20/07/2026
WHY DO WE USE TITLES?
One of the questions I am often asked is, "Why do you allow people to call you Apostle? Shouldn't Christians avoid titles?"
It is an important question, and it deserves a biblical answer.
The problem is not with titles. The problem is with pride.
A title is simply a concise way of communicating a person's recognized role, responsibility, and calling. It helps others understand the sphere of ministry or service that has been entrusted to an individual.
When someone says, "I am a doctor," we immediately understand the sphere in which they serve. The same is true of an engineer, judge, professor, or captain. Without such titles, we are often left to speculate about a person's role and responsibility.
Scripture speaks of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, elders, deacons, overseers, kings, and priests. These are never intended to inflate egos. They exist to identify responsibility, stewardship, and function within the purposes of God.
However, I believe it is important to distinguish between a title and an office. A title identifies the calling. An office is the sphere of responsibility into which that person has been called and must faithfully step. You do not enter an office simply by adopting a title. You enter it by embracing the stewardship Christ has entrusted to you and faithfully fulfilling its responsibilities.
Then there is function. Function is the visible demonstration of that office. It is what people actually see. An apostle functions apostolically by establishing, strengthening, and overseeing churches through the revelation of Christ. A pastor functions pastorally by shepherding, feeding, protecting, and caring for God's people. The function provides the evidence that the office is genuine.
The Apostle Paul repeatedly introduced himself as "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ." He was not seeking recognition; he was identifying the divine commission under which he ministered. His title communicated his office, and his life demonstrated its function.
This relationship can be summarized simply:
The title identifies the office. The office defines the responsibility. The function demonstrates the reality.
This is why Scripture emphasizes faithfulness more than designation. A title without an office is merely a label. An office without function is an unfulfilled stewardship. But when title, office, and function are in harmony, they bring clarity, order, accountability, and blessing to the Body of Christ.
The issue, therefore, is not whether we use titles. The issue is whether our lives justify them.
Ultimately, Christ will not reward us for the titles we carried, but for how faithfully we occupied the office He entrusted to us and fulfilled the work He called us to do.
Function validates the office. The office gives substance to the title. And all three exist for the glory of Christ, not the exaltation of man.
