Rejecting God's Wisdom for Man's

I admit it.  I am starting to see more clearly why my son-in-law Travis thinks the way he does.  He has a house church which he helps facilitate.  He is ordained (because the state requires that for him to perform certain things such as marrying people), but he refuses to be called pastor or reverend.  I would wonder why a title like Pastor Travis or even Elder Travis would irritate him so much.  I think I now understand and agree with him.

The way the early church was set up, everyone was led by the Holy Spirit.  Certain people might make sure their time together was in order and scriptural, but they all had equal access to God, His wisdom and His power.

The first time we find that the early church started getting into hierarchical practices is found in a letter from Ignatius of Antioch to the Ephesians. In the letter, written around 107 AD, he says, “It is manifest, therefore, that we should look upon the bishop even as we would upon the Lord Himself.”

These few words were a dramatic shift from Paul, who said in Colossians 2: 20-23:
²⁰ Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
²¹ (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
²² Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
²³ Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.”


Paul told the Colossians that they were no longer part of their old life under Jewish rules and traditions, but subject to Christ. They were not under constraints placed on them by men, but they were to listen to God and obey His word.

When a heirarchical system was placed upon the church, man replaced God to lead the church.  Man’s wisdom became more desirable than God’s wisdom.

Who is the most respected and Biblically knowledgeable person in your church?  The Pastor? Is he better than everyone else?  Does he hear God’s voice better? Does your pastor’s word carry more weight then that little old lady in the corner?

We are respecters of persons, and the pastor is one of the people we look to first for answers in the Church.  If you had to choose between what is recommended from the pastor, or that little old lady in the corner, you would give the pastor’s recommendation more weight.  That is because in our eyes, he is better than the little old lady.  This is not right.

We are all priests (1 Peter 2:9) and have equal access to God.  We should not do as Ignatius said and “look upon the bishop even as we would upon the Lord Himself.”  Every man is fallible, even the priest, pastors and elders of our churches.  The power of God is not in their hands alone, but in every believer of Jesus Christ.

House churches have it right when it comes to leadership.  Jesus is the leader, and He can use anyone in the church he desires, to bring about His word and will.

Note: This post is based on my reading of the book” Viral Jesus by Ross Rohde


Photo Credit: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Worship Service by htlcto