Calling Men by Titles and Names Which We Ought Not

Peter told Cornelius to get up and not to bow down before him because he (Peter) was a man also (Acts 10:25-26). You see, Cornelius thought this man of God was to be honored, and that is why he bowed before Peter, just as people do for the Pope and other religious leaders. Don’t bow down before men because they are human just like you.

Psalms 111:9 teaches that “Holy” and “Reverend” is God’s name (KJV). Yet many call their preachers “Reverend” and these men accept the accolade. But what do the scriptures say? God is the only one that is “Reverend” (AWESOME) not man, for man is human and has no redemption to send to people, nor does man have a covenant that will last forever. Don’t call your preacher “Reverend” and if he insists that you do, teach him this scripture. If he refuses to see the light, quit going to that church.

Catholic priests are called “Father” and that also is wrong. In Matthew 23:9, Jesus said for us not to call men “Father” for only One is our “Father” and He is in heaven. How can people insist that they live by the Bible and at the same time violate the Bible’s teaching? In order to be in line with Jesus teachings, one must stop calling men things that aren’t correct. Also, did you not know that the Bible teaches that all Christians are in the priesthood? (1 Peter 2:9). So, it isn’t only a select group of men as the Catholics teach, but it is all Christians because of the service we all offer to the Lord (Romans 12:1-2).

The title “Pope” is another unscriptual name given to the head of the Catholic church, and that practice came from men (Matt. 15:13-14). Jesus Christ is the head of His church and the headquarters of the New Testament church is located in heaven (Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23). What a different between the church of Jesus and the Catholic’s! The office of Pastors, Bishops, elders, stand for men selected to oversee the affairs of a local church (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Eph. 4:11). For handling secular matters, the next office the Bible gives under the oversight of the Bishops is the office of the deacons (1 Timothy 3:12-16). The term Bishop and deacon is not to be used as a religious title, but for the office or work for which it stands.

There are no Prophets today, though men will lie and say they are Prophets. Yet, these men cannot foretell the future, nor do they perform the works of a prophet (1 Corinthians 13:8-9).
A woman serving as the “Holy mother” of the church, is no more scriptual as the basketball team, the “Chicago Bulls.” When you find “Holy Mother” in the Bible, you will find the late actor, “John Wayne” on the next page (1 Peter 4:11).

​~James Baker