Nawbee
04-14-2003, 10:01 PM
Is this one practiced as well as it preaches?
Use of 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".
1rev·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. See God's Plan for Oversight of the Glorious Church for a better
understanding of Biblical church government.
God Bless You!
Use of 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".
1rev·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. See God's Plan for Oversight of the Glorious Church for a better
understanding of Biblical church government.
God Bless You!