Speaking to his disciples, Jesus made a profound statement about the kind of managerial or leadership "style" that would be the very heart of service in his coming kingdom. Basically, all the disciples were to be servants and the kingdom was to be one where the servants even served each other. The greatest in the kingdom would be as the least. Interestingly enough, concerning authority, Jesus never gave his followers any other options for the leadership style of His holy nation. Jesus himself was given all authority in heaven and ON EARTH (at his resurrection and ascension) and our service is to and through Him alone. No one can find any evidence in Scripture that He ever set up a divine arrangement whereby any human or group of humans were to "rule/lord it over" any of his people on earth. The apostles themselves and all the disciples were to serve God and one another through the Holy Spirit sent by Jesus Christ, the Anointed one. In
essence, their leadership style was that of servanthood. Notice the ones Jesus chose as apostles. Notice their education, occupations, and social status. Human wisdom would not have allowed any of these as choices for the position of apostle. However, the very nature of God's plan (The Way, under the New Covenant) has always presented a dilemma for those who would come to God, but especially for those who wish to have, or be in positions of authority.
Now some would say otherwise concerning the nature of the divine leadership arrangement (especially as relates to the work or service of bishops/elders and deacons). But it can't be so if the whole assembly of God is called a royal priesthood and a holy nation as Peter said. We are all priests in the new order which Jesus established.
[Continued in Part II]
1. Matt. 20:25; Luke 22:25; Mark 10:42 2. Matt. 28:18; Rom. 12:1
3. I Cor. 1:24; I Pet. 5:1-5 4. Acts 8:18-19; 3 Jn. 9 5. I Pet. 2:5-9 6. Rev. 1:6
It is difficult for us, Christians today, to think of ourselves as "priests" of the Most High God. But, these are terms Peter and John used. As the new order is different, so also the order of service/worship (as priests) is different. We all have different gifts, talents, and measures of the Holy Spirit; therefore, our duties, responsibilities, and work is different in the Master's service (as God has distributed to every person). However, no hierarchical ranks exist between each servant [or priest] and his Master. Why? Because the Master of every servant/priest is the Hight Priest, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. There are no "intermediary priests". Not one.
In our day [as in the past], the meaning of authority and servanthood has become blurred and confusing. There was and there are those who desire the power of spiritual leadership and authority. But there's a big difference between one who wishes a greater role of servanthood under Jesus Christ and one who simply "wants to be somebody" in the church. (Diotrephes loved the preeminence and forbade the apostle John, as well as prevented some from coming in while throwing others out of the assembly.) We should never be afraid of the good servant of Jesus Christ but always be afraid of one who loves authority and power. Perhaps a look outside the KJV and a thorough word study of how the following "religious" words were mistranslated by the King James translators would be helpful: elder/bishop, deacon.
Many put much trust/hope in religious institutions/churches and not enough faith in Jesus, who can lead each one of us very adequately. Further, the only institution Jesus established was a spiritual one of "holy people", an "holy nation", all of whom make up "His kingdom." Some translations correctly translate ecclesia using terms such as "called out ones" and "groups of called ones" (mistranslated as church in the KJV). We tend to trust those whose human knowledge and leadership skills are gained from the secular world's colleges and universities (even Bible colleges) and think that makes them good candidates for spiritual leadership, well qualified to speak the truth and lead the flock, giving them authority over their fellows in the kingdom (local group of worshipers). If worldly wisdom and human logic were the measure of truth, this would be ideal. But it isn't so. Jesus said, "a servant is not above his master". Notice, Jesus was a servant of God first (a Son who learned obedience by the things He suffered), a servant to his brothers (the Jews), and a servant to his neighbors. Since He left us an example or pattern to follow (and we are all sons and daughters of the Living God), what should we be doing? What does that say for the "rank-and-file Christians while we walk here on earth? If we are seeking first the kingdom of God, looking to Jesus as our Champion and Captain, we should fear no man -- regardless of his office, title, or position, so called.
1. I Pet. 2:5
2. Rom. 12:3; Eph. 4:7-13
3. Matt. 20:25; Jn. 13:6-17
4: 3 Jn. 9,10
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