JESUS
TAUGHT US NOT TO
CALL
OUR SPIRITUAL LEADERS
RABBI, FATHER OR DOCTOR!
CONDEMNED TITLES FOR ADDRESSING CHURCH LEADERS
There are only three verses in the New Testament Bible that give instruction concerning "titles" used to address church leaders. They are spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ to His disciples before the multitude in MAT. 23:8-10, and He lists those "titles" that are condemned. They are as follows from the King James Version:
MAT 23:8-10 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, ("Teacher" NASB) 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 ("leaders" NASB): for one is your Master ("Leader" NASB), even Christ.
W. E. Vine states in his Expository Dictionary that the word "master," ("teacher" NASB) found in MAT. 23:8, is the Greek word didaskalos in “the most authentic” manuscripts. A form of that word, didache, is translated 29 times in the KJV New Testament as "doctrine," and didaskalon is translated as "doctors" in LUK. 2:46. Comprehensive English dictionaries also support this etymology.
LUK 2:46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors (Gk. didaskalos, "teachers," NASB), both hearing them, and asking them questions.
In the next verse John, through the Holy Spirit, interprets the Hebrew word "rabbi" as the Greek word “didaskalos,” thus proving that the words are exactly synonymous, and therefore the ban in MAT. 23:8 on the word “rabbi” carries over and applies to the word “didaskalos.” Didaskalos is translated below as "master" and in other places as "doctor" in the KJV ("teacher" NASB).
JOH 1:38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
Another title which Jesus condemned for addressing church leaders is "Father," which is translated from the Greek word pater in MAT. 23:9.
In MAT 23:10, the word "masters" ("leaders" NASB) is the Greek word kathegetes, from which we derive our English words "catechist" and "catechism," or "teacher" and "teaching," respectively.
The 1560 Geneva Bible reads as follows in MAT 23:8-10:
8. But be not ye called, Rabbi, for one is your doctor, to wit, Christ, and all ye are brethren.
9. And call no man your father upon the earth; for there is but one, your Father which is in heaven.
10. Be not called doctors; for one is your doctor even Christ.
BE YE NOT CALLED; CALL NO MAN; NEITHER BE YE CALLED
In summary, Jesus clearly commands us to "NOT" be “called,” or to address anyone in church authority as (our spiritual) "father," "rabbi = doctor = teacher," or "master = leader." Leaders in the Church are never to be referred to by any of these titles, although they may hold such a position and/or be gifted as a “leader” or "teacher." The ban is clearly on titles! The two reasons given are: (1) Christ is our Teacher and our Leader -- to be replaced later by the Holy Spirit, JOH. 14:16-18, 16:12-14; and (2) God is our Father. The elders in the church are to be "teachers," (EPH. 4:11, 1 Tim. 3:2); and they are to be "leaders" (HEB. 13:17). They are to fulfill the position, but reject the title. The third reason given is:
MAT. 23:11-12 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Titles of honor almost always produce haughtiness, arrogance, and pride. That is why Jesus taught His followers and disciples that these titles were condemned for leaders in the church. Yet, in the world, these titles are acceptable. We have earthly fathers and grandfathers. We also have those in the medical professions we refer to as doctors; those who are master plumbers and electricians; trail guides and leaders.
CORRECT TITLES FOR ADDRESSING CHURCH LEADERS
The New Testament gives us very little information on proper titles for church leaders, other than by example. Peter refers to "brother Paul" (2 PE. 3:15), as does Ananias (ACT 9:17). "Brother" and "sister" are the usual titles for those in the church. Sarah called Abraham "lord" (Greek kurios, used in the same way as the English "sir" or "mister") in 1 PE. 3:6. Those in leadership in the early church generally referred to one another by their first name. Today words such as "pastor," "elder," "deacon," "minister," or "reverend" are frequently used and are not banned by the Bible. Younger people use the titles "mister" or "Mrs," "ma'am" or "sir" in showing respect for an older person in or outside the church.
The truth about any Biblical matter should not be based on "What seminary or Bible School have you attended?" or "Who did you study under?" The proper question is "What does the Word of God say?" The Bible has been tested and found to be written at approximately an eighth grade level, but it can only be understood through a humble, obedient attitude after being "born-again." It is the responsibility of the gifted men in the local church leadership, to teach and equip the saints and to use discernment in the choosing of future leaders.
EPH 4:8c, 11-13 ". . . And He gave
gifts to men. . . . And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and
some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers[elders],
for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the
building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity
of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to
the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
MAT 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, "I praise Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou didst hide these things from the wise and intelligent and didst reveal them to babes.
ACT 4:13 “Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated [unlettered] and untrained [unskilled, idiots -Gk.] men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.”
1 CO 1:26-29 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, that no man should boast before God.
The main cause of the moral decay and Bible ignorance in our so-called “Christian” nation has been the failure of Christian leaders to have depth in the Word and to be example disciples.” Our Lord Jesus took His message to the public marketplace. His apostles and the early church followed His example and commands at the cost of their lives throughout the Roman Empire. Yet today, few seminarians are following this most simple precept of Christianity. They refuse to evangelize in the historical Biblical method. Why has their training failed to produce simple understanding and obedience? Their disobedience can generally be traced to the pride and arrogance of multiplied degrees and titles and minimized discipleship. Their titles are their boast. They are “talkers,” not “followers” of Paul, as he was of Christ. Philippians 3:17 states:
“Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk
according to the pattern you have in us.”
Are you a true “brother” or “sister” in the Lord? The gospel states:
1. That you are a criminal (sinner) in God's eyes. You have broken His laws, and always will deserve to suffer in the flames of hades and the lake of fire forever. No one is good enough to go to heaven!
Isaiah 53:6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.
2. That the ". . . Word became flesh . . . ." Jesus was the body part of God in human form. He left His power in heaven to come and take the torture of the cross and the agony of hades that you deserve for all your sins. He rose from the grave and hades because the Father accepted His sacrifice for you.
Acts 2:24 But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.
3. That if and when you “believe" that you need a Savior, and that the Creator became that Savior, then salvation is applied to you. All your sins are paid for; therefore you are going to heaven. You cannot reject, lose, or give back the "free gift" of eternal life once you have received it. It is eternal! Jesus has saved you from the eternal torture you deserve. Praise God for His grace and mercy! Obeying Him will always bring blessings to you.
Romans 4:5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,