Are you caught up in a/your title?

[Pastor Michael Samuels]

Its sad but to many people are caught up in a title. It appears that their whole person is only identified, recognized and qualified in a title. Many people get bent out of shape if you don't always call them Bishop so and so,, Dr. so and so. What are your thoughts on this and what does the word have to say?

[James A. Dickerson]

Amen all. When I first started preaching the gospel, I was fresh off the corner and saved from hard core street life. All I cared about was Jesus and getting others introduced to HIM. I am still that way. Of course travelling the nation on the revival circuit for years almost "churchified" me. :) But I'm still just James when I introduce myself and have learned not to trust people who insist on being called these faddish titles. Most of them are mere influence peddlers seeking to gain from you and not give. Okay maybe Im showing too much of my hand here but it's true. Thanks for the blog Bro. Peace.

[Pastor John H. Young, Sr]

just dont call me late for dinner...lol

[PASTOR CHARLES E BELL JR]

Eric when will your book be release this is some good stuff I think the only name that need to be out front is Jesus . It should not be about us cause all that we do should not be to uplift our name but the name of Jesus. cause his word states that if I be lifted up I draw all man unto me.

[Alexis Michelle]

i concur michael and eric...i'm a minister and there are some around me who have gotten upset because i introduce myself as alexis and not minister alexis...i tell them on my birth certificate it says alexis as my first name not minister....and when we are judged for our works it will be based on what we did for the Father thru his Son and not a title...Now in the 20th century there were many who were called to be bishops and now in the 21st century its an apostle...in the Christian community today titles have given a false sense of existence...that in turn leads into competition....crazy but true...we need to careful because james 3:1 is clear those who are teachers shall have a heavier judgement ( James 3:1
Be not many of you teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment).

[Pastor Michael Samuels]

amen amen amen my brothers...good stuff

[Eric Hancock]

In Christianity, apostles (Ancient Greek: ἀπόστολος apostolos, one sent forth as a messenger)[1] were missionaries among the leaders in the Early Church and, in the Epistle to the Hebrews, Jesus Christ himself.[2][3][4] The term was also used, especially by the Gospel of Luke, for "the Twelve," Jesus' inner circle of disciples (students).[2] They were, according to the Acts of the Apostles and Christian tradition, disciples whom Jesus of Nazareth had chosen, named, and trained in order to send them on a specific mission: the establishment of the Christian Church by evangelism and the spreading of the "good news", after being sent the Holy Spirit as "helper" (paraclete) in this task at Pentecost.[5]

Traditionally, the Twelve include Peter, Prince of the Apostles;[6] Andrew, James the Greater, James the Lesser, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, Thaddeus, Simon, and Judas Iscariot. Judas had been one of the Twelve, but he betrayed Jesus and killed himself.[7] With Judas gone, Matthias became one of the Twelve.[8] In the Synoptic Gospels, Mark names the Twelve, Matthew follows Mark, and Luke substitutes Jude for Mark's Thaddeus. John refers to the Twelve without naming them all, adds the name Nathanael, and uses the term "beloved disciple" (presumably for John). Jesus' inner circle of twelve disciples probably corresponds to the twelve tribes of Israel. In the Synoptics, Jesus selects Peter, James, and John to witness his divine Transfiguration and to be with him when he prays at Gethsemane. In Mark, the Twelve are obtuse, failing to understand the importance of Jesus' miracles and parables.[9] The book of Acts recounts the deeds of the apostles in the years after Jesus' crucifixion.

Saint Paul claimed the role of Apostle to the Gentiles and, assuming Peter's role, became Apostle to the Jews (see also Circumcision controversy in early Christianity, Incident at Antioch, and Primacy of Simon Peter). He claimed a special commission from the risen Jesus, separate from the Great Commission given to the Twelve. Paul's mentor Barnabas is also termed an apostle. Paul did not restrict the term apostle to the Twelve, either because he didn't know it or resisted it.[2] This restricted usage appears in Revelation.[2][10] In modern usage, major missionaries are sometimes termed apostles, as in Saint Patrick, Apostle of Ireland.[2]

The period of Early Christianity during the lifetimes of the apostles is called the Apostolic Age.[11] In the second century, association with the apostles was esteemed as evidence of authority and orthodoxy. Paul's epistles were accepted as scripture (see Development of the New Testament canon), and all four gospels were associated with apostles, as were other New Testament works. Various Christian texts, such as the Didache and the Apostolic Constitutions, were attributed to the Twelve Apostles. Bishops traced their lines of succession back to individual apostles, who were said to have established churches across great territories. Christian bishops have traditionally claimed authority deriving, by apostolic succession, from the Twelve.[2] Early church fathers came to be associated with apostles, such as Pope Clement I with Saint Peter (see apostolic fathers). A medieval creed popular in the West was said to have been composed by the apostles themselves (see Apostles' Creed).

[Eric Hancock]

I think that this is so true and sad at the same time...I spoke with a BISHOP who ELEVATED himself as a APOSTAL..and when I seen him I said hey Bishop,,he made it know to me that he is now a Apostal...need he not know the Job Discription of and apostal he may have let that Title alone...Apostals are not to sit in the Pulpit looking like a Crime Lord,,they are supposed to be working the fields as well as building churches

I mourn for the church because we seem to display so many of the characteristics that Jesus said, "Not so among you" (Mark 10:43). Shameful arrogance and haughtiness have reached epidemic proportions among church leaders... A direct implication of Jesus' servant stance was His obliteration of titles... We have refused to take Jesus' words at face value. Jesus' obvious intent was to remove any basis for "lording it over" others by dispensing with titles that give people an elevated place in the "pecking order." We all occupy the same level ground at the foot of the one Teacher, Jesus Christ. We are not "great ones" or "lords"... Finally, do not accept the designation "master" or "leader." No human can usurp the position of the head of the body, Christ. Our tendency seems always toward idolatry, to make someone larger than life. Never forget: Jesus alone is Lord

[A.W. Bowman]

You do know how to "get under the skin" of some folks and create a little discomfort, don't you? LOLOL My favorite religious leader 'challenge chapter' is Mt. 23. I use it frequently as a self check.