Bible Questions
  • Home
  • Topics
    • Popular
    • Steps to Salvation
    • Seeking a Church?
    • A - E >
      • A
      • B
      • C
      • D
      • E
    • F - J >
      • F
      • G
      • H
      • I
      • J
    • K - O >
      • K
      • L
      • M
      • N
      • O
    • P - T >
      • P
      • R
      • S
      • T
    • U - Z >
      • U
      • V
      • W
      • Z
  • Lessons
    • Baptism
    • Bible Basics
    • How to Study >
      • Interpreting the Bible
      • Effective Bible Study
    • Bible Surveys >
      • Beginner Bible Survey
      • Advanced BIble Survey >
        • Old Testament Survey
        • Major and Minor Prophets
        • New Testament Survey
      • Old Testament Characters
    • Book Surveys >
      • Ecclesiastes
      • Sermon on the Mount
      • Acts of the Apostles
      • Romans
      • 1 & 2 Thessalonians
      • 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus
      • James
      • 1 & 2 Peter
      • 1, 2, 3 John
      • Jude
    • Christian Living >
      • Adding to Your Faith
      • Christian Evidences
      • Parables of Jesus
      • Personal Evangelism
      • Practical Christianity
      • Prayer
      • Self-Assessment
      • Supernatural Power
    • The Church >
      • Leadership
      • Work of the Church
  • Podcasts
  • Ask Question
  • About Us
  • Study Aids
  • Blog
  • Sermons
  • Baptism Debate 2011
  • Privacy Policy
<...Go back

How about religious titles?


Introduction. There are many religious titles. Titles such as "reverend," "The Most Holy," "Lord God the Pope," "Father," etc. These titles are admittedly used to distinguish and exalt the "clergy" from the "laity". It is significant that our English word "clergy" is derived from the Greek kleros. Kleros is translated "God's heritage" (1 Pet. 5:3, KJV). "God's heritage" (kleros) is referring to Christians in a local church, not to a special exalted class.

Those who minister are not to be thus exalted. Jesus denied Salome's request to have her sons in an exalted place in Jesus' kingdom (Matt. 20:20-24). Jesus explained, "whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister. And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant..." (Vss. 26,27). Jesus' kingdom, he explained, is not like secular kingdoms in which you have power struggles and political hierarchy (Matt. 20:25).

Such religious titles are expressly forbidden. Jesus, in describing many of the teachers of his day, vividly depicts not a few religious leaders today. "And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues... and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi" (Matt. 23:6,7). Jesus warned, "But be not called Rabbi... and call no man your father... neither be ye called masters..." (vss. 8-10). Jesus stated, "... he that is greatest among you shall be you servant" (vs. 11). Those who gave themselves to the preaching of the gospel in the First Century were simply "evangelists", "ministers", and "preachers" (Acts 21:8, 2 Tim. 4:5, Rom. 10:14).

Conclusion. Terms such as "reverend" belong to God: "...Holy and reverend is His name" (Psm. 111:9). God is not the author of the current "clergy" and "laity" practice!
 Bible Questions is a work of the Holly Street church of Christ in Denver, CO. 
Copyright (c) 2023 Holly Street church of Christ. All material within the website may be freely distributed for non-commercial uses by including a reference to the website.