ExecutedtoSuppressHisMessageDoesGodAppointPastors?

Introduction

WelcometoVolume2ofExecutedtoSuppressHisMessage.InVolume1wesawhowmoney-funded,institutionalizedreligionssuppresstheteachingsofJesusChrist,sotheycanpromotetheirownparticulardoctrinesandbeliefs.And now with this volume, we continue to address these suppressedteachings.

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ModernChristianity is founded on a single premise: Christians are unable tohave a relationship with God, without the help of an ordained ministry.ThereforeGodappointstrainedpastorsandpreachers,givingthemtheauthoritytowatchover,manageandteachChrist’sChurch.

Butthere’saproblem:ThepremisethatGodcallsandpromotesaspecially-trainedhumanministry issimplynottrue.

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1—OnlyOneChristianPastor

Christianityteaches:ThatGod“shepherds”Hischurchthroughanordainedhumanministry.

ButJesusChristtaught:ThatHe(Jesus)istheonlyspiritualshepherd,leaderandteacherofGod’speople—andthatChristiansshouldbegettingtheirspiritualinformationdirectlyfromHisteachings,whichwerepassedontousbyHisapostles.

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Jesus told 1st Century Jews the solution to all their spiritual problemswas toreject their religious leaders and begin to follow Him. But thanks toinstitutionalizedChristianity,fewChristiansknowthatJesusgavethisverysameinstructiontoHisChurch.

Therefore,whether they consist of a dozen peoplemeeting in homes or largecongregationsofthousands,mostChristiansobtaintheirspiritualinformationbyfollowingwhattheyconsidertobe“inspiredleaders,”whomGodhascalledtopastor,leadandteachtheircongregation.PreachershaveliterallyusheredJesusoutthedoor,andtakenuponthemselvestheresponsibilityforteachingGod’speople.

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Tosupporttheirparticularsetofdoctrines,mostchurchescreateaStatementofBeliefs,whichisadocumentannouncingwhatthechurchexpects itsmemberstobelieve.Suchastatementalsofunctionsasadoctrinaltest.Therefore, ifyoudisagree with your church’s Statement of Beliefs, you may have a “spiritualproblem.”Andinmanycongregations,thosewhodisagreewithchurchdoctrinemaybeaskedtostopattendingchurch.

Thus modern Christianity is divided into two levels: leaders and laity. LayChristiansneverlooktootherlaybrethrenforspiritualinformation.Instead,theybelieveGodrevealsallspiritualinformationthroughtheleadersoftheirchurch.Butherewefindyetanotherproblem:

JesusChristprohibitedChristiansfromusingtheleader-laitymodelwithinHisChurch.

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2—NoHierarchyinEarlyChurchYoumaybequitesurprisedtolearnhowthistwo-tieredstyleoffellowshipwithateachingleadershipandanon-teachinglaity,wasnotpracticedduringtheearlyyearsofChrist’sChurch.Forexample,noticewhattheapostlePaulwrotetotheearlyCorinthianbrethrenabouttheirworshipservices:

Lettwoorthreeprophetsspeak…(ICorinthians14:29-31).

Here the original Greek translated “prophets” can mean either prophet orinspiredspeaker.But notice how inLuke16:16, Jesus said “TheLawand theProphetswereproclaimeduntilJohn(theBaptist);sincethattimethegospelofthe kingdomofGodhas been preached.”And from thiswe learnhowhumanprophets no longer speak for God – because under the New covenant, Godspeaksdirectly throughHisDivineNewTestamentProphet JesusChrist (John12:49).SosincePaulcouldnothavebeenwritingabouthumanNewTestamentprophets(since therearenone);hemusthavebeendiscussing thosewhoshare inspiredmessagesamongChristianfellowships.

Nowlet’scontinuewithwhatPaulwrote:

…andlettheotherspassjudgment.Butifarevelationismadetoanotherwho is seated, the first onemust keep silent. For you can all prophesy(shareinspiredmessages)onebyone,sothatallmaylearnandallmaybeexhorted.

Theseversescontainagreatdealofinformation.First,Paulthoughtthatatleasttwoor threepeopleshouldspeakateveryassembly—so therewasno single“pastoral”speakerasthereusuallyistoday.Paulalsosuggestedthatifalistenerfeltsomethingwasrevealedtothemduringasermon, thespeakershouldallowthatpersontointerrupt.

Finally, Paul suggested the congregation should “pass judgment” on thepresentation.HeretheGreekmeanstomakeadistinctionortodiscriminate.Onecan imagine a situationwhere people sat together and discussed the sermon,giving theiropinionson the subjectmatterand trying to reacha consensusonwhether the speaker’s presentation was correct. Then Paul finished hisinstructionbyreiteratinghowallmembersof thefellowshipshouldshare theirinspiredthoughtswiththecongregation.But of course, modern Christian churches would never allow any of these

practices today. Iwould be surprised if the reader has ever attended a churchwherepeoplecouldinterruptthespeakerandsharetheirownpointofview.AndI’mquitecertainyou’veneversatinacongregationthatheldgroupdiscussionstodetermineifthepastor’ssermonwascorrect!

Withtoday’sChristianfellowships,it’sjustassumedthepreacherknowswhatheorsheistalkingabout—andtherestofthecongregationhasnothingtooffer.

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TheEarlyChurch“ProvedallThings”

Nowlet’s look at another early church practice. InActs 17:10-11, a group ofpeoplewere listening tooneofPaul’ssermons.AndIwantyou tonoticehowthesepeoplerespondedtowhatPaulsaid:

ThebrethrenimmediatelysentPaulandSilasawaybynighttoBerea,andwhentheyarrived, theywent into thesynagogueof theJews.Nowtheseweremorenoble-mindedthanthoseinThessalonica,fortheyreceivedthewordwithgreateagerness,examiningtheScripturesdaily toseewhetherthesethingswereso.

Backinthe1stCentury,potentialconvertsdidn’tautomaticallyacceptthewordsof a preacher like Paul. Instead, they studied the Scriptures on their own todeterminewhetherPaulwastellingthetruth.

Furthermore, Paul was in complete agreement with what these people weredoing—withhowtheywere“testing”whathesaidagainsttheScriptures.TheproofisinIThessalonians5:19-21:

DonotquenchtheSpirit;donotdespisepropheticutterances.Butexamineeverythingcarefully;holdfasttothatwhichisgood.

Paul was not against his listeners questioning and dissecting what he said.Furthermore, he wrote how thosewho listened to sermons should retain onlywhattheyprovedtobetruthfulandgood.

AndtheapostleJohnfeltthesameway.NoticewhathewroteinIJohn4:1:Beloved,donotbelieveeveryspirit,buttestthespiritstoseewhethertheyarefromGod,becausemanyfalseprophetshavegoneoutintotheworld.

Johnexplainedhowevilspiritsinspire“many”falsepreachers.ThereforeeveryChristian has a responsibility to test and prove that thosewho claim to shareChrist’steachingsareindeedtellingthetruth.

ThinkAboutThisTwo of the most respected apostles warned us to never blindly accept whatpeoplepreachtous.Instead,theycautionedthatweshouldchecktheScripturestoproveandvalidatewhatwehear.Furthermore,we’veseenseveralexamplesofhowearlyChristiansdidjustthat.

But today,mostChristiansconcludesomething like this:“Well,ourpastorandthe other preachers have been specially trained in college to know and teachGod’s truth — so we just trust them” (even though there are thousands ofChristian denominations, all of which teach different and often contradictorydoctrine).

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3—DoctrineNoLongerProvedAsrelatedinVolume1,Chapter8ofExecutedtoSuppressHisMessage,a1989United Nations study concluded there were over 23,000 separate and distinctChristiandenominations,witheachhavingdoctrinessufficientlydifferent fromalltheothers,thattheirmembersrefusetofellowshipwithChristiansfromotherdenominations.And thesituationhas onlygrownworseover time. Just22 years later, a 2011studybyGordon-ConwellTheologicalSeminaryfound therewereover45,000denominationsteachingdifferentinterpretationsofChrist’sgospel!

SowhichoftheseChristiandenominationsareteachingthecorrectgospel?Orperhapsthere’samorepertinentquestion:

AreanyofthemteachingChrist’struegospel?

TodaytherearethousandsuponthousandsofversionsofChrist’smessage,allofwhicharefully-acceptedbychurchmembers.Yetbackintheearlychurchwhenthere existed only a few variations of the gospel, Christians and potentialconvertsdidn’teventrustwhattheapostlestaught!

Instead, the followers of Christ verified doctrines on their own― as theapostleJohninstructedinIJohn4:1.

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TheEarlyChurch:WhereEveryonePreached

Let’sreturntoICorinthians14:31andre-readsomethingPaulwrote:Foryoucanallprophesyonebyone,sothatallmaylearnandallmaybeexhorted.

Within these early Christian fellowships, everyone shared their spiritualthoughts.And eachmemberof thefellowship had opportunities to relate theirspiritual knowledge. Therefore, preaching was not limited to a few educatedleaderswhofollowedanestablishedStatementofBeliefs.Instead,thefellowshiptaughtitself.

ThinkAboutThisIntheoriginalchurchestablishedbyJesusChrist,eachandeverymemberhada

personal responsibility to study their Lord’s teachings, then share and discussthoseteachingswiththerestofthecongregation(andofcourse,interestednon-believers).

But today,Christianscanonly imagine the heartfelt spiritual discussions thesebrethrenmust have had, as theyworked together to review and sharpen theirunderstandingofChrist’steachings.

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4—WhyGodCallsChristians“Sheep”

The early Christian church lived in an agrarian society where sheep were inabundance. Therefore, 1st Century Christians observed and understood howsheep and their shepherds interact. But today, most Christians haven’t beenwithin100feetofasheep—sothere’salotwecanlearnabout theseanimalsandtheirshepherds.Let’sstartbyreadingafamiliarpassagefromthePsalms:

TheLORDismyshepherd;Ishallnotwant(Psalm23:1).ThisPsalmdescribeshowagoodandresponsibleshepherdprovideseverythinghis sheep require. And here the phrase “I shall not want” could be moreaccuratelytranslated,“Iwon’tlackanything.”OrastheContemporaryEnglishVersionstates,“Iwillneverbeinneed.”

But understand: this passage is not discussing animals. The subject is therelationship betweenChrist and His spiritual sheep (Christians). So when theLordisyourShepherd,youwillneverlackforanythingspiritual.

Nowcontinuewithverse2:Hemakesmeliedowningreenpastures;Heleadsmebesidequietwaters…

ThePsalmgoeson todescribehowtheSpiritual Shepherd (Christ) personallyleadsGod’speopletotheirspiritualpasture(theirspiritualfood).However,modernChristians do not consider Jesus their spiritual Shepherd—neitherdo theybelieve that Jesus personally leadsHis sheep to their spiritualnourishment.

Instead,Christiansbelieve thatChristusesapaidministry to lead, teach, andguideHissheep.

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HowSheepandShepherdsInteractMyfamilyownsa ranchwhere ithas raised sheep formanygenerations.AndonceIwasable tospendaweekat this ranch.Duringmystay, thiscity-raisedauthorwasquitesurprisedtolearnthatsheeparegrazinganimals—andtheyfeedthemselves.

So after decades of church attendance and countless sermons discussing howsheepareGod’sexampleofChrist’sdisciples,whywasInevertoldthisfact?

Herearesomeamazingfactsabout1stCenturysheep—thosesamesheepJesususedtorepresentHisdisciples:

Ancient1stCenturyshepherdsdidnotfeedtheirsheep;

Instead, the shepherds led their sheep to a pasture; where the sheep fedthemselves.

Nowit’struethatsomemodernfarmersplacesheepinpenswheretheyarefedhay,silageandgrain.Butback in thedaywhen Jesuswalked the earth, sheepalwaysfoundtheirownfoodonfreepasture.

Therefore,whenPsalm23states“theLordismyShepherd,”thepassagepaintsaverydifferentpicturethanwhatweseeintoday’schurches,wherepeoplegotochurchtobespiritually“fed”bytheirpreachers.

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5—ProfessionalPastorsRiseUpIt’sbeena long time sinceGod’s people understood these scriptural analogiesabouttheSaviorandHissheep—analogiesthatshowhowGod’speopleshouldseekoutandobtaintheirownspiritualfood.WithinafewdecadesoftheLord’sdeath, a new generation of Christian preachers were telling Christ’s disciplestheyrequiredspecially-trainedteachers.Andthisnewdoctrinegrewsorapidly,theapostleJohnhadtoaddressitinIJohn2:27,wherehewrote,“youhavenoneedforanyonetoteachyou.”Unfortunately, few Christians believed what John wrote. And so with eachpassinggeneration,God’speoplelookedmoreandmoretotheirself-appointedhumanleaders,andlessandlesstothewordsofChrist.Andbythetimethefirstprinted Bibles began to appear, Christianity’s “one and only” Teacher andSpiritual Leader (Christ) had been completely replaced by human leader-teachers.

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ItwasduringthisperiodofhistorythatBibletranslatorsandcopyistsbegantomodifyScripture, so itwould appear thatGod appoints professional preachersandchurchleaders.Theoft-quotedActs20:28intheKingJamesversionoftheBible(KJV)providesanexcellentexample:

Takeheed thereforeuntoyourselves,and toall theflock,over thewhichtheHolyGhosthathmadeyouoverseers,tofeedthechurchofGod,whichhehathpurchasedwithhisownblood.

Here the Greek translated into the English “feed” is pot-mah’ee-no. But thisworddoesnotnow,norhasiteverreferredtoshepherds“feeding”theirsheep.WalterBauer’sGreek-EnglishLexiconoftheBibledocumentshowpot-mah’ee-nospecificallymeanstotendaflock.Furthermore,Bauernoteshowtheancientsusedpot-mah’ee-notorefertoslavesthatshepherdswouldassigntowatchovertheirsheep.

Thus poy-mah’ee-no describes a person who watches over, cares for, andprotectsthesheep—notsomeonewhofeedsthesheep.Andweknowthistobetrue,becausebackinthe1stCentury,shepherdsledtheirsheeptoapasturewheretheanimalsfedthemselves.

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ThissameGreekword(pot-mah’ee-no) isused inJohn21:16,where theKingJamesBibletranslatorsclaimthatJesustoldPeterto“feedmysheep.”Buthereagain,there’snothingintheoriginallanguagecommandingPeterto“givefood”toanyone.WhatJesusactuallysaidwasthatPetershould“watchoverandcarefor”Hisspiritualsheep.

AndtheversesprecedingandfollowingJohn21:16aresimilarlymistranslated:John21:15:Sowhen theyhaddined,Jesussaith toSimonPeter,Simon,son of Jonas, lovest thoumemore than these? He saith unto him, Yea,Lord;thouknowestthatIlovethee.Hesaithuntohim,Feedmylambs.

John21:17:Hesaithuntohimthethirdtime,Simon,sonofJonas,lovestthou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time,Lovestthoume?Andhesaiduntohim,Lord,thouknowestallthings;thouknowestthatIlovethee.Jesussaithuntohim,Feedmysheep.

Inbothofthesepassages, theGreekverbbos’-ko is translatedintotheEnglish“feed.”Bauer’sLexiconobserveshowthiswordcanmeaneither feed or tend.Butsincewe’vealreadyseenhowancientherdsmenledtheirsheeptoapasturewhere theanimals fed themselves, theonly accurate translation canbe “tend.”And this iswhy themore accurate NASB translates these verses, “Tend mylambs”and“Tendmysheep”.

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There are similar translator modifications within the Old Testament. OneexampleisEzekiel34:10intheKJV:

ThussaiththeLordGOD;Behold,Iamagainsttheshepherds;andIwillrequiremyflockat theirhand,andcausethemtoceasefrom feeding theflock…

HeretheHebrewtranslated“feeding”eithermeans“totendaflock,”oritreferstoanimalsgrazinginapasturewithouttheaidofhumans.ThereforetheoriginalHebrewcanonlydescribetheLord’sdispleasurewiththosewhoweresupposedto be tending (watching over) God’s flock. So here again, there is nothingaboutshepherdsfeedingGod’ssheep.

Weshouldalsonotehowthesetranslator-modifiedpassagesdonotconformwithPsalm23:1-2,whichtellusJesus is thesoleShepherdofGod’ssheep.NeitherdotheyagreewithPsalm25:4-5&Psalm31:1-3,whichstatethatit’sJesuswhoteaches,guides,andleadsHisfollowerstoGod’spasture.

Contrarytowhatchurch-sponsoredBibletranslatorswouldhaveusbelieve,theoriginal Scriptures never suggest that human leaders should “feed” (teach)God’ssheep.

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6—MisledByFalseTeaching

WhenmodernChristianshearorreadthesemistranslatedBiblepassages,it’snotsurprisingthattheyconcludetheironlyspiritualresponsibilityistogotochurchonceaweektobe“fed”byspecially-trainedleader/teachers.Andafterhundredsof years of such instruction, most Christians honestly believe their only dutytoward a spiritual education is to go to church, sit in a chair, and listen to atrainedministerplantwhattheyconsidertobe“spiritualfood”intotheirminds.ButdoyourememberhowtheapostlePaulwrotethateveryoneinafellowshipshouldsharewhattheylearn?AndhowPaulstatedthateveryoneshoulddothis,“sothatallmaylearnandallmaybeexhorted”?

So given what Paul wrote, would you expect that everyone in a Christianfellowshipwillprosperspiritually,ifmostofthefellowshipremainssilent?

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Nowlet’slookatHebrews5:12:Forthoughbythistimeyououghttobeteachers,youhaveneedagainforsomeonetoteachyoutheelementaryprinciplesoftheoraclesofGod,andyouhavecometoneedmilkandnotsolidfood.

TheauthorofHebrews(whichmanyscholarsnowbelievetobeafellownamedAppolos)taughtthatallChristiansshouldbeteachers(Greek: instructors),whoarequalifiedtoshareChrist’sgospelwithothers.Furthermore, when this biblical writer stated “you ought to be teachers,” theoriginalGreekrefers to a “duty” eachChristian isobligated to perform. JesususedthissamewordinLuke17:10:

Soyou too,whenyoudo all the thingswhich are commandedyou, say,‘Weareunworthyslaves;wehavedoneonlythatwhichweought (that’stheword)tohavedone.‘

Thus according to Hebrews, the job of being a Christian instructor is notsomething optional: every Christian has a duty and obligation to share thegospelwithotherpeople.But how can individual Christians take this obligation seriously, when thesalariedministryneverinformsthemaboutit?

ThinkAboutThis

In most churches, preaching is carefully controlled by allowing only a fewapproved speakers, all of whom are hired to preach only those doctrinesapproved by the church’s Statement of Beliefs. But when Christianity startedout,Christ’sfollowerswerefreetosharewhateverwasontheirminds.Andtherest of the fellowship— feeding like sheep—would consumewhat spiritualfoodtheychosetoagreewith,whilerejectingthatwhichtheypersonallydecidedwasuntrueornothelpful.

But today, such lively and enlightening discussions between brethren arevirtuallyunknownamongmodernChristians.

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AnImportantDistinction

EventhoughallChristiansarecalledtobespiritualteachers,wemustforgethowJesusonlyauthorizedHisdisciplestoteachthespecificknowledgeHepassedontousthroughHisapostles:

Go thereforeandmakedisciplesofall thenations,baptizing themin thename of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them toobserveallthatIcommandedyou;andlo,Iamwithyoualways,eventotheendoftheage(Matthew28:19-20).

Soyes,Jesuswants—andneeds—HisfollowerstosharewhatHetaught.Butthe Lord has not authorized Christians to share their own doctrines andtheologicalformulations.Instead,theLordcommandsHisfollowerstosharetheprecisewordsHepasseddowntousthroughtheapostles.

WemustneverforgetwhatJesussaidinMatthew10:24:

Adiscipleisnotabovehisteacher…

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Christians:CalledtoBeSpiritualExperts?

Perhaps you’re thinking: “Now hold on here: it’s notmy job to teach or tobecomeanexpertinGod’sword—becauseallthatreallymattersisthatIacceptChrist’ssacrificeandrepent.”Andofcourse,we’reallentitledtothatopinion.

Butwhenapersonstatestheabove,isn’titmuchlikesaying:“Look, I’vealready repented and obtainedmy personal salvation, so there’s reallynothingmoreIneedtodoforChrist.Therefore,I’vehitchedmytrailerup

tomy favorite church, and I’mgoing to follow them into toKingdomofGod.”

Those who think this way might be surprised to learn how the apostle Peterdisagreedwiththem.LookatIIPeter3:18:

Butgrow ingrace,and in the knowledgeofour Lord and Saviour JesusChrist.

Peterwasaveryoldmanwhenhewrotethis,andChristianityhadbeenaroundforover30years.Butevenafterdecadesof learningandgrowing inChristiandoctrine,PeterbelievedthatheandeveryotherChristianneeded tocontinually“grow”inspiritualknowledge.NowlookatwhattheapostlePaulwroteinColossians1:9-10:

For this reasonalso,since thedayweheardof it,wehavenotceased toprayforyouandtoaskthatyoumaybe filledwith theknowledgeofHiswillinallspiritualwisdomandunderstanding,sothatyouwillwalkinamannerworthyoftheLord,topleaseHiminallrespects,bearingfruitineverygoodworkandincreasingintheknowledgeofGod.

Paul didn’t think it enough to read and memorize some denominationalStatementofBeliefs,thenlisten toa45minutesermoneachweek. Instead,hewrotethatChristianityisalife-longquestfortheknowledgeofGod.ButhowcanChristiansembarkonsuchaquest forspiritualknowledge,wheneverything they learn about God is funneled through one or two pastors,preachinginaccordancewitharigidly-definedStatementofBeliefs?

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ChristiansCannotShareTheirBeliefs

I previously mentioned how some estimate there are over 45,000 Christiandenominations,witheachpromoting their own set of doctrines.And I showedhow the leadership of these denominations formulate the organization’sparticularbeliefsaboutGod’struth,whileexcludingallotherviewsandbeliefs.Furthermore,suchdenominationsoftencanbequiteintolerantofmemberswhoshare different doctrinal views, even when such sharing takes place withininformalsocialenvironments.So typically, if you are a member of a church and comfortable with yourchurch’sdoctrinesandbeliefs,youprobablyacceptthatyourchurchhasGod’s

truth—while all other churches preach that which is at least partially false.Moreover,you’ve likely concluded it best to avoid fellowshipwithChristianswhobelievedifferentlythanyou.

And if this is how you handle Christians with other beliefs, then you shouldknowthatJesusdoesnotapproveof thisbehavior.ReadLuke9:49,where theapostlestriedtousethissame“mywayistheonlyrightway,andyourwaymusttakethehighway”approach:

…Master,we saw someone casting out demons inYour name;andwetriedtopreventhimbecausehedoesnotfollowalongwithus.

Likemanymodernchurches,theapostlesappliedtheirown“doctrinal tests” tothisman—andhe failed their tests.So they forbid him from speaking aboutChrist,eventhoughhewasusingthepowerofGodtocurepeoplepossessedbydemons!Now read how Jesus responded to the apostles, after they related what hadhappened:

ButJesussaidtohim,“Donothinderhim;forhewhoisnotagainstyouisforyou”(Luke9:50).

AsChristians,weneedtounderstandwhathappenswhenweuseStatementsofBelief or test doctrines. Whether we do it openly in our assemblies or evenwithinourownminds,welimitGod’sabilitytoworkthroughindividuals.OurGod is enormous and infinite.He has unlimited power and wisdom. And Heworksinuncountableways.Therefore,it’sjustplainfoolishnesstosetlimitsonwhatGodisdoingorsayingthroughotherpeople.Andit’sevenmorefoolishforachurchorganizationtothinkitcanapproveordisapprovewhatChristiansbelieve.

Whoareyoutojudgetheservantofanother?Tohisownmasterhestandsorfalls;andhewillstand,fortheLordisabletomakehimstand(Romans14:4).

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7—ThePastorofGod’sSheepNowlet’sgetbacktothe“shepherd”conceptwepreviouslyintroduced.InJohn10:11Jesussaid:“Iamthegoodshepherd.”AndIespeciallywantyoutonoticehowJesusdidnotsay“Iam‘one’ofthegoodshepherds:”JesussaidHe’s theonlygoodShepherd.ThenafewverseslaterinJohn10:16,theLordalsosaidthis:

Andother (Gentile)sheep I have,which are not of this fold (the Jews):themalso Imustbring, and they shallhearmyvoice;and there shallbeonefold,andoneshepherd.

Sostopandreadthiscarefully:becausethisissomethingeveryChristianneedstounderstand:

TheLord and SaviorChristians claim toworship andobey, declared thatHisNewCovenantincorporatesonlyone“fold”(church)—andthissinglechurchhasonlyoneShepherd(pastor),JesusChrist.

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SoWhoAreYouFollowing?OurmodernworldisliterallyimmersedinaChristianitywhereworshipersfindit difficult to personally study and follow thewords of Christ, while they arequitecomfortable following the teachingsof theirhumanshepherds(preachersandpastors).Andifyouareoneofthesepeople,IwanttoremindyouofPsalm23:1-2,whichGodinspiredtheprophetDavidtowritedownforus:

The LORD ismy shepherd, I shall notwant.He makesme lie down ingreenpastures…

(Note: Within most Bibles, the original language translated into the Englishword“pastor”actuallymeansshepherd).ThenPsalm25:4-5:

MakemeknowYourways,OLORD;TeachmeYourpaths.Leadme inYourtruthandteachme,Foryouare theGodofmysalvation;ForyouIwaitalltheday.

AndPsalm25:12:

WhoisthemanwhofearstheLORD?He(theLord)will instructhim in

thewayheshouldchoose.

Thenfinally,Psalm31:3:ForYou (theLord) aremy rock andmy fortress; ForYour name’s sakeYouwillleadmeandguideme.

TheseinformativePsalmsremindChristianshow:

TheLordJesusChristisyourspiritualteacher.

Jesusistheonewholeadsyou.

Jesusistheonewhoguidesyou.

JesusisyouronlyspiritualShepherd(pastor).

YeteventhoughmodernChristiansgathereachweektoworshipandsingpraisestoJesus, thevastmajority donot considerHim their “one and only” SpiritualShepherdandTeacher.

ThinkAboutThisIn John10:27, Jesus said: "Mysheep (Christians)hearMyvoice, and I knowthem,andtheyfollowMe.SowhyaredomostChristiansignorethesewordsoftheirLordandSavior,preferringtofollowtheteachingsoftheirhumanpastorsandpreachers?

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ButDon’tPastorsHaveAuthority?

ManyChristianswillbequicktorespondthatGodappointspastorstoruleoverandteachtheChurch.Butthesepeopleprobablyhaven’treadLuke9:1-2:

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power andauthorityoveralldevils,andtocurediseases.AndhesentthemtopreachthekingdomofGod,andtohealthesick.

DidyounoticehowJesussaidnothingabouttheapostleshavingauthorityoverthechurchanditsdoctrines?

Yetmany Christian leaders will quoteMatthew 16:18-19, claiming that Jesusgave the apostle Peter all kinds of authority over his Christian brothers andsisters,andthechurchingeneral:

I also say to you that you arePeter, andupon this rock Iwill buildMy

church;andthegatesofHadeswillnotoverpowerit. Iwillgiveyou thekeysofthekingdomofheaven;andwhateveryoubindonearthshallhavebeenbound inheaven,andwhateveryou looseonearthshallhavebeenloosedinheaven.

And indeed, it certainly does sound like Jesus gave Peter a great deal ofauthorityovermanythings—untilyoureadthisverseinit’scontext.Moving ahead only two chapters to Matthew 18, we find Jesus giving Hisdisciples a procedure for when they believe a brother has harmed them. TheLordexplainedhowaChristian is togo to their brother aloneanddiscuss theoffense.Butiftalkingtotheirbrotherdoesnotresolvetheproblem,theyshouldconvince two or three others of how they’ve been harmed. Then if theseadditional brothers or sisters agree, they should joinwith the one offended inconfrontingtheerrantbrother.

Finally, if the errant brother refuses to hear several brothers and sisters, theoffendedChristian is to bring the matter to the entire fellowship. And if thefellowshipagreesthatthebrothercommittedwrongdoing—andhestillrefusestorepentandmaketheproblemright—Jesusexplainedwhatshouldhappen:

If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses tolisteneventothechurch,lethimbetoyouasaGentileandataxcollector.TrulyIsaytoyou,whateveryoubindonearthshallhavebeenboundinheaven;andwhateveryoulooseonearthshallhavebeenloosedinheaven(Matthew18:17-18).

NoticehowtheLordusedtheverysame“bindingandloosing”languagethatHegavetoPeter.YetinMatthew18,Jesusgavethisinstructiontoordinarydiscipleswhowerenotapostles.

Sounderstandthispoint:allChristianshavethepowertobindandloosen.ThereforeinMatthew16whereJesuswasspeakingtoHisapostles,Hedidnotbestowsomespecialkindof“apostolicauthority”uponPeter.

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Sowhat is this power to “bind and loosen?” InMatthew 16where Jesuswastalking to Peter, He associated “binding and loosing” with “the keys of thekingdomofheaven.”AndJesustoldPeterhecouldbindandloosenbecausehehadthesekeysoftheKingdom.

NowreadLuke11:52:

Woetoyoulawyers!Foryouhavetakenawaythekeyofknowledge;youyourselvesdidnotenter,andyouhinderedthosewhowereentering.

HereweseehowtheOldCovenantreligiousauthoritiesalsohada“key.”Andthiskeyrelated tospiritualknowledge.Furthermore, thesereligiousauthoritieswere hindering people from entering something by withholding this key (thisspiritualknowledge).NowreadMatthew23:13:

Butwoetoyou,scribesandPharisees,hypocrites,becauseyoushutoffthekingdomofheavenfrompeople;foryoudonotenterinyourselves,nordoyouallowthosewhoareenteringtogoin.

Andwith this additional information, themeaning of the keys becomes clear.Thesematters of knowledge or spiritual “keys”—whenwithheld— preventpeople fromentering theKingdomofGod.Andof course,weunderstand thisspecificknowledgetobethegospelofJesusChrist.

SoPeterwasgivenknowledgeofthegospel.Thereforehecould“loosen”peoplefromtheirsinsandbringthemtosalvationthroughsharingthatknowledge.ButPeteralsocould choose to “bind”people to their sinsby refusing to share thegospel.

Matthew18discussesthesameprinciple.Ifacongregationconcludedapersonwas in rebellion against God’s ways, they could ask that person to leave thefellowship. As a result, this person would lose access to knowledge of thegospel, which came through fellowship with other Christians. Remember, theearlychurchdidn’thaveNewTestamentBibles.Theonlywaypeoplecouldhearthe gospel was through fellowship with Christians. Thus Jesus told ordinary,averageChristianstheycould“bindandloosen”throughtheirdecisiontoshareornotsharethegospel.Sounderstandthiscriticalpoint:

Christ did not give the apostles any special authority over the church toestablishdoctrineanddeterminewhatyouorIshouldbelieve.Infact,JesusstrictlycommandedtheapostlestopreachonlythecommandmentsandteachingsHehadgiventothem.AndwecanprovethiswithMatthew28:20,wheretheLordhadrisenfromthedeadandreturnedtoinstructtheapostles.TheLord confirmed their apostolic mission and sent them out to evangelize. ButnoticespecificallywhatJesustoldtheapostlestoteach:

…teachingthemtoobserveallthatIcommandedyou;andlo,Iamwithyoualways,eventotheendoftheage(Matthew28:20).

Clearly,theapostleshadnoauthoritytoexpresstheirownviewsoropinionsonChristianity and its doctrines: they were to repeat the teachings of Jesus toothers.

ThinkAboutThisNochurchpastororminister—orevenanapostle—hasauthorityoverwhatyoubelieveasaChristian.Instead,yourdoctrinalbeliefsareapersonalmatterbetweenyouandJesusChrist.

Nevertheless,mostmodernChristianschosetobelievethedoctrinesestablishedbytheirchurch,ratherthanbasingtheirfaithonthewordsofJesusChrist.

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ButDon’tChurchesHaveAuthorityOverDoctrine?Churchauthorityisanimportantissueinthemodernchurch.Churchesclaimtohaveauthority“directly fromGod” tosetdoctrine, to tellChristianswhat theyshould believe, to counsel Christians with the wisdom of God, and to acceptmoneyonGod’sbehalf.

So I want you to readMatthew 20:25-27, where Jesus soundly refutes theseconcepts. In this passage, Jesuswas responding to the mother of two of Hisdisciples.Thiswomanhad just requested thathersonsbeallowed tositatHisrightandlefthandinHeaven—andofcourse,thesewouldhavebeenpositionsof great power and authority. So Jesus called the disciples together for someimportantinstruction:

ButJesuscalledthemuntohim,andsaid,YeknowthattheprincesoftheGentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exerciseauthorityuponthem.

Butitshallnotbesoamongyou…(Matthew20:25-26—KJV).

Andthat’snotatalldifficulttounderstand:accordingtoJesusChrist,thereisnoauthoritybetweenbrethreninHisChurch.

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But Jesus was not finished. Continuing with the rest of verse 26, He addedsomethingelse:

…butwhosoeverwillbegreatamongyou,lethimbeyourminister;

Most Christians read this verse, thinking Jesus was giving special credit tochurch pastors. But the Greek translated “minister” has nothing to do withpreachers.In themodern church, aChristianminister is usuallyonewho is “in charge.”He’s the onewho controls the church, gives the sermons, and accepts “God’smoney.”ButwhenJesussaid“minister,”HeusedaGreekwordthatspecificallymeans:anattendantwhowaitsontables.

Thus thosewhoare“great” inChrist’sChurcharebusy serving in lowly jobssuchaskitchenwaiters—notrespectedspiritualleaders.Thenfinally,Jesusconcludedthisconversationwithwhatisinverse27-28:

Andwhosoeverwillbechiefamongyou,lethimbeyourservant.EvenastheSonofmancamenottobeministeredunto,buttominister,andtogivehislifearansomformany.

Modern churches often use the word “servant” to refer to their hard-workingpreachers.Andindeed,Jesusdidstatethatsuchaservantwouldbecalled“chief”among the brethren.However, the Greek translated into the English “servant”never refers to a person in authority; quite to the contrary, itmeans a slave orbondservant.Thus according to JesusChrist, thosewho are “chief”withinHis Church arebusyhumblingthemselvestoperformmenialtasksasiftheywereslavesoftheirbrothersandsisters.

ThinkAboutThisThemotherofthesetwodiscipleswantedJesustogranthersonstheauthoritytosit in Heaven at His side, so they could exercise power and dominion overothers.ButJesussaid“no”tothiswoman―andindoingso,theLordmadeitclearthatGodgrantsnoauthoritytopeopleinHischurch.

InthepictureoftheChurchthatJesuspainted,nooneisrunningaroundtellingotherswhat to believe orwhat to do.Neither are they claiming thatGod hasordained them to personally represent Him, take charge of a congregation ofbelievers,establishchurchdoctrine,orcollectmoneyonHisbehalf.ThetrueandloyalfollowersofJesusChristareservants.

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8—OneLord,LeaderandTeacherLet’sreadwhatJesuscommandedofHisfollowersinMatthew23:8:

But do not be called Rabbi; forOne is your Teacher, and you are allbrothers.

There’salotofinformationinthisverse.Solet’scarefullyanalyzeit.First,theLordinstructedHisdisciplestoneverallowanyonetocallthemRabbi, which is a religious title meaning “my teacher.” Thus Jesus plainly andpointedly prohibited Christians from using titles that suggest God has placedtheminaspecialpositiontoteachtheirbrothersandsisters.

ThenJesus said, “…forOne is your Teacher.” The translators capitalized thewords“one”and“teacher”because theyknewJesuswas referring toHimself.Thus theLordcommandsHis followers—which includesallChristians—tonevercallanotherhumanbeingtheirspiritualguide,teacher,pastororpreacher.

NextJesussaid“youareallbrothers.”AndhereJesususedaGreekword thatmeans thewomb. So yet again, Jesus reminds us howHis Church consists ofequal spiritual brothers and sisters who share a family relationship— witheveryoneatthesamelevelandnooneinauthority,exceptChrist.Thenfinally,theLordconcludedHisteachingsonthissubjectwiththis:

Donotbecalledleaders;forOneisyourLeader,thatis,Christ(Matthew23:10).

ThinkAboutThisThe Lord’s commandswere clear and unambiguous: God does not allow anyhuman being to have spiritual authority over His church. Furthermore, God’speople should never consider another Christian their spiritual guide, leader orteacher.God’sonlyspiritualleaderandteacheristheLordJesusChrist.

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TheApostlePeterAgreedWithJesusTheapostlePetersharedagreatdealofinformationaboutChristian leadership.Solet’sreadwhathewroteinIPeter5:1-3:

Therefore,Iexhorttheeldersamongyou,asyourfellowelderandwitnessof the sufferings ofChrist, and a partaker also of the glory that is to berevealed…

When referring to “elders,” Peter used a Greek word that specifically meanspeopleofseniorage.SoPeterwas talking about olderChristians—not thosewhoareordainedtopositionsofauthorityinthechurch.Nowlookatverse2:

…shepherdtheflockofGodamongyou…HeretheGreektranslated“shepherdtheflock”isouroldfriendpoy-mah’ee-no,whichaswe’vealreadyseen,meansneither “shepherding” nor “feeding.”Themost accurate translation is “watchover andcare for the flock ofGod amongyou.”AndtakespecialnoteofhowtheflockbelongstoGod—notachurchorit’spastor.

ThenPetergoeson:

…exercisingoversight…Here the NASB, like other Bibles that promote pastoral authority, hasmistranslatedwhatPeterwrote.TheoriginalGreek translated into the English“oversight” is episkopeō, which means “to look over and care for.” And thiswordisneverusedtopromoteexercisingauthorityoversomeoneelse.

Instead, theworddescribesa responsibility tocare foranotherperson.Agoodexampleisababysitter.Ababysittermaylookoverandcareforyourchildren,butweallunderstandthatababysitterhasnoauthorityoveryourchildren.ThenPetercontinues:

…not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to thewill ofGod;andnotforsordidgain,butwitheagerness;

Theolderbrethrenwere toexercise theiroversight functionvoluntarily—andneverforfinancialgain.

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NowtakespecialnoticeofwhatPeterwrotenext:

…noryetaslordingitoverthoseallottedtoyourcharge…

And here theGreek translated into the English “lording”means to control orsubjugate.

ThusaccordingtoPeter,theolderbrethren(elders)aretonevertakecontrolthefellowshipandhave it insubjection.Furthermore, this is thesameGreekwordused in Matthew 20:25-27, where we saw how Jesus prohibited suchauthoritativebehaviorwithinHisChurch.

Finally,noticehowPeterclosedthissectionofhisletter:…butprovingtobeexamplestotheflock.

And with this, we see the core and essence of Peter’smessage about churchleadership:Christian elders (older brethren) do not “lead” by taking charge of acongregation and telling people what to believe and do. Instead, the elders“lead”bybeinglivingexamplesofproperChristianconduct.

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TheApostleJohnAgreedwithJesus

The apostle John alsodisapprovedof thosewho try to exercise authority overGod’speople.NoticewhathewroteinIIIJohn1:9-11(KJV):

I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have thepreeminence among them, receiveth us not.Wherefore, if I come, Iwillremember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with maliciouswords: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive thebrethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of thechurch.Beloved,follownotthatwhichisevil,butthatwhichisgood.HethatdoethgoodisofGod:buthethatdoethevilhathnotseenGod.

Here theEnglish“preeminence” is translated from theGreek fil-op-rot-yoo’-o,whichmeansfondofbeingfirst.Inotherwords,Diotrepheselevatedhimselfabovehisbrothersandsistersandtookchargeofthefellowship.Thismanspokeagainst thosewho preachedmessages different than his (including the apostleJohn!),andactuallycastoutChristianswhodisagreedwithhisviews.

And according to John, those who were following Diotrephes were following“evil.”

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ButWhatAboutHebrews13:17?

Hebrews13:17 is commonlyusedbypastorswhoclaimGod has placed them

intopositionsofauthorityoverthechurch.Butifthisversereallysupports thisview,thenitopenlycontradictstheteachingsofJesus,PeterandJohn.

Solet’stakeacloserlookatthispassage:Obeyyourleadersandsubmittothem,fortheykeepwatchoveryoursoulsasthosewhowillgiveanaccount.Letthemdothiswithjoyandnotwithgrief,forthiswouldbeunprofitableforyou.

This passage provides an excellent example of how church-sponsored Bibletranslators have “crafted” their work to support pastoral authority. Here theEnglish “obey” is translated from the Greek pi’-tho. But pi’-tho means topersuade, convince, trust or have confidence in— and it was never used tocommandobedience.Thenthere’stheEnglish“submit,”whichistranslatedfromtheGreekhupeikō.Buthupeikōalwaysmeanstoyieldorgiveway,unless it’susedmetaphoricallyinreferencetosubmittingtoauthority,whichisnotthecasehere.

So when we combines these two facts, we can see how the more accuratetranslationofthispassageisasfollows:“bepersuadedbyandyieldtothosewhowatchoveryou.”Andwecanfindaconfirmationof this revised translation intheModernKingJamesVersion:

Yield to those leading you, and be submissive, for they watch for yoursouls,asthosewhomustgiveaccount,thattheymaydoitwithjoyandnotwithgrief;forthatisunprofitableforyou.

And once we understand the proper translation of this passage, we find theauthorofHebrewsagreeingwithPeter:whentheleadersofChrist’sChurch(theolder brethren) set an example of proper conduct and behavior, youngerChristiansshouldsubmitthemselvesandemulatetheirexample.

NothinginHebrews13:17suggeststhatGod’speopleshouldsubmittoandobeythosewhoclaim tohaveauthorityover them.AndChristian leaders (theolderbrethren)havenopowerorauthoritytotellotherChristianswhattodo.Neitherdotheyhaveanyauthoritytocreateorapprovedoctrine.NorhasGodpromisedtogive theeldersspecial abilities to understand spiritualmatters or to counselotherChristians.Finally,let’sreadMatthew5:16:

Letyourlightshinebeforemeninsuchawaythattheymayseeyourgoodworks,andglorifyyourFatherwhoisinheaven.

Thus our Lordwas in full agreement with Peter and the author of Hebrews:genuineChristianleadershipisexercisedbythosewholiveaholylife,settinganexampleandwitnessforotherstofollow.

ThinkAboutThisAccording to the Bible, Christian “leaders” are not college-trained preacherswholeadandcontrolcongrgations.Instead,theyareolderspiritualbrothersandsisterswhoserveaslivingexamplesofmatureChristianfaith.

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9—GospelSuppressionBeginsAswe saw inVolume1 ofExecuted to SuppressHisMessage, itwasn’t longuntilthefalsepreacherspredictedbyJesusandHisapostlesbegantoappearonthe scene.Naturally, thesemenwanted the same level of power, prestige andmoneytheJewishrabbisenjoyed.Buttherewasaproblem:thosewhoattendedchurches raised up by the original apostles were well aware of the Lord’sprohibitionsagainsthumanauthorityand theuseofmoneywithin theChurch.Therefore, 1st Century false preachers made little headway with these JewishChristians.ButdishonestpreachersfoundfertilegroundintheGentilechurchesraisedupbytheapostlePaul.TheseChristianshadbeen taught thatChristwasnotenough:they neededChristian preachers to get to heaven.And thanks to Paul and hisuniqueviewsonchurchauthority,theseGentileChristianswereactivelyseekingpreachers that would take control of their assemblies and tell them what tobelieveandpractice.

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TwoOpposingViewsonChurchAuthority

The Bible contains two views on who is allowed to pastor (shepherd) God’speople,alongwithhowmuchauthoritycanbeexercisedwithinChrist’sChurch.Thesetwoviewscanbesummarizedasfollows:View #1:As children of God the Father, all members of Christ’s Church arespirituallyequalbrothersandsisters.OnlyJesushasauthorityovertheChurch.And Christians are expressly prohibited from asserting dominance or controlover their spiritual brothers and sisters. As we saw in previous chapters, thisperspectivewastaughtbyJesus,theapostlesPeterandJohn,andtheauthorsofHebrewsandPsalms.

View #2: Church authority resides with ordained human shepherds (calledpastors,preachers,evangelists,etc.)whichGodhasspeciallycalledandchosento rule over the church. God authorizes these people to raise up churches,establish and disseminate doctrine, define Christian ethics, and enforce whattheyconsider tobeproperconductwithincongregationsofGod’speople.ThisperspectivewastaughtexclusivelybytheapostlePaul.

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IfyouareanaverageChristian,you’requite familiarwithView#2.However,you’ve probably never even heard of View #1— right?And why? BecausemodernchurchessuppresswhatJesusandtheotherbiblicalwriterstaughtaboutchurchauthority.Here’sthemostcommonwayChristianchurchessuppressChrist’steachings:

Step 1: Churches claim the Bible contains the “inerrant” word of God,withoutanyerrors,contradictionsorincorrecttranslations;

Step 2:And since theBible issupposedly inerrant, preachers tell ustherecanbenoerrorsorcontradictionswithintheScriptures;

Step 3: Then churches present the apostle Paul’s views on pastoralauthority;

Step4:Andfinally,youaretoldthattherestoftheBiblemustagreewithPaul,becauseaninerrantBiblecannevercontradictitself.

Butthere’sahugeproblemwiththislogic:BecausetherestoftheBiblemostcertainlydoesnotagreewithPaul!

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TheLord’sViewsonPastoralAuthority

BeforeweexaminePaul’sviewsonchurchauthority,let’sreviewwhatJesusandseveralotherNewTestamentwriterstaught:

Jesus said there is only one spiritual shepherd (pastor)— not many(John10:16).

JesustoldHisdisciples(whichincluded theapostles) thatHe is theironlyspiritual teacher and leader. Furthermore, the Lord commanded Hisfollowerstonevercallanotherhumanbeing theirspiritual teacher, leader,guideor father (Matthew 23:8-10). Finally, Jesus said, “My sheep hearmyvoice,andtheyfollowme”(John10:27).

TheapostleJohnwrotetoChristians,“…youhavenoneed foranyone toteachyou,”becausethewordsofChristandtheHolySpiritrevealallthingsspiritual(IJohn2:27).

Jesus instructed the apostles and disciples to teach only what He hadtaughtthem(Matthew28:19-20).

JesusexplainedhowHisdisciples(whichincludedtheapostles)haveno

authorityovertheirbrethren.Instead,theLordcommandedallChristianstobehave as slaves in the service of their spiritual brothers and sisters(Matthew20:25-27).

TheapostlePeterwrotethatelders(theolderbrethren)shouldneverLord authority over other Christians. Instead, elders are to leadthroughtheirpersonalexamplesofproperChristianconduct(IIPeter5:1-3).

TheapostleJohnwrotethatit’s“evil”foraChristiantoclaimpreeminenceandtrytoassertauthorityovertheirspiritualbrothersandsisters(IIIJohn1:9-11).

Jesus commanded Christians to never judge and condemn others (Luke6:37).

Thecentralthemesofthesepassagesareasfollows:

1)Jesus is theonlyspiritual teacher, leader,andshepherd(pastor)ofGod’speople;

2)Christ’s sheep must follow their Lord and Savior and specifically Hiscommandments;

3)Christiansshouldnevertrytoexerciseauthorityovertheirbrethren;

4)Christianshavenoneedforprofessionalteachers,becausetheteachingsofChrist, combined with the power of the Holy Spirit, provide everything aChristianneedstoknow.

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Paul’sViewsonPastoralAuthorityNow let’s look at what the apostle Paul taught about pastors and churchauthority:

Paul told the brethren to imitate him, rather than Christ (I Corinthians4:16,ICorinthians11:1).

Paul declared himself the spiritual “father” of brethren he claimed tohavebegottenthroughthegospel(ICorinthians4:15).

Paul claimed that God established positions of authority within theChurch, such as apostles, prophets, shepherd/pastors and teachers (ICorinthians12:28andEphesians4:11-12).

Paul established the position of “bishop” to oversee and rule overcongregations(ITimothy3:1-7).

Paulorderedthateldersshouldbe“appointed”ineverycity(Titus1:5-9).

Paul commanded the brethren to refuse food to those who were notworking(IIThessalonians3:10).

Paulorderedwomen to remain silent in churchmeetings (I Corinthians14:34).

Paulestablishedlimitsforthebrethrenhelpingwidows(ITimothy5:3-6).

Paul stipulated when married couples can divorce and remarry (ICorinthians7:10-15).

Contradicting what Jesus commanded in Luke 6:37, Paul passedjudgmentonanindividualandcommandedthebrethrentocasthimoutoftheChurch(ICorinthians5:1-5).

Contradicting the Lord’s instructions in Matthew 18:15, Paul toldTimothytorebukesinnersbeforetheentirecongregation(ITimothy5:20).

Contradicting Christ’s instructions in Luke 9:49-50, Paul instructedTitustoseverelyreproveandsilencethosewhodisagreedwithhisviewsondoctrine(Titus1:10-13).

Paul toldTitus to“Reprovewithallauthority.Letnoonedisregardyou”(Titus2:15).

ThecentralthemesofPaul’sinstructionareasfollows:

1) God appoints specially-called and chosen human leaders (pastors,evangelists, and professional teachers) to act as a communication channelbetweenHimselfandlayChristians;

2)God’s appointed human leaders have great authority— and Christiansmustfollowtheinstructionoftheirhumanspiritualleaders;

3)God gives His appointed church leaders the authority to establish andregulatewhatChristiansbelieve,whattheycangivetoothers,whotheycanmarry,whetherornot theycandivorce, andwhether theycan speakduringChristianassemblies;

4)GodauthorizesChristianleaderstopubliclyrebukeChristians.

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The“Way”ofJesusChrist?—OrThe“Rules”ofPaul?

AlthoughJesushadharshwordsforOldTestamentpreacherswhoweretryingtodeceiveGod’speople,HealwaystreatedHisdiscipleswithgreatrespect.UnlikePaul,theLordneveraddressedHis followersas if theywerechildren.And theonlytimetheLordpubliclyrebukedadisciplewaswhenPeterfirstdidthesametoHim.InsteadofPaul’sconstantcorrectionandrebuke,JesustaughtGod’sreligionbysetting an example of the “way” to eternal life in the Kingdom of God, thenleaving it up to the individual to choose to follow that way. Luke 12:13-14provides an excellent example of how the Lord encouraged His disciples tofollowandemulatethewaysofGod:

Andoneofthecompanysaiduntohim,Master,speaktomybrother,thathedividetheinheritancewithme.Andhe(Jesus)saiduntohim,Man,whomademeajudgeoradivideroveryou?(Luke12:13-14).

Ratherthandirectingthisdiscipleandhisbrotherasaparentmighthischildren,Jesus effectively said: “Look, you’re an adult. So go and take the principles Itaught you and work this out with your brother.” The solution to this man’sproblemwas to look into theLord’s teachingsandpersonalexamples, then dowhatJesuswouldhavedoneinthissituation.

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10—TheConsequencesofTrustingPreachersMatthewChapter4relateshowJesusandthedisciplestraveledthroughGalilee,teachinginthesynagoguesandhealingnumeroussickpeople.AndastheLord’sfamespreadbecauseofthesemiraculousevents,greatmultitudesofpeoplefromGalilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judaea, and from beyond the Jordan RivergatheredtogetherandfollowedJesuswhereverHewent.Then inMatthewChapters 5 through 7,we see how Jesuswent up to a highmountain so he could speak to thismultitude of people (this was the famousSermon on the Mount). Here Jesus discussed many issues, some of whichincludedspiritualbehavior,persecution,thedutytobealighttoothers,keepingGod’s commandments, forgiving and loving others, giving alms, how to pray,howGodcaresforHispeople,andhowChristiansshouldnotjudgeothers.

Thenfinallyat theendofthislongspeechaboutgodlybehavior,JesuswarnedHisfollowerstonotbeledastraybyfalsespiritualteachers:

Beware of the false prophets,who come to you in sheep’s clothing, butinwardlyareravenouswolves(Matthew7:15).

Themost striking part of this passage is the Lord’s description of these falsepreachersas“ravenouswolves”―which isa frightfuldescriptionofhowawolfkillsandthentearsopen the fleshof it’sprey.Butsincethere’snobiblical account of a preacher ever tearing open the flesh of God’speople, it’s obvious that Jesus was warning about a different kind ofdanger.

In the above verse, the English word “wolves” is translated from theGreekwordλύκος,whichmeans “wolf.”However,Greekdictionaries tellus thiswordwas also usedmetaphorically to describepeoplewho arecruel,destructivegreedyorrapacious.

AndIwantyoutorememberthatword“rapacious.”

Also note how Matthew 7:15 (above) uses the word “ravenous.” Here theEnglishistranslatedfromtheGreekἅρπαξ,whichalsomeans“rapacious.”Sonowwe have aGreek adjective that canmean “rapacious”, followed by aGreeknounthatdescribesa“rapacious”person.AndsincetheLordJesusChristspokethesewords,wecanbeassuredthatHemeantexactlywhatHesaid.

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Solet’sreadMatthew7:15thewayJesusmeantittobeunderstood:

Beware of the false prophets,who come to you in sheep’s clothing, butinwardlyareexceedinglyrapacious.

And now themost obvious question is: What did Jesus mean when He said“rapacious”?

Any English dictionary will tell us that “rapacious” means aggressivelygreedy.Commonsynonymsaregrasping,greedy,covetous;mercenary,insatiable,predatoryandavaricious(extremegreedforwealthormaterialgain).

Therefore, Jesus warned that even though these preachers appearedspiritual,theyweresecretlydrivenbyaninsatiabledesireformoney.

And this greedy conduct by those who were promoting themselves asGod’s shepherds was nothing new. Over 600 years before our Lord’swarningaboutgreedyfalsepreachers,HeinspiredtheprophetEzekieltowritethefollowing:

"As I live," declares the LordGOD, "surely becauseMy flock hasbecomeaprey,Myflockhasevenbecomefoodforallthebeastsofthe field for lackofashepherd,andMyshepherdsdidnotsearchforMy flock,but rather theshepherdsfedthemselvesanddidnotfeedMyflock;(Ezekiel34:8).

ThinkAboutThisAfter a large crowdof followers had gathered to hear thewords of Jesus, theLord concluded His “Sermon on theMount” with strict warnings about falsepreacherswhowouldbehavelikepredatoryanimalshavinganinsatiabledesireformoney.

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DamageFromDishonestPreachers

InVolume1ofExecutedtoSuppressHisMessage,wesawhowJesusprohibitedtheuseofmoneywithinHischurch.Sorapacious1stCenturypreachersneededaway to overcome the Lord’s prohibitions against asking for and acceptingmoney.So when Paul began publishing epistles authorizing and promoting pastoral

authority, dishonest preachers found precisely what they needed to demandmoney from the brethren. By emphasizing Paul’s teachings and claiming thatGod had ordained them to positions of authority over the church, rapaciouspreacherswereabletocontrolwhatChristianassembliesweretaught—whichallowedthemtosuppresstheLord’sprohibitionsagainstusingmoneywithintheChurch,alongwithHiswarningsaboutfalsepreacherswhodesiredmoneyfromGod’speople.

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Ofcourse,someChristianswillrespondtowhat iswrittenabovebystating:“Iwonderifyou’remakingabigdealoutofnothing?Everyoneneeds tomakealiving.AndIdon’tseeagoodreasonfornotpayingpreachers.”So in response to such a question, I would ask these Christians to look atRevelation Chapter 3, where Jesus evaluated 1st Century Gentile Christianswhom were following these money-hungry preachers that rose up after Hisdeath.YoumaybesurprisedtolearnhowmuchspiritualdamagethesepreachershadinflictedonGod’speople:

“Iknowyourdeeds,thatyouhaveanamethatyouarealive,butyouaredead.

“Iknowyourdeeds,thatyouareneithercoldnorhot;Iwishthatyouwerecoldorhot.Sobecauseyouarelukewarm,andneitherhotnorcold,IwillspityououtofMymouth.”“Becauseyousay,‘Iamrich,andhavebecomewealthy,andhaveneedofnothing,’andyoudonotknow thatyouarewretchedandmiserableandpoorandblindandnaked, Iadviseyou tobuy fromMegold refinedbyfire so that youmay become rich, andwhite garments so that youmayclotheyourself,andthattheshameofyournakednesswillnotberevealed;andeyesalvetoanointyoureyessothatyoumaysee.”

AlloftheseGentilecongregationswerelocatedintheprecisegeographicalareaswherePaulpreachedandpromotedhiserrantdoctrineofpastoralauthority.AndespeciallynoticehowmostoftheseChristianshadrejectedtheLord’steachingsandleadership,thenplacedtheir trust inthedoctrines,rulesandinstructionsofdishonest preachers who― according to Jesus― were seeking nothing butfinancialgain.Then finally inRevelation 3:20, theLord described howmost of thosewhomwerefollowingthesepreachershadlostalldesiretofollowHisteachings:

‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice andopensthedoor,Iwillcomeintohimandwilldinewithhim,andhewithMe(Revelation3:20).

ThinkAboutThisThesepastor-followingChristianshadmovedsofarawayfromChrist,theysawno need to even invite Him into their fellowships! Choosing to completelyignoretheLord’sinstructionsinJohn10:27,theyactuallypreferredtohearandfollow their self-appointed preachers, rather than thewords of the Lord JesusChrist.

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AWarningtoModernChristiansThese 1st Century Gentile churches provide a startling example of whyChristians must reject the teachings of human preachers, and place theircompletetrustinthewordsoftheirLordandSavior.AsJesussaidinMatthew28:19-20:

Go thereforeandmakedisciplesofall thenations,baptizing themin thename of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them toobserveallthatIcommandedyou…

TheLordwasveryclear:thejobofeverydisciple—whethertheybeanapostle,elderoranewly-baptizedChristian—istolearnandthensharepreciselywhattheirLordandSaviortaughtandcommanded.Christianityhasnoplaceforthethoughts,ideasanddoctrinesofhumanbeings.

SodoyourChristianbeliefscomedirectlyfromthewordsofJesusChrist?Ordotheycomefromtheleadersofchurchorganizations?

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11—TheTrueChristianShepherdNow that we’ve seen the Lord’s views on church authority, along with theapostles’ perspectives on church leadership, let’s return to the One TrueShepherdandHispasture.We’vealreadyseenhowancientshepherdsdidnotfeedtheirsheep;instead,theybroughttheiranimalstoapastureorfield,wheretheyfoundtheirownfood.

Nowlet’saddPsalm95:7:ForHeisourGod,AndwearethepeopleofHispastureandthesheepofHishand…

ThisPsalmrevealssomethingvitallyimportant: thespiritualpasturebelongs toGod.AndthismeanthatGod’spastureisnotownedbyachurch;neitherdoesitbelongtotheleadershipwithinanysuchchurch.

Nowlet’sreadJohn10:9,whereJesusaddssomethingprofound:Iamthedoor;ifanyoneentersthroughMe,hewillbesaved,andwillgoinandoutandfindpasture.

HereJesuscallsHimself“thedoor.”And theGreekmeansportal orentrance.SotheLordsaid“He”istheportalorentrancethroughwhichHisdisciplesfindGod’spasture.We’requicklyclosinginonthetruenatureofGod’sspiritualpasture!

NowreadJohn6:63(ASV):

Itisthespiritthatgivethlife;thefleshprofitethnothing:thewordsthatIhavespokentoyouarespiritandarelife.

Inourphysicalworld,animalsheepeatgrasstosustaintheirphysicallives.Butinthespiritualworld,Christ’ssheeprequirethespiritualfoodofChrist’swords.

DoyourememberwhatJesussaidinJohn5:24?Truly, truly,Isaytoyou,hewhohearsMyword,andbelievesHimwhosentMe,haseternallife,anddoesnotcomeintojudgment,buthaspassedoutofdeathintolife.

Andfinally,weneedtoaddonemoredescriptionofGod’sspiritualfood:…MyteachingisnotMine,butHiswhosentMe(John7:16).

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ThinkAboutThisJustassheepeatplantstostayalive,ChristiansrequirethenourishmentofGodtheFather’swords,whicharepasseddowntousthroughaspecial“door”totheFather— a door that is the person of Jesus Christ, the “Spokesman of God”(John1:1).AndsincenooneotherthanJesusChristiscapableofactingasaportaltoGodthe Father andHis words, the Lord’s teachings are by nature superior to andmustalwayssupersedehumanteachings—eventhoseofanapostle.

Thethoughtsandwordsofanapostlearenotnecessarily the thoughtsandwordsofGod.

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12—ButWhatAboutPaul?

Whenitcomestothesubjectofpastoralauthority,Paul’sviewsareatoddswithJesusand theotherapostles.But ifwecanput thatspecificproblemaside,wecanappreciatePaul’sinsightintomanyotherareasofChristianity—insighttheotherapostlescouldnothave,becausetheywerenotknowledgeableofOldCovenanttheology.

WhentryingtounderstandtheactionsofPaul,weneedtorememberthenatureofhisformaleducation.BeforehebecameaChristian,Paulwasapracticing Pharisee. He was trained by Gamaliel, the grandson of thefamousRabbiHillel.Andbyhisownwordsheclaimedtobe“aHebrewofHebrews,bornofaHebrew;astotheLaw,aPharisee”(Philippians3:5).

ThePhariseeswerestrictanddemandingabout theobservanceof theirspiritual codes — and they enacted heavy penalties upon those whobroke the rules.Forexample,John8:3-5discusses how thePhariseeswereabout tostoneawoman todeath forcommittingadultery.Then inJohn8:58-59, they tried to stoneJesus, simply becauseHe claimed toexistbeforeAbraham!

Andso beforePaul’s conversion toChristianity, he actually persecutedChristians,withbothActs8:3andActs9:1-2describinghowheravagedthechurchanddraggedChrist’sdisciplesofftoprison.

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TheRootsofPaul’sEducation

ThePhariseesviewedreligionthroughtheCovenantGodmadewithIsrael.SoifwearetounderstandPaul’sviewsandactions,wefirstmustreviewthenatureofGod’sCovenantwithIsrael.GodblessedIsraelwitheverythingaphysicalnationcouldpossiblydesire.Hefreed them from slavery in Egypt, gave the Israelites food from heaven, andprotectedthemfromtheirenemies.ThentheLordcamedownfromheavenandpersonally spoke to thepeople,giving themperfect lawsandcivil regulations,sacrifices toatonefor theirsins, and the promise of physical blessings if theywereobedient.

Yetevenwithalltheseblessingsandpromises,Israel’ssinscontinuedtoabound,

seeminglywithoutlimit.AsChristians,weknowhowIsrael’sproblemwasoneoftheheart:herpeopleneededtobechangedbythepowerof theHolySpirit,which God did not offer them. Yet by withholding His Spirit from theIsraelites,Goddemonstratedsomethingofprofoundimportance:

EvenwhenanationhasaperfectGod,who implements a perfect governmentthatoperatesaccordingtoperfectrulesandregulations―humannaturecannotandwillnotchange.AnditseemsthatPauldidnotunderstandthisfact.

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TheProgressionofPaul’sMinistry

Paul’s ministry started when Jesus confronted and humbled him, causinghimtorepentofhisPharisaicalways.Thusintheearlyyearsofhisministry(50-53CE),wefindPaulwritingtothebrethren:Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. Butexamine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good (IThessalonians5:19-21).

Notice thatpastoralauthority isnotevenmentionedhere. In theearlyyearsofPaul’sministry, he admonishedChristians to “not despise” [Greek: treat withcontempt]theinspiredspeakingofotherChristians,regardlessofwhetherornotthey agreed with what was said. And instead of trying to regulate whatChristians shared andpreached,Paul promoted the idea thatChristians have apersonalresponsibilitytoprovethespiritualinformationtheyhearfromothers.Thenjustafewyearslaterin53-54CE,wefindPaulencouragingtheCorinthianbrethrentosharetheirideasonspiritualmatterswiththecongregation:

Let two or three prophets (inspiredChristians) speak, and let the otherspass judgment.But if a revelation ismade to anotherwho is seated, thefirstonemustkeepsilent.Foryoucanallprophesyonebyone,sothatallmaylearnandallmaybeexhorted(ICorinthians14:29-31).

Thenfinally,noticewhatPaulwrotetotheRomanChristiansaround56-57CE:Imyself am convinced,my brothers, that you yourselves are filledwithgoodnessandfullofalltheknowledgeyouneedtobeabletoinstructeachother(Romans15:14).

During the early years of his ministry, Paul had no problem with Christians

speakingaboutwhateverspiritualmatterswereon theirmind.Furthermore,heencouragedGod’speopletodecideforthemselveswhatistruthfulandgood.

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PaulGrowsTiredofRebelliousChristiansButaftermanytediousyearsofstartingupchurchesamongthepaganpopulace,we find Paul establishing rules and regulations, just as God did with theIsraelites. For example, around 64-65 CE (over a decade after he started hisministry), Paul commands Titus to “ordain” elders in every city. And noticePaul’smotivation:

Fortherearemanyrebelliousmen,emptytalkersanddeceivers,especiallythoseofthecircumcision,whomustbesilenced(Titus1:10-11).

Paul thenwenton to restrictwhat the brethren couldgive towidows, refusedfood to those who were not working, decided when married couples coulddivorceandremarry,prohibitedwomenfromspeakingduringworshipservices,andevencommandedthatcertainpeoplebecastoutoftheChurch!These commandments stand in stark contrast to the writings of the otherapostles.AndthroughoutthegospelsofMatthew,Mark,LukeandJohn,youwillnotfindasingleinstanceofthesemencommandingthebrethrentodoanythinglikePaulmandated.

Therefore, it seems that aftera decadeofpreaching to rebelliousGentiles thatcame out of paganism, Paul drifted away from the Lord’s practice of sharingGod’swaysbysettinganexampleforotherstofollow.ThePhariseeshadstrictregulationsonwhatbelieverscoulddoinbothreligiousandcivillife.AndPaulwas well-versed in these matters. So he must have concluded that suchregulations would be beneficial to these Gentile Christians. Paul was onlyhuman. And we can understand his frustration with Christians who had littledesiretorepentandfollowChrist.However, we should never forget how Paul’s heavy-handed approach causedgreatharmtotheseGentileChristians.Andthisshouldbeacontinualreminderof how our zeal to promote Christianity must always be tempered by thecommandments,instructionsandpersonalexamplesoftheLordJesusChrist.

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13—Conclusion

Today there are thousands of Christian denominations,with each having theirownuniqueviewsonthenatureofGod,prophecy,God’splan,howGodjudges,andwhogetssavedandpunished.HoweverinJohn14:23,ourLordandSaviorsaidthis:

IfanyonelovesMe,hewillkeepMyword.JesusChristmostassuredlydoesnotwantChristianspicking-and-choosingtheirown versions of Christian doctrine. Instead, the Lord strictly commanded HisdisciplestofollowandobeyHisteachings.

Goddesigned theChurch so thatChrist’ssheepwould feed upon the Father’sdoctrines,passeddownthroughourLordandSavior,andthenontousthroughthe apostles.Yetmodern Christianity— the Christianity we see and hear allaroundus—isbasedonspiritualfeedingsconsistingofconceptsanddoctrinescreated by error-prone human beings. And even though every Christian in aWestern nation has access to aBiblecontaining the teachings the Father gavethroughChrist,mostprefertofollowtheteachingsofinstitutionalizedchurches—organizations that suppressmuch of Christ’smessage, so they can replaceGod the Father’s doctrines with theological formulations created by flawedhumanbeings.

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Solet’ssummarizewhatwehavelearned:1) Jesus raised-up one church— a single spiritual entity consisting of allborn-againChristianspossessingtheHolySpirit.Christ’sChurchisawareofno geographical boundaries, neither is it regulated or bound by humaninstitutionsortheirleaders;

2)InthechurchownedandcontrolledbyJesusChrist,allChristiansareequalbrothers and sisters possessing no authority over their brethren. Older andmore mature Christians (elders) are responsible for being examples to theChurch. However, Jesus never gave the elders any authority over theirbrethren.Instead,theolderbrethrenaretoleadbytheirpersonalexample;

3) In John 10:16, Jesus declared that His church has only one Shepherd(Pastor). And the Lord strongly admonished His followers to never forgethowHeis theironlyspiritualguide, teacherand leader.AsHesaid inJohn

10:27,“Mysheephearmyvoice…andtheyfollowme.”

4) Jesus never gave any human being the authority to decide what Hisfollowers should believe. What a Christian believes is a private matterbetweenadiscipleandhisorherLord;5)EveryChristianhasasacreddutytosharewhattheystudyandlearnwiththeir spiritual brothers and sisters, along with interested friends andneighbors. Furthermore, Jesus never gave any human being — in anycapacity—theauthoritytolimitorregulatethecarryingoutofthisChristianobligation;

6)ChristiansaretrulyinGod’spasture,whentheyarefreetolearn,study,anddiscusstheteachingsofJesusChrist,asGodinspiresthemthroughtheHolySpirit.

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ThinkAboutThisThe “pasture” containing the spiritual food required for eternal life is foundamong those who make Jesus Christ their only spiritual guide, teacher andleader:

CometoMe,allwhoarewearyandheavy-laden,andIwillgiveyourest.TakeMyyokeuponyouandlearnfromMe,forIamgentleandhumbleinheart,andYOUWILLFINDRESTFORYOURSOULS.ForMyyokeiseasyandMyburdenislight.(Matthew11:28-30).AndhewhodoesnottakehiscrossandfollowafterMeisnotworthyofMe(Matthew10:38).

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14—ScriptureReferences

John12:49For Ihavenotspokenofmyself;but theFatherwhichsentme,hegavemeacommandment,whatIshouldsay,andwhatIshouldspeak.IJohn2:27As foryou, theanointingwhichyou received fromHimabides inyou,andyouhavenoneedforanyonetoteachyou;butasHisanointingteachesyouaboutallthings,andistrueandisnotalie,andjustasithastaughtyou,youabideinHim.

John21:16Hesaith tohimagain thesecondtime,Simon,sonofJonas, lovestthoume?Hesaithuntohim,Yea,Lord;thouknowestthatIlovethee.Hesaithuntohim,Feedmysheep.Psalm23:1-2APsalmofDavid.TheLORDismyshepherd,Ishallnotwant.Hemakesmeliedowningreenpastures;Heleadsmebesidequietwaters.

Psalm25:4-5MakemeknowYourways,OLORD;TeachmeYourpaths.LeadmeinYourtruthandteachme,ForYouaretheGodofmysalvation;ForYouIwaitalltheday.

Psalm31:1-3InYou,OLORD,Ihavetakenrefuge;Letmeneverbeashamed;InYourrighteousnessdeliverme.InclineYoureartome,rescuemequickly;Betomearockofstrength,Astrongholdtosaveme.ForYouaremyrockandmyfortress;ForYourname'ssakeYouwillleadmeandguideme.John10:11Iamthegoodshepherd;thegoodshepherdlaysdownHislifeforthesheep.

Matthew20:25-27But Jesuscalled them toHimselfandsaid, "Youknow thattherulersoftheGentileslorditoverthem,andtheirgreatmenexerciseauthorityoverthem."Itisnotthiswayamongyou,butwhoeverwishestobecomegreatamong you shall be your servant, andwhoever wishes to be first among youshallbeyourslave.Matthew20:25-27But Jesuscalled them toHimselfandsaid, "Youknow thattherulersoftheGentileslorditoverthem,andtheirgreatmenexerciseauthorityoverthem."Itisnotthiswayamongyou,butwhoeverwishestobecomegreatamong you shall be your servant, andwhoever wishes to be first among youshallbeyourslave.

John10:16Ihaveothersheep,whicharenotofthisfold;Imustbringthemalso,andtheywillhearMyvoice;andtheywillbecomeoneflockwithoneshepherd.

John10:27MysheephearMyvoice,andIknowthem,andtheyfollowMe.

Matthew28:19-20Gothereforeandmakedisciplesofallthenations,baptizingtheminthenameoftheFatherandtheSonandtheHolySpirit,teachingthemtoobserveallthatIcommandedyou;andlo,Iamwithyoualways,eventotheendoftheage.IJohn2:27As foryou, theanointingwhichyou received fromHimabides inyou,andyouhavenoneedforanyonetoteachyou;butasHisanointingteachesyouaboutallthings,andistrueandisnotalie,andjustasithastaughtyou,youabideinHim.

IIIJohn1:9-11Iwrotesomethingtothechurch;butDiotrephes,wholovestobefirstamongthem,doesnotacceptwhatwesay.Forthisreason,ifIcome,Iwillcall attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wickedwords; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren,either,andheforbidsthosewhodesiretodosoandputsthemoutofthechurch.Beloved,donotimitatewhatisevil,butwhatisgood.TheonewhodoesgoodisofGod;theonewhodoesevilhasnotseenGod.Matthew23:8-10ButdonotbecalledRabbi;forOneisyourTeacher,andyouareallbrothers."DonotcallanyoneonMatthew23:8-10earthyourfather;forOneisyourFather,Hewhoisinheaven."Donotbecalledleaders;forOneisyourLeader,thatis,Christ.

IIPeter5:1-3Therefore,Iexhorttheeldersamongyou,asyourfellowelderandwitnessofthesufferingsofChrist,andapartakeralsooftheglorythatistoberevealed,shepherdtheflockofGodamongyou,exercisingoversightnotundercompulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordidgain,butwitheagerness;noryetaslordingitoverthoseallottedtoyourcharge,butprovingtobeexamplestotheflock.

Luke6:37Donotjudge,andyouwillnotbejudged;anddonotcondemn,andyouwillnotbecondemned;pardon,andyouwillbepardoned.ICorinthians4:16ThereforeIexhortyou,beimitatorsofme.

ICorinthians11:1Beimitatorsofme,justasIalsoamofChrist.ICorinthians4:15 For if youwere to have countless tutors inChrist, yet youwouldnothavemanyfathers,for inChristJesusIbecameyourfather throughthegospel.

ICorinthians12:28AndGodhasappointedinthechurch,firstapostles,second

prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps,administrations,variouskindsoftongues.

Ephesians4:11-12AndHe gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, andsomeasevangelists,andsomeaspastorsandteachers,fortheequippingofthesaintsfortheworkofservice,tothebuildingupofthebodyofChrist.I Timothy 3:1-7 (KJV) This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of abishop,hedesirethagoodwork.Abishopthenmustbeblameless,thehusbandofonewife,vigilant,sober,ofgoodbehaviour,giventohospitality,apttoteach;Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not abrawler,notcovetous;Onethatrulethwellhisownhouse,havinghischildreninsubjectionwithallgravity;(Forifamanknownothowtorulehisownhouse,howshallhetakecareofthechurchofGod?)Notanovice,lestbeingliftedupwithpridehefallintothecondemnationofthedevil.Moreoverhemusthaveagoodreportofthemwhicharewithout;lesthefallintoreproachandthesnareofthedevil.

Titus1:5-9ForthisreasonIleftyouinCrete,thatyouwouldsetinorderwhatremainsandappointeldersineverycityasIdirectedyou,namely,ifanymanisabove reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, notaccusedofdissipationorrebellion.FortheoverseermustbeabovereproachasGod's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, notpugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good,sensible,just,devout,self-controlled,holdingfastthefaithfulwordwhichisinaccordancewith the teaching, so that hewill be able both to exhort in sounddoctrineandtorefutethosewhocontradict.IIThessalonians3:10Forevenwhenwewerewithyou,weusedtogiveyouthisorder:ifanyoneisnotwillingtowork,thenheisnottoeat,either.

ICorinthians14:-34womenaretokeepsilentinthechurches;fortheyarenotpermittedtospeak,butaretosubjectthemselves,justastheLawalsosays.

ITimothy5:3-6Honorwidowswhoarewidows indeed;but ifanywidowhaschildrenorgrandchildren,theymustfirstlearntopracticepietyinregardtotheirownfamilyandtomakesomereturntotheirparents;forthisisacceptableinthesightofGod.Nowshewhoisawidowindeedandwhohasbeenleftalone,hasfixedherhopeonGodandcontinuesinentreatiesandprayersnightandday.Butshewhogivesherselftowantonpleasureisdeadevenwhileshelives.ICorinthians7:10-15ButtothemarriedIgiveinstructions,notI,buttheLord,that the wife should not leave her husband (but if she does leave, she must

remainunmarried,or elsebe reconciled toherhusband), and that thehusbandshouldnotdivorcehiswife.ButtotherestIsay,nottheLord,thatifanybrotherhasawifewhoisanunbeliever,andsheconsentstolivewithhim,hemustnotdivorceher.Andawomanwhohasanunbelievinghusband,andheconsentstolivewithher,shemustnotsendherhusbandaway.Fortheunbelievinghusbandissanctifiedthroughhiswife,andtheunbelievingwifeissanctifiedthroughherbelieving husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they areholy.Yetiftheunbelievingoneleaves,lethimleave;thebrotherorthesisterisnotunderbondageinsuchcases,butGodhascalledustopeace.

Luke6:37Donotjudge,andyouwillnotbejudged;anddonotcondemn,andyouwillnotbecondemned;pardon,andyouwillbepardoned.ICorinthians5:1-5 It is actually reported that there is immorality amongyou,and immoralityofsuchakindasdoesnotexistevenamong theGentiles, thatsomeonehashisfather'swife.Youhavebecomearrogantandhavenotmournedinstead, so that theonewhohaddone thisdeedwouldbe removed fromyourmidst.ForI,onmypart,thoughabsentinbodybutpresentinspirit,havealreadyjudgedhimwhohassocommittedthis,asthoughIwerepresent.InthenameofourLordJesus,whenyouareassembled,andIwithyouinspirit,withthepowerof our Lord Jesus, I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for thedestructionofhis flesh, so thathis spiritmaybe saved in thedayof theLordJesus(emphasisaddedbyauthor).

Matthew18:15Ifyourbrothersins,goandshowhimhisfaultinprivate;ifhelistenstoyou,youhavewonyourbrother.ITimothy5:20Thosewhocontinueinsin,rebukeinthepresenceofall,sothattherestalsowillbefearfulofsinning.

Luke 9:49-50 John answered and said, "Master, we saw someone casting outdemonsinYourname;andwetriedtopreventhimbecausehedoesnotfollowalongwith us."But Jesus said to him, "Donot hinder him; for hewho is notagainstyouisforyou."

Titus1:10-13For therearemany rebelliousmen, empty talkers anddeceivers,especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they areupsettingwhole families, teaching things theyshouldnot teach for thesakeofsordidgain.Oneofthemselves,aprophetoftheirown,said,"Cretansarealwaysliars,evilbeasts, lazygluttons."This testimonyis true.For thisreasonreprovethemseverelysothattheymaybesoundinthefaith.Titus2:15Thesethingsspeakandexhortandreprovewithallauthority.Letno

onedisregardyou.

John10:27MysheephearMyvoice,andIknowthem,andtheyfollowMe.John1:1In thebeginningwas theWord,and theWordwaswithGod,and theWordwasGod.

John8:3-5Thescribesand thePhariseesbroughtawomancaught inadultery,and having set her in the center of the court, they said toHim, "Teacher, thiswoman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. "Now in the LawMosescommandedustostonesuchwomen;whatthendoYousay?"John8:58-59Jesussaidtothem,"Truly,truly,Isaytoyou,beforeAbrahamwasborn, I am." Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hidHimselfandwentoutofthetemple.

Acts 8:3 Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, anddraggingoffmenandwomen,hewouldputtheminprison.

Acts9:1-2NowSaul,stillbreathingthreatsandmurderagainstthedisciplesofthe Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to thesynagoguesatDamascus,sothatifhefoundanybelongingtotheWay,bothmenandwomen,hemightbringthemboundtoJerusalem.

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TableofContents

Introduction1—OnlyOneChristianPastor2—NoHierarchyinEarlyChurch3—DoctrineNoLongerProved4—WhyGodCallsChristians“Sheep”5—ProfessionalPastorsRiseUp6—MisledByFalseTeaching7—ThePastorofGod’sSheep8—OneLord,LeaderandTeacher9—GospelSuppressionBegins10—TheConsequencesofTrustingPreachers11—TheTrueChristianShepherd12—ButWhatAboutPaul?13—Conclusion14—ScriptureReferencesInformationAboutThisBookHowtoUseThisBookDisclaimerOtherBookVolumes