What is God's grace?
The Bible speaks of God's grace in a number of contexts. In its base meaning, God's grace refers to underserved favor or mercy.
In the context of the redemption works for the cross, God's saving grace is understood as God's unmerited favor.
God's grace is evident in that the sinner receives God's pardon by reason of his faith in Jesus Christ. It is by God's grace that the condemnation in Adam is graciously lifted from the sinner (cf. Romans 8:1-2).
In another context, especially in ecclesial salutations, grace is understood as wishes for God's blessings in the general sense. If this context is contemplated, then the pastoral benediction is in order.
In order for a preacher or minister to release God's grace in person [assuming that ever happens] it is imperative that they must be possessed of it.
Does a preacher possess God's grace? We shall answer this question at the conclusion of the article.
ANALYSIS/EVALUATION
In the Old Testament Scripture, we find the priestly benediction by which God commanded the priests to proclaim blessings to His people.
Numbers 6:22-27 says "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:
24 “The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”’
27 “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”
Noticed that three times, the Lord's name is invoked by the priestly benediction, leaving no doubt as to the source of the blessing (vv. 24-26).
This rules out the notion that the blessings of God's people emanate directly from the priest or preacher. God confirms in the above passage that He is the ultimate source of blessings (see Numbers 6:27).
For the purpose of Biblical context, we shall also examine statements of New Testament Scripture texts that are relevant to this question and draw a conclusion.
In a number of Pauline Letters, the apostle proclaims God's grace upon his hearers under circumstances that can be understood as his apostolic wishes upon them.
Does the Bible reveal that God's grace is innately vested in apostles pastors or bishops?
First things first. Let us first do a brief survey through the relevant texts of New Testament Scripture.
Here are examples of Scripture that speak into this question:
Romans 1:5-6 says "Through Him [Christ] we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ."
This Scripture confirms that God's grace was extended to believers through Jesus Christ.
Besides, a typical Pauline salutation in Scripture reads as follows:
"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
(See 1 Corinthians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1).
Other Letters of New Testament Scripture convey a minor variation to the above salutation in that they introduce mercy into the template statement that saying: "Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord." (1 Timothy 1:2 and 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4)
The Letter of Philemon resumes the first template statement (Philemon 1:3).
1 Peter 1:3 says "Grace to you and peace be multiplied." This is repeated in 2 Peter 1:2.
Jude 1:2 says "Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you." It appears that Jude and Peter adopt a similar salutation.
None of the two sets of salutations noted above [or anything similar to them] can be identified in the Letters of Hebrews, James, 1, 2, 3 John and Revelation.
CONCLUSION
Having sampled through the Scriptures, we can confidently conclude that God's divine grace comes from [and is exclusively vested in] God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Accordingly therefore, my view is that no person, not even a church minister, can possess or purport to convey God's grace in person other than by prayerfully wishing others God's grace in their prayers or salutations/greetings.
If the apostles of Jesus Christ can reveal this truth in their writings of Scripture, it would be a total misrepresentation of Biblical truth for anyone to purport to possess or convey God's grace in person.
My concluding view is that no minister, pastor, or Bishop is in possession of or can personally convey or release God's grace at will. We must petition God for His grace and His divine blessings.
God's grace is exclusively vested in God alone. We receive it exclusively from Him and at His divine discretion.
© Ezekiel Kimosop 2021
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