OceanSide church of Christ

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Titles
by: Dalton Gilreath

There are many titles that have been bestowed upon preachers. Usually these titles are placed in front of a preacher’s name. Some examples might include Reverend John, His Eminence John, and Father John. The problem with these titles is not only that they are creations of man, but that they place preachers above their fellow brethren. Christ taught His disciples to treat one another with equality. He references the Gentiles who had men who “exercised dominion over them” but He goes on to say, “But it shall not be so among you” (Matthew 20:25-28). Jesus taught that masters and servants would be on a level plain together. Jesus also specifically condemned titles. His disciples were not to call one another ‘Rabbi”, “Father”, or even “Master” because “all ye are brethren” (Matthew 23:8-10).

Furthermore, there is no Bible authority for priestly robes, reversed collars, or titles to distinguish “clergy” from “laity”. In fact, it was Peter, the alleged first pope of the Catholic church, who tells us that all Christians are priests of God (1 Peter 2:9). Therefore, as one wise preacher has said, “we should stick with calling Bible things by Bible names”. Paul called them preachers (Rom 10:14), ministers (Eph 3:7), and evangelists (2 Tim 4:5). This gives us three great options to choose from scripturally. To conclude in the words of Job, “Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.”