Biblical Reference for "First Lady" title

[Rev. Spencer L. Miller]

Can someone please provide me a biblical reference for a term or title we so often use now days in the Church. Where did the title "First Lady" come from? When we speak of the pastor's wife we call her the first lady of the Church, but I have been taught that the pastor's wife is an equal member of the Church along with other one else. It seems like when we call her "First Lady" we are saying that she is above the other women of the Church simply because she is married to the pastor. I would love to have a biblical reference, and not feel that we have adopted a worldly interpretation.

[Archbishop Trevor 'Elihu' Greene]

There are a bunch of titles that have no true Biblical foundation to it, but was birthed out of an Episcopal doctrine. Pope, Reverends (no offense), Cardinal, Laity or lay members and the list can easily go on.

If you feel that we had adopted a worldly title, then you're feeling is correct. Thats what happens when you remove the Apostolic & Prophetic authority and offices: You literally remove the foundations.

[Rev. Spencer L. Miller]

Thank you for your response and there is no offense taken, in retrospect you are saying that titles in the Church are formed through tradition rather than through a biblical foundation. Historically, the title "Reverend" was first applied to a person's age or character in 1449. In 1485 the Catholic Church upgraded the title to "Very Reverend" and then to the "Most High Reverend" and so we have allowed Catholic tradition to provide us with many of these religious titles. The title "First Lady" seems to be the latest addition to this practice.

[Archbishop Trevor 'Elihu' Greene]

Such is true. For years, we have only regarded these titles in the Church:

-Apostle
-Prophet/Seer
-Bishop/Elder/Overseer (C.O.G.I.C. and a few others call it Superintendent)
-Pastor
-Evangelist
-Teacher
-Deacon

[Rev. Spencer L. Miller]

Correct, we have also applied the name "minister" to the preacher. Actually for one to be a minister does not call for him or her to preach behind a pulpit on Sunday mornings. Ministers plainly and simply are servants of God. Anyone who follows the commands of Jesus, anyone who works in the Church and it the community are ministers as well. I think the greatest title ever given to the man or woman of God is the title servant, without a doubt this is the one which pleases God,

[Archbishop Trevor 'Elihu' Greene]

Amen!

[Evangelist Altha Fugett]

Actually COGIC does use the title Bishop, Superintendents are over Districts.

The biblical reference to First Lady is from 2 John 1

The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; .....


I used this scripture because the saluted—a noble Christian matron, and her children: To the elect lady and her children. A lady, a person of eminent quality for birth, education, and estate. It is well that the gospel has got such among.

There is nothing new under the sun, many descriptive titles have been given to some, the first lady title simply means that's the pastor's wife, nothing to get real deep about

[Archbishop Trevor 'Elihu' Greene]

True, the C.O.G.I.C. do use the title Bishop. I was just referencing to the title of Superintendent used by them. PAW and some other Oneness Pentecostals use it as well.

The First lady comment made by Apostle John is disputable. Some say its to a Pastoral figure, others say he is calling the Church itself an "elect lady".

[Rev. Eric Culberson Jr.]

I'll throw this wrench into this conversation by asking this, whats the big deal with it? When we call Michelle Obama the first lady does that mean she is above all the other women in the country? NO! But since she is the wife of the Prez, everything she does is now looked at through a microscope. Is it any different in the local church? Heck No! The members look at the first lady for everything what she wearing, what she saying, what she involved in, who she hanging with? No, she aint over all the women but her life is placed as an open book before all the congregation just becasue she is the pastor's wife? And in closing if an individual has a big problem with her being called "first lady" dont call her it, call her sistah cause that's what she still is a sistah (I HOPE) in Christ.

[Rev. Spencer L. Miller]

That sounds good to me preacher. In fact I have been leaning towards that frame of thought, and you're right it is no big deal because I believe when we get to heaven the only title that will truly matter is that of servant. Since this is an opened forum, I decided to ask this question and by no means did I want to cause a contentious debate there is enough of that in the church already. God bless.

[newview]

Maybe it comes from the 2 John passage:

" to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth "

And maybe it was thought to be a title given to a certain woman of the church. But it was a letter to that particular church - not to some lady or the pastor's wife.

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