Quote:
Originally Posted by Nicodemus1968
In my opinion I wouldn't go as far as to say chains of formalism. At least not all of Pentecost. I do believe some men love titles, and others believe titles and the use of them show a respect for the position or office.
To use the titles Elder, Bishop, Pastor, Evangelist, Apostle, Teacher, Saint, Prophet, Brother, Sister in my opinion isn't chains. Its shows respect to the individual, I wouldn't go up to a lady in the church and call her by her first name. Neither would I go up to a Pastor, or a Bishop and say, "hey Joe, hows it going?"
I will say this, that some believers have more respect for the world than the church. They'll show the utmost respect for the man that signs their checks, yet, they'll nitpick a leader in the church without even blinking! The president of the United States could be in their presence and they'll call him the proper title by the office he holds, yet when it comes to ministry, they have not a problem bringing up issues to condemn them to hell.
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Brother,
Just quote scripture where someone is referred to as pastor so and so. If I remember correctly the leaders are required to be servants, which is what minister meant in the Bible. We have changed the definition of minister.
If we are truly Apostolic, we should recognize that we are supposed to ALL possess spiritual gifts. The gifts are diverse but they are all of the same Spirit. We worship the Spirit, not the human. Or we should.
Does anyone ever address someone gifted in tongues and interpretation by an exalted title? Why the pastor? If brother so and so is sufficient for an elder or deacon, (an uncompensated office) why should it not be sufficient for the pastor?
Why is there no scripture instructing us to address the pastor as a higher up deserving a special title?
If it is important as preachers seem to think it is, it sure seems that there would be scripture to instruct us to do so.
I have heard so many visiting preachers spend so much time bragging on the pastor. It brings to mind a scripture.
1Corinthians 1:29
[29] That no flesh should glory in his presence.
These preachers must not believe God is present in the building. They sure seem to glorify the flesh a lot. Maybe it’s a money thing. Bragging on the one who makes the decision to call them to preach is probably beneficial to their bank account.
Those are my thoughts anyway.
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