BAPTIST POPES

In these last days of apostasy (boy, how many times have I had to say that?), we see a lot of sin entering into Bible-Believing churches. And we also see many anti-biblical practices gaining much ground. One of these is the modernistic teaching of PASTORAL AUTHORITY, as it has been twisted by many a Fundamentalist Pastor to grant himself almost tyrannical power, as he not only leads his flock, but abuses his position by treating them as his subjects, over which he pretends to be their king.

I've personally heard of one Pastor who tells his congregation that they need to come to him for everything, and they should check with him before they make any decisions whatsoever! Stories have surfaced of this dogmatical Pastor which tell of people coming to him for such ridiculous things as: "What color car should I buy?" and "How many kids should my wife and I have?" and "Where should I work secularly?"

But, it's not the job of a Pastor to tell people what they can and can't do and what they should and shouldn't do! We are all individuals who are allowed "individual soul liberty" (a Baptist doctrine, by the way), in which we have the right to choose what we want to do. We all have a free will, (which is a Bible Doctrine!).

To hear of a Pastor teaching his people that they must come to him and let him in on all their decisions is nothing short of setting up a religious cult which gives honor to a man instead of God, and sets a man up as a "Pope" instead of a Pastor. Sadly, this teaching of exaltation of the Pastor to allow him to run your life is gaining much ground in Independent Baptist Churches, and more and more people are finding themselves enslaved physically to someone who is only supposed to be their spiritual leader.

What saith the scriptures about this practice of a preacher dominating his congregation and making them do obescience to Him instead of Jesus?

The Bible has a lot to say actually. Let us start with the command to Pastors in 1 Peter 5:2-3: "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock."

Here we are told that the number one thing a man of God (a Pastor) should do is to FEED his congregation. By this, he is supposed to give them the word of God. Notice, he is not supposed to do so for filthy lucre (i.e. Fame and Fortune), which is another sin we could talk about. (There are many "hirelings" out there that fill pulpits who are only interested in the financial aspect of the ministry instead of the spiritual aspect of it). Nor is he to preach because he is "constrained" to do so. He should willingly want to minister to the people of God, and he should be an EXAMPLE to them of how they should live for Jesus.

These men who "lord over God's heritage" are those who do so for money and who enjoy the power and prestige of their position, and they use that for their own filthy and carnal gain. This is something that greatly angers God. (See Revelation chapter 2 in what God says about the Nicolaitanes).

God does not want Christians to "rule" over other Christians. He is very much against this. He wants them to "minister" to the needs of others. (Read Rom. 12:5-13). And the job of a Pastor is to be a "minister." In 1 Peter 4:8-11 we read of the importance of charity, hospitality, and grace, which are all things a minister is supposed to practice:

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Notice this is a far cry from a DICTATORSHIP, which is how many modern pastors try to govern their congregations.

Jesus said the following in Matthew 20:25-28: "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."

This plainly teaches us that a Pastor should not try to "excercise dominion" over his people, but rather should love them enough to die for them, as Christ died for the church, and to minister to his people as a servant does his master.

Immediately some bald-headed, Baptist dictator who is used to twisting the scriptures to his own destruction would stand up and say, "But what about Hebrews 13:17?"

Let us turn and read it together:

"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."

He would then say, "See there! That means they should obey ME!"

I would only ask in return, "Do you really watch after the souls of your congregation. Are you really ready to give account to God for actions? Are you really JOYOUS in your role as Pastor?" For the verse also speaks of those things as well.

Again, that same Christian dictator would point us to 1 Tim 5:17 which reads: "Let the elders that RULE WELL be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. "

And that Baptist papist would say, "See there? A Pastor is supposed to RULE the church, and he's supposed to RULE it WELL!"

But he fails to read the entire verse (par for course), seeing only what he wants to, while he disregards the rest. For we read in that same verse he is to rule SPIRITUALLY by labouring in the "word" and "doctrine." In other words, he's to PREACH the word of God and reprove, rebuke and exhort his congregation while being longsuffering (2 Tim. 4:1-5).

Yes, there is a place for the role of the Pastor. Of course there is. But Paul never wanted people to worship him and follow him as though he was a Pope. He even said, "Be ye followers of me, EVEN AS I AM ALSO OF CHRIST!"

There is no problem following a man of God who is living right, preaching the word of God, and doing his best to follow the Lord. But when that Pastor tries to dominate you and tell you that you must obey his every whim and will, then we have a problem. He has shown himself to be a "lord" over God's heritage, and has proven he only cares about himself and his power and not about the congregation.

The Pastor of the Local Church is the SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY in a position that is not one of phycial governance, but that of ministering unto the saints. Most preachers don't understand this. They think they have to be in charge and they have to direct things. But why not just preach the word of God with boldness and with love and let God guide, lead, and direct?

God is not looking for little sheriffs to go around and straighten out all the messes and force people to do something against their will. God chose Pastors to preach and teach the word of God to help Christians grow in the Lord. In fact, we read of what God desires a Pastor to be in 1 Tim. 3:2-7:

"A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."

Notice it speaks of the pastor (what the Bible calls a bishop) "ruling his own house well," but also notice it doesn't say anything about "ruling the Church." The Holy Spirit chose instead the words "take care of the church." That's a Pastor's job, and that of a minister. He is to "take care" of what's been left in his care.

We are further warned of a Pastor not being lifted up with pride, lest he fall into condemnation, reproach, and the snare of the devil. Pastors who try to become Baptist Popes, are often times guilty of becoming "prideful" thinking they are right and everyone else is wrong, and only they know what the Bible says and what a person should do. So their attitude becomes: "It's my way or the highway!"

But what about actually caring so much for a person that you cry for them, you earnestly pray for them, and you nicely try to reach them time and again, reasoning with them from the scriptures? Wouldn't that be more like a "minister."

I've personally met Pastors who's attitude is: "I'm in charge here, and if you don't like it, GET OUT!"

And instead of showing people how to get close to God, they push them away by their dogmatical and dictatorial spirit. Just like the Popes of old, they persecute others who don't agree with them. And, instead of sitting down and talking with someone and going to the scriptures for guidance, they say things like, "That's the way we've always done it, and we are going to do things this way whether you like it or not! I've decided, and that's how it's going to be done."

Shouldn't there at least be a little room for discussion? Maybe, you know, some time spent in prayer, and, oh no, should I even say it, as most people don't like to hear this word, fasting?

Nope, Baptist Popes will have none of those, thinking they know what's best and people must do as they are told, or else.

Look how different this attitude of many modern day Baptist Dictators compares to that of the Apostle Paul. In Ephesians 3:7-8 we read:

"Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ."

Notice Paul calls himself a "minister" (not a dictator), and he doesn't exalt his office, or try to make himself appear to be a person of authority. He refers to himself as "the least of all saints."

And again, we see Paul's humble spirit when we read:

"Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure." (2 Cor 12:5-7)

Paul did not want to be exalted above measure. He would rather glory in Christ Jesus, and point others to Him.

So what do we do with Baptist Popes and Pastoral Dictators? We should do nothing, except pray for them, and if we can, talk to them and express our concerns, being careful to do so with the scriptures. If they listen, and see the error of their ways, then praise the Lord. If not, there is no law that says you have to be a member of their church. You still have the right to choose your membership to any church you want to belong!

It's important that you should make sure you are following a Pastor who looks at you as a Christian, a friend, and a partner in the cause of Christ, and not just a a "tither" a "seat warmer in the pew," and another "baptism he can brag about." For most Baptist Popes quite often use their congregations as a means to an ends, instead of caring about them, and being willing to serve them while ministering to their needs.

The Apostle Paul said it best in writing to Timothy, a young preacher:

These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1 Tim 4:11-12 )