Christian Living

Part 7 A Spirit Filled Pastor

by james rondinone 
09/12/15
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How do i know if the pastor is being directed by the holy spirit?

œWhere The Rubber Meets The Road

                                                      WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD

   Each born-again Christian has been given a free will following salvation to attend any church they choose.

   However, the question arises: should I stay or should I go?

   Some would say that it would be inappropriate for a believer to suggest to another believer that they should leave the church they are attending and go to a different one. This would be seen in their eyes as meddling in their affairs. Some would even say that this is what is known as proselytizing.

   What is your opinion in this regard?

   The scriptures indicate that we should encourage our fellow believers to not forsake the assembling of themselves together.

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

   Is there any indication according to the scriptures as what a believer should anticipate when they attend the assembling of the saints?

   I believe that there is clear indication as to what a believer should anticipate when attending the assembling of the saints.

   What should a believer anticipate?  

The Offices Of The Leadership Should Be Clearly Delineated

   The names of the offices of the leadership are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastor-teachers. Some churches believe that the offices of apostle and prophet are no more. In these churches there is usually one pastor who is considered as the head pastor. On another note there are number of churches that believe in a plurality of elders. This means that there is no distinct head pastor.

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

   Furthermore there are some churches that call their leader a priest. Jesus Christ has made those, who believe in him kings (a kingdom - the body of the redeemed collectively) and priests (those who have direct and constant access to God).

Revelation 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

   However the designation of someone in leadership as a priest is taken from the name given to the sons of the high priest, who assisted him in the work of the tabernacle when the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years and eventually entered into the promised land of Canaan. Some of their duties were in offering animal sacrifices, burning incense, and lighting the lamps. Lev. 1:5

   The high priest office was initially given to Aaron, Moses brother, by instructions from the Lord. If Aaron had sons, then at some point one of them would become the next high priest, and so on. Heb 9:6-7

   There was a third group that attended the work of the tabernacle named Levites some of whose duties were that they set up and tore down the tabernacle (the tent-like structure) and made the shewbread on the Sabbath. Nu. 1:51; 1 Chr 9:32

   There is no leadership title called priest that is to be used when addressing someone in the leadership positions of the New Testament church.

The Gospel Of Christ Should Be Clearly Presented

   There should be a time during the assembly gathering when the gospel of Christ is presented to unbelievers. This involves declaring to them the need to repent (to have a change of mind; to acknowledge oneself as a sinner) to God the Father. Someone might ask them to repeat a group of words something like the ones that follow to themselves privately:

    I acknowledge that I have sinned in many areas such as slandering others; having sexual relations outside of marriage; being jealous; having participated in alcohol or drug abuse; having sex with others of the same gender; having committed adultery; having taken money from others in a deceitful manner; having committed rape; having engaged in pedophilia; etc.

   I don’t want to continue in these mental, verbal, and overt sins. I need a new nature.

Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

   Following repentance there should be a public declaration by them in professing belief in Christ. This profession might consist of the following words:

   I believe in you Jesus Christ as one of the members of the trinity, who as God pre-existed time; came to the earth and took on the form of a man, being born of a virgin (no sin nature); lived a sinless life; listened to and obeyed the directives of his Father; went to the cross and paid for the penalty of and forgave the sins of the whole world; rose from the dead after 3 days, never to die again, walked the earth in his resurrection body for 40 days witnessing to over 500 people; and ascended into heaven to be seated at the right hand of God the Father.

Acts 17: 13-14

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?

   The gospel message does not declare that Jesus is only: a teacher, a prophet, the Son of God, etc.

   It is true that Jesus is a teacher, a prophet, and the Son of God, but He is also God, being one of the members of the trinity.

   Those that say that He is not God come in the flesh are antichrist (one who denies and is against all that the Bible teaches regarding the person and work of the Lord Jesus²⁶).

1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Personal Sanctification Is Emphasized

   Personal sanctification involves learning about the new person who we have become at salvation. It involves learning about sin (mental, verbal, and overt) and confessing it to God the Father. It’s about becoming aware of our weaknesses and learning how to think with divine viewpoint in those areas. It refers to putting off our former manner of life (former mode of thought, feeling, and action) and be renewed in our mind; i.e. to be spiritually transformed. It relates to being continually filled with the Holy Spirit.

   Beware when certain sins are condoned because society has declared them to be acceptable forms of behavior or because the end justifies the means. Taking advantage of others financially or sexually in order to promote the kingdom of God is ungodly. Teaching that adultery, fornication, polygamy, or that same sex relationships or marriage is acceptable because society has determined these behaviors to be so is an indication that the leadership promotes in their teachings a reliance on the passions of the flesh and not on the filling of the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man…

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-4

Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Romans 12:1-2

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

(Ephesians 5:18b) …but be filled with the Spirit;

2 Peter 2:18-19

For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

The Mosaic Law Is To Be Appreciated As To Its Rightful Place

   What is the meaning and purpose of the Mosaic Law?

   It was an intermediate institution that was designed to:

   Tell the Jews that they were really doing wrong by doing certain things; disclose the true nature of sin; deter them from committing sin by declaring its consequences; reveal to them that it could not make them righteous before God; reveal that a barrier of sin still remained between them and God; reveal that there is a need for a savior, who would take care of this barrier of sin between God and man without whom heaven would remain closed to all mankind. It also clearly delineated to them the spiritual code, moral code, the laws belonging to civil government, and the laws commemorating the commemoration of certain events.

   During the Church Age, the age in which we currently live, the Gentile Christians are under no obligation to observe any of these tenets. The Jews were allowed to continue to observe them as long as they understood that there is no tenet of the Law that can save them or cause them to grow spiritually.

   For many churches it has become advantageous to observe certain aspects of the Mosaic Law (e.g. tithing; 7^th day Sabbath; the Ten Commandments; first fruits; etc.) while professing dependence on the Holy Spirit. There is nothing wrong with appreciating the spiritual code, the moral code, the laws belonging to civil government, and the laws commemorating the commemoration of certain events that God gave to the Jews. The moral aspect (the commandments) of the law were a schoolmaster (an enforcer of discipline and moral supervision of conduct²⁷) until the time when we as unbelievers were put in a right relationship with God when we repented to Him and believed in Christ.

Acts 15:1,5,11,22-24

And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

Galatians 3:1-3

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

   However, there is something amiss when born-again Christians are taught to observe any aspect of the Mosaic Law for salvation or sanctification.

 Some might say that if this is the case, then why does the bible call the law good?

1 Timothy 1:8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;

 This verse is simply saying that the character of the law is a valid guide for conduct that is morally and ethically acceptable, if it is used in the proper way. That’s what the law is, a guide. The Law is designed to show people their sinfulness. Thus the Law is not for one who had already recognized his sin and turned to Christ. That person is no longer under the Law but should now walk in the Spirit. The Law is intended for those who remain unconvinced of their sin²⁸.

  In Galatians Chapter 3 the apostle Paul is addressing the believers saying to them, Are you so foolish (irrational)? Having begun in the Spirit (of the initial entrance of the Holy Spirit into the hearts of the Galatian Christians when they put their trust in the Lord Jesus²⁹) are you now made perfect (the state of spiritual maturity) by the flesh (by means of self-effort) in an attempt to obey an outward legalistic system of works)?

   The Galatians were turning away from the teaching and the reality of the ministry of the Spirit and were attempting to adhere to a religious system, the Mosaic Law, that kept them busy with ceremonial performances, observance of days and festivals, distinction of meats, and other matters of ceremonial prescription³⁰.

   The New Testament believer (Jew or Gentile) is no longer under any aspect of the Mosaic Law, but is commanded to be filled continually with the Holy Spirit.

Inspired Traditions Are To Be Firmly Held Onto

   A tradition is defined as being the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice: a story that has come down to us by popular tradition³¹.

   However, inspired traditions are divine instructions delivered orally or in writing that are contained in the written word. Some of these are

water baptism, the Lord’s supper, the agape feast, anointing with oil, the laying on of hands, the gospel, the faith that once for all was delivered to the saints, teachings delivered by inspired men, and teachings that come from God to guide our lives.

   Traditions that are not inspired should have no place in the teachings of the church. Some of these non-inspired traditions are Holy Days of Obligation, water baptism regeneration, transubstantiation, confession of sins to a priest, St. Patrick’s Day, Purgatory, Good Friday, prayers for the dead, the stations of the cross, Lent, Palm Sunday, Ash Wednesday, Easter, etc. These practices focus on some object, some observance, or some overt action, but not on the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

The Gifts Of The Holy Spirit Promote A Reliance On Each Member

   What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

   The gifts of the Holy Spirit are divine empowerments, extraordinary powers, and a favor which one receives without any merit of their own.

   Are the gifts of the Holy Spirit the same as natural talents?

   No, talents are received at birth. They are natural endowments.

   Gifts are not talents. These gifts are given for the edification of the church.

1 Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

   The mentioning of the various gifts of the Holy Spirit are found in Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Cor 12:1,7-10,28. Sometimes a gift is mentioned in both sections of scripture under a different name. The following are the gifts of the Spirit, which have been separated into different groupings according to their function. I used different resources for this grouping.

   Every believer is given at least one non-office gift by the Holy Spirit.

   Not every believer is given an office gift, those being of, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers according to Eph. 4:11.

   The gifts of the Holy Spirit are:

The Inspiration Gifts

œprophecy is the anointed speaking forth of words of edification (to build up), exhortation (a call to encouragement), and comfort (consolation- includes the healing of distress,, of sorrow, of persecution, and of suffering) for the church³².

   This is not preaching, but prophecy is a supernatural utterance that comes from a person who is anointed to speak the treasures of God to the body of Christ³³. This gift is designed to warn men and woman of sin or shortcomings³⁴.

Acts 13:1-2

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 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.

œdivers kinds of tongues: speaking in a foreign language that one has not learned, which is inspired by the Holy Spirit. Tongues speaks to God and to the sinner, while prophecy speaks to the people.

Acts 2:4-6

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

œinterpretation of tongues: to explain the meaning of the words which were spoken in a foreign tongue into the known language of the hearers.

The Power Gifts

   These gifts involve supernatural ability and energy.

œfaith: A peculiar impulse, … that came upon the apostles when any difficult matter was to be performed, which inwardly assured them that God's power would assist them in the performance of it³⁵.

   Another way of describing this gift is saying that God brings about a supernatural change with no human effort involved. Another word God does something on our behalf, but independent of us. This gift can operate in areas of divine protection and divine provision³⁶.

Acts 12:5-7

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

œhealing: the power to heal various kinds of illnesses or diseases.

   Healing can come through: a prayer of faith and the laying on of hands of the elders Ja. 5:14-15; by speaking a word from the Lord for a specific healing Acts 3:6; by praying with the laying of hands on the sick by means of the prompting of the Holy Spirit Acts 28:8.

Acts 3:1-7

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

œthe working of miracles: extraordinary and unusual kinds of miracles. God entrusts a believer with strength or an energy that we don’t normally have. Another way of saying this is a believer does a supernatural act by the divine energy of the Holy Spirit³⁷.      

Acts 28:3-5

And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

Revelation Gifts

   These gifts reveal God’s truth to mankind.

œthe word of knowledge: is the revealing of a fact in existence (of the present or past) that can only be supernaturally revealed³⁸.

Another word this is not something that could be known naturally-something one’s eyes have not seen and ears have not heard³⁹.

   The Holy Spirit transmits His specific knowledge to you on something that you would have no ability or means to be able to know about with your own limited intelligence and knowledge levels. This can come in the form of: a thought or an impression on your mind; a vision or a picture in your mind’s eye; a scripture either for your-self or when you get a direct Word from the Lord to give to someone else - 2 Kings 20:1⁴⁰.

   This specific knowledge can also be referred to as a divinely given power to appropriate spiritual intuition in problem solving⁴¹.

Acts 10:19-20

While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

œthe word of wisdom: reveals the prophetic future. God reveals something that has not come to pass.

Acts 1:4-5

And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

œdiscerning of spirits: is the divine ability to the presence and activity of a spirit that motivates a human being, whether good and bad⁴².

   This enables a person to appraise motives. You can know whether a person is telling the truth. Their doctrine is subject to examination; and what they are saying is considered as to whether it proceeded from the Spirit of God.

Acts 13:9-11

Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

Acts 5:1-3 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

   God gives each member of the body of Christ at least one gift as shall manifest the work and nature of the Spirit’s operation on the mind⁴³which gives each person some proof of the Spirit’s presence in order to promote harmony in the church.

Ephesians 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.                                                                                                                                              

   The diversity of gifts that are given to the members brings about a reliance upon each member. There is not one particular gift that is given to each member.

1 Corinthians 12:14-20

For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body.

   There are more gifts of the Spirit than the nine that were just mentioned. However, what I wanted you to notice about these nine gifts is that they are not man-centered. Another word the Holy Spirit is a unique participant in the exercise of each of these gifts. He provides: a supernatural utterance; a peculiar impulse that provides assurance that His power will assist in the performing of some matter; divine energy; the unveiling of truth for the past, present, or future.

   But beware of counterfeit gifts.

   Some churches will declare the gifts of the Spirit to be:

œwisdom - by which we desire to contemplate the things of God; to be clever or smart.      

œunderstanding – allows one to grasp truth.

œcounsel – to be able to judge how best to act almost by intuition⁴⁴

œfortitude (courage) - gives us the strength to follow through on the actions suggested by the gift of counsel⁴⁵.

œknowledge – the ability to judge all things according to truth; a human accumulation of facts.

œpiety – the willingness to worship and serve God.

œfear of the Lord – the desire to not offend God.

œfaith – to believe for something.

   As you can see these gifts are man’s attempt to desire or do this or that with no reliance on the Holy Spirit.

   When you attend church (the gathering of the saints) are you anticipating:

   The clear delineation of the offices of leadership; the clear presentation of the gospel for unbelievers; teachings that emphasize personal sanctification; an adherence to inspired traditions; teachings that focus on dependence of the Holy Spirit and not on the Mosaic Law for salvation and sanctification; teachings on the gifts of the Spirit which emphasis a reliance on Him and not on ourselves?

   Here’s a question for you.

   Do you think that it would be inappropriate for a believer to suggest to another believer that they should leave the church they are attending and go to a different one?

   I will leave you with this quote:

   If you are seeking your source of strength at a church that has no blessing in it, you will be unable to function in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. To function in the Spirit, you must go to where the Spirit functions⁴⁶.