The Authority Of God's Ministers
 

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Romans 13:1-4

"Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil."

Are the scriptures above the view we hold about ministers today? Are we afraid of God's ministers who have the authority to execute wrath and judgment upon those who practice evil?

Paul certainly exercised his authority and power as God's minister when he judged the sexually immoral brother who sinned by sleeping with his fathers wife.

1st Corinthians 5:1-5

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Wow! Now that's a judgment, imagine being handed over to satan for the destruction of your flesh! I imagine that could be something like what happened to Job, and including even death! That the spirit of the person may be saved on judgment day. Now that should cause those in the body of Christ to be afraid of sinning and being judged by a true minister of God.

God used Peter to bring judgment on Ananias and Sapphira.

Acts 5:1-11

"But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.”

Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

How could Peter know that satan had filled the heart of Ananias? The Holy Spirit told Him!! Now that's the power of God in the moment, in real time action!!

It's not a stretch for me to say that many believers do not have a true fear of God or His ministers in today's church!

Paul also gave two men name Hymenaeus and Alexander over to satan to teach them not to blaspheme!!!

1st Timothy 1:18-20

"This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Paul was not playing was he!!? When it was time to judge a spiritual matter in the body of Christ he did it with the authority and judgment he was given from Jesus Himself!!!

1st Corinthians 5:12-13

"For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”

I wonder how many of those called brother and sister would remain in many churches today if Paul were to go in under the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit to judge and purge out the old leaven?

O how I long for the day when the Lord will operate through His Spirit, through His ministers as He did in the days of old, bring the fire Lord, bring the rain, bring your judgment!

In Jesus Name!
Tyrone

Re: The Authority Of God's Ministers
 

So how come these avenging ministers never seem to punish the swindlers, extortioners, pervs, and other assorted charlatans masquerading as "ministers"?

Re: The Authority Of God's Ministers
 

Romans 13:1-4 isn't about secular, civil authorities only? Since when?

Re: The Authority Of God's Ministers
 

Romans 13:1-6 is about secular powers, not sword toting saints...LOL

Re: The Authority Of God's Ministers
 

Sister Bernice didnt tithe this week....thats a finger.

Re: The Authority Of God's Ministers
 

Next week, a thumb.
LOL:thumbsup

Re: The Authority Of God's Ministers
 

Someone told me recently that they got the Hoy Ghost under Bro. so and so. I asked them was it hard recieving with someone on top of them. lol. I told them I was just kidding, but at the same time we have been taught these unbiblical terms. We are called to be ministers and not lords. I give honor to those who labour in the gospel, but we can sometimes exalt someone beyond meassure.

I have heard people say that God will not call a man to a specific work without first speaking to his pastor. I just don't find that to be biblical. We should submit ourselves one to another and seek counsel from the pastor in our lives, but we are not to seek God through a middle man. We should have reverence for all the family of God and not just a select few.

Re: The Authority Of God's Ministers
 

This is a perfect example of how taking scripture out of context and mixing a lack of understanding with self-entitlement can create Dictatorships.

Re: The Authority Of God's Ministers
 

The role of the elder must be reexamined and not abused.
There is much said in scripture that makes all saints as equals to God, but only a couple that teach appreciations for elders.
These couple of verses have evolved into emulations.

Re: The Authority Of God's Ministers
 

:thumbsup

Re: The Authority Of God's Ministers
 

This post reminds me of the following passage:

I Corinthians 1:10-17 (ESV)
10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

We establish divisions when we claim to belong to a specific minister. And in doing so, we rob the cross of its power by glorifying a man along side Christ.

Re: The Authority Of God's Ministers
 

In our fellowship we have no state licensed elders. All are therefore essentially equal. The "elders" are simply individuals who have manifested one or more of the five fold ministries in their lives and have demonstrated a calling and desire to use those gifts. If they desire to pursue the role of elder, the body votes to make them a deacon. The deacons are essentially elders in training and serve the needs of the body. For example, they make phone calls, assist with hospital visits, shut-ins, and help with our Helping Hands ministry (volunteer work at local charities). In addition, they clean up (or manage clean up) after gatherings, etc. They also teach and are allowed to lead gatherings under the watchful eye of an established elder. Many times they are tasked with providing music, if they know how to play an instrument. We try not to allow one to remain a deacon longer than 3 1/2 years. Then the elders vote to make him an elder (if there aren't three established elders, the body votes as a whole). Once one is accepted as an elder, they are encouraged to start a house church of their own.

Re: The Authority Of God's Ministers
 

That is a very good system of leadership, Chris.

Something like that is easy to send your adult kids to when they need a place to worship....safe place, free from pastor abuse.:thumbsup

Re: The Authority Of God's Ministers
 

His NAME is Jesus!

(1) Honor is not the sole prerogative if the Ministry;
(2) the laying on of hands corresponds to the presbytery (full Ministry), and
not solely to a "pastor". A pastor may be led to submit (recommend) a person to
the presbytery, but if he (the pastor) is the sole Minister as a sole "church", well...
(3) we could seek counsel from a Minister, but eventually the presbytery (2-3
Ministers), should be involved.

It seems that the calling and authority of the apostle has been supplanted
by today's modern pastors.

Brother Villa