Topical Bible: Titles and Names of Ministers: Preachers

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In the Christian tradition, the role of a preacher is of significant importance, as it involves the proclamation of the Word of God and the teaching of biblical truths to the congregation. The Bible provides various titles and names for those who fulfill this role, each reflecting different aspects of their responsibilities and calling.

1. Preacher: The term "preacher" is commonly used to describe one who publicly proclaims the gospel. In Ecclesiastes 1:1 , Solomon is referred to as "The Preacher," indicating his role in sharing wisdom and divine truths: "The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem."

2. Minister: This title emphasizes the servant nature of the role. In 1 Timothy 4:6 , Paul instructs Timothy, "By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed."

3. Evangelist: An evangelist is one who spreads the good news of Jesus Christ. In Ephesians 4:11 , Paul lists evangelists among the gifts given to the church: "And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers."

4. Pastor: While often used interchangeably with preacher, the term "pastor" specifically refers to one who shepherds a congregation. In 1 Peter 5:2 , elders are exhorted to "Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them—not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will."

5. Teacher: This title highlights the instructional aspect of the ministry. In 2 Timothy 1:11 , Paul describes his own calling: "to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher."

6. Herald: A herald is one who announces important news. In 2 Timothy 4:2 , Paul charges Timothy to "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction."

7. Servant of the Word: This title underscores the preacher's dedication to the Scriptures. In Acts 6:4 , the apostles declare, "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

8. Ambassador for Christ: This title reflects the preacher's role as a representative of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:20 , Paul writes, "Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us."

9. Messenger: A messenger delivers the divine message. In Malachi 2:7 , it is stated, "For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts."

These titles and names collectively illustrate the multifaceted nature of the preacher's role within the Christian community. They are called to serve, teach, shepherd, and proclaim the gospel, acting as representatives of Christ and stewards of His Word.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 10:14
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Timothy 2:7
Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Brief Memoir of Thomas Watson
... Register and Chronicle,' is a list of eighty-seven names of Puritan ministers,
including many well ... subjects, and of a useful nature, for the titles of which ...
/.../watson/a body of divinity/brief memoir of thomas watson.htm

English Version of the Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... that 'in the books of the Kings, the names and books ... they be set out with goodly
titles, as though ... something created, and that serves and ministers unto another ...
/.../english version of the second.htm

Gospel Missions
... or two still remaining, precious and treasured names; we love ... her wings, but ye would
not." If ministers of the ... himself as one of his peculiar titles, for he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/gospel missions.htm

Independence of Christianity
... conferential, and an infinite quantity of names, one does ... they have achieved the
highest titles that can ... a large number of the most eminent ministers in England ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/independence of christianity.htm

The Last Interview of Paul with the Elders of Ephesus.
... Peaceable as was the demeanour of his ministers, and benevolent as ... in the Christian
Church, and that the names of office are not empty titles of honour. ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxiv the last interview.htm

The Origin of the Gospels.
... Their titles do not warrant this assertion ... Luke thirty-eight; only two of the
intermediate names in the ... they had heard it from eyewitnesses and ministers of the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter ix the origin of.htm

The Evangelical Revival.
... against niceness in hearing, a great and prevailing evil; against calling our society
a Church or the Church; against calling our preachers ministers and our ...
/.../chapter ix the evangelical revival.htm

Scriptural Predictions of an Apostasy.
... Reverend." They who assume such honorary titles set themselves ... than the laity, because
the ministers are the ... the earth shall worship him, whose names were not ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter ii scriptural predictions of.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... that is the way to hasten the downfall of Antichrist, ministers need reforming ... things
of worship of Antichrist; it dwells in the titles and names that are ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

The Evidences of Christianity Briefly Stated, and the New ...
... you may depend upon it, that faithful ministers of every ... certain pieces, which bore
the same titles with the ... or Livy, wrote those which go under their names. ...
/.../the evidences of christianity/the evidences of christianity briefly.htm