The Apostle Paul’s attitude towards other preachers that he did not agree with (excluding false teachings, deception, an unbiblical Jesus, or what’s clearly hate mongering)
The Apostle Paul’s attitude towards other preachers that he did not agree with (excluding false teachings, deception, an unbiblical Jesus, or what’s clearly hate mongering)
By Bill Rhetts, MA
(Disclaimer: This blog post is not referring to, nor in the context of opposing sin, or false teachings.)
I am so thankful for other fellow open-air preachers, but sadly it is such a divided sub-culture. It breaks my heart when I see fellow evangelists tearing each other apart (by name) on social media. I hope and pray that if I were to ever become the subject of such online scrutiny by fellow Christians, that I would be wise and disciplined enough to bridle my tongue. Admittedly, I could not have restrained myself years ago.
Yes we should divide over false teachings, an unbiblical Jesus, or what’s clearly hate mongering. But not over non-essential issues, methodologies, styles, or extra-biblical opinions. While I may not agree with much of the aforementioned, we must not divide over them. Please, don’t take my advice. Here’s some great advice from my ‘evangelism mentor’ (the Apostle Paul).
“12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice” (Phil 1:12-18).
Through all the problems that Paul experienced, look at his attitude in verse 18. “What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice”.
Paul was more concerned in the salvation of others, than vindicating himself. We know Paul would never condone false teachings (nor sin), but he rejoiced when those others that he disagreed with, preached the Gospel.
Paul gave some more advice that is applicable to social media. In this passage Paul warns of walking (or typing) in the flesh, versus the Holy Spirit.
“16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another (Galatians 5:16-26).
Notice that in verses 19-21 the sins of contentions, jealousies, outbursts, dissensions and envy, are listed right up there with the sexually immoral and murderers? Folks that’s a big ouch – for most of us. Gods will for all of us, is in verse 26. “Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
As Joe Rigney says in his below video ~
“When it comes to the ministry of others. Will you be their biggest fan, or their biggest critic? Because when another faithful ministry, becomes a fruitful ministry, the envious pastor sees a threat, a rival; the Gospel driven pastor sees reinforcement. Praise God reinforcement.”
As the Scriptures tell us, I examined myself, and my test results came back ‘sin positive.’ I have the same sin problem as the rest of you. But let us deny ourselves, and allow the Holy Spirit to be our Overcomer. The ministry of third Person in the Trinity (the Holy Spirit), is vitally important.
Have I ever said something inappropriate, in either a post or in comment? Regretfully I have. I’m still a work in progress. Nevertheless I pray that I would be more like Paul. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”
Lastly, remember what Christ said in John 13:35. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Only by the grace of God, so go I.
Here’s an excellent 10-minute message about the sin of ‘Envy, Rivalry and Competition in Ministry,’ by Joe Rigney
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Today I saw the following post on an undisclosed street preachers Facebook page.
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“Evangelistic men, if you are not submitted to elders and an ekklesia, you aren’t fully discharging your duty. #RepentOrStepDown”
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The following is what I wrote in comment under his post.
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It is my policy to generally NOT comment on another’s FB page in a disagreeable way, but I’m going to here.
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First and foremost I am churched, and my local church approves of my street preaching. Though there are some at my church that merely tolerate it, there are some that are outspoken supporters of the street preaching. Recently my pastor and I went out to evangelize. However I have learned to be more graceful to other Christians that are not as fortunate to be churched in that way. Frankly I am no better than them. I believe without a doubt that there are more pastors and elders that need to “repent and step down,” than there are “evangelistic men.” As a matter of fact, we have the Scriptures as our benchmark to evaluate our Elders and Deacons (Titus 1:5-9, 1 Tim. 3:1-7, 1 Pet. 5:1-4).
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But who am I to indiscriminately tell an anonymous social media audience to “repent or step down” from evangelizing for not being churched (or submitting to one), without even knowing all the facts. Yes Theology and Ecclesiology matters. But Ecclesiology can be very complex and complicated (in regards to the unchurched), as perhaps only 3% (a guess) of our local churches within America are doing evangelism Biblically. I know some individual Heralds that are Biblical, but their local churches are not (if that were possible). But I can’t think of a Biblical local church, with unbiblical heralds.
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What shall we say to the millions of professing Christians from those other 97% of churches? Shall they obey their unbiblical churches, while disobeying thee ultimate authority (Christ and the Scriptures)?
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What shall we say to the Christians in China that have been persecuted, and split apart from their churches? Shall we tell them don’t evangelize, “repent or step down” unless you’re back under your previous elders?
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The three elders of my previous church (who I love and respect) evaluated my non-profit, and street ministry. During our third formal session they affirmed my ministry (the Lord’s) as “a gift and calling by the Lord.” However they believed to be ‘sent out’ by their church, that according to their “Rules and Order,” I must be “licensed and ordained.” But not ordained by them. My Elders wanted to present me before their next So California regional session to be “licensed and ordained” by the Elders of their 28 churches. That was so bizarre to me, that I spent some time receiving counsel from Christians ‘outside’ that local church. The consensus was, that yes there would be many benefits having that new title, but it could not be supported with Scripture (thee infallible sufficient authority). So I respectfully declined because I believe that was unbiblical (or extra biblical). When we legislate requirements that are extra biblical, we start treading into the waters of legalism, or a Rome-like hierarchy. Consequently we had to leave that church. Otherwise I would have been perceived as being un-submissive or rebellious towards my Elders (of whom we love and miss much). By God’s grace my wife and I reunited with our previous local church.
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While striving to remain objective here, the following is only a summarization. I’ve seen extremes on both sides.
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I’ve seen those that stand outside abortion mills yelling “where’s the church?” (via their Facebook posts). But at the same time they would tell Christians that if you’re Elders did not send you there, then you should “repent and step down.”
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I’ve seen the same with heralds that are antagonist towards the local church, but they complain about “the church” for not being out there. I can’t tell you enough how thankful I am to stand alone, and worship the Lord in the streets, weather I be alone or with someone else.
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I’ve seen terrible street preachers that clearly show a disdain for the local church (via their Facebook posts).
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I’ve seen evangelists go on Facebook and toot their own horns, patting themselves on their backs, beating their own chest, as they arrogantly boast about being sent out by their Elders (or local church). Doing so while vilifying other Christians that have not been blessed by a local church in that way.
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I have seen a pastor here in Redlands engage in heavy shepherding and legalism, as he vowed that “seminary” is a “requirement” to be an Elder, and that he believes Heralds are nothing but loudmouths.
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I’ve seen a church that sent our evangelism team to knock on the doors in an apartment complex across the street from our church, to invite them to our church; but without the Gospel. But I rebelliously gave one of my own IPOC Gospel tracts to every person at every door.
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I’ve seen one church where their Elders preferred that I do evangelism Ray Comfort’s way. I never thought I’d be in the predicament to leave a church, because their leadership desired that I had another person’s personally (aka idol worship).
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I’ve seen Christians that have turned their local churches, or their local leadership into idol worship. Imagine that. Worshiping the church, over THE CHRIST whom died for the church. When I stand and preach, I do that from His authority, for His glory, for He is the Rock that I stand upon.
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And the stories go on, and on, and on (and we all have stories don’t we).
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There’s some bad cops out there, shall we not have cops? There’s bad pastors out there, shall we not have pastors? There’s some bad evangelists out there. Shall we reduce the pool down to only those that have a letter from their Elders?
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Yes it is right, and good, and Biblical to be churched. But it is more right to submit to the Lord more than the church, lest we commit idolatry. Though Christ’s bride is beautiful, she is a byproduct of the sinful nature of man. Therefore we must put the Godhead and His Scriptures first, lest we commit idolatry. Because the Glorious Christ is thee head of the church.
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This subject matter is nothing that can be resolved on Facebook. But I do believe that these matters need to be carefully judged and evaluated on an ‘individual case by case’ basis. I do believe it would be wiser to ‘call them out’ by name, rather than anonymous blanket statements. I could not imagine telling fellow Christians to not evangelize, if they are not currently “submitted to elders and an ekklesia.” The older I become in Christ, and the more I learn, the more I realize how insufficient, irrelevant, and replaceable I truly am. Though God does command every man to “repent,” I have no authority to tell an unknown ambiguous group of men to “step down” from evangelizing.
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Lastly, let us remember the Words of the Apostle Paul. In Philippians 1:12-18 Paul shared how while he disagreed with some, but if Christ was being preached, he rejoiced.