Page 312 - Bible Writers Theology Original

296 ♦ Bible Writers' Theology Chapter Nine young" (Isaiah 40:11).
In Peter's exhortation one can sense undertones of the Good Shepherd's admonitions to His disciples: "Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exer cise all authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whoso ever will be great among you, shall be your minister: and whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall 1^ servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:42-45; cf. Luke 22:27; John 21:15-17). Only spiritual and sac rificial leadership can influenceGod's people. The one who is called to this sacred responsibility should assume it in awe, with the words of Christ in his heart. (See Philippians 2:4-8; I Timothy 4:11-16.)
For effective aufhority, the pastor depends on the esteem and affection of thoseinhiscare,whilemakingfullproofofhisministry. TheapostlePaul has this to say: "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem themveryhighlyinlovefortheirwork'ssake. Andbeatpeaceamongyour
selves" (I Thessalonians 5:12-13). Paul's own ministry of apostolic authority was the outstanding illustration of some of the pastor's duties he is men tioninghere(IICorinthians11:23,26-28;IThessalonians2:9). Churchgov ernment is a theocratic rule, free of all dictatorial overtones and human dem ocratic slackness. This kind cannot be found in worldly structured systems ofgovernment. Sothen,thepastorofalocalassembly"labors"amongthe saints (I Timothy 5:17), he is "over them in the Lord" (Acts 20:28), "and admonishes" them. The expression "in the Lord" indicates that Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd, authorizes the pastor's role of overseer.
"Know them which labor among you..." is also a clear scriptural admoni tion to avoid the deception of ungodly leaders. A good and strong shep herd-sheep relationship between a pastor and a congregation usually takes place gradually, as the pastor proves himself in God's grace to the sheep (Joshua3:7). Therefore,theproperresponseofaloyalcongregationtospir itual leadership is outlined by Paul (I Thessalonians 5:12,13). It is the responsibility of the saints to "know them" Qohn 10:3), to "esteem them very highly in love" (I Timothy 5:17-18), and to "be at peace" among themselves. (See I Corinthians 9:11; Romans 10:14.)
God has also placed discipline in the Church for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, and for the edifying of the body of Christ. The two-fold purpose of discipline is protection for the church and correctionoftheoffender(Matthew18:15-18;IIThessalonians3:1-15). Paul's counsel to Timothy was, "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth" (I Timothy 3:15).