Expert: D.S - 11/18/2010

Question
Hi there,

Did the role that the clergy played in Christianity remain the same from early
history or did it change over time?

Thanks!

Ben

Answer
When we look at the word clergy you think of those who have separated themselves from the congregation and who enjoy special priviliges.To answer your question we have to go back to Pentecost when Jesus founded this new way of worship.

Before I answer that question, let us recall a truth that Jesus Christ expressed:

I will quote from Jehovah's Witnesses New World Translation as well as the King James.

NWT:
“Go in through the narrow gate; because broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it.

So what Jesus was saying is the road of expediency is broad; that of right principles is narrow.

After Pentecost and the rejection of the worship of the Jewish way of worship, Judaism ,there were two ways available to those espousing that unpopular faith the new religion of Christianity,hold to the uncompromising teachings and principles of Christ and the Scriptures or gravitate toward the wide and easygoing path of compromise with the world of that time.


So what has history shown us in terms of the newly founded Church?



Historian Will Durant observed;

"The Church took over some religious customs and forms common in pre-Christian [pagan] Rome—the stole and other vestments of pagan priests, the use of incense and holy water in purifications, the burning of candles and an everlasting light before the altar, the worship of the saints, the architecture of the basilica, the law of Rome as a basis for canon law, the title of Pontifex Maximus for the Supreme Pontiff, and, in the fourth century, the Latin language . . . Soon the bishops, rather than the Roman prefects, would be the source of order and the seat of power in the cities; the metropolitans, or archbishops, would support, if not supplant, the provincial governors; and the synod of bishops would succeed the provincial assembly. The Roman Church followed in the footsteps of the Roman state.”   The Story of Civilization: Part III—Caesar and Christ


This attitude of compromise with the Roman world stands in stark contrast to the teachings of Christ and the apostles started at Pentecost.


The apostle Peter counseled:

This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

2That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

3Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

In spite of this clear admonition, apostate Christians of the second century took on the trappings of the pagan Roman religion. They moved away from their pure Biblical origins learned from Pentecost and instead clothed themselves with pagan Roman garb and titles and became imbued with Greek philosophy and formed a clergy class.


The subtle influence of Greek philosophy was a key factor in the apostasy that followed the death of the apostles which they warned that after they would leave this would happen.

King James Version:
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.

29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

31Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.



So we by reading this know for sure the newly founded Christian Church would be corrupted my men who would take control after the death of the apostles.

This left the way for the retreat from the general ministry of all Christians, as Jesus and the apostles had taught, to the exclusive priesthood and hierarchy.

During the first century, after Jesus’ death, his apostles, along with other spiritually qualified Christian elders in Jerusalem, served to counsel and direct the Christian congregation. None exercised superiority over the others like we see today among the clergy.


Today these men want to be paid to provide spiritual food to the flock but in Jesus days they all worked,Paul was a tent maker,Luke was a Physician.In the first century, these men did not constitute a separate clergy class. They did not wear any distinctive garb like we see today.

So leadership is what changed from feeding the congregation to now fleecing the people and elevating ones self over the congregation.

These preachers sell books and tapes ask for money or love offerings, and even gamble and have bingo games where people smoke and have alcoholic bevergages all supposedly for the support of the church.

But Jesus clearly said this to those he sent out:


NWT:

(Matthew 10:8-9) . . .YOU received free, give free. 9 Do not procure gold or silver or copper for YOUR girdle purses,

Jesus told the apostles going off to various cities and villages that they were to preach the Kingdom,Rather than charge for this, the apostles were to give free.


So this concept has changed from Pentecost until now amoung the leadership of the Churches .