Philadelphia Ministers: Role and Responsibility
The ministers in Philadelphia were well informed about God’s kingdom life. They let every member know that they are expected to serve God, the church and the people in the worlds, sinners. They were told that they are ambassadors for Christ on earth, representatives of God and proclaimers of good news to the lost. They were told that they are light, salts and that they should shine before men in darkness so that they will see their good works and glorify God.
Failures in Modern Churches and Their Consequences
The churches of our time has neglected the teaching ministry of Christ, their call to make disciples and focused on power, prosperity, faith, praise ministry and empowerment for service without Christ-like life. They have ordained retired unrepentant rich armed robbers, murderers, evil senior citizens, criminals and demonized failed civil servants. This has brought confusion, problems and all manner of deaths in the body of Christ.
False Ministers and the Need for Deliverance
Many possessed sinners who came to the church to be delivered are receiving prophecies instead of deliverance from sin and the consequences of sin. Some are told that they are having problems because God called them. With their demons, without salvation, they are now recruited into the ministry to deliver others. They are told to go to school of ministry, prayers and deliverance where they learn the principles of deliverance. The ministers in Philadelphia were well informed.
- They were taught on edifying ministry, positives preaching, Christ-like lifestyle that promote love and unity
‘And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ’ (Ephesians 4:11-13).
‘Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another’ (Romans 14:19).
‘Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment’ (1 Corinthians 1:10).
‘I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase’ (1 Corinthians 3:6).
‘The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds’ (Philippians 1:16).
2. They were taught to do all things without pride, give credit to God and to others for progress and success instead of claiming it for themselves
‘Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves’ (Philippians 2:3).
3. They were instructed against partiality, tribalism, but to give privileges and positions to those who meet scriptural qualifications
‘My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons’ (James 2:1).
‘I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality’ (1Timothy 5:21).
‘For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus’ (1Timothy 3:13).
4. The leaders were taught to live in harmony among them
‘Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion’ (Isaiah 52:8).
‘But Moses‘ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun’ (Exodus 17:12).
5. They were taught to identify and support the mission work, village evangelism and to be committed to the same goal
‘So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man’ (Judge 20:11).
‘So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work’ (Nehemiah 4:6).
‘And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, everyone with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon’ (Nehemiah 4:16-17).
6. The pastors, ministers are to be examples to members, sinners and must manifest love, forgiveness, compassion and purity of life
‘Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me’ (John 17:17-23).
7. They are to preach to sinners and get them saved, saved members to be sanctified and to be filled with the Spirit
‘And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God’ (Ephesians 5:18-21).
8. They are to continue in faith and encourage other saints to continue in the saint’s fellowship
‘Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved’ (Acts 2:41-47).
9. To love, forgive and to recognize that none essential differences must not be allowed to hinder relationship or love for each other
‘New commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another’ (John 13:34-35).
10. They must be humble and to recognize the place of others in the ministry
‘Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves’ (Philippians 2:3).
‘But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another’ (1Corinthians 12:18-25).
11. They must respect, obey leadership, speak, act and minister in co-operation, not in evil competition, hate speech, conspiring against any
‘That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises’ (Hebrews 6:12).
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises
‘Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor’ (Romans 13:7).
‘Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation’ (Hebrews 13:7).
‘For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another’ (Romans 12:3-10).