Acts 20:28-29
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Some of you may or may not know but there has been a lot of talk on the titles of pastor, bishop, elders, etc… I have a take on this that I would like to share.
First in Eph 4:11-12
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
The title pastor is used and it is used in conjunction with the edifying of the body of Christ. Also the verses in Acts 20 are talking to the elders at the church in Ephesus, Acts 20:17 and it is to tell them to pay attention or be cautious of first yourself (elder) and the flock (that would be the congregation or saints in the assembly). God has made those positions overseers of the flock for 3 reasons. First to feed them through the word, second to protect them from the wolves, and thirdly I believe to care for them and love them. All of these things are definitely things that a shepherd does, but it is nice to know that we can also do the same things, and are instructed in the word to do so. The example of feeding the church and instructing them is what Jeremiah calls a PASTOR,
Jeremiah 3:15
And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
So don’t let folks try to say that there aren’t men in the body of Christ today, doing the work of a pastor, because that just is not true.
Rejoicing in Grace,
Keith
2 Cor 5:14-15
