Further Reading
and worked all the powerful miracles and signs and wonders of a true apostle.” (2 Corinthians 12:12) “I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient— in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.” (Romans 15:18-20)
“I have been shipwrecked three times, and I even had to spend a night and a day in the sea.”
Title Versus Function
I can find nowhere where Paul was referred to as ‘apostle Paul’ (as a title), but rather as ‘Paul the apostle’ (as a call and function). For example, Dr. Paul may have received an honorary title but has never practiced medicine in his life. Paul the doctor is a totally different story.
The dangers of titles
Titles are dangerous because they label rather than describe. A bottle labelled medicine could contain poison and everyone may believe the lie until someone drinks it. The proof of the cake is in its eating not the beauty of its icing. Jesus warns us against titles. Describing the hypocrisy of the scribes and the Pharisees, who loved notoriety, said this, “But none of you should be called a teacher. You have only one teacher, and all of you are like brothers and sisters. Don’t call anyone on earth your father. All of you have the same Father in heaven. None of you should be called the leader. The Messiah is your only leader. Whoever is the greatest should be the servant of the others. If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honoured.” (Matthew 23:8-12) In other words, do not take on titles, to the contrary we must be fathers and be teachers etc. Do the job but refuse the title because none is above the other. We are all on the same level, we are His children, brothers and sisters Paul admonishing Timothy did not say to him ‘see to it that people refer to you by your title, Evangelist Timothy’ but instead Paul said ‘do the work of an evangelist’.[1]
Titles are like coffins
Titles in most cases are coffins made to look good yet filled with decay and stench. Titles destroy meekness by creating a false sense of power and authority. The result is arrogance, insensitivity to the feelings of others, and a tendency to talk rather than listen, boss others rather than serve, impose your way rather than seek God’s way. Like a coffin is sealed shut; those who take on titles mostly end up bound by a false sense of who they really are. Every time they are referred to by their title this nail of deception sinks deeper and hope of escape grows dimmer. Hearts are hardened by the lie of a title. No wonder the scribes and the Pharisees could not receive Jesus. They were so blinded by their own self importance that they couldn’t see His Majesty.p References: [1] 2 Timothy 4:5
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January - March 2015
By Homer Slack author, preacher, bible teacher, IT tutor, programmer & graphic designer
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