Paraphrase of Matthew 23:2-12

Mt23.2 "The teachers in the church and the pastors sit in an ecclesiastical position. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, difficult requirements and put them on their member's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to do what they preach.

5 "Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their prayers long; 6 they love the place of honor at gatherings and the most important seats in the church and conferences; 7 they love to be greeted with respect wherever they go and to have people call them 'Pastor' or 'Reverend.'

8 "But you are not to be called 'Pastor,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth 'Father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your janitor. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

The church has taken on the structure of Rome and has set apart the clergy from the laity. This separation is akin to what the Pharisees and scribes did. We are all brothers with no hierarchical distinction in the church. Our differences in gifts should not be used to make hierarchical distinctions. We are a nation of priests and there is only One High Priest!

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