Unscriptural language
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Searching the Scriptures
David A. Bass, Rockford Church of Christ
Words convey ideas and are extremely important! This is especially true about Bible words since they convey Bible ideas. In Proverbs 15:1 we read, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” Solomon also wrote, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (Proverbs 25:11).
Our words are also an index to our hearts. Jesus said in Matthew 12:34, “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”
On the day of judgment we will be either justified or condemned by our words. “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:36,37). It is not enough to refrain from the use of bad language; we must use our words to accomplish good.
As God’s people we must speak sound words. “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:13, “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”
Peter wrote, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11). The word “oracle” means “utterance,” and the idea is to simply speak as God speaks. A good motto to follow is: “Speak where the Bible speaks. Be silent where the Bible is silent. Always call Bible things by Bible names.” Much of the language used today religiously is found in the Bible! Before we accept something or believe it, we need to investigate – to “search the Scriptures.”
Religious titles are unscriptural. The Bible teaches humility, while these religious titles exalt the wearer.
Jesus said, “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted” (Matthew 23:12).
For example, the title “Reverend” is unscriptural when applied to any man. This word appears only once in our English Bible, and there it is applied to God. Psalms 111:9, “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.”
Nowhere in the Bible do we find the apostles or any of God’s people applying the term “reverend” to their name. Acceptable terms include: teacher, preacher, evangelist, or minister. These are adjectives which denote the kind of work one is involved in much like teacher, farmer, etc. Only God deserves the term “Reverend!”
The title “Pastor” is unscriptural when it is used to refer to a preacher who is not an elder. This term is never used in the New Testament to refer to a preacher unless he was an elder. The word “pastor” is synonymous with the word “shepherd.” It denotes the same office as that of elder, overseer, shepherd, presbyter, or bishop.
It is not used in the New Testament as a title, but rather as a noun such as carpenter, teacher, etc. The word “pastor” is always used in the plural in the New Testament.
Another unscriptural term is “Father.” I am speaking here of religious usage rather than physical relationships (such as a parent). Many today use it as a religious title despite what Jesus said in Matthew 23:9, “And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.”
To use the scriptural term “brother” as a title is also wrong. The term “brother” in the New Testament
is used to describe the relationship that Christians have with one another as a part of God’s family.
There are many other such expressions such as “Parson,” “Clergy,” “Laity,” or “Lay Member.” The New Testament makes no distinction in position, dress or title!
Send your questions to: Dabass1962@bellsouth.net. Join us for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning at 9:00 and 10:00. We are located at 8997 U.S. Hwy. 231 just down from Dollar General.
Search the Scriptures!
