Articles
True or False?
True or False?
By Greg King
Is it scriptural to call the preacher: “Pastor”, “Reverend”, or “Father”?
Nowhere does the Bible call the preacher the “pastor”. The term “pastor” in scripture refers to the elders in the church, not preachers. Paul told the Ephesian elders, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves(plural), and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers(bishops), to feed(pastor) the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”
There are three principal words which the New Testament uses to describe the men called pastors and their work. Besides the word pastor (or shepherd), the words elder and bishop (or overseer) are also used. These terms refer respectively to the tending and feeding of the flock, the age and spiritual maturity of these men, and to the work of overseeing to which they are appointed. These concepts come together and show themselves to be referring to the same men in such scriptures as Acts 20:17,28 and Titus l:5,7. Notice that in Acts 20:17, these men are called "elders of the church," and in verse 28 they are told to tend, shepherd, or be pastors of the church of God, the flock over which the Holy Spirit had made them overseers (or bishops). Also, in Titus l:5, instructions about appointing elders begin, and in verse 7, a man doing the work is described as an "overseer." It is obvious that all of these descriptions are simply different identifiers of the same men or their work. But the differences between preachers and pastors are more than semantics or a nit-picking technicality. For one thing, the Scriptures always speak of a plurality of elders in every church. So if a church has only one pastor, it has at least one too few. Furthermore, specific qualifications and characteristics must be met before men can be appointed as pastors (1Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). At times, the work of preachers and pastors may overlap, but they are not the same.
The name “Reverend” is found one time in the Bible. The word is used in reference to God and not a preacher. It is said of God, “holy and reverend is his name” (Psalm 11:9). The Lord said, “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matt. 23:8-11). There is no clergy-laity distinction in the Bible.
Job declared, “Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.” (Job 32:21-22). Men commit a grave error when they take the titles and designations which belong to Almighty God and place them on mere men.
If you are interested in finding out more of what the bible teaches you are always welcomed to come study with us at the Decatur Township church of Christ.
