What does the Bible say about spiritual leaders?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that spiritual leaders are called to serve humbly under Christ, faithfully teach God’s Word, and care for God’s people, while believers should honor and test their ministry by Scripture. Hebrews 13:17 urges willing submission to godly oversight because leaders watch over souls and will give account to God. Yet leaders are not masters: Jesus says in Luke 22:26 that the greatest must become as one who serves. 2 Timothy 3:16 makes Scripture, not human authority, the supreme standard for teaching and correction. Acts 2:42 shows the church devoted to apostolic doctrine, fellowship, worship, and prayer. Jesus also warns against leaders whose teaching and life do not agree in Matthew 23:3.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.
- 2 Timothy 3:16
Every writing inspired by God is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction which is in righteousness,
- Luke 22:26
But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves.
- Acts 2:42
They continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.
- Matthew 4:1-25
[1] Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. [2] When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward. [3] The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." [4] But he answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'" [5] Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, [6] and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, 'He will give his angels charge concerning you.' and, 'On their hands they will bear you up, So that you don't dash your foot against a stone.'" [7] Jesus said to him, "Again, it is written, 'You shall not test the Lord, your God.'" [8] Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory. [9] He said to him, "I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me." [10] Then Jesus said to him, "Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'" [11] Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and ministered to him. [12] Now when Jesus heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee. [13] Leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, [14] that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, [15] "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, Toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, [16] The people who sat in darkness saw a great light, To those who sat in the region and shadow of death, To them light has dawned." [17] From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, "Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." [18] Walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. [19] He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men." [20] They immediately left their nets and followed him. [21] Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them. [22] They immediately left the boat and their father, and followed him. [23] Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. [24] The report about him went out into all Syria. They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them. [25] Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and from beyond the Jordan followed him.
- Matthew 23:3
All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don't do their works; for they say, and don't do.
- Malachi 3:6
"For I, Yahweh, don't change; therefore you, sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
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