21 Bible Verses about Leaders, Spiritual

to himself the honour of the priesthood: he must be called thereto by God, as Aaron was.

For every high priest is appointed to officiate for men in religious matters, offering gifts and sacrifices for their sins: being chosen from among the people. that as he himself is surrounded with infirmities,

every high priest being establish'd to offer gifts and sacrifices: it was necessary that he likewise should make a peculiar offering,

from the prophet's OWN MOTION; but the holy men of God spoke by the IMPULSE of the holy spirit.

and having assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he enquired of them where Christ was to be born.

Then the Pharisees and the Sadducees came, with a captious design, and desired him to show them some miracle in the sky.

When he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the magistrates came to him as he was teaching, and said, by what authority dost thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

said, the Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses's chair.

Now the chief priests, the senators and the whole council, endeavour'd to get false evidence against Jesus, that he might be condemn'd to die.

for they load men with intolerable impositions, and will not take the least pains to ease them of the burthen: they do nothing but out of ostentation, their phylacterys are broader, and the fringes of their garments are larger than those of others: they affect the uppermost place at feasts, the principal chair in the synagogues,read more.
to be saluted in publick places, and to have men address to them with the title of Doctor Doctor. But don't you assume that title, for you have but one doctor, who is the Christ; as for you, you are all brethren alike. don't stile any one among you, Father upon earth; for he alone is your father, who is in heaven. neither take the title of masters, for you have but one master, who is the Messias. he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. for whosoever exalts himself, shall be abased; and he that humbles himself, shall be exalted. Wo unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, who prey upon the estates of widows, under the pretext of making long prayers; therefore ye shall be punish'd with the greater severity. wo unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, who shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye not only refuse to go in your selves, but hinder those that would. wo unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, who ransack sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is gain'd, ye make him deserve Gehenna much more than your selves.

So that Jesus called them to him, and said, you know that the rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them, and their great ones treat them in an imperious manner; but it shall not be so among young you: on the contrary, whoever would be great among you, he must be your servant; and whoever would be the chief, he must be the slave of all the rest.read more.
for the son of man himself is not come to receive the services of men, but to do them service, and to lay down his life a ransom for many.

for there was no poor among them, because as many as bad lands or houses, sold them, and brought the value, which they laid down at the apostles feet: and they distributed it to every man as his occasions required.

the twelve therefore assembled all the disciples, and said, it is not fit that we should leave the word of God, to mind what relates to your meals. wherefore, brethren, chuse out of your number seven persons of good reputation, full of the holy spirit and wisdom, who may have the management of this affair:

and after they had by prayers and fastings establish'd Pastors for them in every church, they recommended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

I left you in Crete, to regulate what was amiss, and to ordain pastors in every city, as I had appointed you,

He that aspires to be a bishop, desires an office that is honourable. a bishop therefore ought to be of an unspotted character, to have but one wife, to be sober, prudent, grave, hospitable, and qualified for teaching: not given to wine or violence, but of a gentle temper, averse to contention and avarice: a master of economy,read more.
obliging his children to behave with decorum. for if a man is incapable of governing his own family, how can he take care of the church of God? nor must he be a new convert; for fear he should be elated with pride, and so involve himself in the same ruin as the devil. besides, he ought to stand fair in the opinion of unbelievers, lest he fall into disgrace, and the ambushes of the accuser. The deacons too must be grave, not double tongued, not addicted to drinking, or sordid gain, but by their integrity maintain the reverence due to the gospel.

to chuse such as are without reproach, married to but one wife, whose children are obedient, not accused of debauchery, nor unruly. for a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not morose, not soon angry, not given to wine, not violent, not desirous of unlawful gain. but a lover of hospitality, humane, prudent, just, holy, temperate;read more.
attach'd to the truth, that has been taught him, that he may be able to teach others sound doctrine, and to convince those who oppose it.

be therefore upon your guard to secure your selves, and the whole flock over which the holy spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.

be then upon the watch, and remember, that for three years I have not ceased by night, or by day to warn every soul of you, even with tears.

Let the presbyters that govern well receive a double salary, especially those who are employ'd in preaching and instructing. for the scripture says, "thou shalt not muzzle the ox, when he treads the corn." and, "the labourer is worthy of his reward." don't receive any accusation against a pastor, but upon the deposition of two or three witnesses.read more.
Those that transgress reprove in publick, to strike a terror in the rest.

to exhort you to feed the flock of God, which is among you: to take care of it, voluntarily, without reluctance, not from any view to sordid gain, but out of real affection; not to domineer over the laity, but to be examples for their imitation;