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Monday, December 16, 2013

Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church

Regarding the word "church" in the bible, the original Greek word is ἐκκλησία, which actually more accurately translates as an "assembly" (of people) rather than a building. So where it reads "the church of Christ" would probably be more accurately translated as "the assembly of Christ", or a group of people who gather for fellowship in Christ's name.

Now regarding pastors and priests, there are some problems with the concept.
According to the bible, God's Son, Jesus Christ, is the head of the church.
And we believers are, spiritually speaking, all brothers and sisters, because God does not show partiality amongst us.

Jesus said,
"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
Matthew 18:20

The way it was intended for the assembly of Christ, was for any man to speak when moved by the Holy Spirit, and that each of us have our own spiritual gifts to teach each other. (So I encourage any male believers to ask any questions about my posts when they are 'moved' by the spirit.) But-- women, are to remain silent in church, as it is shameful for a woman to teach a man about spiritual things. (Although other topics are ok)
(EDIT: thinking about that a bit more, I think it's probably OK for women to discuss spiritual matters more so with family members-- but probably just Not aggressively so, and probably Not specifically to a large group of men...)

"Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.
And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church."

1 Corinthians  14:34-35

Also the pastor is not to be called 'father'. Of course not all pastors are like this, but some are perhaps a little bit this way, more or less:

"They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,
greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’
But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.
Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.
But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.
And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Matthew 23:6-12

And about Mary Magdalene, she is not to be worshiped. (If you worship her, you might as well worship her mother-- then, her mother's mother, then her mother's mother's mother-- and so forth, until it comes to Eve, whom God created in the first place anyways, so you might as well worship God instead.)

Even an angel with great power told John to not worship him, but to only worship God:

"Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
Then he said to me, 'See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.' "

Revelation 22:8-9

So regarding the 'church' or, the 'assembly of Jesus Christ', we are all brothers and sisters. And we each have different gifts, a time to remain silent and a time to speak when moved by the Holy Spirit. To help each other with spiritual difficulties, encourage one another, explain things, correct one another's mistakes etc.

"God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."

1 Corinthians 1:9-10

"Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being."
1 Corinthians 10:24

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