Leaders, spiritual

Under the old covenant God called priests and prophets as spiritual leaders. Later the Pharisees gave spiritual leadership. After Jesus Christ had inaugurated the new covenant, authority was given to the apostles, who in turn appointed leaders in the churches they founded.

Priests as spiritual leaders

They were called by God

Hebrews 5:4 See also Exodus 28:1; Deuteronomy 18:5

No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.

The high priest represented the people in the presence of God

Hebrews 5:1 See also Exodus 28:29–30; Numbers 27:21; Hebrews 8:3

Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.

Priests taught and explained God's law

Malachi 2:7 See also Leviticus 10:11; Haggai 2:11–13

For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts.

Examples of priests as spiritual leaders

1 Samuel 4:18 The priest Eli was described as leading Israel; 1 Samuel 7:5–9 Samuel acted as priest on behalf of the people; 2 Chronicles 24:14 Jehoiada the priest influenced Joash to serve God.

Prophets as spiritual leaders

They were called by God

2 Peter 1:21 See also Isaiah 6:8–9; Jeremiah 1:5

For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Examples of prophets as spiritual leaders

Samuel led the people from idolatry back to the worship of God: 1 Samuel 7:3–4, 1 Samuel 12:20–24; 1 Kings 18:18–21 Elijah; Haggai 1:7–9 Haggai

Spiritual leaders in NT times

Matthew 2:4 officially recognised teachers of the law; Matthew 16:1, Matthew 21:23 At a local level, elders had social and religious authority in local councils. Nationally, they were included in the Sanhedrin; Matthew 23:2, Matthew 26:59

The failure of spiritual leaders

In the OT

Isaiah 28:7; Jeremiah 23:11, Jeremiah 23:13–17, Jeremiah 23:25–32; Malachi 2:1–2

In the NT

Matthew 23:4–15; Mark 10:42–45 Jesus Christ taught his disciples the qualities required for spiritual leadership.

Spiritual leadership in the church

The apostles delegated authority

Acts 4:34–35, Acts 6:2–3, Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5

The qualifications for church leadership

1 Timothy 3:1–9; Titus 1:6–9

Advice to leaders

Acts 20:28 See also Acts 20:31, Acts 20:35; 1 Timothy 5:17–20; 1 Peter 5:2–3

Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.