Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: February 4, 2007
QUESTIONS ABOUT PREACHING AND PREACHERS (Part 1)
Ben Justice
The New Testament has a lot to say about preaching and preachers. The books
of 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus are “preacher” epistles. The apostle Paul, the writer
of these three books, sets forth in a very forthright and clear fashion the
responsibilities of all preachers. Even though these three books speak more
about the work of a gospel preacher than any other book in the NT, this is by no
means all that the New Testament says about preaching and preachers. Sadly,
the majority of people in the pew really don’t know what the New Testament
teaches. This has resulted in unjust and undue criticisms and complaints
against preaching and preachers. A preacher must preach the whole counsel of
God (Acts 20:27). This includes preaching on the subject of preaching and
preachers. Preachers should not shy away from preaching on these subjects.
Some preachers reason that since the people in the pew are not preachers that
they, therefore, don’t really don’t need these types of lessons. Such is faulty
reasoning. The people in the pew must know what God expects of preachers! A
lot of misunderstanding about preaching and preachers would go away if
preachers would take the time to preach on it. It is with these things in mind
that we wish to explore some questions about preaching and preachers.
1.) Are preaching and preachers really necessary? Most absolutely! The New
Testament makes this abundantly clear. Note the following scriptures:
Mark 16:15 — “And he (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach
the gospel to every creature.” Preaching is necessary according to the Great
Commission given by Jesus. The Great Commission can not be carried out
unless there is preaching.
I Cor. 1:18 — “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but
unto us which are saved it is power of God.” God’s power to save is preaching.
Rom. 1:16 states that God’s power to save is the gospel. By putting these two
scriptures together, they completely harmonize with Mark 16:16. The Gospel
must be preached!
I Cor. 1:21 — “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not
God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”
Certainly, in these Corinthian passages, Paul was not suggesting that preaching
is foolish. Paul’s point is that the world looks upon the simple preaching of the
gospel as “foolishness.” It is not foolishness, though. Paul plainly said that it
results in salvation. How could something that results in salvation be
foolishness?
Sadly, many, even in the Lord’s church, now regard preaching as a “foolish”
thing. Preaching in many congregations has now been replaced with plays, skits,
drama productions, and all kinds of entertainment. Many now regard God’s
chosen way of saving man as old and outdated. To replace God’s method of
preaching, in which he has manifested his word (Titus 1:3), is nothing short of
blasphemy. It is saying that God’s way is not good enough.
Paul charged, “Preach the word” (2 Tim. 4:2). This is a command. It is
commanded, because preaching and preachers are essential to God’s overall
scheme of redemption. Would to God that more people had more respect for God’
s ways!
2.) Is a preacher “the Pastor”? No! A preacher is nowhere in the NT referred to
as “The Pastor.” The religious world often refers to preachers as “pastors.” To
say that a preacher is one and the same as a pastor is incorrect. In Eph. 4:11,
Paul stated, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;” If a pastor is one and the same as a
preacher (or evangelist), then why did Paul distinguish between the two in the
above scripture. By the fact that Paul distinguished between “evangelists” and
“pastors” indicates that they are not the same. “Pastors” is simply another
designation for “elders.” Elders are the pastors of a congregation. And, the NT
always speaks of a plurality of elders (cf. Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28; Phil. 1:1). There
is no such thing as a “one man” pastor system in the NT church. Hence, it is
unscriptural to refer to the preacher as “the pastor.” He could be “a” pastor,
indicating one of many. However, the only way he can function as “a” pastor is if
he meets all of the required qualifications (cf. I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-11). Listen
to the words of Peter: “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an
elder, . . .” (I Pet. 5:1). Even though Peter was a preacher, he was also an elder
(pastor), but not “the” pastor.
3.) Is it scriptural for the preacher to be called by the title “doctor” in the
church? Many preachers have a doctor’s degree. Such is a great
accomplishment. However, the scriptures teach that using such a title in a
spiritual way is unscriptural. Jesus said in Matt. 23:8-12, “But be not ye called
Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. (9) And call no
man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. (10)
Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. (11) But he that is
greatest among you shall be your servant. (12) And whosoever shall exalt himself
shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
The Pharisees loved to be called “Rabbi, Rabbi” (v. 7). In v. 8, Jesus condemns
it, and gives the reason: “for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are
brethren.” The Greek term for “Rabbi” is rabbie or rabbi. Vine stated the
following: “From a word rab, primarily denoting ‘master’ in contrast to a slave;
this with the added pronominal suffix signified ‘my master’ and was a title of
respect by which teachers were addressed. The suffix soon lost its force, and in
the NT the word is used as courteous title of address” (Pg. 504). This title
would be equivalent to “doctor” in a religious sense today. Those who would
desire to be called “doctor” in a religious and spiritual sense are in violation of
our Lord’s teaching.
Brother Guy N. Woods has an excellent discussion on this in his “Questions &
Answers” Volume 1. He stated, “Jesus did not forbid the use of these titles on
the ground that they were empty and unearned; they were real and bona-fide
tokens of achievement and learning; they were condemned on the ground that
they served to set up distinctions where there should be none — distinctions
among those who have a common Master and Lord, and are, therefore, of a
common heritage” (Pg. 352). [MORE NEXT WEEK]