The Christian Brothers: Brethren, Elders, Layman
Priests: Pastors, Bishops, Popes,
Exodus 18:[15] And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to inquire of God:
[16]
When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and
another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.
[17] And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.
[18]
Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with
thee: For this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to
perform it thyself alone.
[19] Hearken now unto my voice, I
will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the
people to Godward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
[20]
And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the
way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
[21]
Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as
fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them,
to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties,
and rulers of tens:
[22] And let them judge the people at all
seasons: And it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto
thee, but every small matter they shall judge: So shall it be easier
for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.
[23]
If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt
be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in
peace.
The New Testament:
[1] And in those days, when the number of the disciples was
multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the
Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
[2]
Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and
said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve
tables.
[3] Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven
men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may
appoint over this business.
[4] But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
[5]
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: And they chose Stephen, a
man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and
Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
[6] Whom they set before the apostles: And when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
[7]
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples
multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests
were obedient to the faith.
[8] And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
[9]
Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the
synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of
them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
[10] And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
There should not be any Physical difference between brethren and Priest if both are filled with the indwelling Holy Ghost. Now the level of calling, commitment and communion is different based upon their personal relationship with "Jesus"
Priests: Pastors, Bishops, Popes,
Exodus 18:[15] And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to inquire of God:
[16]
When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and
another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.
[17] And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.
[18]
Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with
thee: For this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to
perform it thyself alone.
[19] Hearken now unto my voice, I
will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the
people to Godward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
[20]
And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the
way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
[21]
Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as
fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them,
to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties,
and rulers of tens:
[22] And let them judge the people at all
seasons: And it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto
thee, but every small matter they shall judge: So shall it be easier
for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.
[23]
If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt
be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in
peace.
The New Testament:
[1] And in those days, when the number of the disciples was
multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the
Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
[2]
Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and
said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve
tables.
[3] Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven
men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may
appoint over this business.
[4] But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
[5]
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: And they chose Stephen, a
man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and
Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
[6] Whom they set before the apostles: And when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
[7]
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples
multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests
were obedient to the faith.
[8] And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
[9]
Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the
synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of
them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
[10] And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
There should not be any Physical difference between brethren and Priest if both are filled with the indwelling Holy Ghost. Now the level of calling, commitment and communion is different based upon their personal relationship with "Jesus"