Most Christians are caught in the web of an evolving error that has been in the church almost since the death of the apostles. Spanning many centuries of time and infiltrating nearly all churches,  denominations, and mission fields world around, the error focuses on two words: clergy and laity. Let’s find out whether we are clergy, laity, or is there such a thing?

Look at I Peter 5:2 and notice the ones who are addressed. Speaking to general believers–even the weakest of them–Peter says, “Even as a baby desires and takes in nourishment, so you should grow up in your salvation.” And then in verse 5, all–even the weakest–are said to be priests unto God.

 THE STUDY OF THE PRIESTHOOD OF ALL
BELIEVERS SHOULD GIVE US
CONFIDENCE TO SERVE JESUS CHRIST

I. THE ENORMOUS PROBLEM

Do you feel that you are part of a holy priesthood? Probably not, because of the way history has developed.

A. HISTORICAL ROOTS OF THE PROBLEM

I hold here in my hand Volume 2 of a large 8-volume set on church history by Philip Shaf–a classic. This particular volume covers from the year 100 to 325 A.D. Thus, Christ and all the apostles are now dead. And we come to this first era in the church without an apostle. Hear this carefully:

In the Apostolic church, preaching and teaching were not confined to a particular class, but every convert could proclaim the gospel to unbelievers, and every Christian who had the gift could pray and teach and exhort in the congregation. The New Testament knows no spiritual aristocracy or nobility, but calls all believers “saints,” though many fell far short of their vocation. Nor does it recognize any special priesthood in distinction from the people, as mediating between God and the laity. It knows only one high-priest, Jesus Christ, and clearly teaches the universal priesthood … of believers … The entire body of Christians are called “clergy” … a peculiar people, the heritage of God.

On the other hand it is equally clear that there was in the Apostolic church a ministerial office instituted by Christ, for the very purpose of raising the mass of believers from infancy and pupilage to independent and immediate intercourse with God, to that prophetic, priestly, and kingly position, which in principal and destination belongs to them all.

That is the way it was. Yes, some particular ones did pastoral work, but their function was to get all the others out of their infancy and into the place where they could be leaders, servers and proclaimers of truth. How backwards we now have it!

Look now into this enormous problem. It begins when people misread the Old Testament. They see there the priest standing between the people and God. The ceremonies, ornate dress, and other symbolism makes people feel that they are more in a spirit of reverence as they approach God in that fashion.

However, when we get to the New Testament, God teaches us that all of that was simply to prepare us for the holy Lord Jesus, and He would be the Priest. He would be the One who would stand between us and God–the one Mediator–and we would need no other. Furthermore, all believers are challenged in the New Testament to take up significant ministries for God. Even boys and girls should be open to become teachers, missionaries, servants, pastors for the Lord when they mature. And I pray that God will speak to many hearts, and that you will realize that ministry is not for some special, heavenly category of persons.

By the third century the notion of a special priesthood class had evolved to where the priests literally ruled the people. This rulership included all matters of faith and extended into other areas of life. Priests established themselves between the people and God. In order for regular, ordinary people to approach God, they had to go through the priesthood. This brought about the great reformation in the 1500’s, as the Protestants split from the Roman Catholics.

But do you know that Protestants, though they in word stopped using a priesthood, still retain many of the concepts? Until this day, a division between clergy and laity exists as a two-tier arrangement. The clergy is positioned between the laity and God–amounting to a sort of people and priest division that pertains to aspects of our salvation and service of Christ.

B.  ETYMOLOGICAL ROOTS OF THE PROBLEM TERMS:

Laity and Clergy

Look now with me into the etymological roots of the word laity. Though many Christians speak of laypersons making up the laity, I want no part of that!

In the New Testament, the Greek word laos means people. The distinction between the laos and the leaders has gradually evolved until you hear pastors today speak of “their” people. The word laos has twisted and evolved into laity. Let’s see how it came about.

Turn in your Bible to 2 Corinthians 11:6. “I may not be a trained speaker but I do have knowledge.” The Greek word Paul uses here meaning untrained or unpolished is idiOtes. According to The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology idiOtes is a primary New Testament root for our English term layman, or one of the laity class.

Next look at I Corinthians 14, verses 16, 23 and 24, where the outsiders, the uninitiated, the unspiritual make up the idiOtes. I’ll tell you another reason why you ought not to be called a layman. Look up the word idiot in the English dictionary and you will see the Greek idiOtes given as its root.

Scripture then is simply teaching that in contrast with God’s inner circle, or family, are those on the outside–the spiritual idiots. What a shame that this term could ever be applied to the whole congregation of God! The laity are uninitiated outsiders, even unbelievers.

We come now to the word “clergy.” It is derived from the Greek word klaros, or klaroi in plural, and it’s used in I Peter 5:3: “Be shepherds of God’s flock … those entrusted to you …. ” The people allotted or assigned to a pastor’s care are called the klaroi, the clergy. The clergy are the people, the congregation! The word means inheritance, the lot, the people of God, those selected ones making up God’s portion. And it tells us in the Bible that this inheritance is purchased by the blood of Christ. Believers–all believers–are that clergy of God, purchased by the blood, sealed by the Holy Spirit and making up God’s portion or inheritance.

To summarize, there is the clergy and there is the laity The word clergy simply means the congregation, the people of God. The word laity means outsiders, those lacking understanding. Count yourself in God’s family, if you believe in Jesus Christ, and remember that you are a part of the clergy, the inheritance of God. Don’t let anyone consign you to the outside idiots!

II.  CARE REQUIRED IN RESOLVING THE PROBLEM

Real dangers confront us once we say we’re all a part of the clergy. But that does not mean that all pastor/people distinction is out the window! We may not correctly say that there aren’t any pastors, or that everybody is a pastor. No, the Bible is not teaching that. Rather, Scripture is saying everybody is in the clergy. Everybody is a part of God’s inheritance and the laity are the people on the outside who are uninformed spiritually. Then God procedes to teach us the correct view of pastoral position and function.

A.  CORRECTED VIEW OF PASTORAL FUNCTIONS

The pastoral functions are special. We saw earlier in First Peter 5:2 where the pastors are addressed in particular. Here is the distinction. It’s not a two-tier arrangement where some special ones stand between the congregation and God. Rather: There are pastors; there are teachers; there are singers in the choir; there are people who have a gift at counseling and discipleship of others; there are those who give materially in a way that others aren’t equipped to do; there are those who are caring and give practical help to others, using their spiritual equipment. All these are horizontal distinctions.

Pastors who oversee the flocks are simply performing their task, the same as all other member have their tasks.

However, I want to point out that the congregation is admonished to honor those who are in the position of instructing and pastoring them. And those who serve well should be cared for materially. Their remuneration is taught in Scripture, so that they can give full time to pastoral ministries. But there is no such thing as their dressing in peculiar ways or being called by titles of reverence and honor as in Old Testament priesthood. That is not provided for in the New Testament; in fact, it is taught against.

In applying this to your church, let me remind you that many of our churches do have staff members. We have those who are provided salary to carry on the functions of the pastoral and other ministries. That’s good only so long as staff persons follow the directions given here in Scripture–that they work at elevating all others into their works for God. The only possible rationale for a man having a full time occupation called pastor is that he is giving that time to get others into their ministry of being God’s clergy. The ministering is committed to the entire body of believers. There is no select priesthood. All believers are priests unto God.

B.  HONORS BELONGING TO ALL GOD’S PEOPLE

Now, I pray that God will help us to rise up to the truth given in First Peter, Chapter two. According to verses 4 and 5, all are the living material out of which God is building a spiritual house, His house. And look at the last part of verse 5, every believer is in a holy priesthood of praise, thanks, tithes and offerings given up to God.

Turn next to verse 9. You are a chosen people, that is, a selected group of people. A royal priesthood, meaning kingly priests having great place and prominence with God. And in verse 10, a holy nation, God’s own people. That means His own inheritance. You could insert the word clergy right there. All believers share in these honors.

III. CONCLUSION

See the responsibility demanded of us beginning in the last part of 9 and following. Friends, you are to display the praises of God who has called you. Literally, as you walk among others remember, “I’m a clergy person. I’m part of God’s inheritance. He has called me. I’m chosen by Him.”

If you have a sense of royalty in your bones–and you should–don’t let any heirachy squeeze it out of you. You are prominent with God. You have a place with Him, and you are to display that honor, carefully and properly, as if you have been called out of darkness into His wonderful light. You’re God’s children and princes. Indeed, the chief honor that any pastor or preacher has is not just in the occupation; it’s in all of these things that belong to the whole church body. Take up your ministry.

Wonderful it is that we have house churches. This gives more people an opportunity to serve. All of us should encourage any person that sits right beside us to fulfill their ministry. And sitting there beside you might be the one who will help shepherd you and your family. That should not offend you. That is a calling of God that belongs to people throughout the whole congregation.

The New Testament order is obtained when everyone fulfills their calling and the Holy Spirit has the opportunity to guide and keep all in balance. Those commissioned as staff pastors must not hold back the congregation while only pastors minister. All must minister.

I’ve taught you the Scripture. When you and I stand before God, we will give account as to how we’ve responded to these very teachings. Tell God you are willing to take your place in the church.