Chuck Bartlett

We constantly stress the need to have Biblical authority for everything we do (Col. 3:17). However, many in the religious realm may use terms that can be found in the Bible, but they have been misapplied. Here is a short list of abuses that exist.

Born-again Christian

You can read the words born-again in John 3:5, and the word Christian in Acts 11:26. To put these terms together is not proper. Anyone who is born-gain, is a Christian, and anyone who is a Christian, is born-again. If a man has a child, he isn't a father dad. If you are one, you are the other. It would be like calling a lady a female woman. If you are one, you are the other. To create a "special" term out of these words, is an abuse of the word of God.

Pastors

We can read this word in Ephesians 4:11. This word means shepherd. This is just another term for elder, bishop and overseer (I Tim. 3:1; Titus 1:5-7; I Pet. 5:1-2; Acts 20:28). When elders were appointed in churches, there was always a plurality (two more). They also had to meet the qualifications (I Tim. 3:1-7). This means they had to be men who were married and had children who were old enough to be Christians, and had to meet all the other qualifications listed. To attach a special meaning to pastor, is an abuse of the word of God.

Priests

We can read this term in Revelation 1:6 and in I Peter 2:9. Under the Old Testament there was the Levitical priesthood. This means that only those of Levi's family could serve as priests. Jesus did away with the Levitical priesthood (Heb. 8-9), and now all Christians are priests, since they present their bodies as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1-2; I Pet. 2:9). To attach a special meaning to this word is to abuse the word of God.

Saints

We can read this word in Philippians 1:1. In the New Testament, when Paul addressed the churches, he used the term saint, in identifying the Christians. These were not saint Christians. The word means, holy or sacred. All of Christ's followers are to be holy (Eph. 1:4). This was never used as a title, such as Saint Paul or Saint Mark. Mark and Paul can be called saints, since they followed Christ. The same goes for anyone today. To make a special meaning of the word is to abuse the word of God.

Reverend

We can read this word in Psalm 111:9. This is the only place the word is found in the Bible and it was referring to God. The word means to fear and revere. This is not a term we use to address religious leaders. Aside from the fact that Jesus spoke against the use of titles (Matt. 23:7-9), to attach a special meaning to this word in addressing some man or woman, is an abuse of the word of God.

Sanctuary

We can read this word in Hebrews 9:1. The word means a holy place. When the word was used, it made reference to the earthly tabernacle the Jews made. There is no holy place for God to dwell in today, other than within man (I Jn. 4:12). We might have made a place for the church (Christians) to gather, but there is no sanctuary. Although, this has not stopped people from claiming their "church" has a sanctuary. To use this term to describe a place on earth that is holy (other than within man), is an abuse of the word of God.

Fellowship

We can read this word in I John 1:7. The word means, partnership or communion. Keep in mind that this whole article is dealing with the Biblical use of terms that people have changed. I am not dealing with Webster's definition of fellowship. In the New Testament, whenever the word is found, it is used on a spiritual level. We have fellowship by walking in the light. When we worship, we are having fellowship. Yet, some, wanting to broaden the term, say that whenever we are doing anything with other Christians, we are "fellowshipping." This is why "churches" have built "fellowship halls." If spiritual fellowship is eating together, why did Paul tell a church to eat at home if they were hungry (I Cor. 11:22)? The reason was, this is not the spiritual participation that fellowship means. To take this term and make it include all social activities, is an abuse of the word of God.

Faith only

We can read the words "faith only" in the Bible in James 2:24. It means just what it says, only faith. Since these words are found in the scriptures, it seems right that people can teach that "faith only" saves. However, when you look at the verse, it has the word "not" in front of them. In other words, we are told we are not saved by faith only.

We need to make sure, that what is taught is not only Biblical, but that it is taught accurately (II Tim. 2:15). Only those who seek to rightly divide the word will prevent themselves from twisting the scriptures to their own destruction (II Pet. 3:15-16).