The Relationship Between the Office of the Public Ministry and the Royal Priesthood of All Believers
This was the title of our Sunday School study that we have been covering for the last few months. The Bible study looked at the verses of the Bible that describe for Christians how we are to live together in the church. Each study focused on one or the other side of the discussion in regard to being a church member or being a pastor. It is these two callings that make up the church.
The first chapter discussed the titles that the Bible uses for pastors. In the New Testament the term “pastor” is only used once! In Ephesians 4 the term is listed. However, there are other terms used to describe the office of the Holy Ministry.
In 1 Timothy 3:1 and Acts 20:28, the pastor is called the “overseer.” The pastor is to oversee or watch over the people of the church as a shepherd oversees a flock. So when you read the word “overseer” in the Bible it is referring to a man who we would call a pastor.
In Titus 1:5 and 1 Peter 5:1 the pastor is called an “elder.” Now when you hear the word “elder” in our 2025 Lutheran church context it usually means a layman who helps the pastor. This is true. However, the original use of this word “elder” was used for pastors. We can use the word “elder” in our context without doing offense to the word because for the sake of good order the elders (laymen) assist the pastor in his pastoral duties. In addition, these elders would step in if the pastor is prevented from doing his duties.
In Hebrews 13:7 the pastor is called a “leader.” The pastor is a leader who speaks to you the word of God. In 1 Peter 5 again, the pastor is called to “shepherd” the flock of God. In all of this you might ask why do we then call our church leaders who share the word of God with us pastors?
Pastor is just Latin for shepherd. This is a name that has just stuck and is entirely Biblical. In addition, pastors are to follow Jesus the “Good Shepherd.” Our Tuesday Bible study also saw in Ezekiel 34 the fact that even in the Old Testament God said, “I myself will shepherd my people.”
Jesus gives his flesh for the life of the world. Jesus feeds us with forgiveness and His body and blood. This is how Jesus keeps his promise to shepherd us. But this is sometimes hard to believe. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that Jesus would work through pastors who might not always do as good of a job as we would like. It might be difficult to believe Jesus is shepherding you even today because we don’t see Jesus with our eyes.
Don’t be mistaken though and think that Jesus’ shepherding his people ended when Jesus ascended into heaven. No! In fact, Jesus ascends to the right hand of God so that he may continue to shepherd you and me using His word and sacrament. Jesus told Peter 3 times to feed his sheep! Jesus said to the disciples who we would label the first pastors, “Whoever hears you, hears me.” That is an amazing statement that Jesus could continue to shepherd through sinful men.
Not only does Jesus work through the disciples and pastors, but Jesus also is working through you. Paul told the Galatians, “It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.” Jesus told his disciples, “I am the vine and you are the branches.” Christ uses you in your various callings and jobs.
This was just the first lesson in our study in Sunday School. When you sit down and consider the teachings of the Bible concerning why we do the things we do and why we use the words we do like “pastor” you will always find you way back to Jesus. Or at least you should! This study concerning the church and her pastors was an excellent study and resource. I hope you found one of the workbooks and worked through it if you were not able to be with us on Sundays. If not, ask me for a workbook and I will be happy, as your shepherd, to give you one.
See you on Sunday!
In Christ
Pastor Ottmers