Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.
(1 Timothy 5:17-20 - ESV)

Let’s break this down.  Indeed the Bible indicates that elders (leaders, pastors) are worthy of a great deal of honor and respect. As they are following Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1), we submit ourselves to what they have to say and follow their example. But if they aren’t following Christ, then we are to call them to account. That’s what these verses are saying in a nutshell.

I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
(Acts 20:29-30 - ESV)

The difference between those who are true leaders in the church and those who are nothing more than wolves (false and greedy pastors) is many times a measure of their humility. A true church leader will draw you to Christ, not himself. A false or corrupted leader will draw you after himself. This is one of the ways that we can tell who is really a legit pastor/elder and who is just playing along so that they can exploit the people.

With all the money that flows through the church institutions today and in the “Christian” marketplace, many church leaders have forgotten what the words “ministry” and “calling” mean. When a person is a minister, they do something for somebody else’s well being without expecting or asking for anything in return. When a person is living out a calling, it is something that the person carries out in a way that is far beyond a vocation.

As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
(1 Corinthians 12:20-26 - ESV)

We are all one in Christ. And even though there are people that God has called to leadership, this is not the type of leadership of the world. We are all brothers and sisters in the faith. The only Father we have in the faith is God. So think of a family situation where you have younger siblings and older siblings. Wouldn’t the elder siblings be fit to help guide the younger siblings in the faith? And yet, are not the elder siblings still accountable to the younger siblings? And furthermore, do not the younger siblings have gifts and wisdom to offer even though they are younger?

Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
(Revelation 2:6 - ESV)

So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
(Revelation 2:15 - ESV)

Many Bible researchers have their own spin on what these scriptures mean but let’s take a look at them. First, the word “Nicolaitans” broken down in the Greek actually means one who conquers the people. Now we have nothing in the Bible that goes into great detail about these Nicolaitans, but the fact that the term means what it does is very eye-opening.

Why would Jesus hate the works and teaching of the Nicolaitans? Well, we must consider what it could be that would make Jesus hate something. It is sin. We know how much God abhors sin and wickedness so whatever the Nicolaitans were doing, it was leading people astray from the truth into sin. Combined with the meaning of the term, an understanding could be that these people weren’t just humbly leading people astray, they were ruling over people and leading them astray. In retrospect, they probably had some of the same characteristics Jezebel had:

But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
(Revelation 2:20 - ESV)

Jesus hates people who would call themselves prophets, preachers, pastors and teachers and not only may they not be called, but they are seducing the people into unrighteousness for their own gain. Just like Balaam in the book of Numbers. It is our responsibility to make sure that regardless of what our brothers and sisters tell us, we listen to our Father and carry out what He desires.

Are you a church leader that rules over the people? I urge you to repent and return to Christ. If you have been following a church leader as if that person is your spiritual father/mother, I implore you to repent and keep God is your only spiritual Father. Let’s consider what Peter says about church leaders:

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
(1 Peter 5:1-3 - ESV)

Peter makes it very clear that a leader is not to dominate but be an example. And a leader is not to lead for unrighteous gain but eagerly for the good of the people he serves. And when he acts in his role that God has called him to, he does it as God leads him, not by his own wisdom and mind. Think about the words of Peter and contemplate whether your church leaders exemplify what he is saying.

The information in this article may go against what you have been taught through man’s traditions, but the Christian must always put the Bible above the words of men. Don’t let your church leaders dominate you and cause you to believe they don’t have to be accountable to you. We are all accountable to one another and no matter what role we serve within the body of Christ, we are still all brothers and sisters.

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