Don’t “Reverend” Me — It’s Forbidden!

by Hayse Reneau

The English word 'Reverend' is used but once in our Bible; and it references, The Creator, Jehovah God (Psalms 111:9.) "He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name." Anyone who accepts this title is filled with unholy pride or is ignorant of Bible teaching. Mortal man must not allow himself to be addressed with such a title: it is reserved for God alone.

Christ taught His disciples of their equality toward one another: Matthew 20:25-28: "But Jesus called them to Himself and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.'"

He further admonished everyone against assuming titles of distinction. In Matthew 23:8-10: "But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ."

All 'in Christ' are brethren, thus such titles as The Reverend, Doctor James, Father John, His Eminence Paul, and such like, are all foreign to the teaching of Christ and stand condemned. Preachers were known simply as ministers, preachers, and evangelists. "How shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14.) "Whereof I was made a minister" (Ephesians 3:7.) "Do the work of an evangelist" (II Timothy 4:5.)

Also, every follower of Jesus is a priest. Peter said it in I Peter 2:9. There is no Bible authorization for priestly robes, reversed collars, or special religious titles to distinguish the so-called "clergy" from the so-called "laity," for no such distinction is allowed by the inspired writers. Neither can God's faithful children be called "Master" nor "Worshipful Master." "Neither be ye called Masters: for one is your Master, even Christ."

Job set the tenor long ago, and a warning, with the inspired words: Job 32:21-22: "Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my Maker would soon take me away." Do you want to be "taken away?" I don't!