Today’s Inspirational Study is supplied by one of Nuggets of Gold team members, Pastor Milton Jones, Heritage Baptist Church, Manhattan, IL.

Heb 13:7-8Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.  8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Respect for Pastoral Authority – “Remember them which have the rule over you,�   It is significant that there are three references to them which have the rule over you in this chapter.  The first here, the second is in verse 17.  “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.�  The third reference is in verse 24 – “Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints.�

Some effort is made to connect the imperative Remember with those who have ruled in the past.  The author reminds them of the founders of their church in addition to the long list of heroes in chapter 11.  See a like exhortation to respect and follow their leaders in 1 Thess. 5:12f. These lessons are harder for the
average Christian to learn, viz., good following.[1]

Certainly there ought to be fond remembrance of faithful men of God from the past who have impacted our lives for Christ.  Surely there ought also to be a connection in heart back to the heroes of the faith listed in chapter 11. 

Still the context does not bear out an emphasis upon the past but upon the present leadership of the church. The word, remember, is a present imperative and “stresses continuity, i.e. ‘keep on remembering,’�[2] or “to have in constant remembrance.�[3]

The principle is the continuous exercise of godly respect for the pastor that God has set over you.  1 Thess. 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; ¹³And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.  No one is more aware than a godly pastor that his feet are made of clay, that he is subject to the temptations and passions as other men.  This is what Paul and Silas told the people at Lystra.  Acts 14:15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

James 5:17  Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

 

The fallibility of the pastor is not a reason for disrespect; it is a reason for holding him up to God in fervent prayer.  2 Thess. 5:1,2  Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: ²And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.  Directly in the context of those who have the rule Hebrews 13:18 calls for prayer.  Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

Most certainly there is serious warning about raising your voice against the character of God’s man.  1Tim. 5:17-20  Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. ¹⁸For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. ¹⁹Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. ²⁰Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

 

This does not mean that there is no accountability for the pastor.  Quite the contrary, he is a man under authority.  He must not exercise his office with wrong motive or method.  1 Pet. 5:1-4  The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: ²Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; ³Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. ⁴And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

In this lawless age, there is constant pressure upon the ministry.  Pastors are continually under fire with every decision questioned, every sermon held suspect as to the motive behind the message.  There has never been a time when it was more difficult to exercise the office of pastor.  The command of this passage is to respect the office and the man who holds the office.  Pray for him, support him, and according to verse 17, obey him!

[1] Robertson, 446.

[2] Guthrie, 270.

[3] Vaughn, 292.

 

Nuggets Of Gold Ministries
Russell Stolp, Founder & Director

http://www.nuggetsofgold.org

Psalm 37:4 “Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.