Let's see what God's Word has to say concerning "shepherding" or lordship within the Church. First of all,in his epistle to Philemon,Paul wrote: "Wherefore,though I might be very bold in Christ to order thee into that which is fitting,yet for love's sake,I rather beseech thee" (v.8,9).
Philemon was Paul's own convert. He owed much to Paul. Yet,Paul didn't seek to exercise his authority over him (concerning the runaway slave Onesimus). Instead,Paul beseeches Philemon through the love of Jesus Christ.
In speaking to the Corinthian church,Paul said,"Not for that we have dominion over your faith,but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand" (2 Cor. 1:24). Paul is declaring that he doesn't have & doesn't seek dominion over the faith of the believers.
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There is one mediator between God & men - Jesus Christ. For any other person to take that position or role is scripturally wrong.
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The apostle Peter wrote to the elders,the "shepherds" who are in some of the churches today seeking to exercise this lordship & authority: "The elders which are among you, I exhort,who am also an elder,& a witness of the sufferings of Christ,& also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed." Peter said, "I exhort" - not "I order."
"Feed the flock of God which is among you,taking the oversights thereof,not by constraint (that is,not by forcing them),but willingly; not for filthy lucre,but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage (the flock of God),but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear,ye shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away. Likewise,ye younger,submit yourselves to the elder." You say, "There's scriptural support for the doctrine right there!" But notice what Peter says in the rest of the verse:
"Yes, all of you be subject one to another,& be clothed with humility" (1 Peter 5:1-5).
Peter is declaring that the elders aren't to lord over God's heritage. That particular Greek word for "lord" is used else where in the New Testament. It means "to rule over,to bring into subjection or submission." Don't try to bring the flock into submission or subjection to the shepherd.
¤ Priesthood ¤
In Revelation 2,we find Jesus speaking to the Church of Ephesus. He had some heavy things to say about the problems in the church; basically,that they had left their first love.
"But this thou hast,that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes,which I also hate." The word "Nicolaitanes" in the Greek actually speaks of the establishment of a spiritual hierarchy. Nikao: to establish a priesthood over,to conquer. Laos: the laity. The "deeds of the Nicolaitanes" was the establishment of the priesthood over the laity.
Establishing shepherds or elders who lord over the flock of God & make you responsible to them - who seek to take the spiritual responsibility for your actions by telling you what you can & can't do,when you can or can't do it,& have you come to them for guidance & direction - is,in reality,the doctrine of Nicolaitanes. In essence,these shepherds are saying, "You can't go to God for directions. You're not mature enough. You come to me,& I'll tell you what God says." And that is inserting someone between man & God.
Jesus Christ paid a tremendous price to open the door to God for every man. "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace,that we may obtain mercy" (Heb. 4:16). Jesus,as our great High Priest,has entered into heaven for us,making the door open to each of us to have direct entrance to God.
"There is one God,& one Mediator between God & men,the man Christ Jesus" (1Tim. 2:5).
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The true shepherd of God is one who gives himself for the flock,not one who is demanding that the flock give themselves to him.
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For any other person to take that position or role is scripturally wrong. The doctrine of the Nicolaitanes would put a man between you & God,& that is always wrong. God will deal with you directly,personally,& individually - & wants to deal with you directly,personally,& individually.
God will listen to you just as rapidly as He'll listen me. God loves you just as much as He loves Billy Graham. He's just as concerned about you as He is anybody else. You have,through Jesus Christ,this glorious access to come directly to God. God will guide you,& God will show you His path & His way.
¤ What Did Jesus Say? ¤
In Mark 10 we find that James & John were seeking to establish something of an eldership:
"And James & John,the sons of Zebedee,come unto him,saying, 'Master,we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.' And He said unto them, 'What would ye that I should do for you? 'They said unto Him, 'Grant unto us that we may sit,one on thy right hand,& the other on thy left hand,in thy glory.' But Jesus said unto them, 'Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? And be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?' And they said unto Him, 'We can.' And Jesus said unto them, 'Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: But to sit on My right hand & on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.' And when the ten heard it,they began to be much displeased with James & John."
Jesus called them to Him & said, "Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them (that same Greek word as in 1 Peter 5:3, 'to bring into submission,to exercise authority over'); & their great ones exercise authority upon them." Notice what Jesus said in Mark 10, verse 43: "But it shall not be so among you." There is not to be the establishing of authority or the exercising of lordship.
"Whosoever will be great among you,shall be your servant: whosoever of you will be the chiefest,shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto,but to minister,& to give His life a ransom for many."
Jesus didn't come to be ministered to but,rather,to minister & to give Himself. Thus,He is the True Shepherd. "I am the true shepherd & I give My life for My sheep." The true shepherd is one who gives himself for the flock,not one who is demanding that the flock give themselves to him. He is more interested in feeding the flock than fleecing the flock.
I think the most familiar passage in the Bible,outside of John 3:16,has the answer. David said: "The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures: He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul: He leads me in the path of righteousness for His name's sake" (Psalm 23). If you can have the Lord as your Shepherd, I don't know why you would want to settle for anything less. If David,under the old economy,could have the Lord as his Shepherd - how much more under the new relationship through Jesus Christ can we know & submit ourselves to the authority of God within our lives.
I would urge you to submit yourself to the authority of Jesus Christ. Submit yourself to the authority of God's Word. Realize that you're responsible to God. Every man must give an account of himslef unto God (Rom. 14:12). Learn to go to God for all your needs,for all your decisions,& for the guidance for your life. God is faithful. He will lead you & guide you.
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