https://youtu.be/-rWtw0LLRFwI did an update on "Wolves in Costume: Steven Anderson" today because I found this audio clip and uploaded it this afternoon. Here's the updated portion:
------------------------------
------------------------------
ANDERSON: "What I don't understand sometimes, is how sometimes, people don't figure this out. It's like, I feel like Jesus said to Philip, 'Have you been so long with me and you do not know me?' You remember when he said that? It's like, have you been at Faithful Word Baptist Church for so long and you haven't figured out that my name is not Steve?! It's 'Pastor Anderson!' Have you not figured that out?... It's not 'Hey Steve! Hey Stevie! Hey buddy old pal!' And you know, it's time for some people to give honor unto whom honor is due, and the pastor of the church not just a little buddy who comes in here in shorts and t-shirt!"
Before I address the Scripture, I want to point out, once again, Steven Anderson's railing and hateful attitude. He's saying, "have you not figured that out," which is really saying, "If you call me 'Steve', then you're an idiot!"
The first part of Scripture Anderson's referring to is from John 14:
Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
-John 14:9
Anderson either needs to admit his complete ignorance and hypocrisy when using that verse in this context, or he's actually comparing himself to God. Jesus was questioning Philip because of what Philip requested in the previous verse:
Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
-John 14:8
Anderson ought to fear God more because he used this verse far out of its context to try and justify his wicked doctrine. Anderson wants everyone to respect his person in sin, and tried to use Philip not recognizing God in Christ (John 10:30) as a metaphor for himself, and that people should lift him up with a fancy prestigious title. (This should be no surprise because I've seen countless pastors do the same thing.)
Certainly, those who labor in the word are worthy of double honor (1Ti 5:17), but not to the point we start acting like the world to hand out fancy titles. We also never want to honor someone to the point that we respect their person in sin; for example, when Anderson points out his fancy-looking suit, rather than a t-shirt:
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial [i.e. biased] in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?... If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
-James 2:1-10
In fact, the New Testament church never used titles. The typical church buildings today walk around calling one another "Pastor Anderson," "Brother Jackson," "Sister Miller," "Elder Baker," etc, but the church did not use such titles in the New Testament; for example, Paul was called to be an apostle, as he states in Romans 1:1, but he was never called "Apostle Paul" with a title.
(Read "Titles Are Unbiblical in the Church" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)
The second part of Scripture Anderson's referring to is from Romans 13:
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
-Romans 13:7
Romans 13 is the chapter about governing rulers (e.g. judges, kings, presidents, etc); not about pastors. However, it makes sense that Anderson would use this out of context since he rules over his cult like a king.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
-Philippians 2:3
Whereas the Bible tells us a Christian ought to consider himself to be low, unworthy of honor; Steven Anderson believes the opposite. Anderson, being blinded by the pride of his heart and tradition, thinks he's should have a title of worship.
worship (n): a title of honor, used in addresses to certain magistrates and other of respectable character
(See 'worship', American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828, retrieved Mar 27, 2018,[webstersdictionary1828.com])
Though Anderson will get up and preach that men should worship God only (Mat 4:10), this is not how he acts. That's why Christ warned us that, though men in authoritative positions, like that of a pastor, may speak from the Word of God, that we should not follow after them because they are hypocrites that preach one thing and do another.
All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
-Matthew 23:3
