Called to the Ministry II
 

The True Calling

The Primitive Church was governed and influenced by the Holy Spirit. Let us consider
the caliber of the men in her time.

Stephen: "...full of the Holy Spirit...": he became the first martyr of the Church;
Phillip: went to Samaria and "...preached Christ unto them...": he did such an
outstanding work, he was later called to be the Church's first evangelist;
Ananias: he could be considered one of the least of the disciples; but he did not faint,
and went and preached to him who was to become one of the greatest among the apostles;
Saul of Tarsus: at another time he threatened the Church, but now is the founder of
the Church among the Gentiles;
Barnabas: heard how Saul of Tarsus caused great destruction in the Church: but now
believed the preaching of the new convert an brought him to the apostles, who gave
Saul "...the right hand of fellowship...";
Peter: used the keys tp open the door to the kingdom of heaven to Jews, Samaritans,
and Gentiles, and defended the Spirit of liberty enjoyed by the Gentiles;
James: confirmed the gospel among the Gentiles, by the words of Peter, and by the
prophets.

There is no doubt that the Primitive Church was sensitive to the Voice of the Lord, even
as Adam and Eve were first sensitive in the garden. These were spiritual men, and they
also judged everything by the Spirit of the Lord, and by "...the Law, the prophets, and
the Psalms."

"...and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers."

Re: Called to the Ministry II
 

Yes I agree, they were spiritual. There seems to be much less to fill their days other than the work of God. They were completely living of the gifts of substance from the church. Their every need it appears to have been provided. (I understand life wasn't perfect and every man’s work must be tried.) But overall it definitely was a different society and culture that was conducive to roaming the country. Living from house to house and gleaning from one another. Sure there were great trials but the church stood together and from all points and indicators was open to the thought that a Man of God was led by the Spirit.

Today our American culture is so infiltrated with vagabonds from every thought realm and background, that if one arises and says I have a word or a dream or a vision. They are shut down because of fear. Fear of being doubted, fear of false prophets and teachers hungry for filthy lucre. Then there are those weak minded and so naive to except any breath of wind or anything slight of the eye and they fall into the ditch.
I appreciate your post, it is provoking to think about the depth of the Spirit and how that if only we could get into that place in the cleft of the rock. We to could hear from the Almighty.

“God is no respecter of persons, but he is a respecter of consecration.”
Caleb Adams- Idaho Camp 2002

Re: Called to the Ministry II