In Matthew 4:13-22 we read of the calling of Jesus' first disciples, Peter, Andrew, James and John who were mere fishermen. For the entirety of his ministry, these men were among the inner circle of trust to Jesus; experiencing first hand the power and wisdom of God in human flesh; a special revelation unlike any prophet's experience in the history of humanity.
In Acts 4:8-13, we read these same fishermen, namely Peter and John, were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the wisdom of God before the Sanhedrin who were masters of the books of God's Law. The scholars and theologians were confounded by the apostles' words; concluding this could only be explained from their having been taught by Jesus.
Now if scholars and theologians who dedicated their lives since childhood to the study and memorization of God's law were bewildered by the seemingly uneducated followers of Christ, why do we find our ministers today criticized for having no formal education? After-all, what trophies did Peter and John present but Christ as their Savior?!
I bring this up only because I feel we are becoming a society that secretly desires the praise of men rather than God. When in-fact Truth, no matter the merit or title of the spokesman presenting it, remains Truth just the same as long as it is delivered by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Does Truth depend today upon our citing scholars of commentaries and professionals in order for the message to have credibility? Or have we forgotten the True Source from which God's power is made available to us? Without the Holy Spirit, we present the Scriptures in an absence of anointing which remains powerless and ineffective, contributing to the ever-spreading cancer of ungodliness in this nation.
My friends, we need more fishermen.
Amen John! I have been dwelling in Galatians 5 and 6 often this past few weeks, and Paul speaks of this so well. We must have the power of Spirit-fullness if we are truly going to effectively minister in the world. For without the Spirit we are powerless, and indistinguishable from the world. Praying for you my brother!
ReplyDeleteI agree. God gives insight to the least of us...he uses the foolish to shame the wise. (Thank goodness or I wouldn't be of much use!)I don't believe it's wrong to study theology but I agree that it is wrong to trust in degrees rather than the calling and equiping only Christ can bestow on his instruments. Many times we find He uses those who do not have any clout or exceptional talents so He might be glorified for their ministry rather than they or their teachers.
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