Response:

I do not believe that verse should be applied in a pastoral setting. There are a couple reasons for this.

1. David did not "touch God's anointed" when he did not kill him (I Sam. 24:10). David knew that God would take care of him (I Sam. 26:8-10) However, Samuel certainly rebuked Saul for his wrongdoing (I Sam. 15:20). Was he guilty of "touching God's anointed"? When most pastors apply that verse to themselves, they are not saying that they should not be executed. They are saying that they should not be rebuked or criticized. Nathan the prophet certainly "touched God's anointed" when he stuck his finger in David's face and said, "Thou art the man" (II Sam. 12:7). Thus, there is a difference between killing someone and rebuking them.

2. I did a little study on the word "anointed". The following is a list of people whom the Bible says are anointed: Priests (Ex. 28:41), Kings (I Sam. 9:16), Prophets (I Kings 19;16), Jesus Christ (Psalm 2:2), Lucifer (Ezekiel 28:14), Paul, speaking as a believer, although some might say that he is speaking as a church leader (II Cor 1:21) and all believers (I John 2:27). Kind of sheds a different light on not touching God's anointed, doesn't it. Who is God's anointed? I am! Not because I'm a pastor, but because I am a Christian. Should Lucifer not be "touched" because he received an anointing from God? I think we know the answer to that.

Pastor's are to be respected and obeyed because of their position (Hebrews 13:7,17). They should be provided for by the church they serve (I Tim 5:17-18). They are to receive added protection from accusations (I Tim 5:19). However, if they do sin, they are to be rebuked before all (I Tim 5:20). Therefore, the pastor gets added protection at one end, but he also gets added discipline at the other end.

Hope this helps. May the Lord bless you.

By Dr Mark Montgomery Ambassador Baptist Church 1926 Babcock Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15209 (412)477-3210