[Conservative til I die]

Jesus warned against exalted titles. The disciples took no exalted titles in the NT.

What's so "exalted" about "Bishop of Rome" or "Patriarch of the West" (recently dropped) or "Primate of Italy"?

They're accurate descriptors of rank, occupation, authority. The Pope *is* the Bishop of Rome. The Pope *is* the male leader of the Western Church. The Pope *is* the highest ranking Catholic religious leader in Italy.

I think you're just fooling yourself because these titles have a mysterious, foreign sound to them. Even "Vicar" just means he represents someone, in this case, Christ.

I mean, if a man attains the rank of General in the Army, which means that he has certain authority and command, does that mean he is exalted? What about a Colonel or a Major?

[PetroniusMaximus]

"What's so "exalted" about "Bishop of Rome" or "Patriarch of the West" (recently dropped) or "Primate of Italy"? "

Official Papal title:
"Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman province, Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City, Servant of the Servants of God."


"But you are not to be called Rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers." - Jesus



"I mean, if a man attains the rank of General in the Army, which means that he has certain authority and command, does that mean he is exalted? What about a Colonel or a Major?"

Thank you! Jesus addressed this very point! We do not take our cue from the way the world behaves. We are to be the exact opposite!

"But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:" - Matt 20