The Church
The purpose of this series of articles is not only to show the error of the universal (
I find that most pastors I talk to don’t think this subject is important enough to study for themselves. I understand how busy pastors can be in these modern times. I would, however, like to remind us of what we are told in the book of Hebrews:
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Hebrews13:17
This verse is telling the people to obey those who have rule over them. This means their spiritual leaders like their pastor. It goes on to explain why they should obey. Notice that it says that they “watch for your souls.” This reminds me of what we are told in the book of Ezekiel:
But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand. Ezekiel 33:6
Another thing that we, as pastors, must remember is that we must give account to God for our ministry as a shepherd to God’s sheep. The responsibility of the pastor is awesome in the true sense of the word. Awe means fear and some means to fill with. The pastor should be filled with a respectful fear of God that makes him take his position seriously.
It is my hope that this little book has done a good job of condensing this subject to a readable length. It is also my hope that you will seriously consider what I have said and go to the Scriptures to see if it is so (Acts 17:10-11).
To be continued…