:cloud9: Yahoo.com has a video from 20/20 about 2 boy preachers, on their site today. One is 7, one is 9.....amazing......
Soundbite from Samuel Boutwell (7 years old)- "Our God is a living God...you gotta obey the ten commandments perfectly". :mshock:
I believe that we must be willing to hear the voice of God out of any vessal He chooses to use. As long as we do not make the mistake of the visible church which confuses gifts with authority. Let me explain.
The only ones that are ordained in the New Testament are Elders and Deacons. Elders are placed in authority by the Lord to take the oversight of the sheepfold and ministered are set in to minister to the needs of the people. Ordain means to permantently set in place so this is more than just a gift of Christ flowing through a yielded vessel. These government offices and have delegated authority under the Lord rather than just being a minstry gift.
On a totally different subject, Jesus comes as the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher. He manifest Himself in these gifts through whomsoever He chooses to minister to and bless the people. These are gifts and not governmental authorities.
It is my belief that Jesus can function as a gift through anyone He chooses including children. However, authoritative offices require certain levels of maturity and character development.
1Ti 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1Ti 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
1Ti 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
1Ti 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
1Ti 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
1Ti 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
1Ti 3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
1Ti 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
1Ti 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
1Ti 3:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
1Ti 3:11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
1Ti 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
1Ti 3:13 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.
A lot of problems could be avoided it we keep these distinctions clear. The problem we see in the institutional church is they ordain gifts and place people in authority if they are gifted regardless of whether they have maturity or character. My concern is that these young men will be pastoring churches before they are twenty and great will be their fall and those hurt in the process. There is a reason that the Head of the Church says not to lay hands suddenly or to set in a novice.
John
I saw it... a mini hell and brimstone preacher :eyebrow: :teaching:
Quote from: Kratos on October 16, 2007, 06:48:24 AM
I believe that we must be willing to hear the voice of God out of any vessal He chooses to use. As long as we do not make the mistake of the visible church which confuses gifts with authority.
The only ones that are ordained in the New Testament are Elders and Deacons. Elders are placed in authority by the Lord to take the oversight of the sheepfold and ministered are set in to minister to the needs of the people. Ordain means to permantently set in place so this is more than just a gift of Christ flowing through a yielded vessel. These government offices and have delegated authority under the Lord rather than just being a minstry gift.
It is my belief that Jesus can function as a gift through anyone He chooses including children. However, authoritative offices require certain levels of maturity and character development.
A lot of problems could be avoided it we keep these distinctions clear. The problem we see in the institutional church is they ordain gifts and place people in authority if they are gifted regardless of whether they have maturity or character.
John
Knowing my own nature, and the immaturity of my wisdom in the word, and in my own behavior at times I am in complete agreement, and I'm almost 50.
I haven't seen the kids, but it seems like a heavy burden has been placed on them, rather than the yoke of Jesus, from what I'm reading. Which is another reason that the responsible representative should be mature, because there is a great stress involved in handling many peoples needs.
:cloud9: I can see that they've been fed certain beliefs from their environment, but the calling is from God and He will work out the details later. Blessings to all......