used to specify the owner of the “supper” or “day”, that is, the supper and day belonged to the Lord. This word belongs to a completely different somantic domain (range of meanings) than the Greek word ἐκκλησία (ekklesia).

It is from the New Testament primarily, if not exclusively, that the real meaning and idea of the Church is derived. The Christian Church is a New Testament institution, beginning with Pentecost, and ending with the gathering of the Elect. Two words are of special importance in this connection:

See also Luke 22:25 and Rom. 14:8, 9, as illustrating that over which the Lord has dominion and authority.

Luke 22:25 (NKJV) And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’

Romans 14:8-9 (NKJV) 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

To sum up then: The Church is composed of the body of believers who have been called out from the world, and who are under the dominion and authority of Jesus Christ.

c) The Growth of the Church Idea in the New Testament

At first there was but one Church at Jerusalem. The meetings may have been held in different houses, yet there was but one Church with one roster: so we read of the total membership consisting at one time of

120 (Acts 1:15),
- Acts 1:15 (NKJV) And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said,
again of 3,000 (2:41),
- Acts 2:41 (NKJV) Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
and still again of 5,000 (4:4),
- Acts 4:4 (NKJV) However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
to which there were daily additions (2:47).

The apostles were at the head of the Church (2:41-47).

Acts 2:41-47 (NKJV) ⁴¹ Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
⁴² And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. ⁴³ Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. ⁴⁴ Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, ⁴⁵ and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. ⁴⁶ So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

The second stage in the growth of the Church was its spread throughout Judea and Samaria, as recorded in Acts 8.

Antioch, in Syria, then became the head of the Gentile Church (Acts 13:1), as Jerusalem was the head of the Jewish Church (Acts 15); Paul representing the Church at Antioch, and Peter and James at Jerusalem. The assembly at Antioch was called “the church” just as truly as was the assembly at Jerusalem (11:22; 13:1).

Because of the missionary activities of the apostles, especially Paul, churches sprang up in different cities, especially in Asia Minor, e.g., Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, and Philippi.

In view of all this the term “church” came to be used of the Church universal, that is, the complete body of Christ as existing in every place (1 Cor. 15:9; Gal. 1:2, 13; Matt. 16:18);

1 Corinthians 15:9 (NKJV) For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Galatians 1:2 (NKJV) and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:

Galatians 1:13 (NKJV) For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.

Matthew 16:18 (NKJV) And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

of local churches in any one place (Col. 4:16; Phil. 4:15; 1 Cor. 1:2, etc.);

Colossians 4:16 (NKJV) Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

Philippians 4:15 (NKJV) Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.

of single meetings, even where two or three met together (Matt. 18:19; Col. 4:15; Phil. 1:2; Rom. 16:5).

Matthew 18:19 (NKJV) Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.

Colossians 4:15 (NKJV) Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.

Philippians 1:2 (NKJV) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 16:5 (NKJV) Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.

It is evident, then, from what has here been said, that by the term “church” is included all that is meant from the Church Universal to the meeting of the church in the house. Wherever God’s people meet in the name of Christ to worship, there you have the Church.

II. The Founding of the Church

1. Foretold by Christ

Matthew 16:16-18 (NKJV) ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. ¹⁸ And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

The Church is to be founded on Peter’s confession of Jesus Christ as the Son of the living God. No supremacy is here given to Peter, as a comparison of these verses with John 20:19-23, and Matt. 18:18—in which the same privilege of the binding and loosing is given to the whole Church and to all the apostles—will show.

John 20:19-23 (NKJV) ¹⁹ Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” ²⁰ When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. ²¹ So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” ²² And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Matthew 18:18 (NKJV) Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

In Matthew 18:15-20 our Lord recognizes the fact of the Church, and also that it has the divine seal and sanction in the exercising of the power of the keys.

Matthew 18:15-20 (NKJV) ¹⁵ “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. ¹⁶ But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’
¹⁷ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. ¹⁸ Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. ¹⁹ Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

2. Historically Founded by the Apostles

Acts 1-2:47. The promise and prophecy of Matt. 16:16-18 is here fulfilled. Here is the account of the first Christian Church in its glorious beginning, and as it actually existed in Jerusalem.

When a man became regenerate by believing in Jesus Christ he was thereby constituted a member of the Church. There was no question as to whether he ought to join himself to the Church or not; that was a fact taken for granted. So we read that the Lord was adding to the Church daily such as were being saved. The Church was already a concrete institution to which every believer in Christ united himself.

“The Apostles’ doctrine” formed the standard of faith – a fulfillment of Christ’s prophecy and promise in Matthew 16:16-18: “On this rock I will build my church,” etc.

The Church had stated places of meeting:

the upper room (Acts 1:13),
- Acts 1:13 (NKJV) And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.
the temple (Acts 5:12),
- Acts 5:12 (NKJV) And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.
the homes of members (Acts 2:46, 12:12), and the synagogue;
- Acts 2:46 (NKJV) So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
- Acts 12:12 (NKJV) So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.

Eventually, the place where believers met together came to be called “the Lord’s house” using the term κυριακόν (kuriakon), which is the neuter version (literally, “the Lord’s thing”). This word made its way into both German (“Kirche”), Anglo Saxon (“circe“), and Middle English (“chirche”). It is interesting that when Luther translated the New Testament into vernacular German, he did not use the word “Kirche” to translate ἐκκλησία (ekklesia), he used the German word “Gemeinde”, which means something similar to the English word “community”. However, many Germans still refer to the “church” as the “Kirche”.

When Tyndale translated the New Testament into English in 1536, he also did not use the word “church” to translate the Greek word ἐκκλησία (ekklesia). Instead, he used the word “congregation”. However, within the next 100 years, all English translations normally used the word “church”.

In some modern languages, the word currently used for the church did derive from the Greek word ἐκκλησία (ekklesia). For example, the French word “église” and the Spanish word “iglesia” derive from the Greek word ἐκκλησία (ekklesia) through the Latin “ecclesia”. This does not mean that “église” and “iglesia” are always used in the same way that the New Testament authors used the word ἐκκλησία (ekklesia). We know that the meaning of words change with time.

So, it does not matter what word is used to reference the church in the New Testament. We can use “church”, or “community”, or “église”, or “iglesia”. It is not the word itself that is important. Instead, it is important how we use those words. Do we use them to refer to buildings or organizations or denominations or clergy? If so, then we are not referring to the same thing that the New Testament authors were referring to when they used the Greek word ἐκκλησία (ekklesia). However, if we use these words to refer to the people of God, then we are referring to the church, or community, or église, or iglesia, or ekklesia that Christ loved and for whom he gave himself.

Stated times of meeting:

daily (Acts 2:46),
each Lord’s Day (Acts 20:7),
- Acts 20:7 (NKJV) Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
the regular hours of prayer (Acts 3:1; 10:9);
- Acts 3:1 (NKJV) Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
- Acts 10:9 (NKJV) The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.

A regular church roll:

120 (Acts 1:15),
- Acts 1:15 (NKJV) And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said,
3,000 (Acts 2:41),
- Acts 2:41 (NKJV) Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
5,000 (Acts 4:4);
- Acts 4:4 (NKJV) However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
daily additions (Acts 2:47).
- Acts 2:47 (NKJV) praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

That there were definitely, regularly organized churches is clear from the fact that the Apostle Paul addressed many of his epistles to churches in different localities. The letters to the Corinthians (e.g., 1 Corinthians 12-14) show that the churches had already recognized certain forms of service and liturgy (Liturgy is the customary public worship done by a specific religious group, according to its particular beliefs, customs and traditions.); those to Timothy and Titus presume a regularly organized congregation of believers.

That there is a Church in the world is clear from 1 Cor. 5:9-13.

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (NKJV) ⁹ I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. ¹⁰ Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. ¹¹ But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner–not even to eat with such a person. ¹² For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? ¹³ But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”

The Christian Church is as much an entity as the Gentile, or the Jew (1 Cor. 10:32).

1 Corinthians 10:32 (NKJV) Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,

The existence of church officers proves the existence of the Church in an organized form:

bishops and deacons (Phil. 1:1),
- Philippians 1:1 (NKJV) Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
elders (Acts 20:17),
- Acts 20:17 (NKJV) From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.
the presbytery (1 Tim. 4:14).
- 1 Timothy 4:14 (NKJV) Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.
Church letters were granted to members (Acts 18:27).
- Acts 18:27 (NKJV) And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;

III Leadership in the Church – Its Conditions and Characteristics

Nicolaitanes:

Revelation 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.

Revelation 2:14 … So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth

The root of the word Nicolaitanes comes from Greek nikos, to conquer or overcome, and laos, which means people and which the word laity comes from. The laity comprises all persons who are not in the clergy. A good translation of Nicolaitanes would be “those who prevail over the people.

Priests or clergy to represent the people before God is wrong.

1 Peter 2: 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Biblical Leadership

1 Peter 5:1-7 (NKJV) ¹ The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:
² Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
³ nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
⁴ and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
⁵ Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”

⁶ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
⁷ casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Peter exhorted us to

Shepherd the flock of God,
Serve as overseers,
- not because I have to but willingly
- Not for any gain, money or popularity for example, but eagerly
Not being Lords over those entrusted to me but being examples to the flock.
- Not being controlling, but revealing.
Younger people, new in faith, not just age, submit yourselves to your elders
submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility.

This comes with a warning: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

The Lord was very clear in His Word about how He wishes His church on earth to be organized and managed.

First, Christ is the head of the church and its supreme authority (Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; Colossians 1:18).
Second, the local church is to be autonomous, free from any external authority or control, with the right of Spirit filled-government and freedom from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations (Titus 1:5).
Third, the church is to be governed by spiritual leadership of Bishops, Elders and deacons.

What went wrong?

The first three centuries of Christianity were years of persecution by the succession of Roman Emperors – from Nero to Diocletian – that drove it underground. After facing nearly three centuries of hostility by Roman emperors, the persecution and martyrdom of Christians in Rome ended with the reforms of the Emperor Constantine (r. 306-337). Constantine was responsible for legalizing Christianity throughout the Roman Empire.

Constantine’s Edict of Toleration (313 A.D.) granted to “Christians and to all others full liberty of following that religion which each may choose,” thus legalizing Christianity.

And Constantine went even further, favoring Christians in the filling of the chief offices, exempting Christian ministers from taxes and military service, and making Christianity the de facto religion of the court. Thus began the migration from the rags of the caves and catacombs to the silks of the Imperial Court.

On March 7, 321, Constantine introduced the first civil legislation concerning Sunday: “Let all the judges and town people, and the occupation of all trades rest on the venerable day of the sun.”17 In 325 A.D., Constantine issued a general exhortation to all his subjects to embrace Christianity.

One of Constantine’s first acts upon ascending the throne was to order fifty Bibles to be prepared for the instruction of the churches. These were the first Bibles, and included – for the first time – the New Testament as we know it today.

(The Council of Carthage, in 397 A.D., would later give formal ratification to the unanimous judgment of the churches, accepting the 27 books of the New Testament as we know them).

Under Constantine, Sunday was declared a day of rest; slavery, gladiatorial fights, killing of unwelcome children, and crucifixion as a form of execution were also abolished.

It was Constantine’s second successor, Theodosius II (378-398 A.D.) that would declare Christianity the single state religion of the Empire.

Theodosius undertook the forcible suppression of all other religions, and in 392 he prohibited paganism. (It was through this fusing of extant paganism with the new Christianity that the December 25 of Sol Invictus became the Christmas of the Christians, etc.)

In 380, the Flavius Theodosius (r. 379-395) made Christianity the official religion of Rome. His legislation in 380 affirmed the dogmas of the Council of Nicaea and made church membership compulsory.

This is the worst calamity that has ever befallen the church because thus began the great apostasy as the church began its pursuit of temporal power.

At the close of the fourth century, the majority of Roman citizens had converted to Christianity. The separation between Church and state was all but extinguished. When the political power of the emperors collapsed with the fall of the Roman Empire, in 410, the Church and its leaders endured as the dominant influence in Roman culture and politics.

From that we see the current form of clergy develop. Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership. The term ultimately comes from the Greekklēros, “a lot”, “that which is assigned by lot” (allotment) or metaphorically, “inheritance”.

The Biblical concept of the five-fold ministry from Ephesians 4:11, “It was he who gave some to be (1) apostles, some to be (2) prophets, some to be (3) evangelists, and some to be (4) pastors and (5) teachers” were all but extinct because of who was running the Church.

Ephesians 4:11-17 (NKJV) ¹¹ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
¹³ till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
¹⁴ that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
¹⁵ but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head–Christ–
¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
¹⁷ This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,

The clergy were rulers over the people, often there for their own political ambitions.

This clerical system later developed into the papal hierarchy of priests and clergy lording over the flock. The Council of Trent, the 16th-century Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church stated, “If anyone shall say that there is not in the Catholic Church a hierarchy established by the divine ordination, consisting of bishops, presbyters and ministers, let him be anathema.” banished, exiled, excommunicated.

Priests or clergy to represent the people before God is wrong. This very idea was taken over by the Protestants with their own corruption of leadership roles and coverings.

The Church of Ephesus was commended for hating the deeds of the Nicolaitans. The wrong separation of the clergy from the laity is a great evil in God’s sight and He hates the lust for religious power over others.

There is an ungodly spiritual authority in the Church today, which is nothing more than the prideful spirit of control, manipulation, domination and intimidation and a rebellion of the rightful authority of God.

Foundation of Apostles and Prophets

The household of God is built on the foundation of the apostles (whose teachings we call the New Testament) and also on the prophets (what we call the Old Testament) —with Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.

There are only three offices in local church government, namely bishop, elder and deacon. The term “minister” is not a scriptural term for an office, but a general term that could apply to anyone who is a minister of the Word (including an apostle, a prophet or an evangelist), or to a deacon who is a minister of temporal needs.

We all have direct access to Christ, the Head of the Church. And in the New Dispensation, everyone in the congregation of a local church should be under the authority of an elder, who is under the authority of a bishop.

Every new convert should be discipled by, and accountable to one elder until the Lord calls him to a ministry that would take him out from under his authority.

Leadership Summary

Shepherds serve the sheep but the wolves that clothe themselves with so-called leadership and spiritual authority serve themselves, thinking that they serve God, in essence, this makes them false christs.

Under the plan God has ordained for the church, leadership is a position of humble, loving service. Church leadership is ministry, not management. Those whom God designates as leaders are called not to be governing monarchs, but humble slaves; not slick celebrities, but laboring servants. Those who would lead God’s people must above all exemplify sacrifice, devotion, submission, and lowliness. Jesus Himself gave us the pattern when He stooped to wash His disciples’ feet, a task that was customarily done by the lowest of slaves (John 13). If the Lord of the universe would do that, no church leader has a right to think of himself as “Lord over his people”

Early church leaders were established as overseers, not a ruling hierarchy.

Jesus Christ alone is the Head of the Church, and the believers the body.

I personally believe that the Protestant Reformation did not go far enough to demonstrate a New Testament belief in the “priesthood” of all believers who imparts to faithful men what they have learned so that these men shall be able to train others.