CREDENTIALSCREDENTIALSFORFOR

MINISTRYMINISTRY

Stephen E. LaFleur, ThDStephen E. LaFleur, ThD

20122012

All too often, humble and anointed All too often, humble and anointed Christian ministers get beat up by society Christian ministers get beat up by society telling them they are unqualified to teach telling them they are unqualified to teach the Bible. Without a the Bible. Without a seminary degreeseminary degree, , they are told, a person is insufficiently they are told, a person is insufficiently trained to handle the Word. But we must trained to handle the Word. But we must ask, "Since when do universities and ask, "Since when do universities and theological seminariestheological seminaries determine who determine who should preach and teach God's Word?"should preach and teach God's Word?"

Worldview of Ministerial Credentials

Actually, the Bible gives precise and complete Actually, the Bible gives precise and complete ministry qualifications which should be ministry qualifications which should be sufficient for anyone who is called to the sufficient for anyone who is called to the ministry. Paul tells us to ministry. Paul tells us to ""beware lest any beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of th world, and not after rudiments of th world, and not after ChristChrist””(Colossians 2:8). (Colossians 2:8).

Certainly, there is nothing wrong with a Certainly, there is nothing wrong with a ministry degreeministry degree, but if the purpose of , but if the purpose of the degree is to get the praise of men or the degree is to get the praise of men or add a title to your name, beware! add a title to your name, beware! ""Let Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. For I know not to titles unto man. For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me awaymaker would soon take me away"" (Job (Job 32:21-22). 32:21-22).

Jesus instructed his disciples not to be like Jesus instructed his disciples not to be like the Pharisees who loved the best seats in the Pharisees who loved the best seats in the synagogues and took on titles such as the synagogues and took on titles such as "Rabbi", "Father", and "Master" (Matthew "Rabbi", "Father", and "Master" (Matthew 23:1-12). Jesus taught by example that 23:1-12). Jesus taught by example that greatness in the greatness in the Kingdom of GodKingdom of God is based is based upon upon servanthoodservanthood..

Prestigious Degrees of Prestigious Degrees of Men Men

Seminary study may help a believer grow into Seminary study may help a believer grow into a life calling of a life calling of Christian ministryChristian ministry, but even , but even the best colleges and universities are limited the best colleges and universities are limited according to God's standards. King Solomon according to God's standards. King Solomon wisely said, wisely said, ""Of making many books there Of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God, and keep his the whole matter: fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty commandments: for this is the whole duty of manof man" " (Ecclesiastes 12:12-13). (Ecclesiastes 12:12-13).

Schooling is also expensive, often Schooling is also expensive, often plunging students into heavy debt which plunging students into heavy debt which may take years to pay off. So instead of may take years to pay off. So instead of launching into ministry to serve the launching into ministry to serve the Lord, many graduates find themselves Lord, many graduates find themselves grounded by financial bondage and end grounded by financial bondage and end up serving their creditors.up serving their creditors.

Somewhere along the line, getting a Somewhere along the line, getting a professional, professional, accredited degreeaccredited degree became the norm for ministering the became the norm for ministering the Word of God rather than the Word of God rather than the exception. This is truly "philosophy exception. This is truly "philosophy and vain deceit" of men! The Bible and vain deceit" of men! The Bible never once mentions schooling or never once mentions schooling or seminary as a prerequisite to being seminary as a prerequisite to being approved by Godapproved by God. .

Rather it says: Rather it says: ""Study to shew thyself Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truththe word of truth"" (II Timothy 2:15). Going to (II Timothy 2:15). Going to school for that study is not all-inclusive here. school for that study is not all-inclusive here. Study in one's prayer closet counts, too, and is Study in one's prayer closet counts, too, and is by far much more important! by far much more important! ""It is better to It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in trust in the LORD than to put confidence in manman"" (Psalm 118:8). (Psalm 118:8).

Paul put it best when he said: Paul put it best when he said: ""For we For we are the circumcision, which worship are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Though I confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more."in the flesh, I more."

Paul then listed his credentials: Paul then listed his credentials: "Circumcised the eighth day, of the "Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee. Concerning zeal, Pharisee. Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the the righteousness which is in the law, blameless."law, blameless."

Paul was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel (a Paul was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel (a chief scholar of the day) and was taught according chief scholar of the day) and was taught according to the perfect manner of the Jewish Law (Acts to the perfect manner of the Jewish Law (Acts 22:3). 22:3). "But what things were gain to me,""But what things were gain to me," Paul Paul said, said, "those I counted loss for Christ. Yea "those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ"dung, that I may win Christ" (Philippians 3:3-8). (Philippians 3:3-8). None of Paul's None of Paul's credentialscredentials meant anything in light meant anything in light of the "excellency of the knowledge of Christ."of the "excellency of the knowledge of Christ."

Peter and John were uneducated fishermen, yet Peter and John were uneducated fishermen, yet the world took notice of their message because the world took notice of their message because these men had walked with Jesus. these men had walked with Jesus. "Now when "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus" Jesus" (Acts 4:13). The apostles understood that (Acts 4:13). The apostles understood that the power behind their message came by the Holy the power behind their message came by the Holy Spirit (see John 14:26) and not by Spirit (see John 14:26) and not by man's wisdomman's wisdom. .

They knew that They knew that "not many wise men "not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God hath many noble, are called. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are confound the things which are mighty"mighty" (I Corinthians 1:26-27). (I Corinthians 1:26-27).

Truly, the high Truly, the high titles of mentitles of men and doctoral and doctoral degrees do not impress God. The Bible degrees do not impress God. The Bible says, says, ""He hath put down the mighty He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of from their seats, and exalted them of low degree"low degree" (Luke 1:52). And, (Luke 1:52). And, "let the "let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exaltedis exalted"" (James 1:9). God is the One (James 1:9). God is the One Who judges men's hearts. He alone has the Who judges men's hearts. He alone has the authority to accredit, qualify, and equip a authority to accredit, qualify, and equip a person for person for His ministryHis ministry! Don't be led ! Don't be led astray by the methods of the world, for astray by the methods of the world, for ""that which is highly esteemed among that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of men is abomination in the sight of GodGod" " (Luke 16:15). (Luke 16:15).

The Lord says, The Lord says, ""For as the heavens For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your and my thoughts than your thoughtsthoughts" " (Isaiah 55:9). Christians (Isaiah 55:9). Christians should desire the approval of the Lord should desire the approval of the Lord rather than comparing each other and rather than comparing each other and seeking the endorsement of men. seeking the endorsement of men. (see Acts 5:29). (see Acts 5:29).

Biblical Qualifications Biblical Qualifications

The number one The number one qualificationqualification for a minister of the for a minister of the Gospel is to know Christ. Even all of Paul's distinguished Gospel is to know Christ. Even all of Paul's distinguished "credentials" did not "credentials" did not ordainordain him to the ministry or him to the ministry or make him an apostle: make him an apostle: ""Paul, an apostle, (not of men, Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead)Father, who raised him from the dead) ..." ..." (Galatians 1:1). Paul was made an apostle by Jesus (Galatians 1:1). Paul was made an apostle by Jesus Christ (I Timothy 1:12); therefore, Paul always sought to Christ (I Timothy 1:12); therefore, Paul always sought to please his Master. please his Master. ""For do I now persuade men, or For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christthe revelation of Jesus Christ"" (Galatians 1:10-12). (Galatians 1:10-12).

Because Paul learned from the Savior, his preaching Because Paul learned from the Savior, his preaching did not come forth with wisdom of words or excellency did not come forth with wisdom of words or excellency of speech (I Corinthians 1:17-21, 2:1); but it came of speech (I Corinthians 1:17-21, 2:1); but it came through the power of God. The Lord delights in through the power of God. The Lord delights in showing Himself strong through those who are showing Himself strong through those who are insufficientinsufficient in themselves, for His strength is made in themselves, for His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses. perfect in our weaknesses. ""Most gladly therefore Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities [and will I rather glory in my infirmities [and insufficiencies], that the power of Christ may rest insufficiencies], that the power of Christ may rest upon meupon me"" (II Corinthians 12:9). (II Corinthians 12:9).

The Pharisees of Jesus' day questioned Him The Pharisees of Jesus' day questioned Him about His schooling. They said, about His schooling. They said, ""'How knoweth 'How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?' this man letters, having never learned?' Jesus answered them, and said, 'My doctrine Jesus answered them, and said, 'My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent meis not mine, but his that sent me. . If any man If any man will do his will, he shall know of the will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in himand no unrighteousness is in him “ “ (John

7:14-18).

In other words, the In other words, the sound biblical doctrinesound biblical doctrine will will speak for itself, and those who do the will of the speak for itself, and those who do the will of the Father will witness to it. The people who heard Father will witness to it. The people who heard Jesus teach marveled, Jesus teach marveled, ""for he taught them as for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribesone having authority, and not as the scribes"" (Matthew 7:29). Even though the religious leaders (Matthew 7:29). Even though the religious leaders were skeptical, Jesus perfectly met God's were skeptical, Jesus perfectly met God's qualifications: qualifications: ""He hath shewed thee, O man, He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy Godand to walk humbly with thy God?"?" (Micah 6:8). (Micah 6:8).

While man looks for the accumulation of While man looks for the accumulation of knowledge and knowledge and "years of experience""years of experience" to to qualify a person for ministry, God looks for a qualify a person for ministry, God looks for a willing and obedient heart. The Scriptures willing and obedient heart. The Scriptures record several instances where such a heart record several instances where such a heart was found — was found — notnot in learned scholars, but in in learned scholars, but in children and young people. children and young people.

JesusJesus taught the scribes in the temple as a 12- taught the scribes in the temple as a 12-year-old boy, year-old boy, ""and all that heard him were and all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and astonished at his understanding and answersanswers"" (Luke 2:47). (Luke 2:47).

SamuelSamuel was called at an early age because was called at an early age because Eli's sons did not follow the Lord (see I Eli's sons did not follow the Lord (see I Samuel 3:1-21).Samuel 3:1-21).

DavidDavid was just a youth when he faced Goliath was just a youth when he faced Goliath because no man stepped up to the task (see I because no man stepped up to the task (see I Samuel 17:24).Samuel 17:24).

JeremiahJeremiah was called to speak the word was called to speak the word of the Lord in his youth (see Jeremiah of the Lord in his youth (see Jeremiah 1:6-7).1:6-7).

John the BaptistJohn the Baptist was strong in spirit was strong in spirit from his youth up. His life calling was to from his youth up. His life calling was to prepare the way of the Messiah (Luke prepare the way of the Messiah (Luke 1:76-80).1:76-80).

TimothyTimothy was exhorted by the apostle was exhorted by the apostle Paul, Paul, ""Let no man despise thy youth; Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in in charity, in spirit, in faith, in puritypurity"" (I Timothy 4:12). (I Timothy 4:12).

These examples indicate that These examples indicate that youthful ageyouthful age does not disqualify a person from ministry. does not disqualify a person from ministry. Although maturity comes with age, there are Although maturity comes with age, there are youth who are ready to preach the youth who are ready to preach the GospelGospel and and older folks who are still babes in their spiritual older folks who are still babes in their spiritual walk. As people get older and acquire more walk. As people get older and acquire more knowledge, all too often knowledge, all too often pridepride takes root in takes root in their hearts. But the Bible says that their hearts. But the Bible says that ""not not many wise men after the flesh, not many many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called ... that mighty, not many noble, are called ... that no flesh should glory in his presenceno flesh should glory in his presence"" (I (I Corinthians 1:26,29). God uses people with Corinthians 1:26,29). God uses people with humble hearts and child-like faith to advance humble hearts and child-like faith to advance His KingdomHis Kingdom. .

Furthermore, Furthermore, ""God resisteth the proud, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humblebut giveth grace unto the humble"" (James (James 4:6). The Lord delights in showing Himself 4:6). The Lord delights in showing Himself strong on the behalf of those whose strong on the behalf of those whose hearts hearts are perfectare perfect toward Him (II Chronicles 16:9). toward Him (II Chronicles 16:9). May our prayer echo the words of John the May our prayer echo the words of John the Baptist: Baptist: ""He must increase, but I must He must increase, but I must

decreasedecrease" " (John 3:30).(John 3:30).

God’s Man + Right Place + Right God’s Man + Right Place + Right Time =Time =

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