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are titles against scripture?

Discussion in '2003 Archive' started by massdak, Aug 27, 2003.

  1. massdak

    massdak Active Member
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    why do those in the new testament church require honorary names such as pastor or senior pastor or reverand in front of their name. is this a biblical practice?

    in the letter of james he introduces himself merely as a servant of Christ, he could of upped his credincials to half brother and so on, yet he remained humble and placed all importance on Christ.

    Mat 23:6   And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
     
      Mat 23:7   And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
    Mat 23:8   But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, [even] Christ; and all ye are brethren.
      
      Mat 23:9   And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
     
      Mat 23:10   Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, [even] Christ.
     
      Mat 23:11   But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
      
    Mat 23:12   And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.


    other concerns >>>>7. Jesus taught that His people were not to give or take upon themselves honorific titles which set them apart from the rest of the Christian brotherhood (Matthew 23:6-12; Mark 10:35-45). This being true, why do so many church leaders today give themselves such lofty titles as "Reverend," "Minister," "Bishop," "Pastor," and "Senior Pastor"? Why do they feel it necessary to preface their names with such titles – particularly when the New Testament forbids it?

    "There were prophets, teachers, apostles, pastors, evangelists, leaders, elders, and deacons within the early church, but these terms were not used as formal titles. For example, all Christians are saints, but there is no ‘Saint John.’ All are priests, but there is no ‘Priest Philip.’ Some are elders, but there is no ‘Elder Paul.’ Some are pastors, but there is no ‘Pastor James.’ Some are deacons, but there is no ‘Deacon Peter.’ Some are apostles, but there is no ‘Apostle Andrew.’ Rather than gaining honor through titles and position, New Testament believers received honor primarily for their service and work (Acts 15:26; Romans 16:1,2,4,12; 1 Corinthians 16:15,16,18; 2 Corinthians 8:18; Philippians 2:29,30; Colossians 1:7; 4:12,13; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 3:1). The early Christians referred to each other by personal names – Timothy, Paul, Titus, etc. – or referred to an individual’s spiritual character and work: ‘ . . . Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit . . .’ (Acts 6:5); Barnabus, ‘ . . . a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith . . .’ (Acts 11:24); ‘ . . . . Philip the evangelist . . . ‘ (Acts 21:8); ‘Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus’ (Romans 16:3); ‘Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you’ (Romans 16:6); etc. The array of ecclesiastical titles accompanying the names of Christian leaders today is completely missing from the New Testament, and would have appalled the apostles and early believers" (Alexander Strauch, Biblical Eldership [Littleton, CO: Lewis & Roth Publishers, 1986) p.259).

    8. The New Testament teaches that Christians are to practice hospitality towards both fellow believers and outsiders (Matthew 25:34-40; Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 6:18; Titus 3:8,14; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9). This being true, why do most of us rarely open our homes to others? Why do so many Christians ignore the physical needs of one another? Why is hospitality a forgotten virtue in most churches? With such an evident lack of love and concern towards others, is it any wonder why so many of our churches are cold and dying?9. The early church met almost exclusively in homes as opposed to large, religious edifices (Acts 20:20; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15; Philemon v.2; 2 John v.10). This being true, why do we feel it necessary to spend large sums of the Lord’s money on church buildings and cathedrals which might only be used once or twice a week? Is this being a good steward of the financial resources which God provides? Why do so many churches have a larger budget for building projects, staff salaries, and maintenance than for missions, the poor, and people-oriented ministries? What does this reveal about our priorities?


    from this site>>>>>http://www.5solas.org/media.php?id=82
     
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