No, not at all. Peter and Paul were certainly familiar with Jewish and pagan priesthoods but they don't use the term “hiereus” (priest) to describe leaders in the Christian church except in their future role as heavenly kings and priests under the high priest, Christ.
And Paul chastised those who wanted to take up the role before then.
The terms bishop (overseer), deacon (servant or minister), presbyter (elder or older man) were descriptive of the work done and level of responsibility not titles anymore than apostle was a title, Apostle.
In deed other groups have priests and attach titles to their position, but that hardly fits the sense of what Jesus said about each Christian being a servant, a “diakonos” at Matt. 23:8-12.
No, not at all. Peter and Paul were certainly familiar with Jewish and pagan priesthoods but they don't use the term “hiereus” (priest) to describe leaders in the Christian church except in their future role as heavenly kings and priests under the high priest, Christ.
And Paul chastised those who wanted to take up the role before then.
The terms bishop (overseer), deacon (servant or minister), presbyter (elder or older man) were descriptive of the work done and level of responsibility not titles anymore than apostle was a title, Apostle.
In deed other groups have priests and attach titles to their position, but that hardly fits the sense of what Jesus said about each Christian being a servant, a “diakonos” at Matt. 23:8-12.
However, right from the beginning, the Church confirmed the three roles. Would you say that the Apostles erred in the first few years after the Ascension?