From the biblical standpoint it seems very obvious that it has always been God’s aim to have His children be humble and unadorned by the typical failings of status conscious man. We are reminded of Job 32:21-22, where we read, “Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. (22) For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.”
Even the dire warning found in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, has the strong teaching that this prophecy will come to be because of the vanity and ego of man; “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” Such a desire to be exalted by other men is wicked and the Lord has been clear in His commands concerning this very thing (Matthew 23:8-11, “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”).
With that principle in mind let us consider the issue of gospel preachers being called by denominational titles. A perennial problem for gospel preachers who are “located preachers” is the tendency of ignorant people to call them pastors. It is not usually an evil intent they are displaying, but what they really show is denominational influence when they use this title. However, we all need to be quick to remember there is no clergy/laity class differentiation in the Bible as there is widely evident in the religions man has invented; the denominations.
Of course, the terms “bishop” and “pastor” refer to elders in the church, and not preachers. Notice what is said in Acts 20:17 and also in verse 28, “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.” Then verse 28, the apostle Paul says, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves (the elders – MS), and to all the flock (the memberships of each congregation), over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers (pastors, from what a shepherd does – MS), to feed the church of God (shepherds oversee their sheep taking them only to good pasture – MS), which he hath purchased with his own blood.” Clearly, the words elder and overseer are synonyms for the word pastor. They describe the duty of the men so appointed and are not titles but only descriptive of what they do. Titles like Rabbi, Father or Master are by command explicitly forbidden by the Lord (Matthew 23:8-11).
And just to make sure all understand about another common title often used in denominational circles, “Reverend” and sometimes even, “Right Reverend,” let us be reminded that the word reverend is only used once in the Bible and it is used there for God Himself, “holy and reverend is His name,” (Psalms 111:9). It seems because of this extremely limited use and that of God only, reverend must never be used as a title for men.
What is really alarming though is when Christians have no better understanding of proper New Testament principles than to blurt out, “And this is my Pastor” as a convenient title when introducing a preacher to someone who is not a member of the church of Christ. Even if such a Christian knows it is unscriptural, some would use this denominational title as a sort of “verbal shortcut.” I think when this is done it is mainly because such as these don’t want to take the time to explain to unbelievers, what to them seems just one of the many “unwieldy” terms which members of the Lord’s church use that make us look so strange to others.
So often I hear, “Opportunities are so rare anymore to discuss the Bible with non-Christians.” But don’t you think this is missing an opportunity to do some helpful teaching of what is godly if we don’t correct misconceptions of the unknowing and the fundamental differences between God’s word and the error of denominationalism? (1 Peter 3:15, “…and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you…” )? Could such an exchange as this actually be used to easily show a major difference between denominational practices and what God actually wants?
Let us never be guilty of letting such opportunities to reach the lost get by us! And let us never be guilty of using denominational and therefore sinful, titles for gospel preachers!
