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[7] While We Are Equal In Sonship, Salvation, The Inheritance Of The Blood Of Christ And Moral Accountability, This Should Not Lead To Anarchy.
(Judg 17:6) In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
Could brotherhood mean the demolition of the hierarchy? Setting in of anarchy, confusion, lack of leadership and demolition of responsibility? Certainly not!
(1 Cor 14:40) Let all things be done decently and in order.
[8] The Church Is The Ideal Example Of Order As She Is The Body Of Christ.
So while the Church is Christ’s Body, and all its members are the brethren, this Body still have a head and members.
Even in any family, we have the husband, the wife and the offspring. This does not stop the man of being the head of the wife, while the offspring are subject to the parents.
It is not feasible, in the name of equality, that a woman rebels against man’s hegemony.
Also it is not feasible, in the name of equality, that the offspring to rebel against the parent’s hegemony.
(Eph 6:1-2) Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. {2} "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise:
[9] The Hierarchical System Was First Appointed By God Among The Angels
(Dan 10:13) "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.
(Dan 12:1) "At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.
(Col 1:16) For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
[10] God Also Appointed The Hierarchy Of The Priesthood
(Zec 3:1) Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.
God appointed the grading of the priesthood since the time of Aaron.
[11] God Also Permitted Moses To Appoint Lay Leaders
(Exo 18:21) "Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
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(Exo 18:25-26) And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. {26} So they judged the people at all times; the hard cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves.
(Deu 1:15) "So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and knowledgeable men, and made them heads over you, leaders of thousands, leaders of hundreds, leaders of fifties, leaders of tens, and officers for your tribes.
[12] But Where Is The Place Of Christ With Respect To This Hierarchy?
(Col 2:10) and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
The presence of such hierarchy does not stifle His hegemony or His Superiority
(Rev 19:16) And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Also the presence of shepherds, did not stifle His Shepherdship. (Heb 13:20) Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
Saint Augustine said to God: “I am their shepherd, but before You, I am one of Your flock. I am their teacher, but before You I join them in learning from You”
[13] People In Relation To God And To Each Other
People before God are brethren, but in relation to each other some are fathers , some are sons, some are teachers and others are disciples and some are priests and some are laity.
Another objection
(Mat 20:25-28) But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. {26} "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. {27} "And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave; {28} "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
It is obvious that the above words are pertaining to humility, and to refrain from the authoritarian approach and from haughtiness and love of glory, as we have discussed this issue before here on st-takla.org in other sections. These words are not a decree of abolishing the hierarchical system. The best example could be found in John 13:13 when the Lord emphasised humility, without relinquishing His authority as a Lord and Master.
(John 13:13) "You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.
The intention of the Church hierarchy and of the priesthood is order, division of responsibilities, supervision of the ministry and so forth.
It is not there to create a haven for the authoritarian behaviour nor to breed love of self or haughtiness.
The Lord Has obviously attached such behaviour which was rife at His time among the Scribes and Pharisees.
(Mat 23:5-8) "But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. {6} "They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, {7} "greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.' {8} "But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.
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