Mark Tabata’s Weekday Devotionals
Friday, October 2
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1 Peter 2:9-But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Among some denominations, there is a distinction made between what is called “clergy” and “laity.” Often, the word “clergy” has reference to those in a church or denomination who are commissioned to some kind of ministry towards the rest of the church. It could have reference to ministers, evangelists, deacons, deaconesses, elders, etc. Whereas the word “laity” has reference to those who do not have official work to be involved with pertaining to the church.
The New Testament, of course, does not make such a distinction between clergy and laity, for every member of the church has work to do in the Lord’s kingdom.
Mark 13:34-It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.
Ephesians 4:16-from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Interestingly enough, the words “clergy” and “laity” have their root words from the Greek, and both are used in the New Testament to refer to the entire church.
An interesting note is found in two Scriptures that speak of God’s clergy and laity. Ephesians 1: 11 says that all who are in Christ “were made a heritage.” 7 The word “heritage” is from kleroo, the word from which “clergy” was derived. But the Scripture is clear that it is God’s people who are the heritage (clergy). The second Scripture is 1 Peter 2: 9 that refers to God’s people. The Greek word for “people” is laos, from which is derived the term “laity.” Both laity and clergy are God’s people. There is no distinction between God’s clergy and God’s laity. Such terms should never have been employed to make such an unchristian distinction. (Edward Wharton, The Church of Christ: The Distinctive Nature Of The Mew Testament Church, 1701-1709 (Kindle Edition): Nashville, TN: Gospel Advocate Company)
Every member of Christ’s church is a priest and minister, in one regard or another. The question is whether we are fulfilling our God assigned work.
Father, give us eyes to see, feet to move, hands to labor, and hearts to work. Amen.
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