By Dr. Hoyt W. Allen, Jr.

 

                The world in which we live is very quick to grant the titles, "Reverend", "Pastor", "Parson", or "Clergy" to an individual who is engaged in a specialized Christian service. I am not one to be critical of the above terms but would like to express my disagreement with the use of these terms.

 

                                                In the New Testament, we do not find a distinction between the Christian evangelist or pulpit minister and the individual who does not preach publicly. In other words, the man-made present day distinction between a "clergy" and a "layman" did not exist. In fact, in I Peter 2:9,, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood...".  Thus, a priesthood of all believers is mentioned.

 

                                                Probably the most popular title used today concerning our subject is "Reverend."  The word "Reverend" is used only one time in the King James Version, that being in Psalm 111:9, "...holy and reverend is His name."  Note with me that this refers to God and not fallible man.  In all fairness to the Hebrew word, "YARE", from which "reverend" is translated--let it be understood that it occurs over 30 times in that particular form and over 200 times in other forms, such as: afraid, to fear, reverence, dread, dreadful and terrible.

 

                                                Matthew 23:5-9 records that Jesus rebuked religious leaders of His day.  "But all their works they do for to be seen of men; they make broad phylacteries and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.  But be not ye called Rabbi; for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren, and call no man father upon the earth; for one is your Father, which is in Heaven." (This is concerning spiritual leaders & not physical fathers, see Ephesians 6:4).   In     Job 32:21, there is a warning against giving flattering titles.

 

                As children of God and brethren in Christ, let us accept Bible names for one another.  By using terms such as "brother,"  (Acts 9:17) and "sister," (Romans 16:1) we know that these terms are pleasing to God.

 

REVEREND

Call me "Mister," if you will;               

Call me "Brother," better still;

Or if I the task fulfill;

The title, "Preacher" brings a thrill,   

Mister, brother, friend ----              

Names and titles without end;               

But how that man my heart doth rend,  

Who blindly calls me Reverend.

 

KYOWVA  Evangelistic Assocition

1541 S. 7th Street * Ironton, OH  45638-2175