However, NOT everyone is a false teacher. MANY ministers of the Gospel are hard working, honest, integral men and women of God. The Bible says that such should be respected and held in high esteem (1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:13). All ministers should not be "bunched" together with deceivers and disrespected.
Many times, when it comes to disrespecting ministers, people use the Scripture, "touch not my anointed..." (1 Chronicles 16:22). However, in context, that passage is referring to God's people as a whole; not just leaders. There are plenty of other Scriptures that let us know that God is displeased when His servants are disrespected....
First, when Paul was commanded to be slapped at the High Priest's command, he called the man (High Priest) out of his name. Paul was immediately reprimanded and begged pardon for being out of line; because THE WORD said he (Paul) was WRONG:
Acts 23:3-5 3Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!" 4Those who were standing near Paul said, "How dare you insult God's high priest!" 5Paul replied, "Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: 'Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.'"
Second, there are "rules of engagement" and protocol even in the spiritual realm. As evil and wicked as Satan is, he is yet a "dignitary" in the spiritual realm. The angels recognize that. Thus, Michael (an arch angel) did not use a lot of derogatory language and "disrespect" against Satan; but let him know, "The Lord rebuke you!" If angels have this kind of sense in dealing with THE ENEMY; who are we disrespect a man or woman of God?!
Jude 8-10 8 The people I am talking about are behaving just like those dreamers who destroyed their own bodies. They reject all authority and insult angels. 9 Even Michael, the chief angel, didn’t dare to insult the devil, when the two of them were arguing about the body of Moses. All Michael said was, “The Lord will punish you!” 10 But these people insult powers they don’t know anything about. They are like senseless animals that end up getting destroyed, because they live only by their feelings.
Third, the leadership of the early church was referred to as "elders." These were normally older or mature saints in the congregation. Thirty was considered mature in those Bible days. Jesus and most of the apostles began their ministry in their thirties. You had two kinds of elders in the early church. Preaching elders and business elders (who we would refer to now as "deacons"). But, they were all elders and they were due respect.
While the local congregations were ruled by a group of elders; "clusters" of congregations were led by an apostle. Apostles had "assistants" that would assist in the overseership of these clusters of congregations. We would now refer to these assistants as "bishops."
Timothy was one of these assistants. Paul (the apostle) assigned his assistant, the bishop (Timothy) to oversee the work at Ephesus. Here is the thing. Timothy was OVER the elders; because he represented the apostle (Paul). However, the apostle (Paul) gave Timothy strict instructions NOT to rebuke any of these elders; but to RESPECT them. Timothy was to deal with them as parents and the rest of the saints as siblings. IF THE BISHOP HAD TO RESPECT THE PREACHER; WHO ARE WE TO EXALT OURSELVES AND DISRESPECT THE MAN AND WOMAN OF GOD?! Here is what THE BIBLE says:
Finally, this particular writing is referring to honoring those leaders who are living right and being an example of holiness and integrity. However, the Bible does explain what is to be done in the case of sinning preachers:
1 Timothy 5:19-20 19Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.
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