Are the Titles ‘Pastor’ or ‘Priest’ Biblical? - Ben Bailey

Often we hear religious leaders referred to as “pastor” or “priest”.  Are these biblical names that should be applied to the religious leader today?  Is it right for a man to wear these names?  Let’s examine what God has to say on the matter.

Should a religious leader be referred to as “Pastor”?  In the New Testament, the word pastor is used exclusively of the work and office of an elder.  For example, the word for pastor/shepherd is found in Acts 20:28 and 1 Peter 5:2-4.  In both cases, it is used to describe the work and office of overseers.  The New Testament church did not have a single “pastor” because it is not authorized in the Bible.  In every case where shepherds or pastors are spoken of it is always a plurality of men (1 Peter 5:1; Acts 20:17).  In the New Testament, there is not one case of a single “pastor” ruling the church.  In fact, the one case we have of a man trying to rule the church by himself is condemned by God (see 2 John 9-10).  A common misconception many have is the preacher is the pastor.  Dear friend, this is not a biblical concept.  Nowhere in the Bible will you find the preacher referred to as the pastor.  In fact, most of them could not be a pastor because they do not meet the qualifications for a pastor/elder found in 1 Timothy 3.  The churches of Christ do not have a head pastor because it is not authorized in the Bible (Col. 3:17).  However, we do have pastors or elders as used in the biblical sense of men shepherding the church of God (Acts 20:28).

Should any religious leader wear the title of “Priest” or “Father”?  In the New Testament, Jesus is our High Priest who made one sacrifice forever for sins (Heb. 3:1; 8:1; 10:12).  The purpose of the priest under the Law of Moses was to make sacrifices to God for the people’s sins (Lev. 1-5).  However, the New Testament teaches that we are no longer under the Old Law (Col. 2:14).  Jesus Christ, as our High Priest, offered himself to God as sacrifice (Heb. 9:14).  Churches of Christ do have a High Priest, Jesus Christ Himself.  Since Jesus is our High Priest, and He has made one sacrifice for sins forever, why do some denominations still have men as priests?  Where is the biblical authority for having priests?  There is none.  In fact, the Scripture says, “Call no man father” (Mt. 23:9).  

These clear teachings of Scripture illustrate for us the need to go back to the Bible and study the Scriptures.  It teaches us that we must not believe what we have always heard.  Instead, we must search the Scriptures for ourselves.                     --Ben Bailey