Too often today, the Bible has not been interpreted according to the clear laws it lays down, but it is very common to go astray in distortions and adaptations against its original ordinances. The Gospel was brought to us through the Scriptures. And there has not been ANOTHER foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11) since the last apostle laid the cornerstone of the Christian Gospel that we know today. The writings and teachings of many saints of God are also valid and useful for the edification of the Church, but it is imperative for believers to recognize that the Greatest Scriptures that we have in our hands today are transcendent, supernatural and inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16). The exposition of the Gospel is complete since the Apocalypse of John, that's what we have to believe. Everything that comes after this apostle, if it is considered on the level of inspiration of the Bible, as the Scripture says, "be accursed!" (Galatians 1:8).
It is true that every Christian is called, and not only called, but commanded to preach the Gospel, once he has acquired a proper knowledge of the Word of God and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. But we must also know that there are specific ministries, at least five, ordained by the Lord himself to serve in a differentiated way within the Church.
All apostles and prophets in scripture had a calling (Romans 1:1; Jeremiah 1:5), and without a calling, there never was apostle or prophet. God's Word says that in the New Covenant of Faith, of which Jesus Christ is the Foundation Stone, there are five main ministerial callings:
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;" (Ephesians 4:11)
Note that the passage says: "And HE gave some...", that is, it is God himself who determines who and what will be designated to carry out the service in the ministry of His church.
"As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." (Acts 13:2)
No one can designate, or "swear in" men to the ministry of preaching, nor can anyone call "himself." Without calling, there is no enablement, and without enablement, there is no sending, supply, or providence from God.
The call of man is the call of confusion. The call of man is the call of heresy. The call of man is the call of disorder. The wheat was planted by the farmer, but the weeds did not ask for any permission to be born on earth. Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer..." (John 15:1).
Just as there are ministers of God, there are ministers of the Devil. The difference between them is that the first are called, and the second are "enticed" and seduced.
The apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 5:22, "Lay hands suddenly on no man..." That is, transmitting and delegating authority to those who do not have or had the call determined by God. This is the worst ministerial disgrace that can befall upon Church.
It is necessary for every minister to be "tried" before being authorized into the ministry. Nowadays there are no more tests according to God's standards for the ministry, nowadays there are only merely technical theological tests. First of all, the test of "character" is necessary, the test of TESTIMONY before the church and necessarily also before all men. A person without testimony, just because he scored nine and a half, eight and a half or ten in the studied theology test, should not be immediately admitted without demonstrating spiritual aptitude and maturity for the duty he intends to perform.
God was always in a hurry with those already in the work, but he was never in a hurry to prepare for it.
God's time walks with the time of maturity.
The worker candidate must also "expose" his life in front of everyone, he must be transparent with regard to his character, his social and family life. In fact, family life is one of the first scriptural requirements for admission to the ministry. (1 Timothy 3:4)
Life with God is also not based on the amount of gifts, nor on the persuasiveness of the oratory, nor on the fine clothes that the candidate has, but on the test of faith. Said James: "Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works..." (James 2:18), and "Faith without works is dead". (James 2:26).
Make a call saying you need someone to preach, and there are hardly any refusals. But make a call for an afternoon of fasting, meditation, and prayer, and resistance is sure to break out.
By the way, speaking of this, DISCIPLINE and SUBMISSION is and always has been characteristic of successful aspirants.
The person who shows himself superb, haughty and insubmissive before his pastor or leader, is doomed to the tyrant, apostate and destructive ministry. Such individuals, as a rule, are also endowed with envy and a competitive spirit.
A selfish and unsubmissive ministry is not a ministry of edification, but of subversion.
Speaking of which, have you ever wondered if you admit to NEEDING your ministry partners and brothers? Or have you been doing it alone, autonomous and independent?
Just looking and seeing mistakes in the pastor and leader does not make a person unsubmissive, but taking them as a pretext for rebellion does. If your pastor has mistakes, pray for him, submit yourself under him to support him and give him the chance to overcome this mistake, instead of becoming a heavy burden and an extra cross to make his situation worse.
God's call takes place in an environment of submission to authority, humility and obedience to His Word.
And speaking of humility, have you ever thought that EVERY call to the ministry has gone through a process of breaking their spirit and testing their faith?
TOUGH person is not approved person. True spiritual authority does not translate into hardness and mere austerity, but is "meekness and lowliness" (Matthew 11:29).
Many think that meekness is weakness of character. But character weakness is FEAR. Meekness supports misunderstandings, unjust attacks and offenses, because they have DETERMINATION and DISCERNMENT. But fear is a feeling of those who don't give credit to God.
A tough and prepotent minister will certainly not be able to withstand the pain, the growth processes and attacks of weakness from his subordinates.
The mark of a hard minister is sheep weak in the faith.
There is certainly a time for correction and a harsh word, but this is always preceded by attitudes of love, patience and solidarity.
Every member and every led comes to Christ full of weaknesses and full of hardness. If the minister does not have patience, wisdom and humility to suffer THESE and FOR these people, they will never be able to have growth and strengthening in faith.
God's ministry is a sacrificial ministry.
Incidentally, willingness to suffer is one of the marks of the approved aspirant.
The call to preach will never be given in an environment of contention, but of unity, sanctification and devotion, "As they served the Lord and fasted..." (Acts 13:2). Why do I say this? Because 50% of the denominations that exist today came from "schisms", divisions and revolts within other ministries. This at the denominational level and at the level of individual ministry. If your "call" came from your revolt and indignation because of the mistakes of pastor and minister "X" or "Y", you can give up because your call is the call of YOUR REASON, or the reason of a group, and not of the VOCATION of God. And we know that OUR reason never cooperates with God's reason.
If you are still resisting me on this last statement, read the example of Samuel, Saul and David (1Samuel 8:1), who EVEN with this king and leader, Saul, being in error, corrupt and disobedient to God, did NOT rise up against his authority, nor did he try to form another kingdom, but let God himself deal with it at the appointed time. If your pastor or leader turns wicked, and you cannot stand his authority, you still have this option, as David did, if there is no possibility of dialogue, JUST BE AWAY, but do not RISE IN REBELLION, nor try to create another ministry just to OVERTHROW this leader, because doing so will not come from God.
God does not call anyone in an environment of STRIFE!
Trying to overthrow an ordained minister, even if he is wrong, will never be an attitude of those who have a legitimate calling. There are competent authorities and councils in the Church to handle all situations.
For now it's just beloved brothers and sisters, may God be bringing more light on the subject to all of you. Because although the Call to Specific Ministry within the Church is exclusive to those who are specially appointed, the call to preach the Gospel and to bear witness for Christ is for ALL saved ones who struggle in the Faith.
