What's the difference between a priest and a pastor?

Answer 1

The Greek word translated as "pastor"in Ephesians 4:11 is used 18 times in the Bible. This verse, however, is the only time the word is translated as "pastor" in most English translations.

The meaning of this word is "a shepherd", and it is translated that way in every other verse in which it is used.

Jesus is our "chief Shepherd".

When this word refers to a man, as in Ephesians 4:11, it refers to one who has the office of an elder, bishop, or overseer; all of these words referring to the same position.

A "pastor" has the responsibility to oversee the church and guard it against error. More correctly, a pastor, or an elder, is part of an "eldership" among the membership of each congregation. It is that eldership (group of qualified men) that has the authority to oversee the congregation, and not any one individual person! (Titus 1:5-16, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Acts 20:27)

The Eldership only oversees the church. They have no authority to create new doctrine, but their job is to make sure the church remains true to the doctrine already established in the Scriptures.

Jesus has "all authority" and we should teach the things he has commanded. (Matthew 28:18-20)

A "priest" under the Old Testament was the one who offered the sacrifices and other items of worship on behalf of the people.

In the New Testament, all Christians are priests! (2 Peter 2:9)

Each Christian is responsible to offer his own worship to God.

In the Old Testament, there was a chief priest who would go into the "Most Holy Place" of the tabernacle to offer sacrifices and to mediate on behalf of the people. Entering the Most Holy place was like going into the presence of God, so the High Priest took the sacrifice to the presence of God for the people.

Today, Jesus is our High Priest, and he has gone back to the presence of the Father, into heaven - the most Holy place, to mediate on our behalf!

"But Christ came as High Priest... Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption." (Hebrews 9:11-12)

"For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5)

Now, all Christians are priests and Christ is the High Priest. There is no man who mediates between us and God. No priest is above other Christians and between them and God.

Jesus is the only Mediator between God and man.

Answer 2

Thank you Jaantoo, for adding your sensible answer after an almost continuous string of nonsense! A priest is a pastor. A pastor is a person who leads a church. It comes from the word for a shepherd. In some churches, the pastor is called a priest, in others a minister, in others a pastor. In the Catholic church, priests do not marry, but in the Anglican or Eastern Orthodox churches, they can marry. In Protestant churches, the pastors are not called priests. They can marry if they wish. I am sorry that a good question like this is answered by people who just want to make fun of other believers.

Answer 3

The differences between the Catholic & the Baptist Churches are many. Some of the differences follow. The Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ in 30 AD (Matthew 16:17-19). The Baptist Church was founded by John Smith in 1609. The Catholic Church is led by the successor of St. Peter, the first pope (Matthew 16:18-19; Luke 22:31-32; John 21:15-17). The Baptist Church has each local congregation as its own authority. The Catholic Church believes that the sacrament of Baptism is normally necessary for salvation (John 3:5; I Peter 3:21). The Baptist Church does not. The Catholic Church believes that doing good works is important to ones salvation ( Matthew 25: 41-46; James 2:14-17). The Baptist Church down plays the role of goodworks. The Catholic Church believes in the 3-fold priesthood. The laity or priesthood of all belevers (I Peter 3:21); the ministerial (Acts 14:4; Romans 15:15-16); the high priest (Matthew 16:18; Luke 22:31-32; John 20:15-17; Acts 15: 7-12). The Baptist Church only believes in the laity priesthood. The Catholic Church believes that she was ordained to forgive sins in God's name (John 20-21-23; Matthew 18:18). The Baptist Church believes that God does not forgive sins through any church. The Catholic Church believes in the communion of saints (Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4). The Baptist Church believes that those Christians that have died cannot aid us in any way.

Answer 4

The English word priest is a contraction of priester which is a contraction of presbyter which is a contraction of presbyterous. A pastor is the lead presbyter in a church. Contrary to popular belief the original English word was disconnected from the Priests of the Temple. In Protestant denominations, the minister in charge is often called the pastor without reference to presbyteral ordination. Further, a bishop is always the pastor of their flock and the lead pastor of a diocese.

Answer 5

A priest is a member (Teacher) of the Catholic Religion. Pastors, Preachers, Ministers and Reverends are pretty much the same. But, some teach in a Baptist Church, Some teach in a non-denominational church, some teach in a Methodist Church.. But they all teach about the same God..

We all believe in the same God, But we have clubs we call Churches and you have to do what we do, in our club, to be part of our club. However, God is not Catholic, Nor is he Baptist, Methodist or any other Religion. He is GOD.. The most powerful essence ever.. He doesn`t care if you do what they want you to do, in order to become part of their Club (Church).. You know, You can`t wear this, or that. You must not eat meat on Friday, You can`t wear pants if you are a woman, No make up in our club. They are by laws of the club and each club has different by-laws.. .. But they all love and follow OUR Father God.

Peace and God bless, <><
From Texas

Answer 6

In the catholic Church a priest is a man ordained as a presbyter of the ministerial priesthood
and a pastor is a priest who is the canonical leader of a parish and he is the priest responsible for that parish( local congregation)

Answer 7

a pastor knows better than to have man and woman call him father.John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the father but by me. matthew 23:9 call no man on earth father.

Answer 8

Religion/denomination.

Answer 9

different religions have different names priest pastor reverand (sp?) elder monk ect

Answer 10

as far as i am concern..

I've been to catholic church in past child years..

I am a Baptist now..

Priest:
Wears long Skirt/robe/whatever
The one who only can drink wine inside church
Goes out to cemetery to conduct praying of souls

Preacher:
Goes out to the uttermost world to preach the word of God anytime.
Wears Barong/Tuxedo and shouting against sin
Holds his Bible with or without service