One Man Pastor

One Man Pastor Not found in Scripture

Where does the Bible say that a church should be run by one man?

Church Leadership is always plural (elders) in Scripture

Acts 20:17 - From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.

This verse says that Paul called the Elders of the church of Ephesus, (no mention of a pastor or a single elder), but it was the Elders' job to be Overseers or Bishops.

This refutes the idea that the pastor of the church is the only bishop, and the other mature Christian men who lead in the church are the elders. There is no mention or even a hint to a single pastor of this church in Ephesus.

Acts 14:23 - So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Notice, they appointed elders (plural) in every church. No mention of a singular leader, a pastor, being appointed over each church.

Acts 15:4 - And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.

This verse says one church in Jerusalem, but elders is plural. No singular ruler of the church of Jerusalem mentioned. When the apostles died, that left only the elders as leaders.

Philippians 1:1 - Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.

Notice, the church at Philippi had bishops (plural) or overseers. These were the elders of the church. No mention of a singular pastor over the church.

Titus 1:5 - For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you.

Again, elders in plural.

James 5:14 - Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

Clearly, one church, plural elders, or overseers in the church.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 - And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

Paul is speaking to the church of Thessalonica and saying to know them and esteem them for their work's sake (All Plural). This is speaking of the elders in the church at Thessalonica. No pastor mentioned.

3 John 1:9-11 - I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church. Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

Preeminence means first place. Diotrephes had the preeminence or first place in the church and loved it. He was running the church, forbidding others in the church to receive brethren, and was casting people out that opposed him. Sounds like this church was run by one man, but John condemned it.

Today, a pastor holds a POSITION in the church which will put him in a place of preeminence. Even Diotrephes didn't have the position of being a singular leader as do modern day pastors. He, as an elder, just gained more power from the church over the other elders and became preeminent and ran the church.

A modern day pastor may be a good man, or he may be a bad man, but the position automatically puts him in the place of preeminence.

Now, the question is, Should there be that one position of authority in the local church?. I believe the Bible teaches that it is wrong.

1 Peter 5:4 - And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Thus all the elders in the local church are the undershepherds all on the same level. There is no provision from the Scriptures for a senior elder or senior pastor over the others.

Acts 11:29-30 - Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Acts 16:4 - And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

Acts 21:18 - And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.

1 Timothy 5:17 - Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

Again, elders in plural.

The pastor is not the head of the church.
Colossians 1:18 says, "And he (Jesus) is the head of the body, the Church".

2 Corinthians 11:14-15 - And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

One Man Pastor is not Biblical.

Are you a part of a Church run by One man, one that collects tithes?

Repent for sins
Have Faith in Jesus alone
Renounce the False Church System
Be baptized in the name of Jesus, if not baptised already
Start / Attend a House Fellowship
Preach the Gospel
Read Bible & Pray daily
Obey His Commandments
Feed the Poor
Exhibit the Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life - John 14:6

Your Word is Truth - John 17:17

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, & forever - Heb 13:8

The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin

In Him we have redemption through His blood - Ephesians 1:7

In whom we have redemption through His blood - Col 1:14

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb - Rev 12:11

If you love Me, keep My commandments - John 14:15

God is love & he who abides in love abides in God - 1 John 4:16

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand - Matthew 4:17

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Put on the new man - Ephesians 4:24

Put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge - Col 3:10

Go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations - Mat 28:19

Go into all the world and preach the Gospel - Mark 16:15

We also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren - 1 Jo 3:16

Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel - 1 Cor 9:16

I can do all things through Christ - Philippians 4:13

Confess your trespasses to one another - James 5:16

For by grace you have been saved through faith - Eph 2:8

I give you the authority to trample on serpents - Luke 10:19

Resist the devil and he will flee from you - James 4:7

He who believes and is baptized will be saved - Mark 16:16

They will lay hands on the sick & they will recover - Mk 16:18

The words that I speak to you are spirit & life - John 6:63

He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world- 1Jo4:4

If you abide in My word, you are My disciples - John 8:31

You shall know the truth & truth shall set you free - John 8:32

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me he will be saved-Jo 10:9

I have come that they may have life - John 10:10

The prayer of faith will save the sick - James 5:15

You do not need that anyone teach you - 1 John 2:27

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God - Ephesians 4:30

Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit earth - Mat 5:5

Faith comes by hearing & hearing by word of God - Rom 10:17

But without faith it is impossible to please Him - Hebrews 11:6

Bless those who curse you - Matthew 5:44

Freely you have received, Freely give - Matthew 10:8

These hands have provided for my necessities - Acts 20:34

I may present the gospel of Christ without charge - 1 Cor 9:18

Nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge - 2 Thes 3:8

You shall love your neighbor as yourself - Matthew 22:39

For I was hungry and you gave Me food - Matthew 25:35

He has given to the poor His righteousness endures forever

What? Could you not watch with Me one hour? - Mat 26:40

Satan transforms himself into an angel of light - 2 Cor 11:14

Having believed, you were sealed with Holy Spirit - Eph 1:13

He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins - Eph 2:1

Praying always with prayer & supplication in Spirit - Eph 6:18

Our citizenship is in heaven - Philippians 3:20

Word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus - Col 3:17

The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil - 1 Timothy 6:10

Endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ - 2 Tim 2:3

Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead - James 2:17

Whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one - 1 Jo 3:16

Do not be conformed to this world - Romans 12:2

Friendship with the world is enmity with God - James 4:4

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? - Romans 8:35

You are a Chosen Generation, a Royal Priesthood - 1 Peter 2:9

And have made us kings and priests to our God - Rev 5:10

Do you not know that you are the temple of God - 1 Cor 3:16

Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit - 1 Cor 6:19

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord - Philippians 3:1

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! - Philip 4:4

Your spirit, soul & body be preserved blameless - 1 Th 5:23

One Man Pastor Not found in Scripture