Narrator:
TSS William Genthree
Duration:
9min
The word clergy comes from the Greek word kleros, meaning an allotment — what has been assigned to you, your portion, and hence, an inheritance or heritage. We find it in the verses:
“The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [thereof], not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being Lords over [God’s] heritage (kleros), but being ensamples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:1-31The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:1‑3)).
This verse, however, contradicts the very thought of a clergyman — a man in charge of an assembly, a pastor over his flock. We see clearly at the beginning of verse two that it is the flock of God. It was God’s flock which they, the elders, might be given to oversee — Christ’s sheep, which they might be entrusted with a portion of, an allotment (kleros) to feed and guide.5
There are two other words used in this portion that are of particular interest. Elders is the translation of the Greek (presbuteros) from which we get the word Presbyterian. A word used to describe that form of church government created by man where a body of elected elders — or the presbytery — governs the church. The second word is oversight (episkopeo). From this we get Episcopalian — that other great system of church government that man has devised — a hierarchy of bishops that exercise authority over the church. Neither system is according to the Word of God. Before we can understand what thought these words were intended to convey, we need to consider the difference between office and gift.
Office and Gift
There are two services, sometimes called offices, mentioned in scripture: “This [is] a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work” (1 Timothy 3:11This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. (1 Timothy 3:1)). “And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being [found] blameless” (1 Timothy 3:1010And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. (1 Timothy 3:10)). These portions are better rendered: “The word [is] faithful: if any one aspires to exercise oversight, he desires a good work” (1 Timothy 3:11This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. (1 Timothy 3:1) JND). “And let these be first proved, then let them minister, being without charge [against them]” (1 Timothy 3:1010And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. (1 Timothy 3:10) JND). The word translated “bishop” derives from episkopos and simply means overseer (note its relation to “oversight” above). Deacon is essentially an untranslated word; the Greek (diakonos) simply means “servant.” Though in these verses we do not have the actual word “office,” we do find it in Romans 12:44For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: (Romans 12:4), “for as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office” — in other places where this last word is used, it means a deed or doing.
Office is not to be confused with gift. Gifts are given by Christ for the good of the whole body; He distributes gifts as He sees fit.
“He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:10-1210He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Ephesians 4:10‑12)).
In contrast to gift, a person was chosen for an office, and further, the work of an office was purely local. An overseer or servant acted within their own assembly. By confusing gift and office, the Church has seen fit to ordain teachers and pastors — these are gifts given by Christ alone.
The Bishop
An elder and bishop (overseer) are one and the same. Paul called for the Ephesian elders — “and from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church” (Acts 20:1717And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. (Acts 20:17)) — and said: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:2828Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)). And again in Titus we see: “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: ... For a bishop [overseer] must be blameless” (Titus 1:5, 75For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: (Titus 1:5)
7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; (Titus 1:7)).
An elder is what his name says (an older one, though the age referred to may be spiritual), while his work is the spiritual oversight of the assembly. At Crete, where there were many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, the overseer was to refute them (Titus 1:9-109Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 10For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: (Titus 1:9‑10)). An overseer may also have a gift, although not necessarily so, and hence we read: “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine” (1 Timothy 5:1717Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine. (1 Timothy 5:17)).
During the apostolic period, persons were chosen for the office of an overseer by an apostle, or a delegate of an apostle. “And when they [Paul and Barnabas] had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed” (Acts 14:2323And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. (Acts 14:23)).
There was more than one bishop in an assembly. The Epistle to the Philippians is addressed: “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons” (Philippians 1:11Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: (Philippians 1:1)) — or we could say: “to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with [the] overseers and ministers” (Philippians 1:11Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: (Philippians 1:1) JND). Also, as we have seen in Acts 20: “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.” In both assemblies the word (bishops, deacons, elders) is in the plural form.
The Deacon
When it came to deacons, then the assembly might choose: “Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business” (Acts 6:33Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. (Acts 6:3)). However, they were confirmed by the laying on of the apostles’ hands: “Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid [their] hands on them” (Acts 6:66Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. (Acts 6:6)).
The word ‘deacon’ stands in place of the Greek word — diakonos. Except for the Epistles to Timothy and Titus, and one reference in Philippians (1:1), the word is typically translated ‘minister’ or ‘serve’ (for example 1 Corinthians 16:15), which is all that it means. A deacon ministered to the temporal needs of the assembly. The deacon must be blameless, and because his wife helped him, she must be grave — honorable.
Bishops and Deacons After the Apostolic Period
Scripture never intimates that the assembly has the authority to appoint elders. We see only apostles and those directed by the apostles (Timothy and Titus) appointing elders. The apostles laid the foundation (Eph 2:2020And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (Ephesians 2:20)). They had specific authority from Christ as ‘sent ones’ in their actions. We find no suggestion that the elders had any authority to appoint elders either. The same can be said concerning the official appointment of deacons. Though the assembly chose seven deacons in Acts chapter six, they were set before the apostles, who identified themselves with them in the laying on of hands. However, in an assembly going on according to scriptural principles, where the Holy Spirit is permitted to lead, there will no doubt be men raised up to do the work of an elder or a deacon. As we read in Acts 20, it was ultimately the Holy Spirit that made the elders overseers (Acts 20:2828Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)).
The Early Church
It was not long after the departure of the apostles that we find the establishment of leaders in the assembly. It is probable that the early fathers moved in this direction to maintain (or rather to enforce) unity in the Church. Though man may adopt various devices to make unity, the Holy Spirit is that which forms the unity, and He leads in the assembly. We endeavour “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:33Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3)). We keep that which is; we do not make it. Despite this attempt on man’s part, divisions ultimately came in.
Ignatius, an early martyr and one of the so-called Apostolic Fathers, a disciple and friend of the Apostle John, wrote several letters to assemblies of his day. In his epistle to the church at Ephesus he says (and wrongly so): “Let us take heed, brethren, that we set not ourselves against the bishop, that we may be subject to God. ... It is therefore evident that we ought to look upon the bishop even as we do upon the Lord Himself.” Ignatius uses a number of like expressions elevating the position of a bishop. If the letters are authentic, it shows how quickly the early fathers departed from the pure and simple teaching of the apostles; if not, then it shows the necessity felt by man to add that which was so clearly absent from the Scripture — the notion of a clergy and a laity — to justify their actions. Laos (laity) means “people” and originally referred to those outside of the Christian circle; it has come to mean those that aren’t in that special class known as the clergy.
It wasn’t long before the leaders took the lead in ministry, quenching the operation of the Holy Spirit. Bishops and deacons became elevated offices. A priestly order, Jewish in character, came into being — the clergy. This was in direct contradiction to the priesthood of all believers: “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:55Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)).
As an assembly in a district grew, additional assemblies sprang up nearby. These came under the control of the bishop of the first assembly. An hierarchical order of bishops was established, and dioceses were formed — all without the authority of Scripture.