Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7700 Leadership and the people of God » 7733 leaders » 7734 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 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 Priests taught and explained God's law Malachi 2:7 See also Leviticus 10:11; Haggai 2:11-13 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 Examples of prophets as spiritual leaders Samuel led the people from idolatry back to the worship of God: 1 Samuel 7:3-4; 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 23:11,13-17,25-32; 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 Advice to leaders Acts 20:28 See also Acts 20:31,35; 1 Timothy 5:17-20; 1 Peter 5:2-3 See also
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