The Bible demands that we have authority for all we do. "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus..." (Colossians 1:17). To do a thing in the name of the Lord Jesus is to do it for him and as he directs. Therefore, whatever we do must be done by the authority of Jesus.
The Bible nowhere authorizes the use of titles to distinguish between Christians. Words such as "Father," "Reverend," "Pastor," "Doctor," "Master," "Rabbi," "Saint" or even "Brother" are not authorized by God's word to be used as religious titles that men wear.
Webster defines a "title" as "1. an appellation indicating dignity, rank or office. 2. a rightful claim." Then "dignity" is defined as "1. nobleness of character, excellence. 2. elevated rank, office or position."
Titles of honor, whether earned or unearned, whether real or "honorary," are foreign to the spirit of Christianity; and their use unquestionably falls under the ban of the Lord. In his denunciation of the Pharisees he said: "But all their works they do for to be seen of men:...and love the uppermost rooms at feasts and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is you master even Christ; and ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ" (Matthew 23:5-10). It should be observed that the title "Rabbi" was obtained by long years of study. It was, as Albert Barns points out, "a title given to eminent teachers of the law among the Jews; a title of honor and dignity, denoting their authority and ability to teach. Every time it was given to them it implied their superiority to the person who used it." Then he likens the title "Rabbi" to the earned Doctoral degrees of our day. "This title corresponds with the title 'Doctor of Divinity,' as applied to ministers of the gospel; and, so far as I can see, the spirit of the Savior's command is violated by the reception of such a title, as it would have been by their being called 'Rabbi'."
The title "Reverend" is probably the most widely used of all titles in the religious world. In the K.J.V. Bible, the word reverend is used only one time, and there it refers to God. "...holy and reverend is his name" (Psalms 111:9). There is no authority for using it to describe Christians in the New Testament.
The title "Father" is used by some as a distinction for their "priests." Yet the Lord specifically says we are to "call no man father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven" (Matt. 23:9). It is a violation of God's word to use this word as a religious title for a man. (Continued next article--)
"If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God" (I Peter 4:11).
Don H. Noblin
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