Thanks for patiently waiting for a reply to your questions, which I originally asked of you! I am finally caught up on my previous correspondence and articles. Even though it is late, I hope this will be of some spiritual profit to you. BTW, after I finish this, I plan to address your original questions about the Holy Spirit. As mentioned earlier, I believe some of the questions are already on our web-site. If you haven't already, you may want to examine the articles on the Holy Spirit in relation to Calvinism.
The proof of your ordination as an evangelist illuminates a difference in our way of thinking and approaching the Bible. This is no big surprise. We each individually encounter people all the time, who approach life, religion, and the Scriptures differently than us. The important point is
how we react to this. Do we listen honestly so that we may understand and evaluate the difference? Or, do we rush on, dismissing the difference as meaningless? Or, do we fight for our original position, no matter the cost, even if the cost is our integrity and love of truth? Our actions reveal our heart. I pray that you and I approach this fundamental difference with a Christian attitude, including love for each other and love for the truth (
James 5:19-20; II Thessalonians 2:9-12).
Regarding your use of
Jeremiah 1:4-10, do you believe this passage has reference to you? Does it prove that God called you to be a minister? Although written for our benefit, this passage relates to the calling of Jeremiah to be a prophet. He received a direct calling from God. We cannot take all words out of the Bible and directly apply them to us. We must evaluate the context of the passage by asking questions like: "To whom were the words directed?" "Is my situation similar to the recipient of the original wording?" "Is there any circumstantial considerations that would make this particular passage applicable, or non-applicable to me?"
Since this passage does not reference you by name, then whatever reasoning you used to justify your ordination would likewise justify the ordination of anybody and everybody. Clearly this is not the case. Also, this passage speaks to the ordination of one as a "prophet", not as an "evangelist"; therefore, it would not apply anyway. Why do you think this passage applies to you?
The second part of your answer manifests my original concern - Who is your pastor? Where did he get such authority? If his authority is granted by the one that ordained him, and his authority granted by the one who ordained him, and so on down the line, then that necessarily requires a direct "lineage" of ordination all the way back to somebody with real authority, like Jesus. However, we find the gospel does not need any such direct lineage. The "seed" of the kingdom is the gospel (
Luke 8:1-5; I Peter 1:22-23). Anywhere the gospel is preached, men may obey it and grow up into being either an elder, deacon, teacher, or evangelist (
Ephesians 4:11-16). The church can be restored out of no where - All that is needed is the gospel.
Regarding its usefulness in the eyes of men, please consider why that is important. I understand one bending to the customs of men to remove unessential barriers to teaching the gospel (
I Corinthians 9:19-23); however, I also believe that we should not take up unnecessary burdens that allow others to promote a spiritual party, which causes division and obstructs the truth (
Galatians 2:1-6; Philippians 3:1-7). Much division exist because of the forming of parties, which originate in human tradition and continue to be sustained by the same power (
Matthew 15:1-20). Were you ordained as a minister of just the gospel? Or, were you ordained as an official minister of church X? Is this consistent with the pattern that Paul expressed about us wearing the names of men, or any name other than that of our Savior (
I Corinthians 1:10-13)?
I am somewhat confused as to whether you believe the process of ordination is consistent with the Scriptures. At first you said that it is not found in Scripture, but later you said that Paul did ordain other men. If you are willing, I would like to better understand your thinking. It's all right if you change your mind as you study through this. I would consider that a sign of humility and strength, if it is based on Scripture.
My main concern is the notion of ordination by men, specifically that men have authority to appoint preachers and that without such authority, no man may preach with God's blessing. I do not see this as part of the Scriptural pattern (
all Christians are priests and ministers - I Peter 2:5,9); however, I do see it as being a key to maintaining denominations of human origin (
I Corinthians 1:10-13). What passages would you use to justify the continued practice of preachers ordaining successive preachers? There is a pattern for teachers to teach others who can teach also (
II Timothy 2:2), but that seems to be much different than the process of bestowing the authority inherent in ordination.
Paul made it a point to lay aside all ornaments that may attract men's faith to him instead of God and His Word (
I Corinthians 2:1-5). Why can we not do the same today? If we change the bait, we will catch a kind of fish that God did not intend to be caught.
People that are impressed by titles instead of the gospel, are not the kind of people God wants (
Matthew 23:1-12; I Peter 5:5-7).
May God bless us with a deeper love of truth and commitment to obey Him.
