Welcome and thank you for taking a bible break to test your knowledge of God's word.
This week's question:

From "Professor Peabody" to "Captain James T. Kirk", there are titles used by man in civil government, education, as well as military position. These titles designate a class of people in a position of authority above the people who are in subjection to them and when they say, "Jump", the subordinates answer, as the old saying goes, "How high?". In the secular world God allows each country to set up their rules of authority and those in positions of power to run those institutions developed by man. What they say is often the rule.

That brings us to the question at hand in the religious world today, are titles necessary, or even allowed by the authority of God's word in the Lord's body? There are a host of tiles used in religious practice today, but the more common titles that we might be familiar with are: Reverend, Pastor, Father, and the Pope. Those in position of authority and power are often referred to as a class of people as the "clergy" which distinguishes them from the common, everyday member of that religious institution. Jesus say's:

Matthew 15:13-14 …"Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted. Let them

alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a

pit."

It would be good to see if the teachings we follow are according to God's word and are not the teaching of men and the doctrines of men (Galatians 1:6-10 & 5:1-12, 1 Timothy 4:1-4).

That brings us back to our question for today: What does Jesus say about religious titles? Jesus not only taught as one with authority (Matthew 7:29 & 28:18-20) and we know His word is truth (John 17:17) and that is able to equip everyone for all spiritual needs for that heavenly home (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

To Matthew chapter twenty three we go to find our answer to today's question:

Matthew 23:1-12 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying: "The scribes and the

Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; Therefore all that they tell you, do and observe,

but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. They tie up heavy burdens

and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a

finger. But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen

the tassels of their garments. They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the

synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men. But do not be

called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and all are your brothers. Do not call anyone on earth your

father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader,

that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be

humbled; and whoever humbles himself , shall be exalted.

Jesus tells us very plainly that titles of reverence are to be given to the Teacher, Jesus Christ, and father (religiously) is to be held only by our heavenly Father! What is the difference of the scribes and Pharisees trying to set themselves on the seat of Moses than men today who are trying to give themselves the same kind of power? As you can see by the scriptures above that we are to honor, reverence, and worship only our Lord and our God upon this earth as He has made abundantly clear. The reason's are many, but the end of the scripture makes one major point: those who attempt to carry these titles love the preeminence of men by being called "Rabbi" in the market places, or maybe "Reverend" at the shopping mall? Do you see the picture? The pride of man is abhorred by God (Proverbs 16:5 & 6:15-16).

And so we have the answer to today's question. To put it simply is to say it best:

Jesus does not authorize titles by man in the religious state and even denies the use of them!

Yet we still have "Reverend's" and "Pastor's" and yes, even those who want to be called "Father" in the religious world today.

Yes we do have "preachers" and "elders" and "deacons" in the church today. But these are descriptions of the position, not a title to be worn by these men. It is not "Preacher Jones" nor is it "Elder Smith" nor even is it "Deacon Peabody", but: "That this is our deacon, James T. Kirk." For they are part of the body just like rest of the parts of the body that are fitly joined together to make up the church!