Results 1 - 4 of 4
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Called According To HIS Purpose-Ministry | 2 Tim 2:15 | ourfathersheart | 121616 | ||
I was ordained by a mainstream Christian church when I was 17. God chooses who HE wants to minister for HIM, not man. Each is called according to God's purpose. I WAS called at a VERY young age. I was brought up by an atheist family yet I spoke DIRECTLY to the Lord when I was 4 years old and from then on I walked with the Lord. Some things are self-evident. I have been tested and proved to be worthy, not because of any greatness in me but because His Spirit dwells in me. The truth is that my life has been lived completely in service to the Lord. I LOVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WITH AN UNDYING HEART. And in this I know I am accountable to only HIM. I live ONLY for HIM. God calls, God chooses--not man. | ||||||
2 | Called According To HIS Purpose-Ministry | 2 Tim 2:15 | justme | 121656 | ||
ourfathersheart: I am not so bold as to tell you that God did not call you as a "minister" (my word which carries a better discription is "sevvant"). I am wondering how you heard the the LORD directly speek to you. Was it in a voice as you and I have or an inner voice? I do not doubt the Lord God Almighty does speak, I do like to hear how different people hear the LORD. My personal belief is that to ordain a seventeen year old is a serious error. I mean no offense, but how did you prove that your walk in the Lord was firmly established? Did you have sufficant knowledge of Scripture to understand and communicate election, predestition, and so on and so forth? What "mainstream Christian Church" ordained you, if you feel you would be willing to say? I am not challenging any church that wants to ordain someone. I do believe that ordaination is a very special confermation by the Church of the call of God on the person being ordained. I do believe in the priesthood of the believer and the church body in which a person belongs to. However, the call of and ordaination of a person by a church does not mean that others will agree with a persons servanthood until others see a life that clearly shows the person has been called to serve others in Christ Jesus. Would you not agree? You have not said how old you are now, and to assume how long ago you were 17 would be unwise. How long age was your ordaination? My belief is one should be Spiritually, emotionally, and mentlally sound, and solid, and only time allows for this experience. One area I do find fault in your statement is that you are indeed accountable to more than God! Let me assure you are responsible to those whom you minister (serve) to. You understanding that God calls and chooses, is right to a point. Without the recognization of the church body that you have a true call from God, then a call is not validated, and thus the call may be of ones personal feelings rather than a true call of God. In other words the body of believers confirms the call of God. Would you agree with this? I know of where I speak in these matters, not by just reading or watching, but by experience. I was ordained by the Southern Baptist Church I served as Pastor while in Seminary. I later served an Americam Baptist Church, which had more requirements for my ordaination to be acceptable for this denomination, and they wanted a detailed statement of my theology from creation to the end times, and everything inbewteen! There was a time of mentoring and further seminary classes required. I am confident that this was a time of growth and proving not only to my fellow servants, but to myself as well. I feel I aam still accountable to those who comfirmed my servanthood, and to the Lord who directed my path. The call of God to become a servant, for me has not been a path of glory for me, the reality is the walk of faith is a rough path, and it's not a path for those who are faint at heart, or for those seek to be praised, or to be served. I have observed that few are the pastors who visit in the peoples homes, go to the sick or visit those in jail. "Minister" is not a title, this word describes a person who is willing to become a slave to Christ and a servant to humankind. I would be interested in your thoufgts. Blessings. justme |
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3 | Peace...? | 2 Tim 2:15 | Zsuzsi | 121801 | ||
Hi everyone, I have been reading your posts and this is my general answer to all of you: I agree that you need humility and subjection and patience and long-suffering when you are called by God... I also agree with the need for spiritual preparation before we get to His service. But I do think that sometimes 'staying under leadership' can do a person bad! If I had 'stayed under leadership' in submission, as you said, I would still be walking around kissing statues of saints, for example.. Mt 23:9: Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 1Jn 2:27: As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. Yes, learning is important, and listening to other people's opinion is also very important; it is true that only this way can we 'test our faith' (2Cor 13:5) - but nothing is worse than quenching the voice of the Holy Ghost for the sake of accepting some earthly teaching! We have to be careful not to judge the work of the Holy Spirit in another man, it is dangerous. We try to take out a mote from someone else's eye, but aren't we having a beam in our own? (Mt 7:3-5) I do realize the responsibility of being a 'minister' or 'ordained' and thorough study of God's Word is definitely required for His service. But in my opinion, no man has the authority to decide if God is calling another or not: it is a very personal issue, and it does happen at different times with different people. Maybe the called does not have the spiritual maturity right away, maybe he is even a 'blasphemer and persecutor' at the time he is called (1Tim 1:13), but I have no doubt that God's grace is enough to sustain anyone on his way... God teaches us humility and subjection in many different ways. One is actually to surrender to Him and forsake the opinion or approval of the world for His truth! If you are called, you are called and you must go... Even if it happens in your youth: "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." 1Tim 4:12 There are false teachers in the world whom we should keep away from. We are not to 'tolerate fools gladly'! (2Cor 11:19) "No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." 2Cor 11:14. But by studying God's Word, that becomes quite clear as well... We know the good tree from its good fruit. (Lk 6:43) Please do not misunderstand me, I am not questioning the authority of the church; but the authority of the church is not above the authority of Christ in any way! (Eph 5:23-24) Additionally, 'humbleness' (or 'humility') is the opposite of pride, it means believing you are not important (dictionary definition); 'submittance' and 'patience' are accepting other's decisions over you without grudging. None of those words reflect an attitude of mistrust towards the Holy Spirit within us... Paul says he 'humbled himself' so others may be exalted (2Cor 11:7).. Although he did accept persecution and suffering (humbleness, patience and submittance), never once did he say 'no' to his calling for the sake of obeying others (faith, trust, hope)! And we are to be imitators of him, according to 1Cor 4:16. In my opinion, we must 'allow' God to choose any man at any time for His service, no matter their age or academic background whatsoever! And the task of the church is to "Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions." (Romans 14:1). Yes, there is certainly a lot of pride in saying things like 'I am accountable to only God', but the task of the church or any group of believers is to teach God's Word and not to scare people away from it... Is trying to convince someone that he is not called -without Biblical reference- a proof of Christ dwelling in us? Constructive criticism would help a lot more! If anyone is unsure about ourfathersheart's calling, let us pray for him instead of judging a person we know nothing about! This dialogue seems to be going just wrong... Where is the peace Jesus left to us? (Jn 14:27) Also, may I ask: where does the Bible warn against being a 'lone ranger'? God bless you all, Zsuzsi |
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4 | Peace...? | 2 Tim 2:15 | kalos | 121804 | ||
"Where does the Bible warn against being a 'lone ranger'?" Israel is a community. The New Testament church is a community. Neither is a collection of lone wolves. |
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