Some Christian churches call their pastors priests and some do not. Yet, there are principles regarding Old Testament priests which apply to all churches and their leaders regardless of their chosen vocabulary. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Old Testament priests had strict laws to follow. A priest must not marry a harlot, a woman who worships false gods, a divorced woman, or a widow (Leviticus 21:6-14). Priests must not allow their hair to grow long, wear torn clothes, or leave office (Leviticus 10:6-7). Levites have no inheritance other than Temple service (Numbers 18:20).
How do any of these apply in the New Testament? First of all, Jesus is our high priest.
Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession
Hebrews 4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
What about those called for the service of leadership in our churches? Are they under strict guidelines too? 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 give very strict guidelines for those aspiring to what was then the team of overseers or board of elders or pastoral leaders of the churches. The single pastor model only applied then during the founding stages of a church, not its long-term condition.
1 Timothy 3:3-7 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Some people take these more literally than others. Some quibble over a few of these details, but regardless of our generational or cultural bias, we must admit that these are high standards for church leadership.
Titus 1:5-9 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
What are some Bible terms for church leaders? A bishop, meaning an overseer or superintendent, was one of several spiritual leaders of a local church (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Philippians 1:1). Another title for local leaders in a church was elder or presbyter, meaning a mature man who is seasoned or experienced (Titus 1:5-16; 1 Peter 5:1-3). A lesser used term for local church leadership was pastor or shepherd (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Peter 5:2).
The word deacon (which means minister or servant) is also used in the Bible for those who serve mostly physical duties within a local church, such as taking care of the needy (Acts 6:1-7; 1 Timothy 3:8-13; Philippians 1:1).
How wonderful when a church supports and encourages their leadership! How sad when there is division and the leadership is undermined!
In the same way, I urge you who are younger: accept the authority of the elders. And everyone, clothe yourselves with humility toward each other. God stands against the proud, but he gives favor to the humble. (1 Peter 5:5 CEB)
How should we conduct our church worship services?
Let all things be done decently and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:40 KJV)
We can see from the great detail in God’s instructions regarding the Old Testament priesthood, that God prefers our worship services to still be done in an ordered manner, rather than higgledy-piggledy. The same is true of the offices in a local church, and there are basically two broad categories: elders and deacons or their equivalent.
