"Why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?"

JESUS - Matthew 15:2

"In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

JESUS - Mark 7:7

"If you love me, you will obey what I command."

JESUS - John 14:15

This study includes the following leadership roles traditionally found in organized Christian religions today, along with EVERY MENTION OF THEM IN THE BIBLE. Those with the same meaning in the original Greek writings are categorized together.

Elders/Overseers

Bishops/Overseers

Pastors/Shepherds

Pope

Council

Deacons/Ministers/Servants/Attendants

Priests

Ordaining

Reverend

ELDERS/OVERSEERS

In the Jewish religion of the Old Testament elders did not have a religious position. However the Jewish laws were both religious and secular. Let us look at some of God's warnings to the elders of the Old Testament:

Ezekiel 20:4 (PG. 819) Because of their sins, God allowed Babylon to take the remainder of the Jews into captivity. In the 7th year of that captivity in Babylon, some of the elders went to Ezekiel, a prophet. Ezekiel said God sent word to them through Ezekiel, "I will not let you inquire of me." Then he told Ezekiel to _________________________ them with the _________________________ practices of their fathers (who they followed).

Ezekiel 20:11 "I gave them my ___________________________ and made known to them my ________________________________, for the man who ______________________ them will ____________________ by them.

Ezekiel 20:13 "....They did not follow my _______________________ but __________________ my _________________ - although the man who _____________________ them will _______________________ by them.

Ezekiel 20:16 "....they _____________________ my _________________ and did not follow my __________________.

Ezekiel 20:21 "But the children ______________________ against me: They did not follow my ________________________, they were not careful to keep my __________ - although the man who _____________________ them will ___________________ by them.

Ezekiel 20:24 "....they had not _____________________ my _______________________ but had ___________________ my ________________________.

The word "elder" is translated from the Greek (language of the New Testament) word "presbuteros." It is from this word that a denomination was named - Presbyterians.

Acts 6:1-4 (pg. 1061) At first there were no elders. The first church office created was deacons. What did the apostles (later, elders) give their attention to? __________________________________________________

Acts 11:29-30 (pg.1068) There was a ___________________ over the entire Roman world. So the disciples decided to help the brothers living where? ____________________________________ Who was the money sent to?

__________________________________________________ Who delivered the money? _____________________________________ [NOTE: This is the first mention of elders in the church.]

Acts 14:23 (pg. 1072) Elders were appointed in every _______________________.

Acts 15:2 (pg. 1072) Paul and Barnabus went to Jerusalem to see what two groups of people regarding circumcision? _______________________________ and _____________________________________.

Acts 15:4-6 Although the entire church came and listened to Paul and Barnabus explain their question of doctrine, who

Acts 16:4 met separately to consider it? ___________________________ and _____________________________. Just as Jesus worked with, and trained his Twelve Apostles because he will die some day, these apostles now began working with and training elders because they will die some day.

Acts 15:22 But did the elders and apostles make decisions exclusively about everything the church did? ___________ What was decided on in this case? ____________________________________________________

Acts 20:17 (pg. 1079) The Apostle Paul sent to Ephesus to talk with the ________________ of the ______________ there.

Acts 20:28 Paul said the elders were __________________________ over the flock.

What else did Paul call the flock in this verse? ____________________

NOTE: The word translated "overseers" is from the Greek "episkopos" (from which a denomination was named -- Episcopalians). This word is translated elsewhere in the Bible as "bishop."

Since Paul called them elders earlier, and bishops later, are elders and bishops the same thing? ______________________ Be careful here. Reread Jesus' statement at the top of the page.

Acts 20:30 Paul warned that even among the elders themselves people would do what to the truth? ___________________________________ Why? _____________________________________________

NOTE: It is almost always from church leadership that we go astray. We must be careful not to judge and follow our leaders based on their smiles

In John 7:24 (pg. 1036), Jesus said, "Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."

On the day of judgment, who is going to judge where we spend eternity? Our religious leaders or God? ___________________

NOTE: If you want to test the true sincerity of any religious leader, present to them a command of God that is different from what is currently being practiced, and ask them if they would be willing to lead your congregation to obeying that command of God. Will their smiles turn to anger?

So what happened to the church in Ephesus? Jesus sends a message to them in Revelation 2:1-7 (pg. 1192).

2:2 Jesus complimented them for testing who? ______________________________________________ Among the leaders (elders) of the church, some had decided to elevate themselves and declare themselves apostles.

2:6 Jesus also complimented them because they hated the practices of who? __________________________________________

In the original Greek language of the Bible, Nicholas means "conqueror of the people." The word "Nicho" is found four times in the Bible and is always translated victory. The word "laos" is found 143 times and is always translated "people."

BRITANNICA DICTIONARY: laity: The people as distinguished from the clergy [lay + ity]. lay: Pertaining to the laity; non-professional [Gk. laikos < laos the people].

Therefore, the Nicholaitans had begun calling their congregations laity, and were exercising "conquest over the people."

NOTE: The term "clergy" is not in the Bible. The closest it comes is the Greek word "klesis" which is translated 10 times as "calling" and one time as "vocation"; also "kletos" which is translated 16 times as "called" and one time as "which is called." So, according to God's word, the clergy is everyone who has been called to be a Christian. (More on this in another study.)

2:2-4 Jesus said he knew their _____________ and hard ____________ and _____________________. He knew they did not tolerate ________________________ men. But, they had forsaken their first ____________________. We must obey God's rules rather than man's, but that alone does not save us. We must also show love for God and for people. They had become legalists.

Acts 21:18 (pg. 1080) Note, by this time (about AD 58 - 25 years after the church began in Jerusalem), all the apostles had scattered from Jerusalem except who? ___________________________________ So the rest of the leaders of the church in Jerusalem were now who? ______________________

1 Timothy 5:1 (pg. 1153) The word translated "older man" here is the same translated elder and bishop elsewhere. Therefore, if we are having trouble with our elders at church, what can we do about it? ________________________

1 Timothy 5:17 Elders are to direct what? ______________________________________ Are they to direct the church (one) or churches (several)? ______________

1 Timothy 5:17-18 Look at the context in which the term "double honor" was given. The worker deserves his _____________________________. This gives us permission to pay who? ________________________________

1 Timothy 5:19-20 We are not to accuse an elder unless we have two or three ____________. Once we have rebuked the elder privately in kindness (5:1), we need to rebuke them ______________________________ too. Why? _________________________________

Titus 1:5 (pg. 1158) Paul left Titus in Crete to appoint who? ________________ Were any to be in charge of churches in several towns? _____________

Titus 1:6-9 HERE ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS OF AN ELDER: "An elder MUST BE...."

1. ____________________________________

2. the husband of _______________________________________

3. a ________________

4. whose ____________________________ believe and are not ___________________ and ___________________________.

5. ....he is entrusted with _________________________ work

6. he must be _____________________________________

7. not ____________________________________________

8. not ____________________________________________

9. not given to ___________________________________

10. not ____________________________________________

11. not pursuing ___________________________________

12. ....he must be _________________________________

13. one who _____________________________ what is ___________

14. who is _________________________________________

15. ________________________________________________

16. ________________________________________________

17. ________________________________________________

18. He must hold firmly to the ____________________________________________

message as it has been _________________________

19. so that he can ________________________________________ by sound _______________________________________

20. and _________________________________ those who _____________________ it (sound doctrine).

Do your elders meet these qualifications? ____________ Does God care whether we obey the teachings he has given us above? ____________

Compare 1:5 with 1:7. He left Titus behind to appoint who? _______________________. After giving some of the qualifications, Paul continues, "for a _____________________ must be....". Is he using "elder" and "bishop" interchangeably? _______________________

James 5:14 (pg. 1175) We are to ask the elders to pray for us when? ______________________________________

Anointing people with oil was not done religiously among Christians. Anointing by Jews always indicated putting into office the high priest or the king. The non-religious anointing of oil was done to protect wounds, etc. (See the story of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10:30-35, pg. 1006. He poured oil and wine on the man's wounds.) From this, we learn that the elders should make sure the sick are taken care of. (NOTE: James does not say the elders should perform a miracle over the sick.)

1 Peter 5:1 Peter said he was an _______________________________. One of the qualifications of an elder is that he be married. Was Peter married (see Matthew 8:14, pg. 940)? __________________

1 Peter 5:2 He tells the elders he is writing that they are shepherds, serving as __________________. Peter makes the same connection as Paul - that elders are overseers (from the Greek word "episkopos," translated elsewhere in the Bible as "bishop").

Notice, even though another scripture says elders can be paid, they are not to serve just for the ______________________.

1 Peter 5:3 Elders are not to _____________________________ it over the congregation. They are instead to lead by being ____________________.

1 Peter 5:4 Are "bishops" as we use the term today, or any other people Chief Shepherds? _____________________ Who is? _____________________

2 John 1 (pg. 1187) Who else among the apostles also was qualified to be an elder? _________

3 John 1 Was he married (see 1 Corinthians 9:5, pg. 1111)? _____________________

There are other references to elders in Revelation, which does not talk about behavior in the church. Therefore, that can be covered in a study of Revelation.

BISHOPS/OVERSEERS

The word "bishop" is a translation of the New Testament Greek word "episkopos". Here are all the New Testament references to this word.

Acts 1:20 (pg. 1055) The King James translation of the Bible uses the word "bishopric" where the NIV translators used the word "leadership." This is talking about replacing Judas, the apostle.

Acts 1:21 Should we, then, have apostles today, taking the place of the original apostles as they replaced Judas? The qualifications of an apostle are listed.

Peter said it was NECESSARY to choose...

1. one of the ______________________

2. who have been with us [the apostles] the ________________ time the Lord __________________ went in and out among us, beginning from ____________________ baptism to the time when Jesus was ____________________________ up from us.

Why were these qualifications necessary? Because apostles must be ______________________________ of Jesus' _____________________________.

A PRACTICAL CATHOLIC DICTIONARY, pg. 16: "The unbroken line from the first Apostles to the pope and bishops of today. The duties and powers given to the first Apostles by Jesus Christ have been handed down, without any interruption, to the Pope and bishops who came after them."

Philippians 1:1 (pg. 1138) Paul wrote his letter to all the ___________________ (live Christians!) at Philippi, together with the __________________________ and _________________. Note, the footnote says the other word for overseer is ____________________________.

1 Timothy 3:1 (pg. 1152) If anyone sets ________________ heart on being an ______________________, it is a noble work. Note, once more the footnote says the other word for overseer is _________________________.

1 Timothy 3:2-7 What are the qualifications of an overseer/bishop? He MUST BE....

1. above _________________________

2. the __________________________ of but one ______________

3. ___________________________________

4. ___________________________________

5. ___________________________________

6. ___________________________________

7. able to ___________________________

8. not given to _________________________________

9. not _________________________________, but gentle

10. not _________________________________

11. not a lover of ______________________

12. He must manage his own ________________________ well

13. and see that his ________________________________ obey him with proper respect.

14. He must not be a _______________________________ convert

15. He must also have a ___________________ reputation with ______________________________.

Compare these qualification with the qualifications of an elder in Titus. Write the number of these qualifications next to the equivalent qualifications in Titus. Are the qualifications basically alike? _______________ Are there any that contradict the other? ______________ Would you say this is the same or a different office? ____________

A PRACTICAL CATHOLIC DICTIONARY, pg. 30: "A bishop, as a successor of the Apostles, is a representative of Christ on earth."

1 Peter 2:25 (pg. 1177) Jesus is the divine Shepherd and ____________________ (translated "bishop" in the KJV) of our souls. Ultimately, no matter what religious title a human declares they have and no matter how good they seem, are we going to answer to them on the Day of Judgment? ________

PASTORS/SHEPHERDS

The term "pastor" appears primarily in the Old Testament. It is a general term meaning feeder or shepherd. All references are below. In the NIV, this word is often translated "leader" or "shepherd."

Jeremiah 2:8 (pg. 732) The priests did not ask, "Where is the Lord?"...the leaders [pastors] ______________________ against me.

Jeremiah 3:14f (pg. 734) "Return, __________________ people," declares the Lord...."Then I will give you shepherds after ____________________________________ heart."

Jeremiah 10:21 (pg. 744) "The shepherds are _______________________________ and do not _____________________

of the ______________________________."

Jeremiah 12:10 (pg. 746) Many shepherds will __________________ my vineyard and ___________________________

down my field; they will turn my pleasant field into a desolate ___________________________________.

Jeremiah 17:15ff (pg. 752) I [Jeremiah] have not run away from being your _________________________________....let my _______________________________ be put to shame.

Jeremiah 22:22 (pg. 756) The ___________________ will drive all your shepherds ____________.

Jeremiah 23:1f (pg. 757) "_________________ to the shepherds who are ________________________ and __________

_____________________ the sheep of my pastures!" declares the Lord. Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: "Because you have ___________________

my flock and ______________________ them away, I will bestow ____________________________ on you for the evil you have done," declares the Lord.

There is only one time the word "pastor" is used in the N.T. in the King James translation. That one verse is below. The NIV translated it overseer or shepherd.

Ephesians 4:11 (pg. 1135) It was he [Jesus] who gave some to be ________________, some to be __________________, some to be _______________________, and some to be _____________________ and _________________.

Other places in the New Testament where this word is translated shepherd, it refers to Jesus.

POPE

The word pope is not found in the Bible. Some say the Bible infers that Peter was the first pope based on Matthew 16:15-19. Let us examine this.

Matthew 16:16ff (Pg. 950) After Peter confessed Jesus was the Son of God, Jesus changed his name from Simon to

_________________________________. "Peter" in Greek is "Petros" and means stone, the kind you can throw. But the "rock" on which Jesus would build his church is from the Greek "Petra" and means boulder or foundation rock. So, if Peter was not the rock, was it perhaps something Peter had said? __________

If so, what? ____________________________________________________________________________

Matthew 16:19 & To whom did Jesus give the keys of the kingdom according to these two scriptures, part of the same

Matthew 18:18 discussion? ______________________________________

COUNCIL

The word "council" in the New Testament is from the Greek word "suned" and which the Jews called the Sanhedrim. There are no references to a council in the New Testament church. Some people refer to the leaders of the church in Jerusalem as the "council." But who were they made up of?

Acts 6:6 (Pg. 1061) Made up of apostles. We do not have apostles today.

Acts 9:26-27 Made up of the apostles. We do not have apostles today.

Acts 11:2 Made up of "circumcised believers" - Jewish Christians. If this were considered a "council" and a congregation did not have Jewish Christians, they could not have a "council."

Acts 15:2 Made up of apostles and elders. We do not have apostles today. That leaves only a group of elders.

Acts 15:4 Made up of the entire church, the apostles and the elders. That's an entire congregation, not a "council."

Acts 15:6 Made up of apostles and elders. We do not have apostles today. That leaves only a group of elders.

Acts 15:22 Made up of the entire church, the apostles and the elders. That's an entire congregation, not a "council."

Acts 21:18 Made up of one apostle and elders. We do not have apostles today. That leaves only a group of elders.

DEACONS/MINISTERS/SERVANTS/ATTENDANTS

The word "deacon" comes from the Greek word "diakmos" meaning a minister or to minister. This word is also translated "minister," "servant" and "attendant."

Matthew 22:13 (pg. 957) Then the king told the ____________________________ ["diakonos"], "Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside."

Matthew 23:11 (pg. 958) The greatest among you will be your _____________________ ["diakonos"].

Mark 9:35 (pg.979) Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the _______________________________ ["diakonos"] of all." Did the Twelve Apostles hold the title of deacon? __________

John 2:5, 9 (pg. 1028) His mother said to the _______________________ ["diakonos"], "Do whatever he [Jesus] tells you"....and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the _____________________________ ["diakonos"] knew.

John 12:26 (pg. 1043) "Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my ________________________ ["diakonos"] also will be." In your opinion, who is whoever follows Jesus? _______________________

Acts 6:1-6 (pg. 1061) Although the word "deacon" is not used in this passage, it does contain the Greek word and is in verse 2 as "to wait on." What were the qualifications of these deacons? __________________________ _____________________________________________

Romans 16:1 (pg. 1103) I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant ["diokanos"] of the church in Cenchrea.

Philippians 1:1 (pg. 1138) Paul wrote this letter to all the __________________, together with the __________________

and _________________________. The word translated "together with" is from a Greek word "along with." Paul was making sure that, not only the officers of the church saw his letter, but all the other saints in the church also.

1 Timothy 3:8-13 (pg. 1152) After giving the qualifications of an "overseer," Paul gives the qualifications of a deacon. What are they? Do these qualifications for the office of deacon apply to men, women, or both?

1. _______________________

2. worthy of ______________________

3. ___________________________

4. not indulging in much ____________________

5. not pursuing ___________________________ gain

6. keep hold of the _________________ _________________ of the faith with a clear ____________________________.

7. first be _____________________________

8. with ____________________

9. who are worthy of ____________________

10. not malicious _________________________

11. _____________________________

12. ______________________ in everything.

13. The husband of one _________________________

14. manage his ________________________ and ___________________ well

Do your deacons meet these qualifications?

Wherever the Greek "diakonos" occurs in a general sense, it is translated minister. You will be able to see below that, although deacon was the title of an office, sometimes it was used in a more general sense, because even pagan government officials were called "diakonos."

Matthew 20:26 (pg. 955) Instead, whoever wants to become ______________ among you must be your ______________ ["diakonos"].

Mark 10:43 (pg. 981) Same

Matthew 22:13 (pg. 957) Then the king told the ____________________________ ["diakonos"], "Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside."

Matthew 23:11 (pg. 958) The greatest among you will be your _____________________ ["diakonos"].

John 2:5, 9 (pg. 1028) His mother said to the _______________________ ["diakonos"], "Do whatever he [Jesus] tells you"....and the master of the bvanquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the _____________________________ ["diakonos"] knew.

John 12:26 (pg. 1043) "Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my ________________________ ["diakonos"] also will be." In your opinion, who is whoever follows Jesus? _______________________

Romans 13:3-4 (pg. 1101) For ________________________ hold no terror for those who do right....For he is God's _________________ ["diakonos"].

Romans 15:8 (pg. 1102) For I tell you that ________________________ has become a __________________ ["diakonos"] to the Jews on behalf of God's truth.

Romans 16:1 (pg. 1103) I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant ["diokanos"] of the church in Cenchrea.

1 Corinthians 3:5 (pg. 1106) What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only __________________ ["diakonos"], through whom you came to believe.

2 Corinthians 3:6 (pg. 1120) He has made us competent as ______________________ ["diakonos"] of a new covenant - not of the letter but of the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 6:4 (pg. 1122) Rather, as ______________________ ["diakonos"] of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses....

2 Corinthians 11:13ff (pg. 1125) For such men are ____________________ apostles, ______________________ workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for _________________ himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his _________________ ["diakonos"] masquerade as servants of righteousness.

2 Corinthians 11:23 (pg. 1126) Are they ________________________ ["diakonos"] of Christ? ....I am more. I have worked much harder....

Galatians 2:17 (pg. 1129) If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that Christ _________________________ [is a minister "diakonos" of] sin?

Ephesians 3:7 (pg. 1134) I became a ________________________ ["diakonos"] of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.

Ephesians 6:21 (pg. 1137) Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful _______________________ ["diakonos"] in the Lord.

Colossians 1:7 (pg. 1142) You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow _____________________ ["diakonos"], who is a faithful __________________________ ["diakonos"] of Christ on our behalf.

Colossians 1:23 ....This gospel....of which I, Paul, have become a _______________________ ["diakonos"].

Colossians 1:25 I have become its ________________________ ["diakonos"] by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness.

Colossians 4:7 ....He is a dear brother, a faithful _________________________ ["diakonos"] and fellow servant of the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 3:2 (pg. 1147) We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's _______________________________________ ["diakonos"] in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith.

1 Timothy 4:6 (pg. 1152) If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good ________________________

["diakonos"] of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.

PRIESTS

There are numerous references to priests in the Old Testament where they were religious office holders. Rather than cover them all (probably hundreds), we will cover a few in the prophecies where the priests went bad. Is that possible? A man of God? How did they go bad?

Jeremiah 2:8 (pg. 732) The priests did not ask, 'Where is the __________________?' "

Jeremiah 5:31 (pg. 738) The prophets prophesy ____________, the priests rule by their _________ authority, and my people ________________ it this way.

Jeremiah 6:13 (pg. 738) From the least to the _______________________, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice ___________________________.

Jeremiah 18:18 (pg. 753) They said, "Come, let's make plans against Jeremiah; for the teaching of the law by the

______________ will not be lost, nor will counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophets. So come, let's __________________________ him with our _______________________ and pay no

__________________________ to anything he says.

Jeremiah 20:1f (pg. 754) When the ____________________...heard Jeremiah prophesying these things, he had Jeremiah the prophet _________________________ and put in the ____________________ at the Upper Gate of Benjamin at the Lord's ___________________________.

Jeremiah 23:11 (pg. 757) "Both prophet and ______________________ are ___________________; even in my

______________________ I find their ____________________________," declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 23:34, 36 (pg. 758) "If a prophet or a _________________________ or anyone else claims, 'This is the oracle of the Lord,' I will ________________________________ that man and his household....because every man's

_________________ word becomes ________________________________ and so you ________________

the _________________________ of the living ______________________, the Lord Almight, our God.

Jeremiah 26:7f (pg. 761) The priests....heard Jeremiah speak these words in the house of the Lord. But as soon as Jeremiah finished telling...the _________________, the prophets and all the people seized him and said, "You must _____________________!"

Jeremiah 32:32f (pg. 769) ...their priests and prophets....They turned their _______________ to me and not their faces; though I taught them __________________________ and _________________________, they would not ______________________________ or respond to ______________________.

Lamentations 2:6 (pg. 798) ...he has destroyed his place of meeting [the Temple]. The Lord has made Zion forget her appointed feasts and her Sabbaths; in his fierce ___________________ he has ______________________ both king and ________________________.

Lamentations 4:13ff (pg. 801) But it happened because of the sins of her prophets and the __________________________ of her priests.

Ezekiel 22:26 (pg. 823) Her priests do violence to my __________________ and _____________________ my holy things; they do not _______________________________ between the holy and the common; they _______ that there is no difference....and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths.

NOTE: Is there a growing trend to allow people today to keep the first day of the week on Friday or Saturday?

Hosea 4:9 (pg. 873) And it will be: Like people, like __________________. I will ___________________ both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.

Hosea 5:1 (pg. 874) "Hear this, you priests....This judgment is ________________________ you."

Micah 3:11 (pg. 901) Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a __________________....Yet they lean upon the Lord and say, "______________________________________________________________________?"

Zephaniah 3:4 (pg. 914) Her prophets are _______________________; they are treacherous men. Her priests ________

the sanctuary and do violence to the law [of God].

Malachi 1:6 (pg. 928) ...."It is you, O priests, who show _____________________________ for my name. "But you ask, 'How have we shown contempt for your name?" [They were pretending ignorance of their own sins.]

Malachi 2:1f "And now this _______________________________ is for you, O preists. If you do not ______________

and if you do not set your heart to ________________________ my name," says the Lord Almighty, "I will send a _______________________________ upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not set your heart to honor ______________."

Malachi 2:7f "FOR THE LIPS OF THE PRIEST OUGHT TO PRESERVE __________________________, AND FROM HIS MOUTH MEN SHOULD SEEK ________________________________ - BECAUSE HE IS THE MESSENGER OF THE LORD ALMIGHT. BUT YOU HAVE ___________________________________ THE WAY AND BY YOUR ______________________________ HAVE CAUSED MANY TO

______________________________."

All references to priests in the first five books of the New Testament refer to Jewish priests. All references in the rest of the New Testament that refer to high priest refers to Jesus. We will cover all references to priests and priesthood not referring to Jesus in the rest of the New Testament to find out who they are.

1 Peter 1:1; 2:5 To God's ___________________...who have been _______________________...for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood....you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy ________________________________, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptalbe to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal ________________________, a holy nation,a people belonging to God.

Therefore, are priests clergy? _____________________