THE GREAT DIVIDE: CLERGY VS. LAITY

 ORIGINS OF THE INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH

In AD 313, the Roman Emporer Constantine made Christianity legal, for which he has received centuries of accolades. Since Christianity was then made the state religion, all citizens were presured to convert. Constantine built elaborate Cathedrals in which believers could worship. Church leadership was given to the priests who had a relationship with Constantine. The priests and the government made the rules, led the church members, controlled the Bible, preached in Latin and controlled the people. 

Prior to that time, home churches had been the places where Christians gathered, worshiped, ate their meals and fellowshipped. There was sharing and intimacy among the people, along with the operation of the gifts of the Spirit. Persons annointed by God to hold five-fold ministry offices guided the Church in all its locations as one body. Not to be left out and sometimes motivated by monetary payments, believers gradually gravitated to Constantine's Cathedrals. Some converstions of unbelievers may have been genuine, but many were in word only.

THE CATHEDRAL EXPERIENCE

The Cathedrals were lavish and beautiful, but they were cold relationally and spiritually. Attendees sat in rows of seats to the side of the central space. The priests and servers performed the religious rituals, read from the Bible and were considered the religious and spiritual authorities. Everyone else could only sit quietly. Because there was no opportunity for relationships and sharing, religious services became primarily ritualistic, which most still are today!

THE MEANING OF THE TERM "LAYMAN"

While the use of the term "layman" didn't begin until the 15th century, the dye was cast in Constantine's Cathedrals. The term meant everyone in a church other than clergy was a layman. This, of course, presumed only members of the clergy knew and understood Scripture. Because of this presumption, the "laity" must sit quietly during services, listen to the leaders, agree with a church's statement of faith and not hold any personal differing opinions. The laity, in other words, are not permitted to question the dictates of leaders or to think for themselves.

Although not always expressed specifically, this paradigm has continued to this day. I remember a pastor I served for many years often saying to congregants, "If you don't like our beliefs, then you should go elsewhere." A pastor of another church I attended said, "If you disagree with what I say, don't tell me; just pray about it." In another church in which I had some leadership responsibility, the senior pastor sent people that disagreed with him to counseling, even telling the counselor what he wanted corrected.

THE TRUTH

In the New Testament, every believer is directed to search the Scriptures and to seek Holy Spirit revelation of God's interpreation and application of the their meaning. Certainly, there are five-fold ministers given leadership responsibility in the true church. These ministers, however, are not given license to impart any doctrine or teaching other than that which is based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and applicable Scripture. Denominational doctrines and the opinions of a leader that are outside of what Jesus would do are simply heretical!

Scripture in 1 Jn 2:27 indicates everyone that has accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, and has received the Holy Spirit, can determine what spiritual principles and teachings are true. True five-fold ministers are ordained to assist us in obtaining revelation of Scripture, not to dictate their personal viewpoint. 

Every believer can and should think creatively. Every believer is called to be a disciple of Christ, to obtain revelation of Scritpure from the Holy Spirit and to share the TRUTH with others! Every believer can and should have a voice! Please let me hear yours in the comment section of these blogs.