“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and revive the heart of the contrite” (Isaiah 57:15). Thus says God’s Holy Word. How dare anyone can be referred to as “Holy.” Furthermore, no mortal being dwells “in the high and holy place,” which is God’s abode. “Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool” (Acts7:48,49).
Take into account the “Lord’s Prayer” that Jesus taught His disciples, “Our Farther in heaven, hallowed be your name.” (Matthew 6:9). At the beginning of this profound prayer to God are these words “Hallowed be your name.” God’s name is sacred and must be kept holy. His name should never be taken in vain. God’s word is specific. “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain” (Deuteronomy 5:11).
Based on the teachings of Holy Scripture, no church pastor or leader can be called or referred to as “holy Father.” Why? Simply because none of these Is the God of the Scriptures. This amounts to dishonoring God’s name. Only God is holy. Read Revelations 15:4, “Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed” Can all nations come and worship man? God is separate from humanity. Therefore, why should anyone attempt to bring God down to human level?
The apostle Peter writing concerning the believer’s suffering and conduct in view of his complete salvation says, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:14-16). “We live out the holiness that Christ has given us by obeying Him and imitating His ways” (The Charles F Stanley Life Principles Bible, p. 1519). It should be noted that Peter is reiterating what Moses wrote, “For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44). Taken in context, both these references are dealing with the Christian’s separation from the world and separated unto God. This is God’s divine principle for His children to live by.
While Jesus was teaching at the synagogue at Capernaum, there was present a man with an “unclean spirit,” who said to Jesus, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God” (Mark 1:24). This is most interesting that a demon-possessed man responds to Jesus as “the Holy One of God.”
Hannah, the mother of Samuel, said in her prophetic prayer to God, “There is none holy like the LORD; for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God” (1 Samuel 2:2). In His prayer, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God addressed His Father as Holy. “And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one”
(John 17:11).
It is also noted by John, the writer of The Revelation, that the four living creatures and twenty-four elders in worshiping God said, “they never cease to say, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come” (Rev. 4:8). Not only is God holy, but He is also great and greatly to be praised, hence, we are invited to “Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness” (Psalm 96:9).
The prophet Isaiah writes concerning his vision in the year that King Uzziah died, “Above him stood the seraphim, each had six wings; with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isaiah 6:2,3).
It is seen conclusively and understood in the Scriptures that only God is holy, and only God’s Name is Holy. And as such, God’s children must live holy lives, that is, lives that are “set apart” to honor and glorify God.