Pastor-Teacher
I. Background/Introduction: There are several words used in the NT to describe the Office, Function and Authority of the Pastor. While this will not be an exaustive study, it will cover the greek words, their meaning and use for the church then, and now. Even though there is and has been much confusion throughout the church age as to the meaning and purpose of this office, the Word of God is clear so that any believer should not go astray as to the true meaning and purpose of the text.
II. There are seven greek words used in the New Testament that spells out the meaning of Pastor. They are not listed in any particular order.
A. DIAKONOS: (I Cor. 3:5). Translated Minister. It refers to the pastor's daily routine. (The word is translated deacon elsewhere).
B. AGGELOS: (Rev. 2:1). Translated Messenger. It emphasizes the pastor's message.
C. PRESBUTEROS: (Acts 20:17). Translated Elder. It refers to the pastor's rank. It means "Old Man". I.E. The captain of a ship is refered to as the "Old Man". He may be young but the title is one of rank. He is in charge.
D. EPISKOPOS: (Acts 20:17 & 28). Translated Overseer, sometimes translated Bishop. The elders in Acts 20 are called Overseers. It refers to the pastor's authority and Function.
E. POIMAINO: (Eph 4:11) Translated Shepherd. It comes from the root "poimen" which means to feed daily, to protect, take care of sick ones. This refers to the pastor's Relationship to the flock.
F. BOSKO: (John 21:15,17) Translated Feed. It means to nourish, to teach the milk of the word.
G. DIDASKALOS: (Eph. 4:11) Translated Teach. Actually this is a hyphenated word and should be translated Pastor-Teacher, a Shepherd-Teacher. Palin-Dadaskalos, Pastor-Teacher, (P-T).
III. Traditionally the pastor has been refered to as an under-shepherd. This is implied in the exhortation in I Peter 5:1-4, where the Lord Jesus Christ is called the "Chief Shepherd", verse 4. Also in this passage the pastor is specifically exhorted to "Shepherd the flock, exercising the oversight...according to the will of God...proving to be examples to the flock." There are many negative considerations w/in this passage, many of which are being abused today. Perhaps this is why the church is in such a disarray, and the flock is being scattered.
Perhaps a word should be said about spiritual gifts. The NT lists two types of spiritual gifts; temporal and permanent. They are listed in Romans 12; I Corinthians 12 and Eph 4. It should be noted that the gift of PT is the highest authority in the church age, i.e. there are no apostles today (a temproal gift during the beginning of the church age. It was the highest authority during that time).
Index of Preacher's Help and Notes
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