No Collar Required!

When you hear the word “Preacher” most people think of things like Father Flanagan, Pastor Kirby, Reverend Bradford, or even Rabbi Leiboweitz. In other words, the word preacher means a person with a title. But what does the bible say in regards to the use of titles?

In Matt. 23: 1-12 Jesus was talking about the Pharisees and how they loved the attention their positions gave them. As religious leaders, they took advantage of the situation by getting the best seats at meals (vs. 6), they made their garments more extravagant (vs. 5), and that they basked in the glory when they were greeted in the marketplace (vs. 7).

But Jesus did not approve of this behavior as they elevated themselves above the common man. He went on to say in vs. 8-10, “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your teacher, and all ye are brethren. 9. And call no man your father on the earth: for one is your Father, `even' he who is in heaven. 10. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your master, `even' the Christ.”

None of Jesus’ apostles had titles or any of the disciples. They were all humble men and they preached the word as they were instructed. The word ‘Reverend’ is only found one time in the whole bible and is referred to God. In Psalm 111: 9, “He hath sent redemption unto his people; He hath commanded his covenant for ever: Holy and reverend is his name.” Some translations use the word ‘Awesome’. But in the Bible you won’t find a mention of Reverend Peter, or Pastor Paul, or even Father Timothy. Such titles didn’t exist then and they shouldn’t today.

So then what about the pope? Another word for pope is ‘Vicar’ which comes from the word ‘Vicarious’ which means “by proxy”. In other words, the pope is a proxy of The Christ here on earth. What does the Bible say about others who call themselves “Christ”?

Jesus said in Matt. 24: 5, “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ; and shall lead many astray.” And again in vs. 23-24, “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ, or, Here; believe `it' not. 24. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”

The preacher is to be God’s spokesman and deliver God’s Word. He is never to speak from himself. Jesus never spoke from himself. In John 12: 49-50 he said, “For I spake not from myself; but the Father that sent me, he hath given me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50. And I know that his commandment is life eternal: the things therefore which I speak, even as the Father hath said unto me, so I speak.”

All too often people put their souls into the hands of the preacher believing that whatever he says to be the truth. The scriptures say that we must check the scriptures to see whether the things he says are true (Acts 17: 11). This means during a sermon you need to have your bible open and follow along to what the preacher is telling. Compare it to what the scriptures say. If he says something different, approach him and show where he is wrong. If he is a humble man, he will thank you and make a change. If not, he will be in danger of the judgment.

To preach the word of God, one does not need a title or a clerical collar. Simply study with diligence to prove yourself worthy of the gospel (2 Tim. 2: 15).