God Is to be Revered and Worshipped: not Man

Today's message is meant to be the second and final part of our last message, "Only GOD Deserves Worship; but Culture says NO". We decided to change the topic to enable us touch other areas that are not particularly cultural. One practice that has crept into the church for a very long time is the practise of titles and positions. This practice was alien to the early church, but found its way into the church with the advent of church denominations. It is antithesis to the command of Christ for His followers.

We look around the various denominations we see different positions and ranks within the church hierarchy. In the Roman Catholic we have priests usually referred to as Reverend fathers, while Pope is referred to as holy father. In Anglican, we have Bishops in addition to Reverends. In many Pentecostal churches we have in addition to pastors, Reverends, Bishops, while some have Archbishops like we have in Roman Catholic and Anglican. In denominations that has just pastors as the highest title, man as usual have created other non official titles. We now have people being referred to as papa, baba, daddy, nna-anyi ukwu etc, while their wives are usually called mummy, mama etc. These unofficial titles are usually very common among Pentecostal adherents in black Africa countries. All these distinctions most unfortunately do not stem from the love for God, but from man's egoism: his desire for fame, glorification and reverence to him by his fellow man.

Let me quickly point out that the Bible is not against according honour to whom it is due. The Bible teaches us to rise before the grey headed and the elderly (Leviticus 19:32). Paul says in Romans 13:7 that believers should render honour to whom it is due. But what does the Bible say when we refer to men of God (some of whom are younger than us) as father, daddy, baba, nna-anyi ukwu, etc or titles like reverend fathers (used by the Roman Catholic Church)? To answer this question, please let's look at what the Owner of the church, The Lord Jesus Christ says in Matthew 23:8-10.

Text: Matthew 23:8-10
"8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ."

Is The Lord telling us in verse 9 of Matthew 23, not to call anyone father, including our biological or legal parents?

Of course not! Christ never meant that we should refrain from calling our biological or legal fathers, father. In fact, God commands us in Exodus 20:12 to honour our fathers and mothers. Our Lord Jesus Christ also reiterated this in Matthew 15:4. Isaac called Abraham father (Genesis 22:7) while the children of Israel refers to their progenitors Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as their fathers (Acts 7:2; Romans 9:10; Acts 3:13; John 4:12). God Himself refers to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as the fathers of the Israelites (Exodus 3:15; Acts 7:32). From the foregoing therefore, there is nothing wrong in calling our biological or legal or progenitors 'father' or 'fathers'.

But our Lord Jesus is against its being used as a church title, whether official or unofficial. The Lord Jesus Christ expressly commanded His disciples not to call anyone rabbi (teacher), master or father like the Jews call the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders (Matthew 23:1-2, 5-7).

One may ask why did The Lord Jesus forbid His disciples from receiving such titles or use same for others.

Firstly, our Lord wants us to understand that we are one in Him. There are no levels in our relationship with Him. Neither are there favourites. No believer is more special or more important than the other. We all have equal access through Him by His Spirit unto The Father (Ephesians 2:18; Galatians 3:26-29).

Secondly, Christ wants His disciples to avoid the danger of feeling superior to one another, like the Pharisees felt towards other Jewish people (Luke 18:9-13). He wants them to always remember that their main task is to serve others and not for others to serve them (John 13:12-14; Matthew 20:25-28). He therefore wants all believers to be humble.

Thirdly, the Pharisees who were called rabbi, expected the Jews to give absolute loyalty to their teachings. The Jews were expected to accept the teachings of these Pharisees hook, line and sinker (that is, without questioning). To therefore prevent this very dangerous trend among His disciples, and in the church, The Lord Jesus had to give this command that nobody among His followers be called a rabbi, master or father. Neither should His followers call anyone by such names.

Lastly, Christ does not want His followers to fall into the sin of idolatry. Idolatry is not limited to the worship of idols alone. It includes the worship of man. To allow yourself to be called papa, daddy, baba, nna-anyi ukwu etc is an indication that you are an ego loving pastor. Brethren, whether we believe it or not, Egocentrism or a strong desire to gain fame or recognition is a form of idolatry.

In addition, many believers who call their spiritual leaders papa, daddy, baba etc practically worship such people as they never see anything wrong with such leaders' conducts, even when such actions glaringly negate the Word of God. They usually place the teachings of such leaders above that of God's Word. These leaders on the other hand, see themselves as demigods, infallible people whose conducts must not be questioned by their members. Brethren, we must beware of this type of church leaders. They usually will want to refocus your mind away from God. They will through manipulation coupled sometimes with intimidation gain control of your entire being. The Bible says that you are servants to whom you yield yourselves to obey (Romans 6:16).

Conclusion
In Christianity we have spiritual fathers in Christ. They are people who taught us the gospel. We can acknowledge their contribution to our spiritual development but we should not refer to them as "father" because Jesus Christ says we should not. To ignore this directive implies disobeying The Lord's command. Paul the apostle can be referred to as the spiritual father of the brethren in Corinth (1 Corinthian 4:15). Yet, not for once did we read in the Bible that these brethren called Paul, father or father in the Lord. Nor did we read that other brethren in the other churches called Peter, John, Paul or the other apostles by such names.

In Christianity we do not have rabbis, spiritual guides or masters. In place of them, we have God The Holy Spirit. We do have a different set of gifts given by Christ Himself to help us work in the ministry: apostles; prophets; and evangelists; and pastors and teachers. These gifts are expressions of the Holy Spirit in our lives. There is nothing wrong for a believer to say I'm called to be an apostle, a teacher or any other ministry gift. But it is definitely wrong to use that title to gain reverence or some special honour or become annoyed when someone does not acknowledge and use the title for us. Ministry gifts should be honoured but they should not be revered.

Brethren we have written this for us to know the will of God concerning the use of titles or conferring (formal or informal) of same on church leaders. The Lord Jesus Christ is against this practice. To disobey The Lord's command is to rebel against the Word of God. Sin is rebellion against God and transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). Let's always remember that we cannot give to man the reverence due to God. To do this disconnects us from God Who is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5; Joshua 24:19; Nahum 1:2).

Think on these and it shall be well with you as you obey the voice of The Lord. Till we meet again on this platform, I remain yours in Christ Jesus, our soon coming King.

God bless you.

who appointed you a seer sir ?