Hello everyone! I've been wanting to find a forum like this for a long time, and it's great to be a part of such a great apostolic network.
I chose the name, Ananias, not in reference to the one struck dead by God. I chose it in reference to the one who won the Apostle Paul to the Lord. Acts 9:1-19. He was not a "card carrying preacher". In fact, so far as we know, he never even preached a message and his influence is often overlooked by most (if not all) everyone who studies the Bible. We often speak of "those whom we'd like to meet in heaven one day" and Ananias rarely comes to mind. Yet here he is hidden in the pages of the Holy Scriptures. His name only mentioned in relationship to one occurance, yet his influrence unquestionable. He won the Great Apostle Paul to the Lord and possibly may have saved Christianity from being stamped out (arguably). When Paul was recounting his testimony in Acts 22, he mentions how Ananias baptized Paul in Jesus Name. He never wrote scripture, he never went to a foreign country (as far as we know) yet he was a Great Teacher/Mentor who trained Great Men.
All that being said, I think we have a problem among us apostolics. I'm sure it's not "everywhere". I have been preaching for almost 20 years. I have Pastored and at the present time coming out of an extremely painful Pastoral situation which I will not get into here. But suffice it to say the Lord is majorly redirecting me right now and my ministry. I'm not sure where I will land and what I'll be doing. But it has been, and still is, a very painful experience. My heart is burdened for all of our young ministers who are being told that they are nothing ministry-wise unless they Pastor. This is not true! Have we become a "one fold ministry" church? Has the other ministries of the Evangelist (many of which are merely traveling preachers looking for a church), Teachers, Prophets, been swept under the rug? Where are the Ananias who will stand outside the "ministerial spotlight" and be the one who will mentor and train the young Apostle Paul's? Should we have a greater focus on "the ministry of the Body"?
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If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
Welcome! I'm glad you're here. I hope you find the discussions engaging and challenging.
I like how you think and how the Lord has dealt with you and redirected you. He has done that with me as well. I don't know the whole path laid out before me, but He never fails to provide me with direction for my next step!
Hello everyone! I've been wanting to find a forum like this for a long time, and it's great to be a part of such a great apostolic network.
I chose the name, Ananias, not in reference to the one struck dead by God. I chose it in reference to the one who won the Apostle Paul to the Lord. Acts 9:1-19. He was not a "card carrying preacher". In fact, so far as we know, he never even preached a message and his influence is often overlooked by most (if not all) everyone who studies the Bible. We often speak of "those whom we'd like to meet in heaven one day" and Ananias rarely comes to mind. Yet here he is hidden in the pages of the Holy Scriptures. His name only mentioned in relationship to one occurance, yet his influrence unquestionable. He won the Great Apostle Paul to the Lord and possibly may have saved Christianity from being stamped out (arguably). When Paul was recounting his testimony in Acts 22, he mentions how Ananias baptized Paul in Jesus Name. He never wrote scripture, he never went to a foreign country (as far as we know) yet he was a Great Teacher/Mentor who trained Great Men.
All that being said, I think we have a problem among us apostolics. I'm sure it's not "everywhere". I have been preaching for almost 20 years. I have Pastored and at the present time coming out of an extremely painful Pastoral situation which I will not get into here. But suffice it to say the Lord is majorly redirecting me right now and my ministry. I'm not sure where I will land and what I'll be doing. But it has been, and still is, a very painful experience. My heart is burdened for all of our young ministers who are being told that they are nothing ministry-wise unless they Pastor. This is not true! Have we become a "one fold ministry" church? Has the other ministries of the Evangelist (many of which are merely traveling preachers looking for a church), Teachers, Prophets, been swept under the rug? Where are the Ananias who will stand outside the "ministerial spotlight" and be the one who will mentor and train the young Apostle Paul's? Should we have a greater focus on "the ministry of the Body"?
Blessings to ALL!
Ananias Ministries
Bro. Ananias,
After Ananias obeyed God in ministering to Saul of Tarsus who be-
came the apostle Paul, Paul fathered young Timothy and Titus in the
gospel. He told the Corinthians that though they might have ten thou-
sand instructors in Christ, yet have ye NOT many fathers: for in Christ
Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. In other words Paul had
sowed the seeds (Word of God) that had caused them to come to Christ.
He besceeched them to be followers of him. He also told them for that
cause he had sent Timothy, his beloved son (in the gospel) and faithful
in the Lord to them. Timothy would bring them into remembrance of Paul's
ways which be in Christ, as Paul would be teaching everywhere in every
church.
Today, there is SUCH a need for teaching. Indepth teaching of the
Word of God.
When we realize the impact of Ananias obeying God and the results
that it wrought in the great Apostle Paul, because of this humble man's
obediece to God, it is very encouraging. Ananias did his part, not a lot
maybe seen by human eyes but simply doing as instructed by God in a
vision. As a result of his obedience, many were brought to Christ.
We all have those we can or could influence and bring them to Christ,
if we will be sensitive to the Spirit of God and listen for His instructions.
Being willing to do what He would speak to our hearts.
Dear Brother, may God direct your path as you seek His directions in
your life. Wait on Him. Never allow what has happened in the past to
cause you to become bitter. Allow Him to help you to become BETTER!
I know whereof I speak! It will pay great dividends in Christ Jesus!
After Ananias obeyed God in ministering to Saul of Tarsus who be-
came the apostle Paul, Paul fathered young Timothy and Titus in the
gospel. He told the Corinthians that though they might have ten thou-
sand instructors in Christ, yet have ye NOT many fathers: for in Christ
Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. In other words Paul had
sowed the seeds (Word of God) that had caused them to come to Christ.
He besceeched them to be followers of him. He also told them for that
cause he had sent Timothy, his beloved son (in the gospel) and faithful
in the Lord to them. Timothy would bring them into remembrance of Paul's
ways which be in Christ, as Paul would be teaching everywhere in every
church.
Today, there is SUCH a need for teaching. Indepth teaching of the
Word of God.
When we realize the impact of Ananias obeying God and the results
that it wrought in the great Apostle Paul, because of this humble man's
obediece to God, it is very encouraging. Ananias did his part, not a lot
maybe seen by human eyes but simply doing as instructed by God in a
vision. As a result of his obedience, many were brought to Christ.
We all have those we can or could influence and bring them to Christ,
if we will be sensitive to the Spirit of God and listen for His instructions.
Being willing to do what He would speak to our hearts.
Dear Brother, may God direct your path as you seek His directions in
your life. Wait on Him. Never allow what has happened in the past to
cause you to become bitter. Allow Him to help you to become BETTER!
I know whereof I speak! It will pay great dividends in Christ Jesus!
Blessings,
Falla39
Sis Falla,
I appreciate what you said about indepth teaching and the need for that. What do you think the difference is between "teaching" and "preaching"?