MINISTRY of Paul

 Acts 20:18

King James Version

18 And when they were come to him, 

he said unto them, 

Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, 

after what manner I have been with you 

at all seasons,

What was apostle Paul like?

How did he conduct himself?

How did he teach the WORD?

Nothing like getting it from the apostle himself:

Acts 20:19

King James Version

19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, 

and with many tears, and temptations, 

which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

Acts 20:20

King James Version

20 And how I kept back nothing 

that was profitable unto you, 

but have shewed you, 

and have taught you publicly, 

and from house to house,

Acts 20:21

King James Version

21 Testifying both to the Jews, 

and also to the Greeks, 

repentance toward God, 

and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 20:22

King James Version

22 And now, behold, 

I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, 

not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

Acts 20:23

King James Version

23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, 

saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

Acts 20:24

King James Version

24 But none of these things move me, 

neither count I my life dear unto myself, 

so that I might finish my course with joy, 

and the ministry, 

which I have received of the Lord Jesus, 

to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Acts 20:26-27

King James Version

26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, 

that I am pure from the blood of all men.

27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you 

all the counsel of God.

Acts 20:28

King James Version

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, 

and to all the flock, over the which 

the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, 

to feed the church of God, 

which he hath purchased 

with his own blood.

Acts 20:29-30

King James Version

29 For I know this, 

that after my departing shall grievous wolves 

enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, 

speaking perverse things, 

to draw away disciples after them.

Acts 20:31

King James Version

31 Therefore watch, 

and remember, 

that by the space of three years 

I ceased not to warn every one 

night and day with tears.

Acts 20:32

King James Version

32 And now, brethren, 

I commend you to God, 

and to the word of his grace, 

which is able to build you up, 

and to give you an inheritance 

among all them which are sanctified.

Acts 20:33

King James Version

33 I have coveted no man's silver, 

or gold, or apparel.

Acts 20:34

King James Version

34 Yea, ye yourselves know, 

that these hands have ministered 

unto my necessities, 

and to them that were with me.

Acts 20:35

King James Version

35 I have shewed you all things, 

how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, 

and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, 

how he said, 

It is more blessed to give than to receive.

That was Paul's legacy.

A race he ran.

With flying colors.

Carrying GOD's banner.

Sharing the gospel of JESUS CHRIST.

2 Timothy 4:7-8

King James Version

7 I have fought a good fight, 

I have finished my course, 

I have kept the faith:

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me 

a crown of righteousness, 

which the Lord, the righteous judge, 

shall give me at that day: 

and not to me only, 

but unto all them also 

that love his appearing.

Related material:

Saul's CONVERSION

How many books of the Bible did Paul write?

BISHOP behavior

DEACON duties

SPIRIT-filled ministers

Verses from Bible Gateway

Scribes and Pharisees

 Matthew 5:17

King James Version

17 Think not that I am come 

to destroy the law, or the prophets: 

I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

JESUS often spoke of them.

We refer to the scribes, and Pharisees.

Who hung on the LORD's every word.

That they may hang Him.

They waited in every corner, in ambush.

Challenging JESUS about His teachings.

Which they say doesn't conform to the law.

What did JESUS teach us about them?

Matthew 5:20

King James Version

20 For I say unto you, 

That except your righteousness shall exceed 

the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, 

ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 16:6

King James Version

6 Then Jesus said unto them, 

Take heed and beware of the leaven 

of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Why did the LORD specifically point these out?

Who were these scribes and Pharisees?

Why did JESUS warn us about them?

How did He describe them?

Matthew 23:1-4

King James Version

23 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, 

and to his disciples,

2 Saying The scribes and the Pharisees 

sit in Moses' seat:

3 All therefore whatsoever they bid 

you observe, that observe and do; 

but do not ye after their works:

for they say, and do not.

4 For they bind heavy burdens 

and grievous to be borne, 

and lay them on men's shoulders; 

but they themselves will not move them 

with one of their fingers.

Matthew 23:5-7

King James Version

5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: 

they make broad their phylacteries, 

and enlarge the borders of their garments,

6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, 

and the chief seats in the synagogues,

7 And greetings in the markets, 

and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

How did JESUS correct these scribes and Pharisees?

Matthew 23:8-12

King James Version

8 But be not ye called Rabbi: 

for one is your Master, even Christ; 

and all ye are brethren.

9 And call no man your father upon the earth: 

for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

10 Neither be ye called masters: 

for one is your Master, even Christ.

11 But he that is greatest among 

you shall be your servant.

12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; 

and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Of course, JESUS had much to tell us about them.

We're just warming up.

Scripture has much to say.

SPIRIT has much to teach.

All in testimony of the LORD's teachings.

And I'm on it.

We are not to be be like scribes and Pharisees.

JESUS could not stand their hypocrisy.

And that's for the next post.

SPIRIT-filled ministers

Psalm 119:32

King James Version

32 I will run the way of thy commandments, 

when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

How are GOD's ministers to be?

How shall they preach the gospel?

What shall their heart consist of?

How shall they study theology?

What must they be taught at seminaries?

Here are some vital quotes from the late prayer and revival preacher, Leonard Ravenhill, who SPIRIT led me to:

Do you know what you do when you go to seminary?

You get a swollen head and a shrunken heart.

I say, 

if your preacher doesn't weep, 

you weep over the preacher.

Live in a state of brokenness.

How can we be whole 

when the world is damned 

and rotting before our eyes?

Do you have a course on weeping, father?

And when they graduate, 

do you have a course on howling?

GOD controlled weakness

He ignored the whole bunch.

He went to some smelly fishermen, 

and said, "Come on, and follow me."

They were unlearned and ignorant men.

Not intellectuals, 

bishops, 

and presidents of colleges.

God's going to bypass organized religion 

and systems before very long.

I believe that many denominations 

are breathing their last right now.

And the world will say you've got nothing real, 

and vital and powerful!

No life.

We've got the letter but no life.

We've got the words but no Spirit.

We've got the terms but no reproduction.

the word of God is alive

The Church has become so carnal...

the glory of the Lord doesn't fill the temple.

I don't believe the modern Christians 

come to church to meet God.

They come to church 

to hear a sermon about God.

In place of a sermon about God, Ravenhill implores churches to MEET God, citing a particular verse spoken by the LORD JESUS:

John 17:3

King James Version

3 And this is life eternal, 

that they might know thee the only true God, 

and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Related posts:

GOD is HOLY

REVIVING a CHURCH

The RIGHT church

Video:

"To the Preacher" - The Idolatry of Intelligence, by Leonard Ravenhill

DEACON duties

 Ephesians 4:10-12

King James Version

10 He that descended is the same also 

that ascended up far above all heavens, 

that he might fill all things.)

11 And he gave some, apostles; 

and some, prophets; 

and some, evangelists; 

and some, pastors 

and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, 

for the work of the ministry, 

for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Who are deacons?

What are they supposed to do?

Scripture gives the answer:

1 Timothy 3:8-13

King James Version

8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, 

not doubletongued, 

not given to much wine, 

not greedy of filthy lucre;

9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

10 And let these also first be proved; 

then let them use the office of a deacon, 

being found blameless.

11 Even so must their wives be grave, 

not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, 

ruling their children and their own houses well.

13 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.

What are their functions?

"The word deacon is derived from the Greek word diákonos (διάκονος),[1] which is a standard ancient Greek word meaning "servant", "waiting-man", "minister", or "messenger"

   -- Wikipedia

"In the Catholic, Scandinavian Lutheran, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox churches, the diaconate is one of the major orders—the others being bishop, presbyter (priest), and, historically, subdeacon.[7] Deacons assist priests in their pastoral and administrative duties, but often report directly to the bishops of their diocese. They have a distinctive role in the liturgy of the Eastern and Western Churches."

   -- Wikipedia

How are bishops and deacons differentiated?

"Baptists traditionally recognize two ordained positions in the church: Elders (Pastors) and Deacons, as per 1 Timothy 3. Some Baptist churches in the Reformed tradition recognize elder and pastor as separate offices."

   -- Wikipedia

In the next post, we'll look at Catholic priests.

For I was once baptized Catholic.

Related material:

BISHOP behavior