INTRODUCTION 1. I occasionally receive letters or e-mail with the salutation Dear Reverend... a. From people who are well-intentioned and seek only to show respect b. For this is considered common courtesy and proper etiquette in addressing ministers. 2. Regarding the word reverend as used in the Bible... a. It is used only of God in our English Bible (KJV, ASV) - Psalms 111:9 b. Other translations use these words: 1) awesome (NKJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV) 2) fearsome (CEV) 3) awe-inspiring (CSB) 4) terrifying (GW) c. The Hebrew word (yare) is applied to men several times 1) Parents - Leviticus 19:3 2) Moses and Joshua - Joshua 4:14 3) David - 1Samuel 18:29 3. Yet the term Reverend has become one of many titles worn by various religious leaders... a. In Orthodox churches, the following are used depending upon ones position: 1) His All Holiness, His Beatitude, His Eminence, His Excellency 2) The Right Reverend, The Very Right Reverend 3) The Very Reverend Father, Reverend Father, Mother Superior b. Among Protestant churches, it is not uncommon to find these titles: 1) Father, Doctor 2) Apostle, Bishop, Pastor, Elder, Deacon 3) Evangelist, Preacher, Minister, Teacher [Is the use of such titles appropriate? How about when describing what one does in the service of the Lord? To answer these questions, consider first...] I. THE USE OF TITLES A. CONDEMNED BY JESUS... 1. The scribes and Pharisees loved to be called by men, Rabbi, Rabbi - Matthew 23:7 2. Jesus forbid His disciples from being called: a. Rabbi - Matthew 23:8 b. Father - Matthew 23:9 c. Teacher - Matthew 23:10 B. FOR EXALTING MEN... 1. Jesus condemns the use of titles and salutations that exalt men above another 2. This is evident from the context a. The scribes and Pharisees loved being exalted by men - Matthew 23:6-7 b. But this is contrary to the principle of servitude and humility - Matthew 23:11-12 c. We are to view ourselves equally as brethren - Matthew 23:8 [It is the use of religious titles that exalt men over others that Jesus condemns. Yet some of the same terms might rightly be used to describe what one does in the service of the Lord...] II. THE USE OF DESCRIPTIONS A. APPROVED BY THE APOSTLES... 1. Paul and Peter frequently used descriptive terms a. Such as apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher - Ephesians 4:11 b. Such as elder, bishop, deacon - 1Peter 5:1-2; Philippians 1:1 2. Paul even used the term father in reference to himself a. In his epistle to the Corinthians - 1Corinthians 4:15 b. In a similar vein, he thought of Timothy as his son - 1Corinthians 4:17 B. FOR DESCRIBING WHAT ONE DOES... 1. Such terms were used to describe: a. What individuals did in the service to the Lord b. What their function was in the body of Christ - cf. Ro 12: 3-8 c. How they ministered to their brethren and to the Lord 2. The terms were not used as official titles a. Such as Apostle so-and-so, Father ... b. Or even Elder ..., Pastor ..., Deacon ..., Evangelist ... c. Paul, Peter, etc., were never called Apostle Paul, Apostle Peter, etc., though the term was often used to describe their service to the Lord - e.g., Romans 1:1; 1Corinthians 1:1 CONCLUSION 1. The difference may seem insignificant, but there is a distinction between using terms... a. As titles by which to address someone - e.g., Evangelist Mark Copeland b. As descriptions of the service one provides - e.g., Mark Copeland, Evangelist 2. The difference is between... a. Obeying the teaching of Christ, our Lord and Teacher - Matthew 23:8-10 b. Understanding the proper use of descriptions by the apostles of our Lord - Ephesians 4:11 3. Those who have humbled themselves will have no problem with the Lords admonition... a. They will not be offended if people do not use titles to address them b. If it was good enough for Paul or Peter to be called by their first names, it is good enough for Mark, Joe, Sam, etc. The use of titles is loved by those who desire to be exalted in the eyes of their associates; how much better to be exalted in the eyes of the Lord! - cf. 1Petere 5:5 Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 19:01:24 +0000