In these days of popular clamor for titles and official recognition, we need to be on guard lest we follow the path of those seeking the plaudits and honors of the worldly religious.
As Seventh-day Adventist ministers and workers, we profess to be Bible Christians. We proclaim in public and in private that we believe and follow the word of God. This is a proper claim, if we adhere closely to our profession.
Certain titles, sometimes appended or prefaced to the names of workers, are not in accord with the instruction of Scripture. "Reverend," "Very Reverend," "Doctor," etc., are not in keeping with our profession as followers of the meek and lowly Nazarene.
There are certain titles the Scriptures conferred upon the ministers of Christ in New Testament times, and these should be sufficient for the worker today who follows in the steps of the Master. In Old Testament times the Lord called the workers advanced in years, "elders;" men in official administrative responsibility, "judges" and "rulers;" those who ministered in the sanctuary were "priests" and "Levites;" and the most responsible person who led out in God's work was "prophet," "seer," "messenger."
Following the Babylonian captivity, which was brought about by the contact of the Israelites with the heathen, the leaders of God's people sought to preserve the purity and integrity of God's truth for future generations, in reestablishing special religious institutions where the children and youth might receive a godly training by men who had faith in the word of God, and who would incline toward the holy precepts of God's truth. It was hoped by such men of God as Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, that the counsel they imparted to their successors would be heeded, and that the generations to come would develop a strong, sturdy, spiritual people.
In the days of Greece, the responsible leaders of the church catered to the demands of Greek learning and scholarship, and yielded to the influences of Greek philosophy. The professed people of God were assured that they would have greater influence among the people if they adopted methods and customs suggested by the Grecians.
The Sanhedrin—which became the official administrative ecclesiastical synod for the Jewish people is of Greek origin. With this influential religious body there developed a train of circumstances which finally led the professed church of God to commit spiritual suicide. A synagogue was located in every Jewish community, and each synagogue had its church school, where the children were taught the law and the Bible oracles; the spiritual leaders accepted and adopted certain titles foreign to the spirit of the word of God. "Ray," or rabbi, was given to the leader of the synagogue; "chazan," or minister, to the chanter or choir leader. "Rabban"—master, lord—was a degree superior to rabbi, conferred upon those who held more responsible positions.
The "Chatham," or wise man, was a more brilliant and scholarly leader whose talents demanded that he receive a still greater title. The "nasi," prince, was a learned religious genius and educated leader with rare mental acumen. As intellectualism and scholarship developed, and the religious title carried with it a degree of reverence and honor, spirituality declined, and religious fervor abated. Religious forms were substituted for spiritual power, and outward ceremonialism became the custom of the day. What the nasi, the chacham, or the rabbi said, had greater weight than what Moses or the prophets taught.
A few influential religious instructors were honored as "rulers," and there were some who were known as "doctors of the law."
Loyalty to Judaism and to the teachings of the fathers was considered necessary, vital, essential, fundamental; but the titled religious leader was the custodian of all the spiritual teaching. A spiritual guide without the title was of little value, and his influence over the people was negligible.
It was during the administration of men conducting the work of God under the conditions portrayed, that John the Baptist and Jesus appeared. Neither of these affiliated with the Sanhedrin, or with the religious guides of the day. They read, studied, and obeyed the word of God in its purity. They did not receive the teaching of Scripture strained through the meshes of rabbinism or chachamism. On the contrary, Jesus condemned the religious leaders of that period for holding the titles of rabbi, wise man, etc. There was only one person to whom such titles belonged, and that was Jesus, Son of the Most High.
The Saviour and the apostles, guided by inspiration, gave to the workers of Christ certain titles applicable till the Lord returns. These are elders, evangelists, teachers, pastors, etc. The New Testament defines the work and position of the spiritual guide in God's cause, and every consecrated man of God should be content to use a title adapted to his work in harmony with the instruction given by the Saviour and by His chosen apostles.
Washington, D. C.
