No Clergy In The New Testament
Donald Norbie explains the error of the denominational church organization and government, and shows what is the pattern given us in the New Testament. Church order, including government, is part of apostolic doctrine. We are not free to do as we please. Hebrews 8:5 "See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee..."
Today the structure most churches follow is to have a pastor or senior pastor leading the work, supported by a group of deacons or elders. The primary work of preaching and teaching is left to the pastor. The "laymen" are to be generous in giving and faithful in attendance, and to be active in supporting ministries, such as Sunday School. The pastor is viewed as a professional who has had special training and is qualified to teach God's Word. Laymen are not expected to preach to the whole church. And often the pastor is jealous of his position and guards it vigorously, maintaining that laymen are not qualified to do his work. He alone baptizes and officiates at the Lord's Supper.
This artificial distinction between "clergy" and "laity" is not found in the New Testament. In Israel of old there was a distinction. The tribe of Levi alone was qualified to minister in the Tabernacle and the family of Aaron was the priestly family. Not even Jesus qualified for this service (Heb. 7:13-14); He was of the tribe of Judah. But under the New Covenant all of this is swept away. There is no priestly tribe or caste in the Church. Peter writes to all Christians: "You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 2:5). All believers are priests of God with immediate access into the presence of God. While many churches preach the priesthood of all believers, few practice it in the meetings of the congregation.
The meetings of the early churches were much more informal than that of many churches today. There was opportunity for all of the men to participate. "How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching...Let all things be done for edification" (1 Cor. 14:26). There was to be order, not confusion, but there was to be opportunity to participate. "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace" (1 Cor. 14:33). The spiritual leaders, the elders, would be responsible to maintain order in the assembly. It is obvious that there was no clergy-laity distinction among the believers then.
from This I Believe, Gospel Folio Press, pages 141-142
For more reading on this subject, see Mr. Norbie's books, New Testament Church Organization (Walterick Publishers), and The Early Church (Christian Missions Press).
