KJB_10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Today such terms as "office" in the church are totally maligned, suggesting the same procedures found within the Law of Moses and the priesthood. However, that system was abolished when the Temple was rent twain by God at Christ's death. Obviously the apostle Paul set things in order at Corinth, (chapter 11-34). But if read closely, he was doing so because; if any man hunger, (seek to lord over the congregation) let him eat at home!  That the congregations might not come together unto ruination.

Ignatius believed that the church had to develop a rigid power structure patterned after the centralized political structure of Rome, and this rule would rescue the church from heresy and internal strife. This was what Paul warned against in 1 Cor. 11-3-34. And Jesus called such as these Nicolaitanes in the book of Revelation. He said He hated their doctrine, and their deeds, Revelation 2-6 & 2-15. It is a type of religious-organization whereas the "mighty men of renown" are distinguished from the congregations, therefore ranking above them, establishing Creeds which become the final authority.  The Creeds of men held above the scriptures. The unbiblical Catechism of the RCC and the West Minister Confessions of Protestantism were established though these types of  church Hierarchies. At the time of Ignatius, this concept of rule had not caught on in other regions. This clergy monarchial concept was still not yet wide spread in the early 2nd century. Clearly it was not, because Ignatius himself wrote of Christians who acted independently of the monarchial bishop (Mag. 4:1). In his letter to the Philippians, Polycarp did not even recognize a single bishop in contrast to the presbyters (Phil. salutations. 5:3; 6:1).

Tertullian of Carthage was the first writer to use the word “clergy” to refer to a separate class of Christians. Both Tertullian and Clement of Alexandria in the 2nd century helped establish the word “clergy” and used it in their writings, then Origin proceeded Clement, by the end of the 2nd century the creation of a new caste of Christians was already being developed, and within just a few years after the death of the apostles the church saw the initial emergence of an ecclesiological system which was to eventually have devastating consequences by the time of 4th century and the Constantine/Ambrose/Augustine era as the creation of a new caste of Christians was on the rise within the RCC to levels never seen before. Therefore, the elevation of monarchial bishops (Pastors) within local churches should not come as a surprise in light of human events. As the Israelites in the book of Judges argued in favour of a human king, so do many professing Christians.

Although, in defense of Tertullian:  he distinguished "the clergy" from "the laity," and was unlike some of his contemporaries in that he did not regard "the clergy" as superior to "the laity." In his work On Monogamy he argued that what should be expected of "the laity" should also be expected of "the clergy,"  (Monogamy. 12). He also believed that "laymen" were fully qualified to perform clerical functions if the circumstances required it. The chief priest (who is the bishop) has the right: in the next place, the presbyters and deacons....Beside these, even laymen have the right; for what is equally received can be equally given. Unless bishops, or priests, or deacons, be on the spot, other disciples are called, i.e. to the work (administering of baptism,17).

 The true shepherds/pastors within the flock were warning of such imposters, liken to Paul who warned for 3 years that grievous wolves would come in and slay the flocks. Thus, the biblical concept of soft clay and godly shepherds was hardening into a fixed office that would be lording over the flocks, as seen during the time of the Cyprian of Carthage (200-258 AD). And after the Council of Nicaea (325 AD), bishops began to delegate the responsibility of the Lord’s Supper to agents of the Institute known as the presbyters. Presbyters were little more than deputies of the bishop, exercising his authority in his churches. By the end of the 4th century the clergy caste was now cemented together with slime for mortar, becoming a caste system no different than those of the far east, such as Hinduism, etc.....At the head of the church stood the bishop. Under him was the collegial of presbyters, under them stood the deacons, and below all of them crawled the poor, miserable “laymen.” who were disallowed the scriptures. Once again, placed under a priest to acquire knowledge, just as it was in the OT law of Moses.  One-Bishop-Rule became the accepted form of church government throughout the Roman Empire. During this time, certain churches began to exercise authority over other churches therefore broadening their phylacteries, and enlarging the borders of their religious garments, laying heavy burdens too grievous to be sustained on the backs of the suffering congregations ; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers, while they receive greetings in the market places of notoriety , and to be called of men, Rabbi/ Father/Pastor etc.,

Cyprian of Carthage argued that "every one honored by the divine priesthood, and ordained in the clerical service, ought to serve only the altar and sacrifices, and to have leisure for prayers and supplications."  (Epistle 65.1).

Cyprian, also a martyr, his works were edited in volumes 3 and 4 of the Patrologia Latina. He was a former pagan orator and a master of rhetoric. When Cyprian, like Augustine, became a Christian, he began to write prolifically, and was a master of rhetoric. Today, rhetorical masters, of neuro-linguistics, speaking great swelling words of emptiness, beguiling unstable souls, mesmerizing the congregations into a deep sleep, and having dispensed spells of darkness upon them. These are the wondering clouds without water, (Spirit), that are blown about by every wind of false doctrine that Jude spoke of in verse 12. Like the Locusts out of the bottomless pit, they are carried by the wind. The apostate church is the fallen star that has the key to open Pandora's Box of false prophets, Revelation 9. In other words, according to the apostle Paul, 2 Tim 2-3, the congregations themselves demand such false prophets of heresy. When Cyprian became a Christian, he began to write prolific rhetoric, with some of his pagan ideas mingled therein. His skillful Latin rhetoric led to his being considered the pre-eminent Latin writer of Western Christianity until Jerome and Augustine arrived on the scene and has never again been upbraided. Thus, opening the door for the same old rituals of the OT which by traditions of men manifested into the Cabbalistic-Talmud at the time of Christ. Christianity is a copy of the old testament Judaism. This is not of the true Christian faith that was once delivered to the saints..

see>http://thedivinelyinspiredscriptures.wordpress.com/2014/03/23/the-church-of-grace-that-placed-herself-back-under-the-law-of-moses-2/

From A.D. 313-325, Christianity was no longer a struggling religion trying to survive the Roman government. It was basking in the sun of imperialism, loaded with money and status. To be a Christian under Constantine’s reign was no longer a handicap. It was an advantage. It was fashionable to become a part of the Emperor’s religion. And to be among the clergy was to receive the greatest of advantages.

Clergymen received the same honors as the highest officials of the Roman Empire and even the Emperor himself. The brute fact is that Constantine gave the bishops of Rome more power than he gave Roman governors! He also ordered that the clergy receive fixed annual allowances (ministerial pay)! 

 Under Constantine, Christianity was both recognized and honored by the State. This blurred the line between the church and the world. The Christian faith was no longer a minority religion. Instead, it was protected by Emperors. As a consequence, church membership grew rapidly. Truckloads of new converts were made who were barely converted. They brought into the church a wide variety of pagan ideas. In the words of Will Durant, “While Christianity converted the world; the world converted Christianity, and displayed the natural paganism of mankind.“ Frank Viola

This is not surprising, because Satan merely hopped the Mediterranean and set up shop in Rome. And by the end of the 4thd century Nicolaitane-Hierarchy ultimately prevailed and become the model of the World Church, (Christianity), Catholic-Universalism, the Holy Roman Empire, and then forwarded to all of her Daughter Protestant Churches centuries after. Residing today as the World Council of Churches, de-global Ecumenicalism. Satan, through pride, always autographs his work; because he can’t help but do so. By the end of the fourth century the clergy had become a sacerdotal cast; a spiritually elite group of holy men and the door was open to resurrect the Old Testament economy of priests, temples, altars, and sacrifices reconformed.

It is a universal tendency in the Christian religion, as in many other religions, to give a theological interpretation to institutions which have developed gradually through a period of time for the sake of practical usefulness, and then read that interpretation back into the earliest periods and infancy of these institutions, attaching them to an age when in fact nobody imagined that they had such a meaning.-Richard Hanson

 Therefore, congregations once being active are now rendered deaf and mute, held under the thumb of licensed fleshly mediators. This Mystic Babylonian "Peter principle" is seen throughout the western secular world today. It is in All of her Institutions, in that the least qualified and least knowledgeable persons are exalted to the highest levels. It is a bullet proof formula of control and the prevailing principle of mankind. It’s seen in politics, education, medical, monetary, all forms of science, religion. All gathered into the collective conscience of man forming de-global Humanism, the rule of the day, (Leviathan the beast of pride.) of whose foundational apparatus and MO is that of respecter of persons.      

There is no biblical reference within the entire NT that supports the existence of the modern day Pastor. It was invented by men. The supposed office of "Pastor" did not exist in the first century church. Yes, there are many individuals who fill the role pastors, but it is nothing in likeness to the "Pastor" titles held up in the halls of Protestantism, as well as many non-denominational churches.. The apostolic church and the pre-Nicene early 2nd church basically had no official leadership. No mighty men of renown! In other words no big-shots among the congregations, because Jesus is the only man worthy of RENOWN. Yes He is the only real Big Shot in the group.

With the fall of the church during the era of Constantine/Ambrose/Augustine the mystery of iniquity had been revealed. With that fall came an implicit desire in man to have a physical leader to bring him to God. (having itching ears, heaping upon themselves men of renown). For this reason, human societies throughout history have consistently created a special caste of religious icons, and Christianity (the whore of Babylon is no different), it’s all one giant system of error, thus we are called out of these Religious Nicolaitane Institutes of men, lest we be partakers of her plagues. The medicine man, interpreters, Zeus Pathors (Jupiter) , the miracle worker, the witch-doctor, the soothsayer, the wise-men Jannes and Jamborees , and the priest have all been with us since the Tower of Babel, and her Confucius says, (Simon says) men of systematics are but interpreters of darkness.

Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Ephesians  4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Shepherds/pastors are plural in Jeremiah 3:15, just as elders were always plural. This verse is not speaking about what Christianity calls a "Pastor" today. What is feeding? It is nurturing the needs of the congregations as ministers of love and truth for edification of the body. Therefore, Ephesians 4:11 doesn’t establish a pastoral office, but rather servants to the congregations. shepherds/pastors are those who naturally provide, nurture, and care for God’s sheep while sleeping with one eye open looking out for wolves in sheep's clothing that seek to slaughter the flock. 

2 Peter 5 says "as your fellow elder .. I urge the elders among you: Give a shepherd’s care to God’s flock among you, exercising oversight.."

Acts 20-28 says "telling the elders to come to him .. he said to them.. 'Watch out for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son.'"

Do the scriptures teach a one man ministry???.  No, because the head of the Church is Christ. Therefore, why is a single Pastor the leader of a church? Where does the bible tell us that this is the way it should be? There is only one verse in the NT where by the word “pastor” is used. Not capitalized, and is a marginal piece of evidence on which to hang the entire Protestant belief.  The NT scriptures say “pastors.” in the plural. For whosoever these are, they are plural in the church, not a singular Interpreter. There is no biblical evidence for the idea of a "single" pastor to head up a congregation. In reality they have become Baal Pathors/Pastors of interpretation in modern-day Protestantism.

The position of "pastors" is a gift, not a title or office. And the exercise of the gift of pastors has nothing to do with church governance. However, through traditions of men, they have become liken to "Fathers" in the RCC, (the Nicolaitanes), fleshly mediators of authority under a permissible license of authority granted by Caesar himself, (the state). The Pastor is the dominating centerpiece and embodiment of Protestant Christianity. So prevailing is the "Pastor" in the minds of the congregations that sit under him that he has become better known, more highly praised, and more heavily relied upon in many cases than Jesus Christ Himself.  With the removal of the unbiblical Pastor/Father mammon & the Pulpit, what is known as Christianity collapses.

How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification." - 1 Cor. 14:26

Being a pastor and preaching or leading a congregation are not the same. The pulpit is a pagan device imported into Christianity centuries ago for the purpose of manipulation. Many will call themselves Pastor while not knowing the biblical definition of the said position. But biblical leadership is through a plurality of elders, not a sole Pastor figure-head. No one is addressed as a Pastor in scripture, elders are addressed and are told to feed and watch over God's flock...Look at scripture for the definition of what a shepherd does, not at our modern persons who are called Pastor. Shepherd/pastor isn't a title or office in scripture. It combined with teaching is a work done by elders… “pastor” is the same Greek word as shepherd so the verses in 2 Peter 5 & Acts 20 tell who do the shepherding work. There is nothing in scripture where a single Pastor leads a congregation as we so often find today. There is no evidence of such. And the invented term “Reverend" is unbiblical also. Yet another title invented by men. I'm not saying that shepherds don't exist or are to be done away with. I simply say let us rightly divide the word of truth in defining their function within the body of Christ. In doing so we find that the words, elder, pastor, shepherd, bishop, presbyter, are interchangeable. They are the leaders of the flock and ministers of the gospel in love. Not men of renown and prowess! The preacher is more accurately, the "evangelist." In the early days the evangelists travelled, preaching and establishing congregations, whereas the elders (pastors/Sheppard's) were appointed to be the spiritual leaders and administrators of the local congregation. . By no means were they men of renown and notoriety.  The apostolic churches were autonomous, meaning elders (pastors/shepherds) did not exert authority over other congregations. In fact there were no "head" elders even in any single congregation. In closing; I am not suggesting forsaking the assembly of the saints, but rather asserting that we should return to such goodness and gather under the ONE true Head of the Church Jesus Christ….

Bill