By Gary Ray Branscome
Since the great commission can only be carried out by those
who are saved through faith in Christ – and believe what He has said in His
Word – the role of a minister within the congregation is not opposed to the
priesthood of all believers, but is itself an expression of it. In other words,
the priesthood of believers does not exist apart from congregational ministry,
but includes it. At the same time, the words, “A bishop must be etc.” tell
us that the role of a minister is not open to every believer, but only to
those who meet the qualifications and have been called by the congregation
(1Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:7).
The words, “You are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, a people valued by God; that you should show forth
the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light,”
tell us that all believers [those called out of darkness] are priests before
God (1Peter 2:9): While the words, “A bishop must be blameless, as the
steward of God; not self-willed, not quick tempered, not given to wine, not one
who hits, not covetous or greedy for gain; But a lover of hospitality, a lover
of good men, sober-minded, upright, moral, and self-controlled; Holding fast
to the faithful word as he has been taught, so he will be able to comfort
people with sound teaching and convict those who oppose it,” tell us that
all believers are not pastors, nor should they be (Titus 1:7-9)
The words, “It is written in the prophets, They will all
be taught by God,” therefore “You should show forth the
praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light,”
and “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; as you
teach and counsel one another singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to the
Lord, with grace in your hearts,” tell us that every believer is to know
and profess the divine truth (John 6:45, 1Peter 2:9, Colossians 3:16).
However, the words, “A bishop must be blameless, as the
steward of God… sober-minded, upright, moral, and self-controlled, holding fast
to the faithful word as he has been taught, so he will be able to comfort
people with sound teaching and convict those who oppose it,” tell us that a
pastor needs to have a thorough knowledge of God’s Word (Titus 1:7-9).
The words, “I will give to you the keys of the kingdom
of heaven: and whoever you will bind on earth will be bound in heaven:
and whoever you will loose on earth will be loosed in heaven,” tell us that
the power of the keys is the power to bind and loose (Matthew
Finally, although the Bible plainly tells us that all
believers are equal before God, it also tells us to show gratitude, respect and
love to those whom God has placed in positions of leadership.
The words, “Different gifts are distributed, but the
Spirit is the same. And different ministries are given, but the Lord is the
same. And power is given, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the
gift of the Spirit is given to every man for the profit of all,”
tell us that God gives different people different gifts, and the purpose of
those gifts is to benefit the church, not exalt those who have them
(1Corinthians 12:4-7). The words “There should be no division in the body;
but… the members should have equal concern for each another,” tell us that
we should care for everyone in the congregation (1Corinthians