The Church's highest title Week 29, 2012

What is the highest title in the church? “The highest title is Bishop. You have the house of laity and the house of the clergy. Distinct among that class are bishops. In today’s church there is no higher title.” No, that is not the highest title in the church. There is a higher title than that. “Oh, I forgot. You mean the Archbishop ,no? Primate? Well Pope then. That is the highest title in the church …” Ha-ha. How wide off mark. Neither Archbishop, Primate, nor Pope is the highest title in the Bible. “Alright, bible eh? All of us are equal in God’s sight. There is none higher than the other.” I agree we are all equal in Christ, but that does not mean we all have the same status. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first Mat 19:30(ISV). Some people will be first and others last.
“Yes, I’ve got it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues 1Cor 12:28(ESV). An apostle is the highest office in the church.” I still disagree. None of these is the highest. I will ask you in another way. Who in the New Testament or church had the highest title, or were most significant? “I guess maybe Paul, or Peter, and they were apostles.” Alright. You don’t seem to get it. Let me show you. Rom 1:1 (LITV): Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, separated to the gospel of God . “Eh! It clearly shows I am correct: it is the apostle.” When you have more than one title don’t you put the higher one first e.g. Prof (Dr)? “I agree. But what title other than apostle is in that verse?” Servant. Not only Paul regarded being a slave of Jesus primary and before his apostleship, so also did Peter. Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ…2Pt 1:1(LITV). In every place apostles introduced themselves with both titles, that of being a slave comes first. Even our Lord Jesus Christ has that title: Reach out your hand to heal, and grant that wonders and miracles may be performed through the name of your holy Servant Jesus. Acts 4:30(GNB).
“I would hardly call a servant a title.” Why? “It’s so demeaning, so degrading. A title should lift you up, give you honour, an air of importance.” I see, perhaps you have not heard Jesus’ words to apostles in Mk 9:35(GW) He sat down and called the twelve apostles. He told them, "Whoever wants to be the most important person must take the last place and be a servant to everyone else.” The servant is the highest title; the servant of all.
How do you introduce yourself to God’s people?