Religious men and women all over the world call themselves 'Pastors, Preachers, Evangelist's, Teachers of God's Word, Reverend, Minister, Prophet, Apostle, Disciples of Christ, Men of God'; the purpose for which is to gain them respect and reverence. Lately I have been criticized for saying that these are nothing more than titles that men and women have given themselves for the purpose of recognition, to be feared and somehow lead people to think that they are more holy than others simply because they feel that they have been called of God and given a certain religious title.

It really doesn't matter what a religious man or woman believes or chooses that they should be called and addressed by. A gospel preacher (from the Greek term 'Kerux') is a herald, proclaimer, or public teacher. He may be considered an evangelist, a minister, or a messenger. Young Timothy was called all the above. 2 Tim. 4:1-5. However, simply because any man or woman holds or are called by any of these titles doesn't mean that they are in a better position with God than the rest of us. If that were to be the case then this Gospel of the Grace and Peace of God is one of favoritism and works.

'Reverend' comes from the Hebrew word 'yare,' and means fearful, terrible, awesome. Webster says that awesome means "inspiring a mixed feeling of reverence, fear and wonder. Take for example what the Psalmist 'David' said of God (not of men) "He sent redemption unto His people; He hath commanded His covenant for ever; Holy and Reverend is His name." Psalms 111:9. The title of 'Reverend' belongs to God, and if anyone should be recognized for the title it should be none other than the one who sent redemption to the world.

In the old testament scriptures God was reverenced, and kings were even reverenced; but no-where was anyone called 'holy and reverend' but God. So why do so many denominational religious men and women have decided to give themselves the title of 'Reverend, Preacher, Minister, and what have you? According to Acts 21:8 they are supposed to be messengers of 'Good News'. But is that what our Evangelical preachers, teachers, ministers, pastors, messengers of God, so called modern day prophets, apostles, disciples, evangelist's and what have you are preaching? Are they preaching 'Goodnews?'

In the New Testament (if we choose to call it that) the Greek word for reverence (fear) is 'Phobeo.' It is used for fearing certain situations and in reverence of God. Yet we don't see anywhere where it says that we should fear (reverence) any man or woman who has given themselves any religious title of legalistic authority, much less look at them as being in better position with God than the rest of the world. All of these titles are neither merited nor deserved by mere men. Another word which means to honor or assign value is 'Timao.' It is used of honoring God and Christ, not men and women of self reputation.

The other word is 'hegeomai,' which means to consider, deem, account, and think of. It has the idea of esteeming or counting something worthy. I wonder if these religious men and women who deem themselves so special that they must give themselves religious titles, and wear elaborate robes, collars, and other garb -- including name tags, wall certificates, babble and cemetery certificates and diplomas, realize that they are no better or more important in the eyes of God than the homeless or drug addicts and others.

So who gives a religious pious man or woman, the right to be called all of these denominational titles? Are some men to be feared above others? I personally see these religious men and women who have made a doctrine out of all these self-giving, self-righteous titles as those who Jesus often rebuked for their hypocrisy -- "Far-you-see's and Sad-you-see's." Wearing special robes, collars, or other old testament raiment to merit respect of others--to stand out in a crowd to be seen of men. Then we have what is known in today in the church as 'Elder's, Deacons, Bishops' and many other titles that are founded on nothing more than self-righteous works.

Friends, it doesn't matter what title these religious men and women go by, and what they demand to be called and what respect they feel they are deserving of. The fact is that I respect them just as I would respect a homeless person and see them no better, and no greater in the eyes of God than anyone else. I see them all as being equal and just as fragile, strong, weak, ignorant, smart, black, white, sick, healthy, poor, rich, male, female, saved by grace and free in Christ, regardless of what apostle, preacher, minister, evangelist, teacher tittle they choose to be called by. Thank God that Jesus fulfilled all of these titles and He is Lord over all these "Denominational Titles'.

Grace N Peace

Eddie Narvaez