WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PASTOR?
So, when looking for a pastor, is there anything else that we should know about them? Yes, there’s one more thing. And that’s what their duties are. Do they line up with Scripture? Let’s find out what they are. We’ll begin in the book of Ephesians.
Suggested Reading: Ephesians 4:11-16
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Before we begin, I’d like you to take a look at the words pastors and teachers. Some believe that these indicate two separate offices, one of a pastor and the other being that of a teacher. However, these actually refer to one leadership position of pastor-teacher. Why is this the case? Well, this has to do with how certain parts of the text relate to each other.
According to Koine Greek, there’s a rule called Granville Sharps. What this tells us is that if two nouns are in the same case, i.e., either nominative (subject), genitive (of possession), dative (indirect object), or accusative (direct object), whereby in this instance, they’re both in the accusative and are connected by a particle (conjunction) along with the initial noun being preceded by a definite article (the) while the second noun doesn’t have one, then they’re considered synonymous, i.e., are the same.
In this verse, the word pastor is preceded by the word some, which in Greek is a definite article (the – tous). And the word teachers are preceded by the particle and with no definite article. Therefore, both nouns pertain to the same office. I know that this was a lot of minutiae, but sometimes that’s the way it has to be.
With that said, let’s study to find out what some of the functions of a pastor-teacher are?
And by the way, if different sections of Scripture talk about the same characteristics, then I’ll only include one of the passages in the study. Please begin by turning your Bible to the book of Acts.
Acts 13:1
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.
What we know about this church is that the disciples of Jesus were first called Christians at this location called Antioch in Acts 11:26. Mentioned here are the various leadership titles held by certain of the assembly. Some of them were called prophets, and others were called teachers. The word teachers (didaskaloi) refer to believers who, with the special assistance of the Holy Spirit, had the responsibility of introducing the Christian converts to the beliefs and duties of the Christian faith.45 And by the way, this is the same Greek word for teachers that was found in Ephesians 4:11, except that these nouns are in different cases.
What we’ll take a look at next is what the pastor should be especially mindful of both for themselves and the congregation. We’ll also be introduced to something else that might be brought in from those both outside and inside the church that will try to bring about disunity and division along with the spiritual medicine that should be digested by the faithful saints in order to protect themselves from this poison. Please stay in the same book but go to chapter 20.
Suggested Reading: Acts 20:3-21:4
17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
28 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.
The Apostle Paul was conversing with the elders from the church at Ephesus in a place called Miletus. He reminded them that the Holy Spirit had made them overseers (one who examines, looks after, or inspects not only their own but also another’s spiritual state). And as such, they were described as those who feed the church of God. The word feed means to tend or lead others to some condition. It can also mean protecting, guiding, and guarding it46 (the church).
29-30 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them
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