The early Christians utilized regular terms such as "brother," "beloved," "fellow-worker," "laborer," "slave," "servant," "prisoner," "fellow-soldier," and "steward." obviously, there were prophets, teachers, apostles, evangelists, leaders, elders, and deacons within the first churches but none were not used as formal titles for individuals. There were many Priests in the Old Testament and none of them were called Father so and so, deacon so and so and pastor so and so…etc. The early Christians referred to each other by personal names Timothy, Paul, Titus etc. Sometimes they were called by describing an individual's spiritual character or work: "Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 6:5); "Barnabas, 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) .
Vain Religious Titles
and religious Positions feed the pride of men, it inflates one's ego, to
control individuals, in this manner inciting church pioneers to respect
themselves. The Lord's people do not need titles granted by men as a sign of
theological authority to teach, to instruct etc.
The spiritual things come from the Lord through the Holy Spirit, and not through the schools of men, or famous university not one's educational achievements.
Jesus said the Holy Spirit would be our counselor, helper, who would teach us all things(John 14:26). 1 John 2:27 says that the anointing that abides inside of us will teach us about everything and that we would have no need for man to teach us.
These titles and Positions detract from the
glory that rightfully belongs to Jesus Christ alone. These Religious
people are called to be humble servants of the sheep (1 Corinthians 3:5; 4:1; 2 Corinthians 4:5), not lords who reign over their fiefdom (1 Peter 5:3). These titles tend to attract carnal and power-seeking men to
positions of church leadership. religious clerical system that promotes power,
prestige, and self-exaltation (as opposed to the humble servant-model of Jesus
presented in Mark 10:35-45 and John 13:3-17), such a system will repeatedly attract men seeking such power
and prestige. Honorific titles tend to promote an elitist attitude and
authoritarian forms of church leadership. Even the best of men can find
self-glorifying titles intoxicating and begin to form lofty In Philippians 2:3-4, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty
conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more
important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests,
but also for the interests of others. Every believer is a minister and priest
before God with authority to do the work of ministry (1 Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Peter 2:5,9; Revelation 1:6).
Scripture says that
they are to humble themselves and begin to view their ministry in terms of
servanthood, not lordship (Mark 10:35-45; 1 Peter 5:3). Remember Jesus Christ humbled himself and took the humble
position of a slave. He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even
the death of the cross (Philippians 2:6-8). Respectfully, No one
spiritually is your father except Jehovah God himself. All these titles exalts
men and not God. God condemns pride,
self-exaltation, and vain display and God finds it as an abomination (Proverbs
16:5, 18).
Each of us has free and direct contact and fellowship with God through Christ. We are all priests (1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6). We are all sons of God (Galatians 5:26, 29). We are all one in Christ (Galatians 3:28). We all have access to God through Christ (Ephesians 2:18).
We are all servants of
God (Romans 6:16, 18, 19, 22). “All of you, clothe yourselves with
humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace
to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5b).
John 14:16 says “I will ask the Father, and He will
give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever 17 the Spirit of
truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him.
But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
The Holy Spirit will teach you everything you need to know
to live successfully and victoriously for Christ!
