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The term pastor usually refers to an ordained person within a Christian church. In some countries the term is more usually used in traditional Protestant churches but is also used in reference to priests and bishops within the Anglican, Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches. The word itself is derived from the Latin word pastor which means shepherd. The term pastor is also related to the role of elder within the New Testament, but is not synonymous with the biblical understanding of minister. The usage of pastor comes from its use in the Bible. In the Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament) the Hebrew word ??? (ra?ah) is used. The word is used 173 times and can describe the feeding of sheep as in Genesis 297 or the spiritual feeding of human beings as in Jeremiah 315, "And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding" (KJV). In the New Testament, the Greek word p??ยต?? (poimen) is used and is normally translated pastor or shepherd. The word is used 18 times in the New Testament. For example, Ephesians 411, "And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastor(s) and teachers" (KJV). Jesus also called himself the "Good Shepherd" in John 1011. Sometimes "pastor" was used in the New Testament as a reference to presbyters, but it was used mostly as a title for bishops (episkopos). For example, in Acts 2017, the Apostle Paul summons the elders of the church in Ephesus to give a last discourse to them; in the process, in Acts 2028, he tells them that the Holy Spirit has made them bishops, and that their job is to shepherd their church. Peter uses much the same language in 1 Peter 51-2, telling the elders among his readers that they are to shepherd not "lord over" the flock in their charge, acting as bishops willingly.
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