Some folks may view the Church of Christ as trying to be different just for the sake of being different. The reason for being different is that the Church of Christ is trying to follow the Bible. We even desire to follow the Bible by calling Bible things by Bible names.
There is not a clergy or a layman in the Lord’s Church. Preachers are not to be put above their fellow Christians. Today many religions call their preacher “Reverend”. Reverend is used in the King James Version in Psalm 111:9, “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant forever: holy and reverend is his name.” In most modern translations the word used is “Awesome” instead of “Reverend.” Both these words carry the idea of someone who is exalted above others. Preacher in the New Testament were not distinguished in that way.
Pastor is another title given to many preachers in religion. Pastor is a word used in referring to the elders of the church. When we use the words as they are used in the New Testament then we will not refer to the preacher as “pastor”. There are other words the New Testament uses to refer to the elders of the church but that is another study.
Father is a term used by some religions to refer to their preacher. Fellow Christians are considered equal in the New Testament. Jesus said in Matthew 23:9, “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.”
Brother is a term which places all on an equal basis. Christians are to exalt the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Not men or women living or dead not angels. Worship only God!
Vernon Curry
Poplar Bluff, MO
BulletinDigest.com