The Return of the Clergy

By Ron Halbrook Although the Protestant Reformation spoke of the priesthood of all believers, the Protestant systems -including American denominationalism-almost invariably created their clergies. For instance, William Paley, “Archdeacon of Carlisle,” delivered a sermon entitled, “A Distinction of Orders in the Church Defended Upon Principles of Public Utility,” given in the Castle Chapel, Dublin, “At the …

God’s “Clergy” and “Laity”

By Randy Harshbarger In religious circles, the subject of God’s “clergy” and God’s “laity” has received much attention. Although the New Testament says nothing about the subject as it is usually thought of, just a little over one hundred years after the last apostle died, the bishops of the church in each community began exerting unscriptural …

The Privilege of Proclaiming Christ

By Mike Willis In Eph. 3:8, Paul said, “To me the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christi.” That God called Paul to preach the gospel is, indeed, a manifestation of His grace. Paul’s background demonstrates that he did not earn the right to …