What is the difference between Pastors, Reverends, Ministers and priests?
I've always wondered what the differences were in these people. Why do they use some of the costumes, while others wear regular clothes? Is there any significance to them? Furthermore, only Catholic priests?
- The priests are / the parents of the Roman Catholic Church also known as Pastors or Reverends?
- What is the origin and symbolic significance of the collar used by ministers and priests?
- What is the difference between Catholics and Christians, Protestants, Lutherans, LDS, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc.?
- Is it true that Catholic priests are more educated than the Protestant pastors?
- Differences between Anglican / Catholic?
The term "pastor" means literally "shepherd." The Bible itself refers to the congregation as pastors and elders undershepherds.
.. .. (1 Peter 5:1-2) For the older men among you, I call this, because I too am an older man with them and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, share the glory, it's revealed : Shepherd the flock of God in their care
The term "reverend" is applied to a human right, a term reserved for God himself (note the only use of the word throughout the RV, see below). Normally, the "Reverend" is aligned with a church teaching a false form of counterfeit Christianity.
.. .. (Psalm 111:9,10, RV) Santo and Reverend is his name. The fear of the LORD [Jehovah] is the beginning of wisdom
The term "minister" means "servant" serving. The Bible constantly refers to every Christian preacher as a minister, and Jesus himself taught that every Christian must lead by example.
A priest is an intermediary between man and God. Before Christ, God made arrangements for the priests to perform a function, but the resurrected humanity of Jesus Christ is Eternal High Priest, and a kind of "kings and priests" rule only from the sky. Human reason can not be called a priest of God Almighty.
.. .. (Hebrews 2:17) [Jesus] was forced to be like their "brothers" in all aspects, which might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God.
.. .. (Hebrews 4:14-15) We have a great High Priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, we will celebrate our faith in him. 15 For we have as high priest and no one who can not sympathize with our weaknesses, but one that has been tested in all respects like us, but without sin.