Question: Where in scripture does it tell Christians, or anyone who professes Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, to address pastors as Reverend, Bishop or Father, as if they have some special relationship with God that if you are not a preacher you don’t have?

Robert

Answer: Dear Robert,

For Christians, there is no such biblical injunction. In the Old Testament, the Hebrews were instructed to set apart priests and even a high priest. After the diaspora of the Jews, rabbis were teachers of the law, in addition to the priesthood.

Throughout the Old Testament the term "shepherd" is often used of human spiritual leadership. Jesus called those he taught "disciples" – and as the church started in the book of Acts, we see that apostles were preaching, and that deacons were appointed as officers in the new church. Later we read in Ephesians of prophets, apostles, pastors, evangelists and teachers (Ephesians 4:11). 1 Timothy 3:1 talks of overseers (some translations use the word bishops here) as does Titus 1:7 and Philippians 1:1.

No biblical teaching says that professional ministry has a relationship with God that laymembers do not have, but rather that they are called to do work that laymembers do not, simply as a matter of calling, profession and avocation. The Reformation teaching and doctrine of the priesthood of all believers, taken in part from 1 Peter 2:9 was a reaction to the idea of a professional priesthood that interpreted, dictated and directed the people in God’s place. Such a notion is not biblical.

Hope this helps, Robert.

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht