[George]

Originally Posted by cb6445

George, I should tell you thank you! I didn't read all the way to then end of your post and should have. I do appreciate your kind words and your concern. I will agree with you on your views as an evangelist being abused w/out oversight. That's why I will never forsake the local church in my ministry and will not be a "free-lancer", my pastor wouldn't allow it. Please, remember, how green I am. My God does, and has stuck me on salvation, so if I can preach anything it can be salvation. I am preaching this Sunday morning on "The Greatest Commandment." It's been a hard pill to swollow, I've never known love but for the past 4 months, so the Lord is breaking me and showing me how important Love is. I got saved on HELL, FIRE, and DAMNATION. Got 1 night of milk, then steaks from then on out and I either choked or chewed and swollowed (got fed). Anyway, I'm trying my best to live it. I have failed on here, I know. But forgive me. I can handle criticism and please don't hold back in telling me the truth, but don't question my calling, because you're not questioning me your questioning the one who called me.

Aloha cb6445,

In regards to your recent Posts #21 & #22 - here is what I said about your calling:

"I cannot speak to his "calling", but I can say that as a new born babe in Christ he must get thoroughly grounded in the word of God, before he begins to go out as an "evangelist".

I have been on the Forum since March of this year and have made 438 Posts and 11 Threads. In all of these Posts and Threads I have never once said that a man has to go to Bible School; Bible College; or a Seminary in order to become an elder/pastor or an evangelist. As a matter of fact, in these days of apostasy, I would strongly advise against it!

What I have said is an elder/pastor or evangelist needs to "get thoroughly grounded in the word of God", and a man can do that in a sound Bible believing church or on his own (if necessary).

Paul spent approximately three years (or more) studying on his own before venturing out to spread the Gospel and establish churches throughout the Roman Empire. After Paul got saved he didn't go to the Bible "Seminary" at Jerusalem and get instruction from Peter, James, John, Andrew, or Philip. He went out into the desert and then returned to Damascus and God showed him some of the great "mysteries" of all time.

I do not doubt your earnest zeal to serve the Lord, nor would I ever call into doubt your "calling". Who am I to question another man's "calling"? What I am concerned about is whether you are grounded in God's Holy word, so that when you go out into the world to do God's will you will be prepared to serve the Lord according to His word, and not stumble (or cause others to stumble).

Here are some principals and precepts from the Holy Scriptures that anyone who wants to enter the ministry should be aware of:

#1. The Holy Bible (King James Bible) must be your "Final Authority" in ALL matters of faith and practice. {NOT a man; a pastor; a church; or a Bible School}

". . . yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, . . ." [Romans 3:4]

#2. Never doubt the veracity of God's word {NEVER!}. And whenever you do a work for God, always do God's work "in truth".

"For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth." [Psalms 33:4]

#3. Always remember:The ministry is to be (whenever possible) a ministry of "reconciliation":

"And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;" [2 Corinthians 5:18]

#4. Never think "too highly" of yourself or "better" than the brethren:

"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." [Romans 12:3]

There are several men on this Forum that could teach the Bible as well (or better) than most Bible School "professors" - you should find out who they are and study their Threads & Posts.

I have a small Bible web site that contains about 90 Bible lessons that might be of some interest to you. You also might look up my "Profile" on this Forum and "check out" the 11 Threads that I have posted which cover subjects such as:

"The Inspiration of Scripture"
"Why I Believe In The King James Bible"
"Rightly Dividing God’s Words"
"HUMANISM {Pernicious Satanic Influence In The World Today}"

Etc., etc., - there are more.

Any Christian can and should witness or testify about what God has done for him (or her). But a man who is called to teach and to preach God's Holy word must first thoroughly "know" what he is talking about before venturing out into the ministry. {It took Paul (the greatest apostle) over three years to study and prepare for the ministry, and I would advise you to do the same. Take some time to become familiar with the word and doctrine, and don't neglect your wife and family in the course of your studies and service to the Lord}

1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

I have been a Christian for over 50 years and have made a lot of mistakes and have stumbled along the way. You have a lot to learn - don't "run ahead of God" in your pursuit to serve serve Him.