Answer # 56

When we look into the Bible we find that the word reverend refers only to God — not once is it applied to man. In Psalm 111:9 we read "He [God] hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name." The New English Bible renders this last phrase "Holy is his name, inspiring awe: [that is, worthy of worship]."

God alone has a name worthy of reverence. No man — no minister — has a name worthy of such respect or worship.

Nowhere in the New Testament was Paul, Peter, James, John or any other minister ever addressed as Reverend. If we follow the Bible example, which we are commanded to do, then we should not use the title Reverend for any minister. See also Matthew 23:8-10.

The use of titles such as Reverend began when the great apostasy set in at the close of the first century. Ministers put themselves "in the place of Christ." Hence they took upon themselves the attributes and titles of divinity. God's true ministers have not done so.