Clergy and Laity

You may be surprised to learn that the Lord never intended His local churches (assemblies) to have two classes of people – Clergy and Laity. There is no outline in Scripture for a ruling class made up of priests, bishops, pastors, ministers, cardinals and so on.

Very simply, the Lord Jesus was and is to be the head of every local church (see Revelation 2). And, every local church is to be completely autonomous. There was to be a plurality of elders (1Timothy 5:17), recognized by each assembly, to lead and protect the flock. They were to lead the flock in teaching the Scriptures and protect it against false doctrines and heresies.

Elders were not to preside over the church in terms of prayer, teaching, and worship or in any other elevated manner. These men did not have to graduate from a seminary or be ordained by some human religious institution. They didn’t have to wear special clothes and they were never to be recognized as intermediaries between God and man. Most importantly, they had absolutely no power to forgive sins.

Clergy and Laity is the Invention of Man

Prayer and worship were everyone’s responsibility and teaching was to be done by those men, who were gifted by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:11). It was an honor to be recognized as an elder and these men were to lead by example, in humility: “…for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.” (Luke 9:48)

There is no Biblical blueprint for a multi-divisional hierarchy of religious elite that was to rule over a vast network of local churches with each one reporting back to and funding headquarters. Despite the lack of any Scriptural mandate, the Catholic Church adopted just such a vast system sometime in the 3^rd or 4^th centuries. To a lesser degree, the protestant churches followed suit soon after the Reformation.

The Penalty of Sin

There were priests in the Jewish Levitical system (Old Testament). However, the New Testament does not mention such an office. The Apostle Peter did refer to all believers in Christ as a “royal priesthood” (1Peter 2:9). This is not an establishment of a clerical order as in the Old Testament, or in the Catholic Church. You can read the further context in Exodus 19:5-6.

Some will argue that “bishop”, “pastor”, “elder” are synonymous in translation. This is true to some extent, but never do any of these words imply that a person with such a title is in a ruling position to the extent we see today.

This does not mean that priests, pastors, etc. are bad people and that their work is of no value. It’s the tendency of people to seek leadership positions, some with good intentions and others with self-serving motives. The Lord will be the final judge of man’s motivations. However, when it comes to the head of the church the Scriptures are unambiguous as to who is head. Ephesians 1:22-23 declares, “And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and made Him head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

Assurance of Heaven is Based on Apostolic Teaching

What is most perplexing in the clergy and laity system is how people must address clerics by specific titles. People call many “Reverend“, some “Minister“, some “Pastor,’ and others “Father.” The first-century church never used such titles, even when addressing the apostles. As far as we read, the apostles were unassuming men that suffered severe reproach because of their identification with Christ. They didn’t expect and neither would they allow anyone to greet them as “reverend.” Only God deserves to be revered.

Somehow, people ignore these words of Jesus. “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets…” (Luke 20:46)

The titles previously mentioned were functions, not titles. Those who ministered the Word of God were never given the title of “Minister.” Today, people refer to churches, especially evangelical churches, as “Pastor Smith’s church” or “Pastor Clark’s church,” as if they owned the particular church.

We read this verse in Matthew 23:9, “And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.”  Despite this very clear and direct admonition by the Lord Jesus, the Catholic Church requires everyone to address priests as “Father.” Why then has the Catholic Church adopted a policy which is in direct contradiction to the expressed will of the Son of God?

Clergy and Laity Are Contrary to New Testament Principles

Why is it necessary among several religious groups, who claim to be Christian, that the clergy dress in a fashion separate from the rest of us? Where does the New Testament proclaim that any of the apostles wore a white collar or dressed in medieval costume while conducting the affairs of the local church? I realize that every part of the priest’s attire has some religious significance. Unfortunately, it only further distinguishes between two classes of people (clergy and laity), whom God never ordained.

When an elevated clergy falls into sin, defenders quickly remind us that he is only human and imperfect. Yet, we are all required to consider these men holy, consecrated, and ordained as special agents of Christ. So, which is it?

Some may ask: What about other religions and denominations? Don’t they have scandals also? Yes, pastors, deacons, ministers and elders fall into sin. However, the overriding difference is that these men do not claim such a lofty position as Catholic priests. Priests claim to have the power and authority to forgive sins and issue penalties for sin (penance). Catholics also believe that priests can turn ordinary wafers and wine into the ‘actual’ body and blood of Jesus Christ.

Clergy and Laity Are Unnecessary for Salvation Through Jesus Christ

The danger in separating the church into clergy and laity is significant. First, it moves the Lord Jesus out of His rightful position as head of the church. In addition. A one-church pastor can restrict believers from exercising their God-given gifts. Romans 12:6-8 provides a partial list of these gifts. “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them properly: if prophecy, in proportion to one’s faith; if service, in the act of serving; or the one who teaches, in the act of teaching; or the one who exhorts, in the work of exhortation; the one who gives, with generosity; the one who is in leadership, with diligence; the one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”

In current day Christendom, a church pastor typically occupies most of these roles. If this is the case, then those who have received the above gifts cannot develop or use them. This situation establishes one or a few people becoming the “experts” in all things religion. Consequently, the “laity” no longer needs to personally study the Bible. Knowledge of the Scriptures becomes the job of the “experts.” This is a tragedy of immense magnitude, negatively affecting the church body and families. This is not the outcome the Lord desires.

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