Bible Question:
Greetings Brothers and Sisters, Is it disrespectful to call "men of the cloth" by their name without their "title? None of the names in the Bible have titles...it reads : Jeremiah, the prophet; Paul, the apostle; Philip, the evangelist, etc. When we see "Lord Jesus Christ", is "Lord" used as a title? Jesus was an apostle and a prophet, none of the writers who were inspired by the Holy Spirit wrote Apostle Jesus or Prophet Jesus. Thanks for a reply, Bereaniam |
Bible Answer: Hi Bereanian, Jesus spoke against titles: Matthew 23:8-11 But do not you be called Rabbi, for One is your Leader, the Christ, and you are all brothers. (9) And call no one your father on earth, for One is your Father, the One in Heaven. (10) Nor be called leaders, for One is your Leader, the Christ. (11) But the greater of you shall be your servant. How do you address a servant? Using honorifics? Generally not. God is so far above us, any supposed differences between us are completely insignificant. The truth is, what do we have that we did not receive? My pastor's name is Mark, and I call him Mark, and I don't believe that he would have it any other way. I wonder if those who have taken such titles to themselves have truly understood: Matthew 20:25-28 But having called them, Jesus said, You know that the rulers of the nations exercise lordship over them, and the great ones exercise authority over them. (26) But it will not be so among you. But whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. (27) And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your servant; (28) Even as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Love in Christ, Mark |