I believe however that there are men called to pastor the flock outside of our Church.
But, the point of the
linked article is, “called by whom?”
To be a “pastor” (shepherd, overseer, elder) is also to be an “ambassador” for Christ (c.f. 2 Cor. 5:18ff), and Scripture tells us that this position is never self-appointed (c.f. Heb. 5:4). St. Paul says that preachers must be “sent” (Rom. 10:15), and it goes without saying that the one who does the sending (i.e. who confers the authority) must be superior in authority to the one being sent, since no one can confer that which he does not possess himself. Even Jesus said, “
As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this,
he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” (John 20:21-22)
In Scripture, when was the only other time God breathed on anyone? In Gen. 2:7, when He blew into Adam’s nostrils the breath of life.
Those pastors that teach undeniable truth have to, have to, have to be acknowledged by Catholics as leaders of their own churches and respected so long as they don’t speak against us and don’t do anything that is unChristian.
Would you say that doing something unBiblical can be considered as doing something unChristian?
The linked article makes the case that biblically, there is only one way to become a legitimate ambassador of Christ, or “pastor”: by appointment from a superior. This can be done in two ways: being commissioned by a legitimate ambassador (apostolic succession), or being called directly by God. The rule is appointment by succession (as in the case of the kings, prophets, and the second generation of apostles). The exception is appointment directly by God (and requires the proof of miracles, signs, and wonders for authenticity).
Even Jesus submitted to this proof test. “
But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father has granted me to accomplish, these very works which I am doing, bear me witness that the Father has sent me.” (John 5:31-36)
