t is written that during the end times, there shall appear many false preachers who will deceive many through false teachings. They will preach unbiblical doctrines even dogmas against the Holy Scriptures.
One of these is the misleading teaching about how the religious leaders will be addressed. It is very noticeable that various titles they link to their names. All are making oneself famous. Reverend, father, teacher, PEGAP (which means, Pastor, Evangelist, Teacher, Apostle and Prophet) are just some of the titles such religious leaders claimed for themselves. What does the Scripture say about this?
One of the strictest reminders of our Lord Jesus Christ which many religious groups violate is what was stated in
Matthew 23:8-9, which says:
“But be not called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your father, which is in heaven.” (KJV)
The Roman Catholic Apostolic Church is one prominent religious violator of this teaching. Catholic authorities assert that their leader be called pope from the word Father, Rabbi, or Master. According to them, it was the Lord Jesus who appointed Apostle Peter as the first pope, who was then succeeded by a line of popes up to its present pontiff, Pope John Paul II. In addition, Peter was allegedly given a high position because the church was built on him. This belief was based on the book of Matthew 16:18.
It is considered enormously daring to be called a reverend – a word which was used only once in the Bible (Psalm 111:9), pertaining to God the Father. Those who dared affix this title to their names are Apollo Quiboloy of Jesus Christ The Name Above Every Name, Eddie Villanueva of Jesus is Lord Inc., and Arsenio Ferriol of Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ or 4th Watch. They say they are God’s messengers, but they themselves violate the commandments that are clearly written in the Holy Scriptures.
It’s a sad truth that members of these churches respect their leaders who pretend to preach the truth, but teach gospel which are against the holy scripture as a result of lack of understanding of which are clearly stated in the Bible.
Let us ask Bro. Eli Soriano. How strict is the Bible concerning titles of a religious group leaders?
