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Monday, December 25, 2006

Titles

We would admonish all brethren everywhere to not use their ministries, gifts of function in the church as titles attached to their name setting themselves above others. Let us call each other by name or at most brother or sister. Let us refrain from using titles such as Reverend, Pastor, Bishop, Elder, Minister and Deacon.

It is interesting to note that none of the apostles or even Jesus used titles that commanded respect or set themselves above anyone. There is no division in the church, just members in particular (1 Corinthians 12:27) of one body that has different functions.

The title "Reverend" for example actually means one who is "worthy of reverence".

1 rev•er•end
Pronunciation: 'rev-r&nd, 're-v&-; 're-v&rnd
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin reverendus, gerundive of revereri
Date: 15th century
1 : worthy of reverence : REVERED

Source: Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary

There is only one who is worthy of reverence and that is our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus.

Paul referred to himself always as "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ" (Romans 1:1). He went on to say that he was “called to be an apostle”, but that is what he did, it was his ministry and gift from God and not a title that he was to wear for the purpose of demanding respect. All of the gifts of the ministry are just job descriptions or functions of the ministry God gave to us. They are not supposed to be titles or badges to add on to ones name to appear as holy, or important, or of high spiritual rank to men.

Many have not removed themselves from the traditions and teaching in denominational churches, and from the Roman Catholic Church. The Catholic Church set about to keep the people ignorant and in their place and created this false clergy/laity division that is not Biblical. There is no division in the church and no clergy or laity in God’s Word.

Those that lead many Oneness Apostolic Pentecostal assemblies today prefer to be called Pastor, Bishop, Reverend, Minister, Elder, Apostle, etc. They have yet to shake this man-made tradition.

"But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant" - Matthew 20:25-27

The word "Pastor" comes from the Hebrew word "ra'ah". It means to pasture, tend, graze, feed. We are servants and are to feed His sheep, to lead His sheep. Not to rule over them. “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed; Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. -I Peter 5:1-4

God never set one man called a “pastor” or by any other title over His church. The ministry of a pastor was a gift God gave to men for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12). In fact a pastor is one of the lesser ministries. “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” - 1 Corinthians 12:28. Jesus alone is the head of the church and we as pastors, teachers, evangelists, apostles, profits, are to Minister to the church as servants. Only elders (plural) were set over the church.

We have different ministries and gifts in the church. We can say that I have been called to pastor, or I have been called to evangelize or I am an elder. But let us not use these gifts and functions in the church to set ourselves above one another by using them as titles or positions of honor. Let us work together, each in his calling and our gifts and ministries will make way for themselves.

It is interesting to note that the term pastor was a title or office, was first incorrectly applied by Martin Luther rather than to call their church leaders “Priests” as did the Roman Catholic Church. To this day the church has yet to get away from this false teaching and concept. There can be more than one and in fact several pastors in a local assembly, just as there can be several having other gifts of the ministry or gifts of the Spirit.

Posted by bondservant at 18:55:56. Filed under: General

Comments

You wrote: "Jesus alone is the head of the church." He is but He is not alone. 1Co 11:3: But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 1Co 8:6: yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through Him. Paul repeats this critical Gospel Truth in Eph 4:4-7.

I have a simple question for everyone who considers himself a pastor or some similar title: In 2Th 2, Paul warned about a terrible lie that the lawless one uses to deceive multitudes and then Paul revealed what that lie is right there in 2Th 2. What is the lie and how did Paul reveal it?

Serving the "Sun of Righteousness" for the Glory of God the Father,
anne

Posted by canawedding at Wednesday, February 21, 2007 02:55:54

I have never understood the use of titles. I think that some do it our of respect but I know of groups that insist upon calling someone by a title rather than their name. I am Mark and I tell everyone not to feel like the need to call me Bro. (whatever). I think that when Saul received his conversion the man sent to him called him brother Saul more to let him know that he was considered a part of them since God himself had sent him to pray for Saul.
You do not see them calling each other apostle, or disciple, or bishop. These were offices that they understood but the did not lord themselves over anyone. That is a man made tradition to put themselves above others and to "force" respect out of people. Grow up people. We are to be servants of the Most High. We are to teach, preach, and do what we must to see souls won into the kingdom. It is all for God's glory not our own.

Posted by MEJacks at Monday, June 11, 2007 14:24:29

Concerning titles, I would say that most use titles addressing the clergy to show respect and honour. Of course, we should never exalt a man or woman above God. However, the scripture does teach us to give honour where honour is due. Read 2 Timothy 2:20,21. Using a title to address a vessel unto honour is alright to the best of my understanding. This should never be forced by the clergy. In my personal experience, no Apostolic minister has ever done this to me. Instead, the leadership I have encountered deserved sincere respect and honour. Just a thought and God bless.

Posted by mountainpreacher at Tuesday, August 14, 2007 15:03:51

Someone once said that power in the wrong hands can be abused and misused, and perhaps this is what has sparked such a discussion like this, in my mind the "motive " behind the use of the title is important.I fully agree that a person should not try to use the title of his office to demand respect of others, respect should be earned and not be forced, also it is true that this does happen, but what is equally true is that the bible speaks of us giving honor unto whom it is due(personally I am satisfied to be called a brother, christ himself called us brthren) and so if an individual earns the respect of his fellow brthren and they chose to address him by the title of his office then let them do so without duress and not feeling guilty if they don't. In the scriptures the disciples refer to Jesus as their Lord and master, because of their respect for him, if we today wants to show our respect by the use of titles then by all means but we should never be offended when we are not addressed by our titles.

Posted by noelt98 at Sunday, October 07, 2007 18:06:07

Pride goeth before destruction. There is only ONE worthy of any title. JESUS

Posted by BrotherRon at Wednesday, January 16, 2008 16:28:56

to canawedding: John 10:30 philippians 2:9 Colossians 1:18 2:9-15 2 th 2 is speaking about the the antiChrist; Do you know what Pauls teachings were?

Posted by Brian111 at Monday, March 10, 2008 21:35:32

To mountainpreacher: 2 Timothy 2:20 has nothing to do with giving any man honor, read 2 Tim 2 from beg to end; It is Paul telling his son to seperate the truth from lies humbly so that our Lord Jesus Christ may recieve all the honor. The bible says: to GOD be all the honor and glory. I might add Phil 2:9-11 So none be confused.

Posted by Brian111 at Monday, March 10, 2008 21:46:44

While changing these traditions, I think the lack of using one another's first names needs to go as well.

The first Christians used their first names. (Peter was not called Brother Barjonah nor were James and Jude called the Barjoseph brothers.

This "last name" thing really does not truly prevent disrespect and it certainly does not facilitate the modeling of true humility on the part of a leader. It is a tradition that continues the seperation of clergy and laity as erected by the Roman Catholic Church.

Let's face the truth and let this one go too.

Posted by alanlatta at Tuesday, December 23, 2008 15:47:34

Sirs, I think we have to be careful about our distane for titles. I agree that have the potential of creating negative in our hearts, but Jesus isn't the only one worthy of a title. Where do you get that from?

What do they call you at work? what do you children call you (if you have any)? What does your wife call you (if you have one)? Why do you have a name? To identify you! A title can identify who you are but mostly what you do!

Every single thing is this world has a title!

Posted by pt at Saturday, September 05, 2009 14:27:14

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