What are the qualifications, duties, and content of the messages of a pastor that you should be looking for?

Are The Offices Of The New Testament Church Gender Specific - For Males Only?

●Introduction

●There Are Two Ways to Formulate a Viewpoint on Any Doctrinal Topic

●The Qualifications, Duties, and Content of the Messages of a Pastor That You Should Be Looking For

You Decide

Contents

Introduction

1. There Are Two Ways To Formulate A Viewpoint On Any Doctrinal Topic

2. The Qualifications, Duties, And Content Of The Messages Of A Pastor That You Should Be Looking For

3. The Calling To An Office-Gift

4. How Does A Christian Know Whether They Are Called To An Office Gift?

5. When Does The Appointment To An Office-Gift Take Place?

6. Does The Gender Of The Office Positions Of The New Testament Church Indicate That They Are Gender Specific – For Males Only?

7. Were The Leadership Positions In The Priesthood Of The Jews Gender Specific – For Males Only?

8. Is There Any Scriptural Indication That A Female Could Be Called To An Office Gift?

9. There Are More Pertinent Scriptures To Look At

10. The Keynote Verses In Supporting The Idea That The Calling To An Office Gift In The Church Is Gender Specific – For Males Only

I’m Scared To Change The View That I Am Currently Holding

Endnotes

Introduction

This subject is a topic that has resonated with me since I went to bible college in the early eighties. The president of the bible college believed that the calling to an office gift (e.g. apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor-teacher) was gender specific – for males only. He also believed that the offices of apostle and prophet were no more. He did make an exception to this, however, stating that if a man had a call on his life to be a pastor and he chose not to pursue it, and there was no other male that was called, then God would raise up a woman to be placed in the position of a pastor.

There were probably as many as 100 branch ministries or churches of various sizes that were affiliated with this bible college. Whatever was taught from the pulpit of the bible college was advocated to be taught in all of the branch ministries. I’m sure that the effect of any doctrinal view is far reaching in the sense when you have a worldwide ministry with many members there are views that are espoused, which are expected to be followed by its members whether they like them or not.

Probably in most worldwide churches it is possible that there is at least one doctrinal view that some of its members have second thoughts about.

For instance:

The Catholic Church believes that the scriptures forbid women to hold the position of a priest although they do allow a position for the women in the church, being that of a nun.

The Episcopal Church believes that a member must confess their sins publicly before the group during worship service so that they can receive absolution (the assurance of God’s forgiveness) from the priest.

Some Born Again Christian Churches advocate that a believer can lose their salvation.

The Seventh Day Adventist Church states that Jesus is not God, but an angel.

The Church of the Latter Day Saints believe that Noah’s Ark was built in Missouri, USA.

Buddhism believes in reincarnation.

The Jehovah’s Witness believe that the Holy Spirit is not God, but a life force.

Christian Science believes that sickness does not exist.

Islam believes there is no original sin.

The Unitarian Church believes there is no continued human existence after physical death.

Interesting views aren’t they?

I have no official position as to whether the bible is gender specific – for males only concerning the calling of a Christian to an office-gift in the New Testament Church. I hope to have a better understanding of this topic by means of this undertaking. Since much of the contention in the church is as to whether a woman can be the pastor of a church, we will focus on this idea. If it is confirmed that she can be, then we could assume a woman could also be called to the office of an apostle, prophet, or evangelist.

Before we begin to look at scriptures which talk about gender as relating to the office of a pastor let’s talk about whether scriptures from the Old Testament, the Gospels, or the Epistles will be used to support a position on this topic.

CHAPTER 1

There Are Two Ways to Formulate A Viewpoint On Any Doctrinal Topic

When a biblical topic is being studied the view that is espoused will be determined by the scriptures which are used to support it.

You might ask, what are you talking about?

Let me give you an example.

Let’s say that a pastor of a local church has been caught by a couple of members of committing adultery. How is this to be addressed? It depends on what scriptures are used in regards to dealing with this matter.

In Psalms 51 King David had committed adultery with Bathsheba along with having her husband Uriah murdered. In this Psalm he acknowledged his transgressions and made a proclamation to God.

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. (Psalms 51:3-4)

Some churches will use these verses and in particular David’s proclamation that he sinned against God and God only as the protocol which should be followed if a pastor has been caught committing an egregious sin. The protocol would be that the pastor is only accountable to God. No one has a right to judge or bring the pastor before a disciplinary committee. God will judge the pastor period, end of story.

There is another way to address a pastor’s sin which is delineated in 1 Timothy 5:19.

Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

This view states that if a member or members of the church are aware of a pastor’s sin, then in order to address the matter before whoever is in charge of rendering a decision as to innocence or guilt there must be at least two or three eye or ear witnesses to the sinful act. Let’s give you one example of this.

According to Gal. 6:1 if a believer catches another believer, in this case a pastor, in the act of sin, they should go to the pastor with the hope that the pastor will admit guilt and be restored.

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)

If the pastor does admit guilt, then instruction for restoration will be provided and the matter has been addressed.

If the pastor chooses not to admit guilt, and there are no other witnesses give the matter over to God to judge.

If the pastor chooses not to admit guilt, and there are one or two more eye or ear witnesses to the sinful action, the matter can be pursued further according to Matt 18:16.

But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

If the pastor admits guilt before the witnesses, instruction for restoration can be provided and the matter is closed. If the pastor chooses not to admit guilt again, then according to Matt 18:17 the matter should be brought before those in the assembly (e.g. another pastor; the head of a committee that addresses sinful actions) in order to determine guilt or innocence. If the pastor is found guilty of committing the sinful act, then a censure should be imposed that removes the pastor from the fellowship for a period of time.

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

A different scenario involving the committing of an egregious sin is found in 1 Corinthians 5. This chapter talks about a sinful action that is habitual and commonly known by the assembly. In this case the matter should be judged immediately. Almost everybody in the church has become an eye or ear witness to this sin. A formal hearing should take place with the pastor and a couple of the eye or ear witnesses, who appear before whoever is in charge of addressing these sinful actions. A church censure should be imposed if the pastor is found guilty of committing the offense.

It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:1,7)

Which view is to be used in regards to addressing the sin of a pastor? It depends on what verses you are using.

To be clear, the verses in Psalms are addressing the sin of a King of Israel, while the verse in Timothy is addressing the sin of a pastor. In regards to the king, the period of time during which he lived involved the nation of Israel and the institution of the Mosaic Law, which had over 100 commandments in it dealing with a list of overt offenses and their related consequences. In regards to the pastor, the period of time during which the pastor lives involves the New Testament church. During this time period sin is not only related to sinful actions, but also to one’s thoughts and words. There are no consequences for sinful speech or actions such as being stoned to death, making monetary restitution, being subject to plagues, receiving stripes, etc. The harshest penalty concerning addressing an egregious sin of the pastor would be to excommunicate the pastor, unless the action was criminal. In this case the sinful action would be reported to the civil authorities for prosecution.

So in regards as to whether a woman can be called to the office position of a pastor in the New Testament Church this will be determined as we look at verses, which are primarily taken from the Gospels, the book of Acts, and the Epistles (which are letters written to the fledgling churches and individual believers in the earliest days of Christianity. If I were to use any verses from the Old Testament this will be because they were used by some churches to support their view concerning as to whether the calling of a Christian to an office gift is gender specific.

So sit back and read about what is contained in this study.

Hopefully, new light will be shed on this subject from a biblical perspective.

CHAPTER 2

The Qualifications, Duties, And Content Of The Messages Of A Pastor That You Should Be Looking For

Before we look at as to whether the office of a pastor is gender specific – for males only, let’s take a look at a summary that was generated from a recent study entitled “A Profile Of A Pastor-Teacher”. I think you will enjoy reading this.

Whether the office of a pastor is or is not gender specific – for males only, this study talked about what qualifications, duties, and content of the messages of a pastor should a born again believer look for when choosing a pastor to co-labor with.

I think that you will find this informative whether the pastor of a church is male or female.

●Is the pastor born-again?

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: (Acts 17:30)

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:37-39)

●Is the office of pastor the name of one of the offices in the church you are attending, the others being called: apostle, prophet, and evangelist? By the way a pastor is not a priest in regards to the title of a Jewish person, who attended to the needs of the tabernacle or temple, and neither is a priest a pastor. There are no offices in the New Testament Christian Church named Levite, priest, or high priest.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (Ephesians 4:11)

●The pastor should introduce to the Christian converts the beliefs and duties of the Christian faith with special assistance by the Holy Spirit.

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. (Acts 13:1)

●The calling of a person to the office of pastor would be evidenced to the assembly by an authentic testimony. This testimony would reveal that this person was full of the Holy Spirit (those whom the Holy Spirit directs; those who are spiritually minded) and wisdom (skill in teaching). In the book of Acts we see this testimony evidenced in regards to the choosing of deacons for the Jerusalem Church.

Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. (Acts 6:3)

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; (1 Timothy 3:2)

And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. (Acts 14:23)

●The pastor should be mindful to inspect the spiritual state of each person in the assembly.

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)

●The pastor should establish (ground) the assembly in doctrine.

And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. (Acts 20:32)

●The Holy Spirit calls and qualifies the pastor. Qualifies doesn’t mean they go to bible school and get certified and therefore are qualified. Going to Bible School is fine, but this should be part of the preparation for the office and not be the sole determinant. Qualifies means the Holy Spirit works in the life of those, who are called to this office, and qualifies (produces in them his qualities) so that over time they will be evidenced to the assembly.

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)

●The pastor preaches the gospel message in order to bring unbelievers to an awareness of the need to repent, believe, and call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, as to who he is and what he has done, so that they can receive the indwelling Holy Spirit.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:13-15)

●The pastor shoulddelight in research in order to validate truth.

Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? (1 Corinthians 12:29)

●The pastor should feed and lead the local church, utilizing the teaching and expository (detailed) preaching of the word of God with special assistance from the Holy Spirit.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (Ephesians 4:11)

●The purpose of all of the office gifts should be: to provide through the content of the teachings an awareness of sinful thoughts, speech, and actions along with the divine repair or correction which is available for all that is deficient; for the work of Christian service whereby over time the members recognize and exercise their spiritual gifts for the edification of the body of Christ; for the maturity of every member through the instruction of divine things.

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

●One who seeks (desires) the office of a pastor must be:

~ Blameless: against whom no charge of immorality (e.g. fornication, adultery, homosexuality; pedophilia; etc.), or of holding false doctrine, is alleged.

~ The husband of one wife: validly divorced people who remarried were considered married to one spouse.

Marital Conditions that are allowed for a person to seek the office of a pastor

If the believing Christian is married to an unbeliever, and the unbeliever chooses to leave the marriage, then the believer is allowed to divorce and remarry. 1 Corinthians 7:15

If the believing Christian is married to either a believer or unbeliever, who decides to engage in an extra marital affair, then the Christian is allowed to divorce and remarry. Matthew 19:9

If the husband or wife dies, then the believer is allowed to remarry. Romans 7:2

If the believing Christian is married to a believer and the believer chooses to leave the marriage while remaining unmarried without engaging in an extra marital affair, then the believer is to remain unmarried or be reconciled.
1 Corinthians 7:10-11

Marital Conditions that are not allowed for a person to seek the office of a past If the believing Christian seeks a divorce, when their believing spouse chooses to leave the marriage while remaining unmarried without engaging in an extra marital affair. 1 Corinthians 7:10-11

~ Vigilant: conduct that is free from any form of excess.

~ Sober: of a sound mind, having good understanding; exercising sensible judgment in all things.

~ Of good behavior: to external matters; organized in his thinking and his living, as well as in his teaching and preaching.

~ Given to hospitality: a lover of strangers; one who is ready to receive into his house and relieve every necessitous stranger.

~ Apt to teach: able and skilled in teaching true doctrine and refuting false doctrine.

~ Not given to wine: to not drink to excess.
~ No striker: not ready to strike a person who may displease him; not a persecutor of those who may differ from him.
~ Patient: treats others with patience and tolerance rather than with a domineering disposition; not making a determined stand for one’s just do.

~ Not a brawler: uses a peaceful and inoffensive approach; not quick to argue with others.

~ Not covetous: not desiring the office for the sake of its financial gain.
~ Having his children in subjection with all gravity: has children who exhibit obedience with respect toward him.

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (1 Timothy 3:2-4)

●A pastor should give attention to exhortation (to the explanation of the scripture passages that are read, making their meaning and relevance clear to the gathered congregation6) and doctrine (a body or system of teachings that are related to a particular subject).

Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (1 Timothy 4:13)

●The pastor should be an example (a modeling) of divine love, which is produced in the heart of the yielded saint by the Holy Spirit.

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)

●The pastor should instruct [by means of reproof (rebuke) or admonition (to warn to correct some fault)] others, who have placed themselves in opposition to them and true doctrine by aligning themselves with false teachers (teaching), so that God will give them such a view of the error which they have embraced, that they will repent (turn one’s back on sinning; a change in mind) to the acknowledging (embracing) of the precise and correct knowledge of the truth.

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2 Timothy 2:24-26)

●The content of the pastor’s messages as relating to the assembly should not: agree with their carnal desires; conceal the gravity of their evil propensities; deal gently with their vices (immoral practices such as adultery, formication, incest, rape, homosexuality, lesbianism, pedophilia, etc.).

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (2 Timothy 4:2-3)

●The pastor should be able to observe and enforce the discipline of the church.

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: (Titus 1:5)

●The pastor should consider the assemblies’ suggestions and criticisms.

For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; (Titus 1:7)

●The pastor is a person of integrity who sticks by his word and practices what he preaches.

But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; (Titus 1:8)

●The messages that the pastor declares do not tend to corrupt the morals of others; everything in his teaching was to be such as to make men purer.

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, (Titus 2:7)

●The pastor should instruct the assembly as to how to allow God’s influence on their soul.

Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (Titus 2:12)

●The pastor instructs the assembly how to live with a sound mind, which will bring about a due restraint on their passions and propensities.

Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (Titus 2:12)

●The pastor does not bring in false teaching alongside the true whereby the content of their messages allures through the lusts of the flesh by presenting immoral sexual acts as legitimate expressions of Christian freedom to the new converts while promising them liberty to do what they please.

For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. (2 Peter 2:18-19)

●The pastor does not bring in self-chosen doctrines that denounce Jesus by immorality under a cloak of religion.

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2 Peter 2:1)

Outside of becoming born again I believe that the search for a Spirit-filled pastor-teacher is the most crucial decision for not only a new convert but also for every Christian. If the pastor is not Spirit-filled or guided, then he is guided by himself, meaning that he is religious. Religion brings about a system for the believer to engage in hoping to secure God’s favor while having no personal relationship with Him.

Now that you are aware of the qualifications, duties, and content of the messages of a pastor that you should be looking for let’s take a more thorough look in the next chapter as to the names and functions of the office gifts that some in the body of Christ are called.

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