Of Popes And Pastors

 Of Popes And Pastors

Dedicated to all the truly-called by Christ gospel ministers of His elect church

There seems to be a lot of excitement over the election of the new pope.  I personally find it interesting, that he and I were born within three weeks of one another, and within 200 miles of each other.

Having been raised in the Roman church myself, I can imagine that Robert Prevost could, (like I can), still remember the pre-Vatican II Latin mass, with the priest facing away from the people.  He can probably also recall Communion being served to the people without the offering of the cup, etc.

I thought today, we would briefly consider a little bit of who and what a true pastor of the church is; and whether or not any of us who claim to be ministers of the Christ of the gospel actually meet the qualifications.  I am seeking to do this without specific pre-conceptions regarding this particular new pope, (though I will not pretend that some of my points obviously mitigate against the papal system as it has come down to us).  So, what are the qualifications of a true pastor of the church, (and, for now, I will simply assume the lists Paul gives us in 1 Timothy and Titus). . . .

First of all, faith in and love for God in and through the God/Man Jesus Christ alone.

Secondly, a true call from Christ to serve His church.  (This will have at least three elements to it: a subjective personal call communicated by the Holy Spirit; the approbation of other truly-called ministers of the presbyteries of the church; and, an actual particular call [to a work, ultimately serving the church].)

Next, a true pastor of the church knows, loves, and preaches the gospel of free grace in the Lord Jesus Christ.  The authentic pastor is convinced in his heart that the justification of sinners before the Holy God must be procured by faith (alone) in the blood righteousness of Christ, the Lamb of God alone.  Anyone who believes that the works of polluted sinners in anyway contributes to justification has immediately disqualified himself (from being a genuine undershepherd of Jesus).

Further, the bona fide pastor loves Christ's church so much, that he will direct God's flock to Jesus, and not to anyone (or anything) else, as an object of worship, or supplication.  (In other words, all prayer must go to God alone, through the one Mediator [Christ] alone.)

As well, the true minister of the church is concerned to please God, not the world.  He is not consumed with the pretension of "relevance"; and the distractions of political controversies.

In conclusion, let all of us who believe we have been called by Christ to be pastors of His church reflect on these few (and far from comprehensive) points; and determine whether our calling is authentic or not.

God has always had His pastors for His church, ever since the Fall of man in the Garden of Eden.  Satan has always had his counterfeits.  In the end, Christ always makes the clear distinction; and the Judgment Day will reveal everything.

Rev. Mark J. Henninger

Treatise #15

10 May 2025

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com

https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com/

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