DIVINE CALL OF THE MINISTER (Num 17:1-5): No man is to take this responsibility upon himself (Heb 5:1-5). The authority of the true minister of Christ arises from his being sent forth by God.
It should be obvious that when I say this I am referring to pulpit ministry for in a real sense we all are called of God to minister the gift He has given to us (1Pe 4:10). There are different gifts of the Spirit and different administrations of those gifts (1Co 12:4-11). Man did not set these in the church. It was an operation of God (1Co 12:28). Paul recognized that his calling came from God (Gal 1:1). Paul mentioned five different pulpit ministries and said they were to function for the maturing of saints to do their ministry (Eph 4:7-15). Moses proved to Israel by God's choice of Aaron that the ministry is not a man-made position.
If the ministers of Christ come to be regarded as mere lecturers on
religious themes, having no authority from God, their ministry will be productive of little true and lasting good. Crowds may gather round the eloquent preacher, but they will be like those which gathered round the ancient prophet (Eze 33:30-32). When people see in their ministers a Christ-like life, and manifest fitness for their sacred duties, and the signs of the Divine approval of their ministry, let them rest assured that such ministers have their commission from God, and their ministry should be received accordingly.
Kelsey Griffin
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