All major faiths have their 'clergy' - mullahs, priests, vicars, bishops, elders etc. In Christianity, it would seem that you can't have religion without them. But are they Biblical?
National events are often decorated by a splendid array of clergy in multi-colored attire - each specific to part of the many-layered hierarchy. Perhaps surprisingly all these religious offices - from Pope to Lay Reader - are unknown in the foundation document of Christianity, the New Testament.
The only 'offices' described there are 'overseers and deacons' (Philippians 1:1). The inspired writers considered this as all that was necessary for the functions of the orderly assembly. [Request our article Church Governance.]
But such simplicity of structure is alien to most, especially episcopal, denominations. The vast array of church offices has multiplied over the centuries, and much of the dispute within Christianity stems from it.
God's Heritage
The notion of 'Christian priesthood' - clergy - was foreign to the New Testament church. All Christians were 'brethren' - the term includes men and women. As sons and daughters of the Almighty (II Corinthians 6:18) we are, before God, all on the same level. The power and pomp of church office obscures that.
The apostle Peter addresses the issue. Writing to the church generally he states: "You are God's heritage". The Greek word he uses is kleros - from which 'clergy' is derived . To the elders he says: "Feed the flock of God which is among you, exercising oversight not by constraint but willingly, not for base gain but readily; neither as being lords over God's heritage [Gk kleros] but being examples to the flock" (I Peter 5:3).
Elders
The apostles recognized the need for structure in the assemblies of God's people. Those men who were gifted by Jesus Christ with his prescribed qualities (eg II Timothy 3, Titus 1) were recognized by the brethren and appointed to shepherd that local flock. No great ceremonial - just a simple public recognition of their spiritual gifts.
Their function was to oversee the spiritual growth of all the brethren and to nourish and use the brethren's spiritual gifts for the benefit of the entire assembly (Ephesians 4: 7-16).
It didn't take long, however, for elders in some assemblies to exalt themselves over the brethren. Trappings of office were added, authority usurped, practices from the pagan religions adopted. Hence the twenty-first century hodge-podge of church offices, hierarchies - and heresies.
Local Assemblies
Inevitably, given human nature, the apostolic pattern for the structure of the church of God was abandoned. Charismatic leaders arose - as foretold by the apostle Paul on a visit to the Ephesian assemblies: "I know that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock [tearing it apart]. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them" (Acts 20:29-30).
(That's a somber warning to every Christian and especially to every Christian who aspires to leadership of an assembly - or already has that function.)
Hence arose the unbiblical notion of denominations - which replaced the autonomy of each local assembly. The New Testament letters were addressed to these local groups of Christians, instructing them in Christian principles and in how to forward the work Jesus had assigned them.
Of course, these principles applied to all God's assemblies. But it is a misinterpretation to assume that the church of God was one tightly-knit organization, 'ruled from the top down', with one man - pope, apostle, evangelist or board - directing every move.
Such an approach to church structure encourages the growth of committees, rules, corporate headquarters, inappropriate business practices, unnecessary bureaucracy. It imposes a rigid doctrinal formula - which, accepted, may inflict heresy on an entire denomination. And has often done so. All such absorb the energies of the church and hinder the work of proclaiming the Gospel of God worldwide.
To comment on this article or request more information, please contact James McBride by e-mail at the comment form below.
For PDF or mailed copy, see CGOM. Excerpt from New Horizons Issue 37, January/February 2003. Edited by James McBride of the Churches of God, United Kingdom.
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