Names
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| In loving memory of my father Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023 |
Man, even Christian man, seems bent upon names and titles. About 45 years ago, a good brother told me that there were 435 denominations in the United States. If that were true then, there must be more than 1000 by now. We like to name, title, and stereotype almost everything, particularly church groups. But The Church at Ephesus, for example, most likely NEVER called themselves The Church at Ephesus or any other name. That was only how Paul referred to them. As a matter of principle, whenever a church group assumes ANY kind of name (which is usually in order to get a bank account and an IRS number, with the subsequent "tax deduction"), that is the first step in the wrong direction, toward stagnation, traditions of men, the ways of the world, the leaven of the Pharisees, etc. Yes, God is merciful and often "winks" at our ignorance for a season. But we strongly recommend that you do NOT adopt a name for your local church. This implies that you cannot get a bank account or an IRS recognized status. This means that no donations are "tax deductible." What a wonderful day it will be when that becomes a secular law! Then we will be forced to render unto God the things that are God's and render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's. We will be forced to trust the Lord and rely on Him for our materialistic well-being! How much better would it be to voluntarily move into that place of dependence upon Him? ... to fall upon the stone rather than the stone fall upon us (Luke 20:18).
It appears that The Church at Corinth did call themselves by some name (or rather names, plural). In 1 Corinthians 1:11-13, " ... every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ." In 1 Corinthians 3:4, "For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?" How does this differ from the modern-day version of: "I belong to the First Baptist Church; I am a member of The Church at Fairfax County; I am a member of the _________?" (Fill in the name of your group.)
First Corinthians, of course, is primarily a letter of correction that Paul wrote, concerning a variety of errors (at least seven) that had crept into that church. It is worth reflecting that this situation (members of The Church at Corinth calling themselves by different names) is the FIRST error addressed by Paul. He addresses this problem even before the (rampant) fornication, which he first mentions in Chapter 5. Why the order? Perhaps because "he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body" (Chapter 6:18), but the naming process had affected EVERY believer (Chapter 1:12).
BEFORE the fall of Adam and Eve, "the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof" (Genesis 2:19). Adam also gave his wife her name (Genesis 2:23). Then AFTER the fall, in Genesis 9:1, "And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth." After the fall, man no longer had the charge to "subdue the earth: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." As a result of losing his God-given dominion, man also lost his authority to give out names.
Of course, man has continued to exercise the function of giving names, even though he no longer has that authority. This is an external outworking of the rebellion of man. For example, in Genesis 4:16-17, "And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, ... and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch." Another example is recorded in Daniel 1:7, where the Babylonian prince of the eunuchs gave (different) Babylonian names to Daniel (renamed Belteshazzar) and three other chosen men of God. Everyone remembers the Babylonian names of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Who remembers their REAL names?
(Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah)
There seems to be at least four categories of giving of names:
(1) Man (in his rebellious state) still exercises the lost charge to give names or to make a name for himself/herself.
Some of us name businesses, houses, lands, streets, boats, cars, and children after our self. This is usually motivated by a proud desire to perpetuate our own name. Such was certainly the case for Linda's father, who built his own empire and was characterized by the following verses.
(2) Man (in his rebellious state) still exercises the lost charge to give names, but this is later overturned by the sovereignty of God. For example, God changed the name of Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Jacob to Israel, and Saul to Paul.
(3) Man, in a right relationship with the Lord, seeks the will of God for the name of an offspring, and gives the God-desired name.
(4) God sovereignly provides the name, without man asking. Two prominent cases in this category are John the Baptist (Luke 1:13): "and thou shalt call his name John"; and Jesus (Luke 1:31): "And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS."
So the dominion (and the right to "name") originally given to Adam, but lost in the fall, now belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ as a result of the redemption purchased at the cross of Calvary.
Any believer walks in a very precarious position when he begins to make a "name" for himself. It is a very easy thing to make a name for yourself, but it requires some compromises along the way. Anyone who has an apparent gift that appeals to the natural senses (such as healing or miracles) or a reasonable message of "truth" (or even a word that sounds pleasant to the ears) can relatively quickly establish audiences in numerous places. Before long, you can become a speaker at the large conferences and make yourself nationally known. There are currently, in the United States, hundreds, perhaps thousands of such "names" that will one day be humbled by God in the sight of man. Some already have been. Many of these "names" will surprise you.
I remember one such man who years ago had developed a nationally-known "name." Then he was humbled (because of his own deeds) in the sight of other believers. Apparently in a state of repentance, the man received a word from the Lord that, "the Lord has allowed this thing to overtake you such that you will be less known to man, but more known of God." Unfortunately, after a season of repentance, it appears that man has fallen into another snare, which also is related to making a name for yourself. How do I know? because the Lord sent me one Sunday morning to "his" church to see for myself. Why did the Lord want me to see the snare that brother is in now? to pray for him. I am quite sure he is not aware of his present entrapment. Only a sovereign touch from the Lord will set him free.
Even if man begins to acquire a "name," but not through his own efforts, there is still potential peril, albeit of a different variety. Such a person is subjected to significant attacks by the enemy. There is no better example than Jesus Himself. Not only did Jesus not make a name for Himself, He MADE Himself of NO reputation (Philippians 2:7). Perhaps a better translation of that verse is that "He emptied Himself." In Mark 1:34-38, after Jesus had healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils, Simon and those with him came to Jesus and said unto him, "All men seek for Thee. And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth." Jesus never sought the applause of men.
John 6 records the height of Jesus' popularity, because of His miracles and because He provided natural food for the multitudes. But in that same Chapter, Jesus said some things that no man understood. In verse 53, "Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you." Those who heard Him considered that to be heresy, since Moses had told them many times not to eat flesh with the blood. This was the start of the conflict that the Jews had with Jesus. And "After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him" (John 7:1). Not long afterwards the Jews succeeded in their mission. Those "hard" sayings in John 6 have no natural-level meaning. Jesus said, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63).
The "best" name for any believer may be summed up by Revelation 2:17 and Revelation 3:12.
In Revelation 2:17, the OVERCOMER (not just anyone who has accepted the saving grace of our Lord) is promised a new name ... the believer's new name. No one else except the overcomer himself knows that name. Therefore, no other person can prophesy to you your new name.
In Revelation 3:12, the OVERCOMER is also promised a new name, but this new name is the Lord's name. In both verses, the word "new" is the Greek "kainos," which means new as to quality, not "neos," which means new as to time.
But even better than that is the name of Jesus ... name above ALL names! the name to which every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! Why is the name of Jesus even better than the new names promised to the overcomer in Revelation 2:17 and 3:12? One of the best answers to that question can be found in Philippians 2. Because Jesus:
Now if your church group gets rid of your "name" and your bank account, will that solve all of your church problems? Not at all! If you have come away with that impression then you have missed what we have tried to say about names. To mechanically implement any change will, by itself, accomplish very little. Leaders somehow need to convey the spirit of what we have just described about names, not the letter.
Titles
Just as the use of names can be a stumbling block for local churches, in like manner the use of titles can be a potential snare for individual Christians. In both cases an element of pride can creep in. And the traditions of men undoubtedly influence the use of names and titles. We will only consider the titles used in mainstream or Protestant Christianity. The list includes Reverend, Doctor, Priest, Elder, Deacon, Bishop, Apostle, Prophet, Teacher, Pastor, and Evangelist. I see no scriptural basis to call any man or woman "Reverend." There is only One who is reverend and that is the Lord Himself. The word, "reverend," occurs only one time in Scripture, in Psalm 111:9 where the Lord is called holy and reverend. Every time the title of "Doctor" is used, it refers to a Jewish Rabbi or teacher of the law. Under the New Covenant we are all priests. The Lord hates the man-made distinction between laity and clergy, called the Nicolaitans (Revelation 2:6 and 15). The word "Bishop," is called an office in 1 Timothy 3:1; a Bishop is an overseer of the well-being of a local church or in some cases several local churches in only one city. Of course the titles of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher, Elder, and Deacon are all scriptural.
I like what Amos said in
The same state of heart and mind is reflected in Zechariah 13:1-6, which I encourage you to read.
I personally have never been attuned to titles of any kind, although I do not disparage those who call themselves Pastor, Bishop, or any other title or ministry. However I am quite skeptical when anyone calls himself an apostle or a prophet. To the best of my knowledge I have never even called myself an elder. I do not have a ministry. All ministries are God-given because it is His ministry within us. Paul said that "He put me into the ministry" (1 Timothy 1:12). People come and go but the ministry continues at least until the end of time because it is His ministry.
On several occasions some Christians have asked me what they should call me. I normally reply that my name is Bob but some have called me Mr. Bob. I have known for 50 years what ministry the Lord put me into. But I believe that the hand does not need to know it is called a hand in order to function as a hand. Further, unless others can see with their spiritual eyes the ministry that the Lord has put us into, then we are probably not functioning in that God-ordained ministry.
Jesus seems to expressly forbid "honorific" religious titles. Jesus, speaking of the Pharisees and Scribes, said,
And yet, most churches insist on using formal religious titles such as Pastor, Reverend, Doctor, Father, Bishop, or Senior Pastor, which promote and breed a carnal elitist attitude towards those in "ministry," and sets the clergy apart as the exalted few who are stationed above the others in religious rank. The Bible warns that those who seek the honor of men cannot be the servants of Christ (Galatians 1:10). In the church community after the Day of Pentecost the believers did not use religious titles to address those in ministry; they simply called each other by their first names, such as John, Paul, Peter, Luke, etc. Granted that some who use such titles have a pure motivation; they are simply operating under traditions of men that have been handed down for centuries. The New Covenant church does not have any "head elder" or "senior pastor" who is designated above the other elders in position or rank. Peter, James, and John were equally recognized by Paul as pillars in the church at Jerusalem (Galatians 2:9).
Whenever the apostles established a new church, they normally appointed a plurality of elders whom they left to take care of the local congregation. Elders were recognized as having a greater level of spiritual maturity. These elders shared responsibility together as overseers to shepherd the local flock. In Acts 20:17, we read that Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. Paul then told them to, "(Acts 20:28) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." The word "feed" is actually the exact same word as "shepherd" and is the exact same word as "pastor" in Ephesians 4:11. Therefore the term "elders" refers to their spiritual maturity; the term "overseers" refers to their ministerial function; and the term "shepherds" refers to their spiritual gifting. It was not until the second or third century that church leaders divided the elders' role of oversight and shepherding into three separate, hierarchical religious offices. The newly diminished office of elders then became subordinate to the newly enhanced office of the "senior pastor" in each local church, and the senior pastors throughout a region became subordinate to the newly created office of "bishop." Eventually the bishops became subordinated to the archbishops (or cardinals), who in turn became subordinate to the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Such an hierarchical religious system has no relationship to Christianity but is a product of the carnal, prideful minds of men, handed down throughout many generations and therefore assumed to be correct.
Are you aware that no one in the New Testament ever called themselves a prophet or a pastor or an evangelist or a bishop? Peter called himself an elder and an apostle. Paul called himself a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher. Other than Peter and Paul I have not found one verse where any man called himself by any title. But I am quite sure that neither Peter nor Paul referred to their self by any title out of pride. The moral of the story? Let your life and your actions define who the Lord has made you.
It appears that The Church at Corinth did call themselves by some name (or rather names, plural). In 1 Corinthians 1:11-13, " ... every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ." In 1 Corinthians 3:4, "For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?" How does this differ from the modern-day version of: "I belong to the First Baptist Church; I am a member of The Church at Fairfax County; I am a member of the _________?" (Fill in the name of your group.)
First Corinthians, of course, is primarily a letter of correction that Paul wrote, concerning a variety of errors (at least seven) that had crept into that church. It is worth reflecting that this situation (members of The Church at Corinth calling themselves by different names) is the FIRST error addressed by Paul. He addresses this problem even before the (rampant) fornication, which he first mentions in Chapter 5. Why the order? Perhaps because "he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body" (Chapter 6:18), but the naming process had affected EVERY believer (Chapter 1:12).
BEFORE the fall of Adam and Eve, "the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof" (Genesis 2:19). Adam also gave his wife her name (Genesis 2:23). Then AFTER the fall, in Genesis 9:1, "And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth." After the fall, man no longer had the charge to "subdue the earth: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." As a result of losing his God-given dominion, man also lost his authority to give out names.
Of course, man has continued to exercise the function of giving names, even though he no longer has that authority. This is an external outworking of the rebellion of man. For example, in Genesis 4:16-17, "And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, ... and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch." Another example is recorded in Daniel 1:7, where the Babylonian prince of the eunuchs gave (different) Babylonian names to Daniel (renamed Belteshazzar) and three other chosen men of God. Everyone remembers the Babylonian names of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Who remembers their REAL names?
(Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah)
There seems to be at least four categories of giving of names:
(1) Man (in his rebellious state) still exercises the lost charge to give names or to make a name for himself/herself.
Some of us name businesses, houses, lands, streets, boats, cars, and children after our self. This is usually motivated by a proud desire to perpetuate our own name. Such was certainly the case for Linda's father, who built his own empire and was characterized by the following verses.
10 For He seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.11 Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.12 Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.13 This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.Psalm 49:10-13
(2) Man (in his rebellious state) still exercises the lost charge to give names, but this is later overturned by the sovereignty of God. For example, God changed the name of Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Jacob to Israel, and Saul to Paul.
(3) Man, in a right relationship with the Lord, seeks the will of God for the name of an offspring, and gives the God-desired name.
(4) God sovereignly provides the name, without man asking. Two prominent cases in this category are John the Baptist (Luke 1:13): "and thou shalt call his name John"; and Jesus (Luke 1:31): "And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS."
So the dominion (and the right to "name") originally given to Adam, but lost in the fall, now belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ as a result of the redemption purchased at the cross of Calvary.
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:8-11
And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. Isaiah 62:2
Any believer walks in a very precarious position when he begins to make a "name" for himself. It is a very easy thing to make a name for yourself, but it requires some compromises along the way. Anyone who has an apparent gift that appeals to the natural senses (such as healing or miracles) or a reasonable message of "truth" (or even a word that sounds pleasant to the ears) can relatively quickly establish audiences in numerous places. Before long, you can become a speaker at the large conferences and make yourself nationally known. There are currently, in the United States, hundreds, perhaps thousands of such "names" that will one day be humbled by God in the sight of man. Some already have been. Many of these "names" will surprise you.
I remember one such man who years ago had developed a nationally-known "name." Then he was humbled (because of his own deeds) in the sight of other believers. Apparently in a state of repentance, the man received a word from the Lord that, "the Lord has allowed this thing to overtake you such that you will be less known to man, but more known of God." Unfortunately, after a season of repentance, it appears that man has fallen into another snare, which also is related to making a name for yourself. How do I know? because the Lord sent me one Sunday morning to "his" church to see for myself. Why did the Lord want me to see the snare that brother is in now? to pray for him. I am quite sure he is not aware of his present entrapment. Only a sovereign touch from the Lord will set him free.
Even if man begins to acquire a "name," but not through his own efforts, there is still potential peril, albeit of a different variety. Such a person is subjected to significant attacks by the enemy. There is no better example than Jesus Himself. Not only did Jesus not make a name for Himself, He MADE Himself of NO reputation (Philippians 2:7). Perhaps a better translation of that verse is that "He emptied Himself." In Mark 1:34-38, after Jesus had healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils, Simon and those with him came to Jesus and said unto him, "All men seek for Thee. And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth." Jesus never sought the applause of men.
John 6 records the height of Jesus' popularity, because of His miracles and because He provided natural food for the multitudes. But in that same Chapter, Jesus said some things that no man understood. In verse 53, "Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you." Those who heard Him considered that to be heresy, since Moses had told them many times not to eat flesh with the blood. This was the start of the conflict that the Jews had with Jesus. And "After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him" (John 7:1). Not long afterwards the Jews succeeded in their mission. Those "hard" sayings in John 6 have no natural-level meaning. Jesus said, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63).
The "best" name for any believer may be summed up by Revelation 2:17 and Revelation 3:12.
To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. Revelation 2:17
In Revelation 2:17, the OVERCOMER (not just anyone who has accepted the saving grace of our Lord) is promised a new name ... the believer's new name. No one else except the overcomer himself knows that name. Therefore, no other person can prophesy to you your new name.
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. Revelation 3:12
In Revelation 3:12, the OVERCOMER is also promised a new name, but this new name is the Lord's name. In both verses, the word "new" is the Greek "kainos," which means new as to quality, not "neos," which means new as to time.
But even better than that is the name of Jesus ... name above ALL names! the name to which every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! Why is the name of Jesus even better than the new names promised to the overcomer in Revelation 2:17 and 3:12? One of the best answers to that question can be found in Philippians 2. Because Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7 But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8 And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:6-11
Now if your church group gets rid of your "name" and your bank account, will that solve all of your church problems? Not at all! If you have come away with that impression then you have missed what we have tried to say about names. To mechanically implement any change will, by itself, accomplish very little. Leaders somehow need to convey the spirit of what we have just described about names, not the letter.
Titles
Just as the use of names can be a stumbling block for local churches, in like manner the use of titles can be a potential snare for individual Christians. In both cases an element of pride can creep in. And the traditions of men undoubtedly influence the use of names and titles. We will only consider the titles used in mainstream or Protestant Christianity. The list includes Reverend, Doctor, Priest, Elder, Deacon, Bishop, Apostle, Prophet, Teacher, Pastor, and Evangelist. I see no scriptural basis to call any man or woman "Reverend." There is only One who is reverend and that is the Lord Himself. The word, "reverend," occurs only one time in Scripture, in Psalm 111:9 where the Lord is called holy and reverend. Every time the title of "Doctor" is used, it refers to a Jewish Rabbi or teacher of the law. Under the New Covenant we are all priests. The Lord hates the man-made distinction between laity and clergy, called the Nicolaitans (Revelation 2:6 and 15). The word "Bishop," is called an office in 1 Timothy 3:1; a Bishop is an overseer of the well-being of a local church or in some cases several local churches in only one city. Of course the titles of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher, Elder, and Deacon are all scriptural.
I like what Amos said in
Amos 7:14-15, "Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel."
The same state of heart and mind is reflected in Zechariah 13:1-6, which I encourage you to read.
I personally have never been attuned to titles of any kind, although I do not disparage those who call themselves Pastor, Bishop, or any other title or ministry. However I am quite skeptical when anyone calls himself an apostle or a prophet. To the best of my knowledge I have never even called myself an elder. I do not have a ministry. All ministries are God-given because it is His ministry within us. Paul said that "He put me into the ministry" (1 Timothy 1:12). People come and go but the ministry continues at least until the end of time because it is His ministry.
On several occasions some Christians have asked me what they should call me. I normally reply that my name is Bob but some have called me Mr. Bob. I have known for 50 years what ministry the Lord put me into. But I believe that the hand does not need to know it is called a hand in order to function as a hand. Further, unless others can see with their spiritual eyes the ministry that the Lord has put us into, then we are probably not functioning in that God-ordained ministry.
Jesus seems to expressly forbid "honorific" religious titles. Jesus, speaking of the Pharisees and Scribes, said,
5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.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.11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Matthew 23:5-12
And yet, most churches insist on using formal religious titles such as Pastor, Reverend, Doctor, Father, Bishop, or Senior Pastor, which promote and breed a carnal elitist attitude towards those in "ministry," and sets the clergy apart as the exalted few who are stationed above the others in religious rank. The Bible warns that those who seek the honor of men cannot be the servants of Christ (Galatians 1:10). In the church community after the Day of Pentecost the believers did not use religious titles to address those in ministry; they simply called each other by their first names, such as John, Paul, Peter, Luke, etc. Granted that some who use such titles have a pure motivation; they are simply operating under traditions of men that have been handed down for centuries. The New Covenant church does not have any "head elder" or "senior pastor" who is designated above the other elders in position or rank. Peter, James, and John were equally recognized by Paul as pillars in the church at Jerusalem (Galatians 2:9).
Whenever the apostles established a new church, they normally appointed a plurality of elders whom they left to take care of the local congregation. Elders were recognized as having a greater level of spiritual maturity. These elders shared responsibility together as overseers to shepherd the local flock. In Acts 20:17, we read that Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. Paul then told them to, "(Acts 20:28) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." The word "feed" is actually the exact same word as "shepherd" and is the exact same word as "pastor" in Ephesians 4:11. Therefore the term "elders" refers to their spiritual maturity; the term "overseers" refers to their ministerial function; and the term "shepherds" refers to their spiritual gifting. It was not until the second or third century that church leaders divided the elders' role of oversight and shepherding into three separate, hierarchical religious offices. The newly diminished office of elders then became subordinate to the newly enhanced office of the "senior pastor" in each local church, and the senior pastors throughout a region became subordinate to the newly created office of "bishop." Eventually the bishops became subordinated to the archbishops (or cardinals), who in turn became subordinate to the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Such an hierarchical religious system has no relationship to Christianity but is a product of the carnal, prideful minds of men, handed down throughout many generations and therefore assumed to be correct.
Are you aware that no one in the New Testament ever called themselves a prophet or a pastor or an evangelist or a bishop? Peter called himself an elder and an apostle. Paul called himself a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher. Other than Peter and Paul I have not found one verse where any man called himself by any title. But I am quite sure that neither Peter nor Paul referred to their self by any title out of pride. The moral of the story? Let your life and your actions define who the Lord has made you.
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