Religious Titles

The word "reverend" is used in reference to God's name (Psa. 111:9), but it is never used as a religious title for any human being. The New Testament does not refer to Paul or to Peter nor any other human being as "Reverend". Paul referred to himself as a "preacher" and a "teacher" (2 Tim. 1:11), and he commanded Timothy to "do the work of an evangelist" (2 Tim. 4:5). Jesus forbids our referring to a human being as "Rabbi" or "Father" in a religious sense as titles of honor. Jesus said, "And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven" (M 23:7-10).

Because every member of Christ's church or kingdom is a priest (Rev. 1:5, 6; 1 Pet. 2:9) no one should think that only the public proclaimers of God's word are priests. Members of the Lord's church were not to be divided into "Clergy" and "Laity" (Gal. 3:28). Jesus said to His disciples "...all ye are brethren" (Acts 23:8). Peter referred to Paul as "brother Paul" (2 Pet. 3:15), not "Father Paul" nor "Reverend Paul" nor "Clergy- man Paul" etc.

Furthermore, evangelists were not referred to as "Pastors" (Eph. 4:11). This is merely another descriptive term for elders, bishops or shepherds (all the same office) who are spiritual leaders of a congregation. These men must meet qualification found in I Timothy 3.

Paul wrote "…that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another" (1Co 4:6b). Followers of Christ are not to use unscriptural titles. Rather, we must "speak as the oracles of God..." (1 Pet. 4:11). Exalting men leads to division that is contrary to the Lord's prayer and the teachings of Paul (Jn17:20:21; 1Cor1:10-13).

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