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AUTHOR'S
VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE
THE CLERGY and LAITY TRADITION When
will the kingdoms of this world give way to the Kingdom of God?
Where
did the clergy and the laity doctrine come from?
Historical information is available to chronicles the transition
to religion in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. In my own experience of
studying the Word and watching religious scenarios playing out, I
have observed how worldly values and methodology begins to
gradually alter the Spiritual side of Christian life and
practice. Jude exhorts in his short epistle to contend for the
faith first presented by the apostles lest it be lost or
corrupted. (Jude vs 3.) Priesthood is any system in which a person (a leader or person of authority) intervenes with God on behalf of others. The revelation of the New Covenant Gospel points to a new dispensation: a priesthood of all believers. Further, in the book of The Revelation, John receives a vision of the churches and among these we find reference to the doctrine of the Nicolaitins, a doctrine that God despises. Nicolaitinism is that system that takes control over the common believers and essentially take them captive, ruling over them and dispensing whatever teaching they deem necessary and making merchandise of the sheep. We
can not compare the forms of worship or discipleship described in
the Epistles to that which we find in most formal church
practices known today. In the early days of the church there was
no formalized ministry. Discipling was, no theology schools, no
accreditation to ministry credentials. There were only
believers who after being told
the good news, free gift of salvation and were discipled in
matters of the Spiritual life afforded through the Son of God. To
these disciples it was given to experience
the powers of the world to come,
(The Kingdom of Heaven.) Changes
herald a new status of humanity Throughout
the earliest days of the Christian faith the question has been
asked and must continue to be asked, New believers require time to renew their minds and their habits of lifestyle and even beliefs they formerly held to be reasonable and true. The renewing of the mind is achieved more or less quickly as we absorb the words pertaining to the Good News. The epistles written by the first apostles describe the nature of the spiritual life and the parameters of community and discipleship. The Holy Spirit baptism is the prerequisite for any such discipleship and growth. This baptism opens our eyes to heavenly things. It bears witness to the Spirit of Truth that the world can not receive nor comprehend. If any expert tells you, with assumed authority, that the gifts of the first century apostolic church have disappeared, do not believe them. But flea quickly association with any such authority. As Jesus said addressed leaven of the Pharisees (religious traditionalists without spiritual understanding); who resisted the Holy Spirit. Matt 23: 15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.” (also see Revelation C.8, Stephen's testimony) We
begin our spiritual path as spiritual infants who crave “the
milk of the Word,” Too many who God has called to be
established as a new born child of God become polluted with
religious doctrine. Our understandings can be poisoned and
corrupted by evil doctrine. As a result, many receive the wrong
Jesus, the wrong spirit, or the wrong gospel. Religion presents teachings or stipulations that become binding or obligatory upon the followers. Are we to question the teachings of traditional authorities? Yes, prove all teachings with scripture. Are we to question the doctrine of our church or church leadership? Yes, there are many in the pulpit, who are nothing more than “blind guides.' Many who question will be shunned, or dismissed as heretical. Though we suffer condemnation it becomes the path to liberty.
In the New Testament texts, the word translated "ministry" is translated from service. The term ministry comes from Greek Diakonia. Thus ministry means to serve. Through the process of generations of religious practice, ministry has come to mean something else, something formal and liturgical. Gifts denoted experience and leadership become designated as a religious office.e.g. Pastor, Deacon, Bishop, or Cardinal. Within the context of "church house" practices, ministry has been defined and restricted to that which is done behind a pulpit and then only by the few with "credentials." Discipleship
is for all believers.
The Tradition of the Professional Clergy There are some positives that remain in the institutional church. These include social relationships and a place to receive some teachings and moral precepts that are Biblical. But even in this light such relationships are very limited and lack deeper levels of discipleship and growth in the knowledge of heavenly things. Fortresses of institutional religion remain resistant and resolute. Institutional religion is in descendency but does not have the insight to recognize its own demise. Old habits and traditions die hard. The inertia of centuries of social tradition is hard to alter. We have learned to accept without question, the role of a trained clergy person. Many of these men and women are brilliant communicators, possessing compassion and dedication. These have their own fruitfulness in their calling and are beloved by those who they touch or disciple. Conversely, there are others among the certified clergy who may not even know God, in his promises and power. Unlike the apostle Paul who said I determine to know nothing among you but Jesus Christ crucified and to demonstrate the reality of his ruler-ship by the power of God. There are innumerable trained clergy professionals who presume to substitute sermonettes rather than in demonstrating and discipling believers in Spiritual understanding and the power of the Spirit. Those who exalt 'preaching.' Eloquence and persuasive speech and the ability to hold an audience attention for a sufficient amount of time is a prerequisite for clerical success. I
believe that in the role of professional clergy men or women
assume their own pre-eminence owing to their credentials. Examining The Clergy and the Laity The Clergy-Laity doctrine divides the flock into two disparate parts. The good shepherd story described in John's gospel, chapter 10, describes the characteristics of a good shepherd. It lists among the virtues, intimacy and closeness of the shepherd to the flock. The shepherd knows each of his charges and calls them by name; he will sacrifice his personal comfort and life for the flock. Finally we are told that Jesus is this shepherd. The psalmist has written almost a thousand years before, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." Jesus Christ remains the true shepherd, the true bishop (overseer) and shepherd (pastor) of our souls." Jesus modeled correct shepherding, in his ministry process of preaching, teaching and leading with care and compassion. The Lord demonstrated his Spiritual credentials with miracles, signs and wonders, and with deliverance from the demonic. To those who did not know of the Father's plan to extend the Kingdom of God he Preached the Gospel of the Kingdom; To his closest disciples, he gave more intimate insight and he taught them through dialogue of questions and answers. It was through dialogue with his closest disciples and associates that he expounded deeper truths and unraveled parables. Jesus came and ministered with meekness and as a servant. He was a friend to sinners. He came to seek and to save and to serve. Modern church members tend to exalt leadership and place them on unrealistic pedestals and grant them unusual authority. Jesus taught us about those who lead: (Matthew 23) "Who is the greatest among you, Jesus said, shall be a servant to all." Moreover, Jesus instructed his own disciples not to place one man over others. He required that they were not to give titles to these 'masters' saying call no man master, No man teacher, No man father. This ought to qualify as a template by which to measure the character and role of those in the role of pastoral leadership. The
gift and calling of a Spiritual shepherd is a
gift to
disciple the body. A pastoral gift enables mentor-ship and ,
encouragement. The pastoral call may just as easily minister
that gift outside of the parameters of religious formalism. But
this may be a call without a salary or a congregation. The
shepherding gift forms caring relationships. It brings with it a
necessary compassion and wisdom to minister hope, encouragement,
wisdom to strengthen the 'flock.' Leadership is based upon
experience and depth of understanding of the Word of God and the
True Gospel. It should not be imagined as a mere career calling.
I know very few who fit these criteria. Guidance by Spiritually wise and experienced Throughout
the apostolic letters we are told that mature men of God were to
guide and direct and to maintain purity of doctrine and
practices. These were designated overseers (Gr. presbuteros)
of the local flocks (fellowships) of God. These bodies met in a
form and place having no resemblance to church houses that are
the norm today. In
the early days of Christianity, elders, pastors, or overseers
evolved into an office that assumed the whole responsibility of
"ministry." This evolved into the clergy roles of
today. Interesting things regarding the form of the early church
are in evidence today revealing a return to New Testament forms
of Koinonia,
Ecclesia (Christians assembling together) E
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