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Gifts and Titles
by Rene Brown
Dear Brother in Christ,
You asked about gifts and titles and I am giving you my comments and pertinent scriptures below. I
am listing below first the principle scripture I use in ordination and then the scriptures that are about
ministries. These ministry gifts are simply that: Gifts. They have nothing to do with position nor ability
nor status nor intelligence. They are simply gifts of Christ given to us to accomplish what He has called
us to do. Nothing more. They are not titles, were never meant to be titles. In fact, titles are forbidden [See
Matthew 23:9-11 below]. No, we are to be servants as indicated in Matthew 23:11. Titles just set us apart,
and we are not to be set apart but rather a part of the same body - it is just that some people have a
different function. But our relationship is as brothers and sisters.
It is in the nature of man to lord it over others as Jesus said in the following scripture: (Mat 20:25-28
RSV) But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and their great men exercise authority over them. 26It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be
great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever would be first among you must be your slave;
28even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Men seek after titles to gain status that God has not been willing to give them. Why cannot we be
satisfied that God has chosen to use us to bless others? Isn’t service for the King of Kings reward enough?
If we seek after titles here on earth, we have our reward. We are not laying up treasure in heaven. God
may even have to discipline us to show us He is displeased. He will not take the gift away as the gifts of
God are ours permanently - (Rom 11:29 RSV) "For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable." This is
why you see deceitful, despicable, evil men who are still able to preach effectively and bring people to
Christ. They are men with gifts but no character or integrity.
You do not know men by their gifts but rather by their fruits - (Mat 7:15-16 RSV) "Beware of false
prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16You will know them
by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles?" Gifts tell us nothing about the
character of a man or woman. We are to look and see if they are bearing fruit - fruit of the Spirit - as in
Gal 5:22-24 RSV "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. 24And those who belong to Christ Jesus have
crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."
Sincerely in Christ Jesus,
Rene
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some Key Scriptures:
For Ordination: (2 Tim 4:1-5 NKJV) "I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who
will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2Preach the word! Be ready in
season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3For the time will
come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have
itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4and they will turn their ears away from the truth,
and be turned aside to fables. 5But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an
evangelist, fulfill your ministry."
Gift Ministries: (Eph 4:11-12 NKJV) "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some
evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for
by Rene Brown
Dear Brother in Christ,
You asked about gifts and titles and I am giving you my comments and pertinent scriptures below. I
am listing below first the principle scripture I use in ordination and then the scriptures that are about
ministries. These ministry gifts are simply that: Gifts. They have nothing to do with position nor ability
nor status nor intelligence. They are simply gifts of Christ given to us to accomplish what He has called
us to do. Nothing more. They are not titles, were never meant to be titles. In fact, titles are forbidden [See
Matthew 23:9-11 below]. No, we are to be servants as indicated in Matthew 23:11. Titles just set us apart,
and we are not to be set apart but rather a part of the same body - it is just that some people have a
different function. But our relationship is as brothers and sisters.
It is in the nature of man to lord it over others as Jesus said in the following scripture: (Mat 20:25-28
RSV) But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and their great men exercise authority over them. 26It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be
great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever would be first among you must be your slave;
28even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Men seek after titles to gain status that God has not been willing to give them. Why cannot we be
satisfied that God has chosen to use us to bless others? Isn’t service for the King of Kings reward enough?
If we seek after titles here on earth, we have our reward. We are not laying up treasure in heaven. God
may even have to discipline us to show us He is displeased. He will not take the gift away as the gifts of
God are ours permanently - (Rom 11:29 RSV) "For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable." This is
why you see deceitful, despicable, evil men who are still able to preach effectively and bring people to
Christ. They are men with gifts but no character or integrity.
You do not know men by their gifts but rather by their fruits - (Mat 7:15-16 RSV) "Beware of false
prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16You will know them
by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles?" Gifts tell us nothing about the
character of a man or woman. We are to look and see if they are bearing fruit - fruit of the Spirit - as in
Gal 5:22-24 RSV "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. 24And those who belong to Christ Jesus have
crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."
Sincerely in Christ Jesus,
Rene
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some Key Scriptures:
For Ordination: (2 Tim 4:1-5 NKJV) "I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who
will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2Preach the word! Be ready in
season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3For the time will
come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have
itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4and they will turn their ears away from the truth,
and be turned aside to fables. 5But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an
evangelist, fulfill your ministry."
Gift Ministries: (Eph 4:11-12 NKJV) "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some
evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for
