How Should Ministers and Pastors be Called and Addressed?

Bro. Eliseo F. Soriano

A PREACHER IS ALSO
DISCOURAGED from saving money
in banks. Christ said, “Lay not for
yourselves treasures upon the
earth, where moth and rust doth
corrupt and where thieves break
through and steal” (Mat. 6:19).
Christ prohibited it to the real
ministers of God because no man
could serve two masters at the same
time. He cannot serve God and
riches at the same time. This is why
God prohibited His ministers from
enriching themselves.

Now, we are going to continue studying this topic. We will still talk about
the don’ts of God to His ministers/preachers. What are they? And please
try to compare the preacher being mentioned in the Bible and compare
him with your respective preachers, or pastors. Actually, God has so many
prohibitions, but pastors conceal these to their members. But let us try
studying them now.

Nowadays, preachers are being addressed in various ways. There is one

religious leader who is called servant leader; another is being called Jagad
Guru, which means world preacher. This is the name that the Chaitanya
Mission calls their leader – Jagad Guru, or world preacher. The Chaitanya
mission is one of the groups that teaches that, you will be blesses if you call
on the name of God. And according to them, God has more than a hundred
million names! How can that be? Where in the Bible can you find those
hundred million names? That is almost equivalent to the number of
galaxies in our universe! How can the Bible accommodate those hundred
million names? But that is their belief. Aside from that, they also call their
leader Jagad Guru, which means world preacher.

In some organizations of faith, their leader is being called Beloved

Evangelist. Another group calls their leader as Dynamic Evangelist; there
is also another whose leader is addressed as Apostle; and, still another
group calls their preacher as Father.

Each group has its own form of address to their leader. But let us find out
from the Bible how pastors, or preachers, should be addressed by the
faithful. Does the Bible give any specific instruction as to how a leader of
religion should be called? This is what our Lord Jesus Christ said in
Matthew 23:8, “But be not ye called Rabbi: …”

The negative word “not,” or “do not,” connotes a prohibition. Christ

How Should Ministers and Pastors be Called and Addressed?
Bro. Eliseo F. Soriano

prohibited His apostles not to let anybody call them Rabbi. You see, the
word “Rabbi” is the plural form of “Rabboni”, which means
teacher/master. “… for one is your Master, even Christ; all ye are
brethren (Mat. 23:8).”

In other words, the Bible introduces but one Teacher, or Master, to the
Christians. And for that, Christ prohibited His apostles from letting
anybody call them Rabbi, or Rabboni, as written in the Book of Matthew.

If we are all brethren, how shall we call each other? Have you heard of a
brother calling his brother “teacher,” or “reverend”? Isn’t that
unbecoming? If you are all brethren in faith, why will you call your priest
as “most holy father”? That is not right! That is against Christ’s
commandment! Remember Christ told His apostles not to let anybody call
them Rabbi because they have only one Teacher, and all of them are
brethren. And who is the sole teacher that ought to be addresses as Rabbi?
He is nobody else but our Lord Jesus Christ. This is what Judas 1:4 says,
“For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old
ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of God
unto lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus
Christ.”

Jesus Christ is our only Teacher. Please do not be misled. There is but one
“guru”. Then, all of a sudden, here comes a so-called Jagad Guru, claiming
that he is a jagad guru! That is an outright defiance to what Christ had
commanded.

Today, there are many preachers who let other people call them “teacher”.
Perhaps, they are too thirsty of honor and power. But what is worse, they
even add a modifier in the superlative degree to their names and titles, i.e.
“most holy Father”. The word “holy” is already an adjective that implies
distinction, but since they crave for a greater honor, they added “most,”
which is an adverb in its superlative degree. Please, don’t get offended but
that is how Catholic priests are addressed – Most Holy Father, Most
Reverend Father. Protestant pastors are also called Reverend Pastor. But
does this practice conform to the standards of the Bible? Matthew 23:9
says, “And call no man your father upon earth: for one is your Father
which is in heaven.” So, when it comes to matters of religion, we are not
supposed to call anyone father.

“Papa” is a Latin word for “father”. In Greek, it is “patros”; in Filipino,

“ama”; in English, “father”. Christ said, when it comes to religion, nobody
should be called “father” because there is only Father, that who is in
heaven. That means, the only one whom we are supposed to call “Father”
is the Father in heaven. How should we rightfully address the Father?
Matthew 6:9 says, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father
which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name …”
How Should Ministers and Pastors be Called and Addressed?
Bro. Eliseo F. Soriano

It is very clear that the Father that we shall call on is the Father in heaven.
And we shall call no man on earth “father. “And call no man your father
upon earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.”

Let us obey Christ. Why do we call a priest “father”? It’s fine if the one you
are calling “father” is your parent. There is nothing wrong with that. He is
not a minister, or preacher, any way. But when it comes to religion, Christ
does not want any man to be called “father”. The only father that we
should invoke is the One in heaven.

But do you call your priests “father” or not? If you do, you are defying the
teachings of the Bible. If Christ does not want any man on earth to be
called “Father”, the more He would condone it if you will attach the word
“reverend” to it. Why? Do you know that the Bible used the word
“reverend” only once? That is in Psalms 111:9 which says, “He sent
redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever:
holy and reverend is his name.”

That is the only verse in the Bible that used the word “reverend”. It was
used only once. The apostles were not called reverend; the pastors in the
first century church neither called themselves “reverend”. The Bible used
the word “reverend” once to refer to the Father in heaven. “… holy and
reverend is his name.” But today, pastors have robbed God of that honor
and distinction. They have attached the word “reverend” to their names.

You know, my brethren in our congregation will get mad at me if I let them
address me as “reverend” because they know very well for whom that word
should be used – for God only. But for a sinful man, the word “reverend” is
not fitting. And most especially so if it had been made “Most Holy Father”.
Isn’t it that no other descriptive word, be it adjective or adverb, could
surpass it if it is already presented in the superlative degree? For a priest
to be called “Most Holy Father”, that would mean that his holiness exceeds
that of the Father in heaven! The Father in heaven is simply called “our
Father,” “Nuestro Padre,” “Patros Nosotros” . . . without any modifier in
the superlative degree.

That is a disrespect and defiance to Christ’s law. You were commanded not
to call any man on earth “father”, but you just do the opposite. Not only
that! You even describe him as “most holy” and “most reverend”.

But while some preachers are being addressed as “Father,” there are also
some who call themselves as “Apostle”. But as far as the teachings of the
Bible are concerned, how should the brethren in the church address one
another? For instance, how was Paul addressed by his brothers in faith? II
Pet. 3:15 says, "And account that the long-suffering of our Lord is
salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul ..."
How Should Ministers and Pastors be Called and Addressed?
Bro. Eliseo F. Soriano

St. Paul was called “brother in faith,” “brother,” not “apostle”. Remember
that “Apostle” is not a form of address, it is an office. It is a duty. Others do
not really understand, what being an apostle is all about. Let me illustrate.
“President” is an office. The President is addressed as “His Excellency”. In
the court, a Judge is not addressed “Judge”; he is addressed as “Your
Honor,” because “Judge” is an office. What do I mean to say? “Apostle” is
an office, but how should the one holding this office is addressed? Acts
2:37 says, “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart,
and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren,
what shall we do?”

Peter and the rest of the apostles were addressed as “brethren,” not
“Reverend Apostle Peter”! Are there any biblical accounts that mention
that the apostles were addressed as “reverend”? There is none! They called
each other “brother”. Even if Peter had authority over them, because he
was the one teaching them the way to salvation, he was simply called
“brother”. That is why, the different forms of address like Apostle,
Reverend Pastor, Most Holy Father, Very Reverend Father, etc., are all
against what the Bible teaches.

At the moment, I am troubled by so many things, and one of them is, how
can I save my fellowmen from the claws of false preachers who are not
only misleading but who are also deliberately taking for granted what the
Bible teaches. The Bible said, “do not let anybody call you Rabbi” . . . “call
no one of earth Father”. But there they are, allowing their members to call
them “Father”, but most of the time “Reverend Father.” That is why I
couldn’t help but pity these people. They still say “Amen” despite the fact
that they are being fooled. During the Spanish colonization, our great
grandparents used to address the friars as “Among”, implying that they
were their lords, while they were their slaves. But insofar as the Bible is
concerned, is it right that the members be regarded as slaves, and the
preachers, lords? I Peter 5:1-2 says, “The elders which are among you I
exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ,
and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed. Feed the flock of
God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint.
Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the
flock.”

Nowadays, preachers are being treated as lords. Are you aware that there
is one preacher who is being paraded by his members? He is being carried
by six men. And as they procession him, hundreds of his guards are
saluting him, as though he were a god. Do you know who he is? He is even
wearing a crown. As written in the “Pasion”:

“Ang mga pagmimilagro (His miracles)

Tutulungan ng demonyo (will be helped by the devil)
How Should Ministers and Pastors be Called and Addressed?
Bro. Eliseo F. Soriano

Maghahari itong lilo (This wicked man will rule.)

Itong sukaban at lilo (This vile and wicked man)
Mandarayang walang toto (will deliberately deceive all)
Kalupit-lupit na tao (He is a very cruel man)
Kampon ng mga demonyo (A son of the devil)
Ang pangala’y anti Cristo (Whose name is anti-Christ).”

Even the Catholic “Pasion” speaks of it. And it was not I who wrote the
“Pasion”; it was written by Catholic priests. God’s admonition to the
preacher is, “Neither as being lords over God’s heritage: but being
example to the flock. And when the chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall
receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”

I do not agree that a preacher should be revered by his members to the

point of bathing him. There is one preacher whose bedpan is being held by
six maidens whenever he urinates. And whenever he discharges his
excrements, these ladies are also the ones who wash his rectum. Actually,
this is no longer surprising because there was one leader of religion who
had 48 wives. Will you consider a religion to be of God when your minister
makes his pretty members his concubines? Do you believe that he could
lead you to heaven?

The Bible said, do not be like lords. But despite that, you enjoy being
treated like a lord. They kiss your hand; they kneel before you. Sometimes,
I am thinking if it were possible that all ministers and preachers be
assembled to Luneta Park, and let them speak. And the throat of whoever
will be found to be lying will be cut. Then, let him be thrown into the ocean
to be devoured by sharks. That way, his deceits will be given an end. I am
sure, if I would be given the chance to interrogate each of them, many will
be beheaded for telling lies. But if I would not be permitted to question
them, they’d definitely be able to brainwash a lot of people. They might
succeed in making the people believe that they are telling the truth. But if I
would be there, I will unmask them before your eyes.

First of all, I will ask them if they are truly ministers of God. Definitely,
they will give me a positive answer. And then, I will ask them, “How do
your members address you?” If they say, “Father,” I will ask them, “Isn’t it
that the Bible prohibits us from calling any man, “father”? If they reason
out and give excuses that they are not the ones who ask their members to
address them as such, I will ask them, “Why didn’t you stop them? If you
know that what they do is wrong, you have the obligation to correct them.
The truth is, you are even flattered to hear them call you “Father”.”
Imagine even your elders and parents call you “father”! Normally, a priest
gets ordained in his late twenties. But why is it that he becomes a priest,
even his grandfather kisses his hand and call him “father”? And why does
he allow him to kiss his hand and call him “Father”? Isn’t that very ironic?
How Should Ministers and Pastors be Called and Addressed?
Bro. Eliseo F. Soriano

Ask your priests and pastors and ministers why are they not abiding by
what the Bible is teaching? It’s just unfortunate that many of us are even
angry when told of the truth. Sometimes, I am asking myself if it would be
better if I’ll just shut my mouth. That way, I will not make enemies
anymore. But I’d rather be struck by lightning than keep quiet! I’d rather
die that not to fight for the truth! I would not let other people compel me
to play deaf and mute to the frauds in religion. I repeat, I’d rather die!
Actually, even the many libel cases that my foes in faith have filed against
me did not intimidate me from telling the truth. I’d rather die than be
prevented from proclaiming the truth. What is the use of living if you
would not be able to preach what God wants you to preach? That is not the
kind of life that I dream of. I do not mind leading a problem-laden life for
the sake of telling the truth. I do not mind being the object of the people’s
wrath if that is the price that I have to pay for telling the truth in the Bible.
As written in Galatians 4:16, “Am I therefore become your enemy,
because I tell you the truth?”

Will you get mad at me because I opened your eyes to the truth? It’s up to
you. Anyway, I will not be made accountable for it by God. My
responsibility is to tell the truth, whether you like it or not. I do not fear
the wrath of man. What I fear is the wrath of God, and I do not want to
earn God’s wrath. Actually, one of my most fervent prayers is that God
won’t get angry with me. There is practically nowhere for me to go and
nobody to turn to if it God gets angry with me. All the other pastors are
already angry with me, and I would be the most miserable person if God
would also be angry with me. Woe unto me, when that happens! I could
bear the anger of all, except God’s. That is why whatever God asks me to
do I will gladly follow even if it would mean hurting the feelings of other
people. God commanded the preachers not to let any man call them Rabbi;
He doesn’t want a preacher to be called “Father”; He doesn’t want a
preacher to be treated as lords by his members.

Instead of being angry with me, please try to contemplate on the things
that I mentioned. They are all true. Your preachers have made you slaves;
they have fooled you; they have made money out of you. And when a
preacher gets attracted with you, he would even make you his concubine.

There is a preacher who claims that he is a son of God. So, if begets a child
by one woman, that child becomes a grandchild of God. Because of that,
no woman ever complains if her preacher wants to go to bed with her. As a
result, one leader of religion had 36 concubines, while another had 48.
This is no gossip. I have documents to prove its veracity. This thing really
happens in religion, and it has happened several times already.

That is why it is very important that you know the truth – so that you
won’t be cheated. A preacher should not be treated as lord, as though he is
How Should Ministers and Pastors be Called and Addressed?
Bro. Eliseo F. Soriano

the Lord Almighty. Did the apostles Barnabas and Paul do this? Acts 14:11-
15 says, “And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up
their voices, saying in the speech of Lyconia. The gods are come down to
us in the likeness of man. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul,
Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter,
which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates,
and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles,
Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among
the people crying out, and saying, why do ye these things? We also are
men of like passions with you …”

However, today, preachers are even elated if their members offer them
flowers, and if they kneel before them. But these things were not done by
real apostles of Christ. They were prohibited by the Bible. In fact, they
even said, “We also are men of like passions with you …”