Berita NECF asked several leaders about the current practice of carrying the word ‘Apostle’ as a pre-fix to their name. All expressed dismay and concern at this latest development in the evangelical circle.
“I’m not for it (the ‘Apostle’ title). It cheapens the apostolic movement,” Pr Chew Weng Chee of SIB Kuala Lumpur bluntly said.
“I believe in the apostolic anointing but we can do away with the title, which has become so branded that it is elevating self. The people behind this must search their motive and agenda and be careful that they are not using this to promote themselves,” he cautioned and urged Christians to “forget about the title and go for the Kingdom”.
Dr Tan Nget Hong pointed out that the title in itself was not wrong, but it should be reserved for the New Testament apostles. “When we say apostle, we have the impression of the New Testament apostles who wrote part of the Scriptures, who broke new ground,” the elder of PJEFC said, adding that he was uncomfortable with the current trend of bestowing and using the ‘Apostle’ title.
Pr Micky Kua of Cornerstone Doulos concurred with Dr Tan’s view that the word ‘Apostle’ brings to mind writers of the Bible. “Apostles are people who gave us part of the infallible Word of God,” he said.
“I have an uneasy feeling with people using apostle as a title in the present day. Really, we do not need the title to function.”
Another pastor who declined to be named said there was no need to use titles because “people with the apostolic gifting would be known by the fruits and others will automatically give them the due respect.”
A title carries heavy weight and responsibility, he reminded. |
