Why Does God Decline Some Prayers?

DID JESUS IN MARK 11:23-24 PROMISE TO GIVE LITERALLY ANYTHING WE ASK IN FAITH? WHY DO SOME PRAYERS GO UNANSWERED?

Have you ever wondered why some prayers go unanswered? Someone asked whether unanswered prayer is evidence of lack of faith on the part of the petitioner or that God simply declined the prayer for unknown reasons. I do not purport to have all the answers to this question. No one can completely and exhaustively comprehend God's mind in any given situation. I will attempt a response from my study of Scripture. I believe that the Bible presents the closest picture that we can ever have in understanding the mind of God. 

Before attempting an answer to the above question, I am reminded of a primary hermeneutical rule of interpretation that the Bible reader should have in mind as they approach the Scriptures. The rule is that Scripture interprets Scripture. By this is meant that what may appear obscure or less clear in a given text or passage of Scripture is more clearly amplified elsewhere in the Scriptures. We cannot therefore read a text or passage of Scripture in isolation if we shall ever understand the whole counsel of God in Scripture concerning a given issue at hand. We should harmonize the text with what Scripture teaches elsewhere. 

Jesus' statement in Mark 8:22-24 was in response to Peter's reaction when he discovered that the fig tree that Jesus cursed the previous day had dried up [see Mark 11:12-14]. Jesus used the opportunity to emphasize on the importance of unflinching faith in God whenever we pray. His mention of a mountain falling into the sea was a metaphorical reference to the divine resolution of what appears as an unsurmountable problem or a monumental issue confronting the believer. Jesus taught in Matthew 19:26 that "with men this is impossible but with God all things are possible."

The concluding statement in Mark 11:24 makes it clear that we ought to approach God with unwavering faith as we present our petitions to Him. Besides, Hebrews 11:6 says "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

Now to address the question raised. 

Does Jesus' statement imply that every prayer or petition presented to God by faith will be answered? The Word of Faith group would readily respond to this question in the affirmative. My view is that our petitions must agree with God's perfect will for us in order to be granted. They must satisfy the threshold of what the Bible teaches or reveals concerning prayer. 

Here's why..

Jesus Himself prayed to the Father at the Garden of Gethsemane that the cup of suffering be taken away from Him. He was however careful to allow the Father to have His way on His petition. His statement in Luke 22:42 says "...Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but yours, be done". Notice here that Jesus submitted to the Father in prayer. Jesus was definitely not lacking in faith! He simply allowed God's divine will to prevail even as He prayed. He had peace of heart and mind in accordance with Philippians 4:6-7. 

Wrestling with God's will is a costly venture and will leave the believer restless and bitter in life. Jonah attempted to run away from God but God brought him back to ministry. Jonah ultimately submitted to God and served Him. God rebuked him for his selfish attitude. He learnt hard lessons from his unpleasant experience and we are perhaps entitled to presume that he became a better vessel of God's ministry [see Jonah 4:5-11]. 

Speaking of God's will, we learn from 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 that Paul prayed three times that the "thorn in the flesh" be taken away from him. God declined his prayer in the three instances and finally responded with to him, saying "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paul accepted God's will concerning his circumstances and gracefully moved on with confidence. God kept the thorn in Paul's flesh in order to tame him, to keep him humbled. Paul's affliction served God's divine purposes for him. Christians will suffer afflictions but God is faithful even in those unpleasant circumstances. He will not permit afflictions that exceed our capacity to bear or withstand (1 Corinthians 10:13). 

Elsewhere in Scripture, we learn that our petitions ought to be informed by godly motives. James 4:3 says "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." God will not permit a petition that does not serve His purposes for us. It must glorify Him in the end.  Someone said that God meets our need and not our greed!

Here is the conclusion to this matter:

1) We should approach God in prayer by faith. We should not waver in our faith. The Bible says in Hebrews 11:1 "Faith is a substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." God is touched by a prayer that is accompanied by the kind of faith we see in the following heroes of faith: David as he confronted Goliath [1 Samuel 17]; Ruth as she poured her heart to God and vowed [1 Samuel 1:8-18]; Jabez as he sought a better life and future [1 Chronicles 4:9-10].

2) We should let God have His way even as we pray. His way is the best way for us [Luke 22:42]. When God has His way in our lives, we shall have exceeding peace and joy even in unpleasant circumstances. Submitting to God's way is evidence of our spiritual maturity and closer walk with God. Job suffered untold affliction but remained steadfast in his faith and God rewarded him in the end. Job 1:22 says "In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong." We should not scream at God or walk away from Him when He appears to take too long in responding to our petitions. 

3) We should be patient with God in prayer. He may grant our prayer instantly or at a future time appointed by Him. He may also test our resilience in prayer [see the moral in the Parable of the Persistent Widow in Luke 18:1-8]. Some things are not meant for us at a given station in life. The parable of the Prodigal Son recorded in Luke 15:11-32 reveals that the young man was not mature enough to handle his inheritance at that point. He was humbled by his imprudence in the end. 

4) We should glorify God for answered prayer. Where God grants our petition, we should glorify His name for it [see Jesus' remarks in Luke 17:17-18 concerning the Samaritan who returned to Jesus to give thanks after he was healed of leprosy]. An unthankful heart offends God. We should therefore count our blessings and glorify God for them. 

5) We should accept God's verdict. God may decline our petitions if they do not agree with His divine will for us. If this happens in our context, we should submit to God's will and glorify Him. Jesus did the same and so should we. He moved on to face the cross and suffered and died for us. We also learn from 2 Samuel 12:15-23 that David prayed for the healing of his son but God was determined to take the life of the child. When the boy died, David finally accepted God's will and broke his fast. We should learn to take a NO for an answer where God has spoken. He will grant us His peace in those circumstances. 

6) We should approach God with a clear conscience. God may decline our petitions if they are motivated by greed, jealousy and selfishness. Some people pray out of jealousy, wishing to match others who appear to be "more blessed" materially than them. God does not treat people in the same way. He blesses people differently in His own divine ways and at His appointed time. Notice the moral in the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard in Matthew 20:1-16. The land owner confronted the evil eye of the complaining workers saying "Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?" 

God dispenses His blessings as He wishes. Besides, life does not primarily consist of how much property or resources we own on earth but how close we are to God [cf. Parable of the Rich Fool, Luke 12:13-21). Again, Jesus' statement in Luke 12:21 is instructive of this fact. 

Prosperity theology proponents have sadly reduced prayer to a password slogan. They have also reduced God to an ATM dispenser. Those whose petitions are unanswered are often reminded about their lack of sufficient faith. They then agonize in frustration and are often told to "sow more seed". I once received a call from a friend who subscribes to the Word of Faith/Prosperity doctrines and he reported that he was expecting God to miraculously provide him with a given sum of money within a given period. He had already budgeted for the money! The man went into prayer and fasting for a number of days as instructed by his "apostolic prophet". The money never came and the man was deeply frustrated.

It is important to appreciate that God expects believers to work for a living. There are no free things that simply fall from heaven! Paul worked to earn a living from his tentmaking trade even as he served God as a Christian missionary. God has promised to bless the work of our hands if we are diligent in applying our talents and skills. Paul rebuked the lousy busybodies among the Thessalonians who lived on the sweat of others, saying, "...if anyone does not work, neither shall he eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10, read also the entire passage of 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15). 

The truth is that God's perfect will concerning us will ultimately be fulfilled irrespective of how God responds to our petitions. Whether our prayers are answered or not, we should remain faithful to God in our journey of faith. We should, as Moses did, esteem the reproach of Christ greater riches than the pleasures of Egypt. (see Hebrews 11:24-26). Our obedience to God  should not be primarily motivated by the material resources He provides to us but for what He has given to us in Christ. 

The Bible says "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you"  (Matthew 6:33). 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2021

What Does it Mean to Enter into God's Rest?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ENTER GOD'S REST? - LESSONS FROM THE STUDY OF HEBREWS 4:1-10

By Ezekiel Kimosop 

INTRODUCTION

Hebrews 4:1-10 speaks about the promise of our rest in Christ Jesus. It is a beautiful passage that reveals to us that our true rest does not consist in observing the seventh day but in abiding in Christ in eternal fellowship.

Being in Christ brings divine assurance of hope to every restless soul. We enter into His rest, an experience that stands for the true, divine Sabbath that mirrors God's rest from His works in Genesis 2:1-3. 

In order to appreciate the context of Hebrews 4:1-10, we need to go back to Hebrews 3 and pick out the thoughts of the writer that inform his concluding remarks in our passage of context. 

A little historical survey of the wilderness journey would perhaps be useful at this point.

When the children of Israel rebelled against God in the journey to the promised land, they went in circles through the wilderness for 40 years, a journey that Bible scholars say could have taken them less than two weeks to complete.

Only two faithful men, Caleb and Joshua, out of the original number that left Egypt, entered the Promised Land. These two heroes of the faith stood against the storms of unbelief and defended God's glory and honor among the twelve spies sent by Moses to spy the Holy Land [see Numbers 13-14].

The two men gave a positive minority report saying that the people should arise and invade the land because God will give them victory (Numbers 13:30). The rest of the spies gave a discouraging report, saying that the land was full of giants and that they were like grasshoppers before them.

The people wept and some sought to return to Egypt (Numbers 14:1-4). God was sorely displeased by the people's unbelief and He swore that only the two men shall enter the Promised Land (Numbers 14:40). Some actions have eternal consequences! 

The rest of the people perished in the wilderness because of their rebellion unbelief and apostasy [cf. Hebrews 3:16-19]. None, not even faithful people such as Moses, Aaron, or Miriam could enter the promised land, yet they were great leaders that are celebrated in Scripture [cf. Micah 6:4]! 

Miriam died in the wilderness of Zin (Numbers 20:1) and Aaron died at Mt Hor in Moserah (Numbers 20:28; Deuteronomy 32:50; Joshua 24:33). 

Moses saw the promised land from Mt Pisgah in the plains of Moab [present day State of Jordan] but God did not permit Him to enter the Land because of his personal disobedience. God reveals the reason for Moses' exclusion in Deuteronomy 32:51 that says "because you trespassed against Me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah Kadesh, in the Wilderness of Zin, because you did not hallow Me in the midst of the children of Israel." 

Earlier in Deuteronomy 3:27-28 God commanded Moses, saying, "Go up to the top of Pisgah, and lift your eyes toward the west, the north, the south, and the east; behold it with your eyes, for you shall not cross over this Jordan. 28 But command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see."

That was the far that Moses got. He died in the plains of Moab and God buried him (Deuteronomy 34:1-8).

The wilderness journey experience and God's dealing with His covenant people remind us that while God is holy, loving and merciful, He is a just God who will punish the disobedient and the wicked no matter how highly placed they are in society. No one is immune from God's righteous wrath. Only Christ's blood can cleanse sin and open the door to His rest.

LESSONS FROM HEBREWS 3

Now back to our passage of Hebrews 3.

Hebrews 3:1-6 is a tribute to Jesus' faithfulness to the Father and for this godly response, God appointed Him as High Priest in the order of Melchizedek forever (Hebrews 5:6, 10, 6:20). 

Jesus was greater than Moses. His eternal priesthood ranked above Aaron's. Unlike the two great men, Jesus was and is a Son in His Father's house, a true and faithful heir to the things of God. We too shall be joint heirs with Christ if we remain faithful in our walk with God. We should therefore enter His rest [cf. Galatians 3:28-29].

Hebrews 3:7-19 exhorts us to faithfulness in our walk with God and outlines the negative illustration of the rebellion of the children of Israel who perished in their unbelief, something we do well to learn from. 

Someone said that a wise man learns from both his mistakes and the mistakes of others but a fool cannot learn from any mistake! 

We are exhorted to remain steadfast in our faith in God and to hearken to His voice (Hebrews 3:15). 

CONCLUSION

Entering Christ's rest implies ceasing from the confidence of the flesh and completely trusting Jesus Christ in our walk of faith. We cease counting on our self confidence. Instead, we fully trust and submit to God's unmerited grace in Christ Jesus. There is the "now" and the "yet to come" concerning our rest in Christ.

In the "now" dispensation, we walk with Jesus Christ even as we struggle with the snares of Satan in this present evil world. The journey is difficult, with booby traps and thorns along the dreary paths but Jesus has an encouraging message for us: He who endures to the end shall be saved (Matthew 10:22, 24:13; Mark 13:13). 

In the world to come, our rest in Christ shall be complete. We shall dwell in His glorified presence forever, never again to experience pain or grief. 1 John 3:2 says "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." 

In the life to come, we shall be Christ's redeemed people and He will eternally be our God. Revelation 21 conveys to us a glimpse of the life to be experienced by the glorified Church. It is a blissful, serene and comely place that every soul yearns to dwell in [cf. Revelation 21:9-27]. 

Jesus is the way to that blissful nirvana. God proclaims three times in the Gospels that "He [Jesus] is my beloved Son. Hear Him" [Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35].

Do you hear Christ speaking? His voice is only heard in the written Scriptures and discerned through the illumination of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.  

Hear ye Him and enter ye His rest. 

 Shalom

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2021

Courage and Fortitude: Lessons from the Life and Ministry of Deborah the Prophetess

COURAGE AND FORTITUDE: LESSONS FROM THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF DEBORAH THE PROPHETESS: 

[An Exposition of Judges 4-5]

By Ezekiel Kimosop

INTRODUCTION

Deborah is first introduced to the Bible reader in Judges 4:4 where she is described as a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth and that she judged Israel at that time.  She lived between Ramah and Bethel in Mt Ephraim, suggesting that she may have been a Benjamite. 

A palm tree is named in her honor, showing her prominence as a respected judge and spiritual leader. Deborah served after Ehud and between them the people of Israel suffered 20 years of oppression under Jabin, a Canaanite King into whose hand God gave Israel for their sinful disobedience. Deborah served when Israel was probably paying tribute to Jabin as a captive nation until God raised Barak to mobilize the resistance.

BACKGROUND ANALYSIS 

Deborah received a message from God which was directed to Barak the son of Abinoam, whose leadership and military background is unknown. It appears that he was in charge of the fighting troop largely made up of warriors from Zebulun and Naphtali, two minor tribes of Israel. It is not clear why no mention was made of the major tribes of Judah and Levi at the time. It is possible that they were all steeped in moral apostasy and evil and God may have chosen to ignore them. Notice the lament of the angel of the Lord in Judges 2:1-4. 

The use of an angel to convey God’s message was perhaps evidence that the society was given to wickedness and apostasy. It is instructive that prophecy was rare in those days [cf.1 Samuel 3:1].

Some scholars say that the phrase "The Angel of the LORD" as used in Judges 2:1 refers to a theophany of the pre-incarnate Christ. Some disagree with this view. 

WHY DID GOD USE THE TWO MINOR TRIBES?

Two possible reasons can be advanced in response to this question. 

First, it may have been a strategic military plan to use the two for the reason that Naphtali and Zebulun bordered the Canaanite territory and it was easier for them to wedge the rebellion on behalf of Israel. 

It is however not expressly clear why the major tribes did not mobilize their support for these two tribes during this military campaign. Did they perhaps despise the two tribes?

The Reubenites were mentioned in passing and so were the sons of Issachar, both of who can equally be classified as minor tribes. Nothing is heard of the major tribes such as Judah, Benjamin and Simeon. The second reason may have to do with God's divine purposes in that God chose to use the least of the tribes to bring the greatest of victories to Israel. This would demonstrate that the glory belonged to God alone. 

Notice that God later used another minor tribe of Dan under Gideon to bring a major victory for Israel with only 300 men! (see Judges 6). God does not require numbers to accomplish His divine purposes! He will use those who are committed and willing to obey His voice.

GOD'S MESSAGE TO BARAK AND HIS REACTION 

God spoke through Deborah directing Barack to assemble a 10,000 strong army against Jabin the King of Hazor. This was an unusual move because the Israelites had been totally subdued by this heathen king for two decades and had apparently lost hope of redemption from his iron rule. Jabin’s army must have been much larger and equipped with better weaponry and this gave the Canaanites a strategic military advantage over Israel.

Barack’s initial reaction demonstrates that he had little faith in the prophetic words spoken by Deborah and this could perhaps explain his insistence that Deborah goes with him to battle. This was an open sign of unbelief contrary to Hebrews 11:1, 6. 

Deborah explained to Barack that if she went to war with him, then she would take the honor from him. It would be utterly shameful in the Hebrew patriarchal society that that the credit for the war effort goes to a woman! 

Deborah agreed to go to war with Barack and they jointly received victory by God's grace.

Barak’s initial reaction of fear and doubt was not without legitimacy. He knew that he was about to face a king who had 900 chariots of iron when Israel was not in possession of even one chariot for the reason that they were forbidden by the Canaanites from making any iron weapons! 

Secondly,  God’s voice was rarely heard in those days because the people had walked away from God. A society that abandons God's ways can no longer discern His voice! 

Besides, Israel’s men of war were not used to military warfare given the oppression that kept them in check for 20 years. They had been completely subdued. Satan deceives people into thinking that their circumstances will never change! 

The children of Israel probably heard of Ehud’s exploits as part of oral folklore and many of the young men of fighting age could not comprehend ever rising against their Canaanite oppressors, let alone contemplating subduing the Canaanites in a single battle! The children of Israel understood the cost of a rebellion. They knew that the Canaanite reaction to any revolt would have been brutal and devastating. However, this was never to be for one simple reason....God had stepped into the picture and was determined to liberate His people from the Canaanites! Our matrix changes when God steps on our side in any situation of life. 

The difference between victory and defeat rests squarely in where God's divine hand lies.

Do you sometimes feel that your circumstances are beyond hope and that nothing will ever change? Be ye encouraged because no situation is too hard for God to reverse! Lift your faith to Him. Arise and shine for the glory of God shine upon you!

THE DEFEAT OF SISERA AND THE VICTORY SONG 

The song of Deborah and Barak recorded in Judges 5 conveys a beautiful description of the war effort and the sweet victory that God gave the Jewish pair. It honors the heroes of war including Jael the Kennite who lured Sisera into her tent and courageously drove a tent peg into the temple of his head, killing him instantly while he slept (Judges 5:24). 

Every contribution to the Lord's battle is significant, no matter how small it may appear in the eyes of men. Jael was a nobody but when she rose to the occasion in her own small way she made her vital contribution that changed the history of her people! He heroic act is indelibly written in the text of Scripture as an encouragement to God's people that they should never give up on God. 

Other war heroes mentioned in the tribute doxology included men of Issachar and the Reubenites. Their support is here acknowledged to the glory of God.

The beautiful poetry of the victory song ironically captured the thoughts and false expectations of Sisera’s mother who was worried about the long and unusual delay in seeing her son return from war. This appears to have been a premonition of sorts because Sisera was never to return alive! No matter how powerful the enemy of God's people may be, they will one day be destroyed by God. 

This song intermittently praises God for His great hand. Judges 5:2-5, 9,13 carries a beautiful doxology or praise on how God moved ahead of His people and shook the camps of the enemies of Israel giving them victory over Sisera, the captain of Jabin’s army who was their thorn in the flesh.  When God finally shows up for His people, His enemies shall be scattered! 

Never despair in waiting upon the LORD. Victory is coming at God's appointed time! 

LESSONS FROM THE VICTORY OF DEBORAH AND BARAK 

1) God can raise unusual people in times of crisis and use them for His glory. You and I could be numbered among such people if we arise and shine for God's glory. 

Esther, an orphan, was raised by God to deliver the Jews from annihilation under Haman, the enemy of God’s people. God also raised Joseph and Daniel from obscurity to prominence and used them to care for God’s people in foreign lands. We should not neglect the opportunities that God has placed at our disposal for reaching out to those in need and giving God glory! 

2) We ought to take God's word by faith (Hebrews 11:6). God is seeking men and women who take Him at His word. Do not doubt the voice of God when He speaks to you through His word and by His Spirit. 

Let us therefore tremble at God’s word and obey Him just as Caleb and Joshua did against the majority who gave a negative report. Notice that God honored the faith of these two brave men and they were privileged to be the only two people who made it into the Land of Canaan from among those who started the journey from Egypt.

Numbers 14:30 says “Except for Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun, you shall by no means enter the land which I swore I would make you dwell in.”

3) God works through various actors or people He raises for His divine purposes. No covenant person is ever insignificant in God’s eyes. God can use the lowly and obscure people for His divine purposes. 

4) Those who act with courage and faith in the name of God will be honored by God. Do not fear to trust God and venture into the unknown by faith. We are not alone in our difficult moments for He promised not to leave us or forsake us [cf. Deuteronomy 4:30-31; Nehemiah 9:31; Hebrews 13:5-6].  

5) Whenever we achieve victory in our battles of life, we ought to be careful to glorify God for it. The battle is always the Lord’s and never ours (Exodus 14:14). Never take glory for your achievements. 

This is what Deborah and Barak did in their edifying song of praise. They made a special tribute to God, acknowledging His great hand in the battle.

Do you have a victory song?

Shalom

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2021

Is Co-Pastor Spouse Leadership Model Biblical?

IS THE "CO-PASTOR" SPOUSE MODEL OF CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP BIBLICAL?

By Ezekiel Kimosop

The "Co-Pastor" congregational model refers to the joint husband/wife leadership of a church congregation. This title is also used generally to refer to joint ministry partners who run a church together on shared authority. 

The congregational model in our context is where the ministry is founded by the husband or both, although in some rare cases, the wife could be its founder. The couple jointly run the ministry.

In other variations of the model, the husband exercises full authority but the wife [or one of his sons] steps into his shoes when he dies or is indisposed. 

This model is common among sections of Pentecostal/Charismatic groups where the couple is ordained together and they assume the salutation title Bishop & Rev XY. The pictures of the couple are usually prominently displayed in the church website or billboards.

The Co-Pastor model is also part of a succession matrix in which the surviving spouse and/or sons assume personal control of the ministry upon the demise of the founder. 

The million dollar question then is thus: Is this model consistent with the teaching of Scripture on the leadership of a Christian congregation? 

Are there New Testament illustrations of this model? Was it practiced in the Early Church?  

We need to keep these questions in mind as we explore this issue further. 

Allow me now to articulate my theological opinion on this matter. I am aware of several church leaders who happily subscribe to this model. This opinion is not intended to support or oppose their ecclesiological tradition. It will attempt to focus on what Scripture teaches and draw a conclusion. 

This article is largely informed by a question I came across in a friend's Facebook page that sought opinions on this model.

The author of the video clip he shared on his page apparently made a passionate biblical argument for his opposition to the Co-Pastor model. His conviction on the issue is that the practice is unbiblical.

He quoted or made reference to two primary texts, among others, in support of his argument: 1 Timothy 2:11-14, 3:1-7.

MY THEOLOGICAL OPINION

Allow me now to file my response.

The following passages of Scripture have been traditionally acknowledged as the foundation of ecclesiological structures in a Bible believing church. 

1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9. The interpretation of 1 Timothy 2:8-14 is considered to have a critical bearing on the constitution of church leadership. 

All these three passages appear to contemplate the exclusion of Christian women, married or unmarried, from ruling a church congregation or serving as elders or overseers. Some have argued that given the role of the pastor's wife in supporting her husband, she should be designated as a deacon in line with 1 Timothy 3:8-13. 

1 Timothy 3:1-7 contemplates that a Christian elder or overseer must be a monogamous male who is able to teach a congregation [3:2]. He should not be a novice in the things of God but must be a mature believer, properly instructed in Christian doctrine [3:6]. He should have a sound moral standing within and outside the Christian community [3:7].

Earlier in 1 Timothy 2:8-14, the Bible reveals that women should not teach or exercise authority over men. The congregation context is unmistakable. 

Notice that Paul appeals to the order of the creation of Adam and Eve and their subsequent fall as a basis for establishing the preeminence of male authority. This is not to suggest that the woman was more sinful! Both fell but in a given order: the woman first and then the man.

Some Bible scholars have attempted to question or dispute Pauline theology on the role of women, arguing that no other apostolic writings support his theology. However, where Scripture is elsewhere silent on a matter, we should obey the passage that addresses the issue.

Other scholars, especially among the Pentecostal/charismatic groups, insist that the instructions issued by Paul were of local rather than universal application. They say that the exhortations were merely intended to address the issues in the Ephesian and Corinthian churches and have no bearing on Christian practice generally. Some quote Galatians 3:28 but this text would be out of context. Its context is in fact explained in the next verse of Galatians 3:29. It concerns our spiritual heritage in Christ. 

1 Corinthians 11:2-15, 14:26-40 appear to speak into the regulatory exigencies of congregational worship. I am however convinced that the address of 1 Corinthians 11:7-10 appears to be of universal import given the allusion to the creation order that is also identified in 1 Timothy 2:11-14.

Conservative Evangelicals insist that 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 convey absolute directions on the exercise of exclusive male authority in a Christian congregation without room for discretion. 

Let us now return to the Co-Pastor model.

Under this context, both husband and wife are presumed to exercise spiritual authority in the congregation. They often teach and serve together in plenary. Many consider this a family ministry.

In some congregations that subscribe to this model, women serve as congregational overseers or senior pastors or elders alongside men. Women are also liberally ordained or appointed bishops.

My view is that the Co-Pastor model is perhaps more of a business concept than an ecclesiological structure. It appears to be overly intended to preserve the family's interest in the ministry in the event of the death of a spouse. In some cases, the Co-Pastor team involve their children and relatives in controlling the ministry resources which in some cases run into millions of dollars.  

My view is that this model is not identified with the practices of the New Testament Church and Early Church periods. It is associated with the Pentecostal Revival movements. 

On the question of conformity with the teaching of Scripture, my view is that the Co-Pastor model violates the text of Scripture and established Christian tradition.

The pastor's wife may not necessarily be gifted with the calling of ministry or the teaching of a congregation. Even if it is granted that she is in possession of spiritual gifts, 1 Timothy 3:1-7 expressly forbids her from assuming congregational church leadership. 

1 Timothy 2:11-14 provides both the disclaimer and the theological ground for the exclusion of women from instructing and ruling a church congregation.

Some have suggested that a woman can serve in the pastorate on condition that her appointment is subject to a submission clause.

This, according to this school, would effectively permit women pastors to serve in the church under the cover of the congregational elders. 

To the extent that the Co-Pastor model allows the church to be controlled by the pastor's family, I consider the model to be lacking in biblical support. 

CONCLUSION

My considered view is that a Christian congregation that submits to the authority of Scripture should not be under the personal control of the pastor and/or his family. No passage of New Testament Scripture or Early Church writings suggests that the practice of this ecclesial model was contemplated. 

This is not to suggest that the Co-Pastor model cannot advance the kingdom of God or that its founders are false. Some global Co-Pastor models have thousands of believers in their congregations. 

Some of the founders and "owners" of large mega churches are modest ministers who sincerely love God and support God's work, touching millions of lives. The Co-Pastor model is simply not consistent with the biblical congregational model.

My view is that a Biblical church should be under the control of its congregational council consisting of appointed leaders who are stewards of God in line with 1 Corinthians 4:1-2. 

This biblical leadership model can be distilled from the narrative on the appointment of Matthias in Acts 1. Notice that the church congregation gathered and cast lots. Scripture contemplates that the congregation shall be involved in choosing its leaders, no matter who the founder is/was.  The rules of Scripture should apply.

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2021.

Five Marks of a False Church

FIVE MARKS OF A FALSE CHURCH

By Ezekiel Kimosop

INTRODUCTION

Have you ever asked or heard someone ask "How can I tell if a certain Christian group is a true church? Put simply, this question can be rephrased: How can one tell the true church from the false church?  

This is a legitimate question that must capture the attention of every Bible believing Christian. Is it possible that a well meaning born again Christian can be worshipping in a false church without discerning that its doctrines and practices are opposed to the teaching of Scripture?

This article will not offer a comprehensive answer to the above question. It will however attempt to outline five key doctrinal features of an apostate church that the writer considers as fundamental marks that a Bible-believing Christian should bear in mind. 

This is not to suggest or imply that a Biblical church is a perfect Christian community in its corporate standing with God. No Christian society or congregation is ever perfect. We learn from the portrayal of the seven churches in Revelation 2-3 that true churches struggle with issues. However, a Christ-centered church finds its footing in Scripture and hears the voice of its Master in His word and responds to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, no matter what challenges stand in its way. 

A false church [also described as an apostate church in this context] is one that has either departed from the foundational principles and truths of God's word to which it subscribed in the past or one that never had its foundation in those truths. The false church purports to worship God in truth but by its teachings and practices, it denies the fundamental and foundational truths of God's word taught in Scripture.

The true church is overly Christ-centered. It is founded on the gospel of Jesus Christ and is anchored on the finished works of the cross. Its doctrines and practices are aligned to the revelation and authority of Scripture. This church is therefore subordinate to Scripture and kneels before the Risen Christ in submission.

FIVE MARKS OF A FALSE CHURCH

The following are some of the key doctrinal features that stand out a Christian group as a false or apostate church:

1) A FALSE CHURCH DENIES THE DIVINITY AND HUMANITY OF JESUS CHRIST

A false church does not recognize the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ nor His divine offices and the efficacy of His finished works of the cross. The Bible reveals that Jesus is Savior, King, Judge, High Priest and the final Prophet to His Church [cf. John 3:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-2, 5:10, 6:20, 8:1]. No other prophet comes after Jesus. His prophetic voice is indelibly engraved in the Books of Scripture. 

The false church further denies Jesus' incarnate coming as God revealed in the flesh. There is no theological conflict between Christ's divinity and His humanity. These eternal truths should be embraced as attested in Scripture. The doctrine of the hypostatic union finds the support of Scripture. It was settled during the Council of Nicea in 425 AD. 

The Bible says in 1 John 4:2-3: "By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world" (NKJV). 

The Antichrist and his agents are the enemies of God's people. The Antichrist is the ultimate force behind pseudo or counterfeit Christianity.

The divinity and humanity of Christ must unquestioningly be at the centre of the Doctrine of every true church. Christ must be the sole person of interest in the Christian community on matters faith and must be the focus of its praise and worship. 

Christ is the center-pole of Biblical Christianity. His divine essence must inform the articulation of the Church's doctrines, its expression of faith and its hope [cf. Titus 2:11-14]. 

Colossians 1:15-18 says of Christ: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence" (NKJV).  

Jesus is not merely God's emissary to sinful humanity and God's mediator between God and men [1 Timothy 2:5-7]. He is in every essence God. He is the same yesterday today and forever [Hebrew 13:8]. 

2) A FALSE CHURCH DENIES THE DEITY AND DIVINITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Some Christian sects teach that the Holy Spirit is nothing more than a divine agent, a mystical force that operates on God's command.  They deny His divine essence as the Third Person of the Holy Trinity. This inescapably consigns them to the trinitarian cultic groups. 

We learn from Scripture that the Holy Spirit is God. He was at the beginning with God, hovering over the primitive cosmos before creation [see Genesis 1:1-2]. His divinity was defended by Jesus Himself. Matthew 12:31-32 says "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come" (NKJV). 

Paul speaks of the Holy Spirit as preeminent over the Church, He appoints overseers, a role that Christ also performs [Acts 20:28-30]. Notice here that the Holy Spirit exercises equal oversight and possession of the Church, a role that cannot be performed outside the Divinity. 

3) A FALSE CHURCH DENIES THE TRINITARIAN REVELATION OF GOD

The doctrine of the Holy Trinity concerns the revelation of God in three divine persons who share full and equal divinity and eternally coexist as God. This doctrine is revealed in Scripture. A number of trinitarian cults have difficulty figuring out this aspect of God's revelation of Himself in Scripture. This is basically because their religious founders deliberately chose to debase this truth in their corrupted writings and doctrines that constitute their books of instruction. 

Several passages of Scripture affirm or attest to the trinitarian revelation of God [cf. Jesus' statement on the divinity of the Holy Spirit in Matthew 12:31, See also John 10:30 on the unity of God the Father and God the Son and Revelation 2-3 on the unity of Christ and the Holy Spirit and the latter's agency in the Godhead]. 

4) A FALSE CHURCH DENIES THAT SALVATION IS BY GRACE ALONE THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST 

A false church teaches a different means by which the sinner is reconciled with God and guaranteed eternal life. Some of these groups acknowledge salvation by grace but attempt to introduce additions or variations to this fundamental truth, contrary to the teaching of Scripture. In the end, a person is mistakenly led to believe that they can earns God's saving grace by their deeds.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast." 

An apostate church teaches salvation by works or by means outside the works of the cross. This is counterfeit Christianity!

5) A FALSE CHURCH DENIES THE AUTHORITY AND FINALITY OF SCRIPTURE 

Scripture must be the final arbiter on all matters of Christian faith and practice. It is the exclusive source of reference on matters doctrine. It illuminates the path for the journey of faith (Psalm 119:105). 

A false church does not draw its authority from Scripture. This is perhaps one of the most obvious marks that a keen student of the Bible would notice. It does not hold Scripture as sacred and central to its doctrines and practices. The Bible is either a secondary reference or is totally ignored in their congregational instruction.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 says "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (NKJV).

Where a Christian group no longer places Scripture at the centre of their doctrine, they will eventually gravitate away into heresy, spiritual rebellion and apostasy. A Biblical church must watch its doctrine. It is nowadays common to hear some charismatic teachers deliver long sermons laced with high sounding philosophical and motivational slogans but sadly without a single reference to a Scripture text or passage. Even where a text is quoted or cited, it is often applied outside its passage context in order to teach what the ultimate Author of Scripture never intended to convey to the hearers and readers! 

CONCLUSION

As stated in the opening statement of this article, there are diverse marks on church doctrines and practices that reveal the faithfulness or otherwise of a Christian community to the fundamental truths of Scripture. This article has not captured all the marks that identify false churches. There is much more that space and time would not allow on this page. 

Some cultic groups are known to consider the personal teachings and writings of their founders as equal to or above the authority Scripture. The writings of these false teachers will fundamentally shape the doctrines, beliefs and practices of the followers, drawing them into heresy and ultimately into spiritual ruin.

Most leaders of false/apostate churches are manipulative and utterly controlling. They rule their congregations with iron fists. Some claim special revelation and miracle powers from God and brainwash and intimidate the congregation into total submission. They subdue them under fear in order to keep them from bolting out and discovering the truth. 

Other apostate leaders convince their members that other Christian groups are false and that they should refrain from joining or associating with them or even attending their congregation meetings or following their teachings online!

A Bible-believing Christian should not be deceived by the high sounding slogans or flashy titles and lifestyles identified with these false teachers. They should take time to evaluate their doctrines beliefs and practices in the light of Scripture and make informed decisions. We learn from Acts 17:10-15 that the people of Berea exemplified exceptional prudence on doctrine. They took time to evaluate the teachings of Paul and his associates against the  Septuagint - the Greek translation of the Old Testament Scriptures. 

Only by the diligent study of Scripture can a believer be shielded from the gapping jaws of false teachers. Do not be deceived by teachers who claim to have read the entire Bible on your behalf!

The Bible warns in 1 John 4:1 "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (NKJV). 

Beware of wolves in sheepskin!

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2021

Was Satan the Serpent Mentioned in Genesis 3:1-6?

 

WAS SATAN THE SERPENT MENTIONED IN GENESIS 3?

By Ezekiel Kimosop

In Genesis 3, the writer introduces the serpent as the most cunning or subtle of all animals ever created. The Bible says in Genesis 3:1 (NKJ), "now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made."

This confirms that the serpent was one of the animals that God had created and placed in the Garden of Eden. Its cunningness had perhaps been noticed on previous occasions that are not captured in Scripture. 

According to the NKJ 2007 Bible concordance, the Hebrew word for "cunning" sounds like the word for "naked", perhaps symbolizing the boldness with which this creature acted in its deception. The serpent probably had a convincing power of speech or deception. 

We learn from the New Testament Scripture that Satan is the father of lies and that he was a liar from the beginning (John 8:44). Satan is also known for influencing human thought for his evil purposes.

The Bible exhorts us to submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from us (James 4:7). Submitting to God gives us the platform and position of strength from which we can, by God's power and by the authority of His word, resist the enemy. We are weakest when the word of God is least incubated in our hearts. 

It is easy to overlook the first part of James 4:7 regarding submission to God and focus more on the second part which speaks of resisting the devil! The two must however be read together! 

Satan used Peter in his cunning attempt to waylay Christ from the way of the cross but Christ, knowing the voice of Satan, rebuked him directly even though we know that Peter literally spoke the very words (Matthew 16:22-23). We can conclude that Satan used the serpent to achieve his evil purposes in bringing about the disobedience and fall of Adam and Eve from spiritual perfection and innocence. 

The serpent was therefore not Satan per se. Satan however used him at that point in time. 

Since God punished the serpent for his individual responsibility in tempting Eve into disobedience, we can infer that the serpent willingly permitted Satan to use him even though he had a choice to refuse to cooperate with him. The serpent appears to have had a will of his own. Notice that the entire judgment passage is captured in a poetic form in the KJV and the NKJ suggesting further that it may have been the subject of a Hebrew poem (Genesis 3:14-19).

In conclusion we can surmise that the serpent was a distinct and separate creature from Satan but like other living creatures, the serpent was not immune to the subtlety of Satan. This passage teaches us that even though Satan uses subtlety to achieve his wicked objectives, we have the responsibility to discern his evil schemes and reject his advances. 

We learn from 2 Cor. 2:11 that believers should not be ignorant of the devices or tricks of Satan. Paul wrote this  letter to exhort the Corinthians to forgive and restore the offender so that Satan does not take advantage of his circumstances to draw him away from the faith. 

Jesus overcame Satan by relying on the word of God (Matthew 4:1-11). Adam and Eve fell because they doubted the word of God and instead hearkened to the voice of Satan (Genesis 3:1-6). 

David proclaims in Psalm 119:11 (NKJ) saying, "Your word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you."

We ought to keep the word of God close to our hearts so that we may overcome Satan. 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2021