First Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus are not "Pastoral" epistles. Timothy and Titus were not "pastors"; they were apostolic workers. Timothy was an apostle (see 1 Thess. 1:1; 2:6). These letters were not given the label of "pastorals" until the 18th century! They do not even address titles, offices, or positions. They address functions: shepherds and servants.
All early churches were taught the same practices. Paul makes this abundantly clear in 1 Cor. 7:17 and 14:33. Acts 2:42-45 gives us a glimpse as to how the early church functioned, and 1 Corinthians 14:26, 29-31 makes it clear. The early churches were every-member functioning. There were no divisions of classes. There was no "clergy/laity" split. The Church is a priesthood of all believers. There was not one mouth and many ears. They all participated and contributed as the Lord Jesus—Head of His Body—directed them. The Body needs to benefit from all its members working together. Paul made this absolutely clear. The way modern denominations structure themselves, they effectively strangle the headship of Jesus and stifle spiritual transformation. These structures have limited the Church to the gifts, knowledge, and experience of a single individual. The Church has been taught to value lesser things, sitting passively in a pew as if at a theater watching a single performer. This is not biblical in the least! You may think that it is biblical because it is the only experience that you have, and men have been proof-texting verses ripped out of their immediate context for centuries, but it is not.
What is an adjective? An adjective is a word or phrase that names an attribute. It is added to a noun in order to modify it. The word "elder" in 1 Tim. 5:2, 19; 1 Pet. 5:1, 5; 2 John 1:1; and 3 John 1:1, and the word "elders" in Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:2, 4, 6, 22-23; 16:4; 20:17; 21:18; 23:14; 24:1: 25:15; 1 Tim. 5:17; Titus 1:5; Heb. 11:2; James 5:14; 1 Pet. 5:1; Rev. 4:4, 10; 5:5-6, 8, 11, 14; 7:11, 13; 11:16; 14:3; and 19:4, is an adjective! It is not a noun! The "elder" as designated in modern "churches" is a noun. The Bible is giving a description. It is an aged person, a senior. (It might even figuratively designate a spiritually mature person.) It is not a title, an office, or a position!
The words for "overseer" in 1 Tim. 3:1 and 2 are nouns. But how do the following passages shed light as to what these words actually mean? Luke 19:44; Acts 1:20; and 1 Pet. 2:12. Acts 20:28; Phil. 1:1; Titus 1:7; and 1 Pet. 2:25. An episkopos is a watchman, a look out, a guardian, a superintendent who would voluntarily care for and protect the Church, much like a shepherd caring for his flock. This is a person's function. It is not a title, an office, or a position!
The word for "deacon" in 1 Tim. 3:8 and 12 is a noun. But how do the following passages shed light as to what this word actually means? Matt. 20:26; 22:13; 23:11; Mark 9:35; 10:43; John 2:5, 9; 12:26; Rom. 13:4; 15:8; 16:1, 27; 1 Cor. 3:5; 2 Cor. 3:6; 6:4; 11:15, 23; Gal. 2:17; Eph. 3:7; 6:21; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:7, 23, 25; 4:7; 1 Thess. 3:2; and 1 Tim. 4:6. A diakonos is an attendant, a minister, a servant of the Church. This is a person's function. It is not a title, an office, or a position!
Ephesians 4:11 is falsely translated as "pastors." Every single other occurrence of this word in the Bible is translated correctly as "shepherd." What are the responsibilities of a shepherd? A shepherd's responsibility is the safety and welfare of the flock. He is not to drive the flock, but to lead the flock (by example, not as a ruler). He is to feed the flock, keeping a watchful eye out for poisonous plants. He is to protect the flock from predators, being willing to lay his life down to protect them. He is to bring healing to the flock. A poimen is someone who cares for and protects the flock. This is a function. It is not a title, an office, or a position!
All early churches were taught the same practices. Paul makes this abundantly clear in 1 Cor. 7:17 and 14:33. Acts 2:42-45 gives us a glimpse as to how the early church functioned, and 1 Corinthians 14:26, 29-31 makes it clear. The early churches were every-member functioning. There were no divisions of classes. There was no "clergy/laity" split. The Church is a priesthood of all believers. There was not one mouth and many ears. They all participated and contributed as the Lord Jesus—Head of His Body—directed them. The Body needs to benefit from all its members working together. Paul made this absolutely clear. The way modern denominations structure themselves, they effectively strangle the headship of Jesus and stifle spiritual transformation. These structures have limited the Church to the gifts, knowledge, and experience of a single individual. The Church has been taught to value lesser things, sitting passively in a pew as if at a theater watching a single performer. This is not biblical in the least! You may think that it is biblical because it is the only experience that you have, and men have been proof-texting verses ripped out of their immediate context for centuries, but it is not.
What is an adjective? An adjective is a word or phrase that names an attribute. It is added to a noun in order to modify it. The word "elder" in 1 Tim. 5:2, 19; 1 Pet. 5:1, 5; 2 John 1:1; and 3 John 1:1, and the word "elders" in Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:2, 4, 6, 22-23; 16:4; 20:17; 21:18; 23:14; 24:1: 25:15; 1 Tim. 5:17; Titus 1:5; Heb. 11:2; James 5:14; 1 Pet. 5:1; Rev. 4:4, 10; 5:5-6, 8, 11, 14; 7:11, 13; 11:16; 14:3; and 19:4, is an adjective! It is not a noun! The "elder" as designated in modern "churches" is a noun. The Bible is giving a description. It is an aged person, a senior. (It might even figuratively designate a spiritually mature person.) It is not a title, an office, or a position!
The words for "overseer" in 1 Tim. 3:1 and 2 are nouns. But how do the following passages shed light as to what these words actually mean? Luke 19:44; Acts 1:20; and 1 Pet. 2:12. Acts 20:28; Phil. 1:1; Titus 1:7; and 1 Pet. 2:25. An episkopos is a watchman, a look out, a guardian, a superintendent who would voluntarily care for and protect the Church, much like a shepherd caring for his flock. This is a person's function. It is not a title, an office, or a position!
The word for "deacon" in 1 Tim. 3:8 and 12 is a noun. But how do the following passages shed light as to what this word actually means? Matt. 20:26; 22:13; 23:11; Mark 9:35; 10:43; John 2:5, 9; 12:26; Rom. 13:4; 15:8; 16:1, 27; 1 Cor. 3:5; 2 Cor. 3:6; 6:4; 11:15, 23; Gal. 2:17; Eph. 3:7; 6:21; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:7, 23, 25; 4:7; 1 Thess. 3:2; and 1 Tim. 4:6. A diakonos is an attendant, a minister, a servant of the Church. This is a person's function. It is not a title, an office, or a position!
Ephesians 4:11 is falsely translated as "pastors." Every single other occurrence of this word in the Bible is translated correctly as "shepherd." What are the responsibilities of a shepherd? A shepherd's responsibility is the safety and welfare of the flock. He is not to drive the flock, but to lead the flock (by example, not as a ruler). He is to feed the flock, keeping a watchful eye out for poisonous plants. He is to protect the flock from predators, being willing to lay his life down to protect them. He is to bring healing to the flock. A poimen is someone who cares for and protects the flock. This is a function. It is not a title, an office, or a position!
“Therefore, I exhort the elders [presbuteros] among you, as your fellow elder [sumpresbuteros] and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd [poimaino—tend to, take care of] the flock [poimnion] of God among you, exercising oversight [episkopeo] not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording [katakurieuo—control, subjugate, dominate] it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd [archipoimen] appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. You younger men [neos], likewise, be subject to your elders [presbuteros]; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” 1 Peter 5:1-5
Remember, the Bible must be its own interpreter. You cannot proof-text verses to support whatever doctrine or tradition you choose to believe. Everything must be understood in context! The context of the passages containing these words does not support the hierarchical structures that most denominations utilize.
Modern denominations have it wrong, and have had it wrong since the time of Emperor Constantine. When the Reformation took place, they reformed some of the corrupt doctrines and beliefs, but failed to reform the corrupt hierarchy and practices. They pretty much retained much of Catholicism and its traditions, tweaking them here and there. But the fact remains, the elements of modern structures and practices can be traced back to their pagan roots in both the Roman senate and the pagan religions. Modern structures and practices were foreign to the early Christians.
Now, before you get all accusatory, levelling ad hominem at me, falsely charging me with having an issue with authority and not wanting to be held accountable, let me clue you in as to what the Bible has to say about this.
Modern denominations have it wrong, and have had it wrong since the time of Emperor Constantine. When the Reformation took place, they reformed some of the corrupt doctrines and beliefs, but failed to reform the corrupt hierarchy and practices. They pretty much retained much of Catholicism and its traditions, tweaking them here and there. But the fact remains, the elements of modern structures and practices can be traced back to their pagan roots in both the Roman senate and the pagan religions. Modern structures and practices were foreign to the early Christians.
Now, before you get all accusatory, levelling ad hominem at me, falsely charging me with having an issue with authority and not wanting to be held accountable, let me clue you in as to what the Bible has to say about this.
- "If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector." Matt. 18:15-17
- "Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ" Gal. 6:1-2
- "be subject to one another in the fear of Christ." Eph. 5:21
- "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Col. 3:16
- "Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing." 1 Thess. 5:11
- "confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed." James 5:16
- "My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." James 5:19-20