Did you know that you are mentioned in the Bible?
It’s true! In fact, the Bible has quite a lot to say about you. Are you ready to open it up and find out what it says?
The Reformation movement made it possible for common people to have copies of the Holy Scriptures in a language they could understand.
It also restored preaching the Gospel of salvation by grace through faith alone in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ; not through the church and the keeping of the sacraments.
Yet, the common people continued to look to the pastor or priest for prayer to find salvation; to be healed; to be set free from oppression; or to be able to truly understand the Holy Scripture.
It continues to be so today.
The common people look to the tele-evangelist; the pastor at the church where miracles are happening, or to their local pastor if they need healing or deliverance.
Over 70% of those who attend church regularly do not open their Bible between Sundays. They look to their pastor alone for teaching and understanding the Holy Scriptures.
What does the Bible say?
Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:12-14 NKJV).
“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:15-18 NKJV).
Jesus did not say the pastors and spiritual leaders would be doing the same work He did; but “those who believe.” The common people can pray in Jesus’ Name and see people saved; receive healing; or be set free.
What then, is the role of the pastor and spiritual leader?
The Apostle Paul answered that question. “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:11-12 NKJV).
The role of the spiritual leader is to equip the common people for doing personal ministry.
The spiritual leader is to teach, train, enable, and release into ministry those who receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
The Apostle John confirmed this when he wrote, “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:5-6 NKJV).
Age is not a restriction either.
“O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens! Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you have ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger” (Psalm 8:1-2 NKJV).
Even children can do the work of ministry; and pray in Jesus’ Name and see the sick healed; understand and share the message of the Holy Scripture and lead people to salvation.
