Thy Speech Betrayeth Thee
by Donald Norbie
(taken from the October issue of Milk & Honey)
“Take heed unto thyself and to the doctrine.”
1 Tim. 4:16, KJV
1 Tim. 4:16, KJV
Our words reveal our thinking. Accurate, clear thinking will be evidenced by a careful use of terms and language.
We cannot think without words. If one should say, “Red China is a democracy,” we would say he reveals careless thinking. Either he does not know what the word democracy connotes or else he is ignorant of the true condition of mainland China. In either case his thinking is in error, and his words reveal that.
Today in some areas sloppy thinking is coming into assemblies. It is revealed in the terms we use. Some may say, “Let’s not be picky about words!” But words reveal our thinking, our concepts. The accurate use of words reveals our thinking, our concepts. The accurate use of words is important in the definition and teaching of doctrine in our fellowships. It would be folly to say that “justification and “sanctification” mean the same thing.
For example, the word “assembly” in times past was commonly used for the local congregation. It is a good word, the most literal translation of the Greek word ekklesia. (Cf. Acts 19:39-41.) The word “church” has a different origin coming from kyriakos, “belonging to the Lord.”
Today, according to the dictionary the word “church” can mean “a building used for worship,” “a religious service,” “a denomination,” “the clergy,” “a congregation,” or “all Christians.” Of these various definitions only the last two can apply to our word ekklesia. If you use the word “church,” use it only of the people, the congregation. Call your building a chapel, hall, or whatever, but do not call it a church. The building is where the assembly or church meets.
Some are now calling their main auditorium a “sanctuary.” Shades of Rome! The word “sanctuary” is from the Latin sanctus, sacred. It is defined as a “holy place,” a building set aside for the worship of a god or gods. (It can also mean a place of refuge or protection, as a bird sanctuary.)
Do we really believe our building is a place more holy than others, a place where God is localized, “the house of God?” Solomon knew better than that (2 Chron. 6:18). Our Lord emphasized the spirit of worship is important, not the place (John 4:21-24). The “house of God” today is His people, not a material building (1 Cor. 3:16). The living Church is God’s “sanctuary.”
Titles are being used freely by some today. In the religious world many evangelicals have felt a little uneasy with the title of “Reverend,” the common title for clergy. (The term is only used once in the King James translation and that of God, Ps. 111:9.) But a title is necessary to maintain the clergy distinctiveness and the title “Pastor” is a more friendly, caring term. The “Reverend” is now often called “Pastor.”
But a pastor or shepherd is a gift to the Church; it is not an ecclesiastical office (Eph. 4:11). Since every believer has a spiritual gift (1 Cor. 12:7), should we title every Christian to be consistent: Pastor Smith, Teacher Jones, Helps Anderson, etc.?
This love of the flesh for prominence and recognition has no place among those who follow the Lord Jesus, Who humbled Himself for our sakes (Phil. 2:5-8). He warned strongly against the use of titles, but the religious world is full of such: Reverend, Pastor, Doctor, and Bishop. He said, “But you do not be called Rabbi for one is your Teacher and you are all brethren” (Mt. 23:8). Gifts are to be used, but titles are to be refused.
The words we use articulate our thinking. Think accurately then. Think Scripturally and you will live Scripturally. Beware of sloppy thinking and thereby avoid the sloppy speech that results from it.
We cannot think without words. If one should say, “Red China is a democracy,” we would say he reveals careless thinking. Either he does not know what the word democracy connotes or else he is ignorant of the true condition of mainland China. In either case his thinking is in error, and his words reveal that.
Today in some areas sloppy thinking is coming into assemblies. It is revealed in the terms we use. Some may say, “Let’s not be picky about words!” But words reveal our thinking, our concepts. The accurate use of words reveals our thinking, our concepts. The accurate use of words is important in the definition and teaching of doctrine in our fellowships. It would be folly to say that “justification and “sanctification” mean the same thing.
For example, the word “assembly” in times past was commonly used for the local congregation. It is a good word, the most literal translation of the Greek word ekklesia. (Cf. Acts 19:39-41.) The word “church” has a different origin coming from kyriakos, “belonging to the Lord.”
Today, according to the dictionary the word “church” can mean “a building used for worship,” “a religious service,” “a denomination,” “the clergy,” “a congregation,” or “all Christians.” Of these various definitions only the last two can apply to our word ekklesia. If you use the word “church,” use it only of the people, the congregation. Call your building a chapel, hall, or whatever, but do not call it a church. The building is where the assembly or church meets.
Some are now calling their main auditorium a “sanctuary.” Shades of Rome! The word “sanctuary” is from the Latin sanctus, sacred. It is defined as a “holy place,” a building set aside for the worship of a god or gods. (It can also mean a place of refuge or protection, as a bird sanctuary.)
Do we really believe our building is a place more holy than others, a place where God is localized, “the house of God?” Solomon knew better than that (2 Chron. 6:18). Our Lord emphasized the spirit of worship is important, not the place (John 4:21-24). The “house of God” today is His people, not a material building (1 Cor. 3:16). The living Church is God’s “sanctuary.”
Titles are being used freely by some today. In the religious world many evangelicals have felt a little uneasy with the title of “Reverend,” the common title for clergy. (The term is only used once in the King James translation and that of God, Ps. 111:9.) But a title is necessary to maintain the clergy distinctiveness and the title “Pastor” is a more friendly, caring term. The “Reverend” is now often called “Pastor.”
But a pastor or shepherd is a gift to the Church; it is not an ecclesiastical office (Eph. 4:11). Since every believer has a spiritual gift (1 Cor. 12:7), should we title every Christian to be consistent: Pastor Smith, Teacher Jones, Helps Anderson, etc.?
This love of the flesh for prominence and recognition has no place among those who follow the Lord Jesus, Who humbled Himself for our sakes (Phil. 2:5-8). He warned strongly against the use of titles, but the religious world is full of such: Reverend, Pastor, Doctor, and Bishop. He said, “But you do not be called Rabbi for one is your Teacher and you are all brethren” (Mt. 23:8). Gifts are to be used, but titles are to be refused.
The words we use articulate our thinking. Think accurately then. Think Scripturally and you will live Scripturally. Beware of sloppy thinking and thereby avoid the sloppy speech that results from it.
