Reverend And Father
Are ministers of the Gospel to be called by the titles of "Reverend" and "Father ?"
Father
In (Matt. 23rd chapter and the 9th verse) we have this statement. "And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." Jesus made this statement in referring to the Scribes and Pharisees; they had been using such titles to build themselves up in the market places.
The Bible teaches (Eph. 6:2): "Honour thy father and mother." This in no way is related to what we are discussing, for that is in relation to those that we are akin to in the flesh. Christ was condemning those that wore the titles in a religious sense. I was asked the question, "If you think it is wrong to call man father, what do you call your dad?" My answer was this. That verse (Matt. 23:9) is not referring to a father in the flesh, but our heavenly Father. The Bible does not contradict itself, and it tells us to honor our earthly father and mother. Jesus says in this verse that there is only one father in the spiritual sense; he is in heaven. We are not to call religious leaders "father" for we have one in heaven. I can call my dad "father," for I am not doing so in the spiritual sense. We are taught by this example of Jesus speaking to the Pharisees, that we should by no means call man by a title that relates to God, for he said, "And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." If there are those who apply this title to themselves today, they are doing it to be seen of men, and they shall receive the same condemnation that the Pharisees received, by the mouth of the Lord, "You have your reward." (Matt. 6 :2,5,16.)
Reverend
Let us study the title of "Reverend" which is commonly worn by men today as religious leaders.
We find the term "Reverend" used only one time in the Bible, and it is referring to God. In Psalm 111:9... Holy and Reverend is his name." Now if the title of "Reverend" would be added on to my name, one of two conclusions would be drawn:
First, I would put myself on the level with God and all of his powers. Which we know I do not possess nor does any man. No man is to be worshipped. In (Acts 10:25,26) we read, "And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, stand up: I myself also am a man." Peter, an apostle, did not allow himself to be placed on the level with God. We never find the Apostles, ministers, preachers or evangelists referred to as Reverend in the Word of God.
Or second, if I apply the title of "Reverend" to my name, I would bring God down from His place on high to be noted as just another man. Now friends, what would you do if you were trying to follow the Word of God and it only? We know that Rev. 22:18,19 teaches that if we add to or take from the Word of God, we shall be punished eternally.
The Word of God teaches that we are furnished unto every good work, and the titles being worn by church leaders today are not authorized by the New Testament. Some one may say, traditionally we have been calling church leaders "Reverend" and "Father" for a long time; if we cannot call them that scripturally, what shall we call them? I will gladly give the answer. Those that are servants of the Lord and serve in such capacities can be called "brother" and referred to as follows, as the term implies.
Scriptural Names
Minister — (I Tim. 4:6) "If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ."
Preacher — (Rom. 10:14) "... and how shall they hear without a preacher."
Evangelist — (II Tim. 4:5) "But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."
If your church leader wears a title, ask him by what authority he wears it, God's or man's authority, based on the Bible or on councils? We have all things that pertain unto life and godliness, in the New Testament. (II Pet. 1:3).