Are there any letters in the NT written unto the 'pastor' of such and such church?
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G
No. There is not one letter addressed unto "pastor Doe of the church at Anywhere."
In Acts 20:17-38 we read that Paul addressed the ELDERS of the church at Ephesus. When Paul writes to a congregation, he addresses all the members. He never addresses a letter to one man as if that man was above all the other members. And that is not even done when he writes to Timothy and Titus. He wants them to establish leaders/elders in the churches. Elders ... not an elder but elders.
As you know, several of Paul's letters open up with the words "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ." So the authority behind the letter is not Paul. It is the Lord Jesus Christ. As many letters that Paul wrote, as many topics he addressed, as many people he influenced, he not once claimed to be the head of the church. And neither did Peter.
Here's how Paul's letter to the Corinthians is addressed: "...to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours." 1 Corinthians 1:2.
Read also Philippians 1:1.
Why are there no NT letters addressed unto the pastor of a church? Because there was no singular man who was over, in a ruling capacity, a church.
Jesus is the head of the body, the church.
In Acts 20:17-38 we read that Paul addressed the ELDERS of the church at Ephesus. When Paul writes to a congregation, he addresses all the members. He never addresses a letter to one man as if that man was above all the other members. And that is not even done when he writes to Timothy and Titus. He wants them to establish leaders/elders in the churches. Elders ... not an elder but elders.
As you know, several of Paul's letters open up with the words "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ." So the authority behind the letter is not Paul. It is the Lord Jesus Christ. As many letters that Paul wrote, as many topics he addressed, as many people he influenced, he not once claimed to be the head of the church. And neither did Peter.
Here's how Paul's letter to the Corinthians is addressed: "...to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours." 1 Corinthians 1:2.
Read also Philippians 1:1.
Why are there no NT letters addressed unto the pastor of a church? Because there was no singular man who was over, in a ruling capacity, a church.
Jesus is the head of the body, the church.
Was Gaius a shepherd?
3 John 1:1-4
1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
3 John 1:1-4
1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
No, I do not wonder why. Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus both would be considered bishops. And aside from Philemon all his epistles were written to congregations he had been involved in founding. I believe all the epistles are addressed to the catholic (universal) Church, except Philemon which I do not believe should be in the canon.
Just a thought.
Just a thought.
K
The epistles in the NT were written for all of to go by, and not just one specific individual.
Even when the letters were written to certain people they still were for all of us for learning, guidance, correction, and direction.
Apostle Paul wrote to the Apostle Timothy because they both went there own way to preach the word, and Paul guided him on how he was to conduct himself as an apostle of Christ. He was an Apostle that was taught under Paul and he, Paul, and Silvanus went to the Thessalonians. And 1 Thessalonians 2:6 shows that he was an apostle......
Even when the letters were written to certain people they still were for all of us for learning, guidance, correction, and direction.
Apostle Paul wrote to the Apostle Timothy because they both went there own way to preach the word, and Paul guided him on how he was to conduct himself as an apostle of Christ. He was an Apostle that was taught under Paul and he, Paul, and Silvanus went to the Thessalonians. And 1 Thessalonians 2:6 shows that he was an apostle......
Brother Yet,
i often wonder if many of your posts here about human authority in the church is related to Jesus speaking the following.......
Matthew 20:25-28
25But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,[SUP]c[/SUP] 27and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,[SUP]d[/SUP] 28even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
If so,....... i agree that we are equals and should not exercise authority over each other within the body of the church but at the same time we should give due respect to those with more experience regarding our common faith as it is necessary to have leadership but not dictatorship.
If not,.......
could you please clarify your position on this matter as i think it error to jump to suppositions regarding your statements.
i often wonder if many of your posts here about human authority in the church is related to Jesus speaking the following.......
Matthew 20:25-28
25But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,[SUP]c[/SUP] 27and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,[SUP]d[/SUP] 28even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
If so,....... i agree that we are equals and should not exercise authority over each other within the body of the church but at the same time we should give due respect to those with more experience regarding our common faith as it is necessary to have leadership but not dictatorship.
If not,.......
could you please clarify your position on this matter as i think it error to jump to suppositions regarding your statements.
There is no example of a single pastor of one church. Timothy and Titus were overseers of a number of churches acting in Paul's name. They dealt with the groups of elders in each church. We have no good grounds at all for seeing the angels of the churches as pastors. It is all wishful thinking. They may have been messengers to the churches but that is a very different thing.