What Doest The Bible say About The Occult?

What does The Bible Say About The Occult?(Witchcraft, Divination,Spells, Foretelling The Future ,Pagans,Witches anything to do with Paganism)

Today, many people dabble in the mystical, occultic arts. Is there anything wrong with being involved in these practices? Yes, the Bible takes a clear position on this subject, strongly denouncing these practices. God created us and therefore owns us. He has a right to set the rules for our lives. God's Word indicates that these practices are part of Satan's strategy of evil tricks and deception, designed to lead us astray. Satan and his demons are real beings set on our destruction. Christians are warned to "put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:11-12). “When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire [an ancient occult practice], or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination [detestable] to the LORD…”   -Deuteronomy 18:9-12a …For you have trusted in your wickedness… Therefore evil shall come upon you… trouble shall fall upon you… Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, And the monthly prognosticators stand up and save you from what shall come upon you. Behold, they shall be as stubble, The fire shall burn them; They shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame…   -Isaiah 47:10-14a Those who follow the path of the magic arts are on the wrong path - a road that leads away from God, not toward Him. In one way or another, the end will be disaster. The evil Queen Jezebel practiced witchcraft (2 Kings 9:22) bringing catastrophe on herself and all Israel. Over and over, God denounces those who “conjure spells” (NKJV) and those who practice witchcraft and sorcery. The Bible says that anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord (Deuteronomy 18:10-12; 2 Kings 21:6; Micah 5:12; Isaiah 47:12; Ezekiel 13:18, 20; Acts 8:11-24; Leviticus 20:27; Exodus 7:11; Revelation 9:21; 22:15). God warns of the ultimate punishment. Revelation 21:8 says of "…those who practice magic arts …their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur… the second death" (NIV). Those who practice witchcraft (sorcery) will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:20-21). These practices are anti-God and are in rebellion against Him. Many of citizens of ancient Ephesus practiced the magic arts. Those who became Christians realized the foolish error of their former lives and burned their expensive books of magic as the trash they were (Acts 19:19). The Bible tells how the apostle Paul once dealt with one of these deceivers, a sorcerer and false prophet who led people astray. "Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.' And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand" (Acts 13:9-11). The Bible strongly warns people not to consult mediums and spiritists for the truth, but to inquire of God (Isaiah 8:19). Clearly, if those who practiced these arts have any power (beyond being great deceivers), it is not a gift from God (as some falsely claim). The Bible condemns and forbids these practices several times (Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Isaiah 44:25; Jeremiah 27:9; 2 Kings 21:6; 23:24). Divination and Spiritism were despised practices of the heathens (Ezekiel 21:21; Isaiah 19:3; 1 Samuel 28). Scripture says that one of the reasons King Saul died was "because he consulted a medium for guidance" rather than God (1 Chronicles 10:13-14). The Bible provides examples showing the folly and failures of those who claimed the ability to predict the future based on their own powers or those of spirits (Daniel 2:27, etc.). God calls the word of diviners “nonsense,” “lies” and “deception” for foolish people (Ezekiel 13:8; Jeremiah 14:14; Isaiah 44:25). God said, "Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!" (Ezekiel 13:3). If an Israelite lived the deceitful practice of being a medium, it was punishable by death (Leviticus 20:27). The presence of a medium or spiritist among God's people of Israel was considered a defilement (Leviticus 19:31). All these practices take people further from their Creator, the true and living God. Following omens or signs We are not to look to omens or “signs” to direct our lives. The Bible reprimands people for doing this. It is an “abomination” and foolishness (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Look to God and His instructions for life as provided in the Bible. To do otherwise is to foolishly deceive yourself, or allow Satan and others to deceive you.

The Devils Time is Short My Brothers!!!!!!!!!

The Devil, His Fallen Angels/Demons, His False Christs, And His False Prophets; Will Misstate, Twist, And Misuse The Holy Word Of God; And Outright Lie To YOU, In Order To Deceive YOU, And Damn YOU To Hell! Here in the Scriptures it shows how Satan can deceive even the elect of Christians.He will use whatever means possible to deceive you. He uses Churches Ministers , Pastors Government, Whatever he can to get you away from God. He blinds you with his lies. Many have already been deceived by Him and the majority of the population will fall with him. I ask you to look at these scriptures Look around you Ask God for true sight and use His wisdom to guide you For you are in Satan's world right now. He is ruler here until Jesus Christ comes to rid us of his evil. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I beseech you to Pray for the Lords Wisdom and Guidance."" 1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  2 Corinthians 11:14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.  John 8:44 "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.") Remember this, the true Church Is not in a building or a temple. For these do not glorify God but only themselves. The true Church and the True teacher is Our Lord Jesus Christ. So if you follow Jesus example and the principles he laid down for us to follow then you will be safe from judgement. Remember if someone ask why you dont go to Chuch and they remind you that Jesus said we should not forsake the gathering of ourselves together you can also remind them of what he said here Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. So if we gather anywhere no matter where it is so long as 2 or more gather Jesus is there with us. 1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? Luke 17:21 neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.) You are the temple of God not a building Jesus is The Great Teacher He teaches us through His Word. Am i telling you not to go to Church ?. No im not Im telling you its not a requirement and if you do be certain your church is not teaching false doctrines. Look up Scriptures compare what your church is doing if they teach anything the oppoisite of Scripture then run as far as you can for 1 Peter 5:8 says Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves (Matt. 7:15). The warning was important because Jesus later said to them: "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves" (Matt. 10:16). So remember My Brothers we are in the end times and The Bible gives this warning Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to theinhibitors of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Should We Argue the Scripture ?

The unbelieving world is always placing Christians under a magnifying glass. It seems what they want more than anything else is to trip us up. The way we handle ourselves in a discussion can affect the non-believer either positively or negatively. As the world watches us they should see Christ in us. But when the world sees us arguing, when they see our debate become so heated and filled with bitterness, that we now look no different than the rest of the world, the rejection of Jesus Christ becomes a whole lot easier. Instead of the possibility of gaining a new brother or sister in Christ, we’ve just tossed them back into the enemy’s camp. There’s always going to be disagreements along the lines of Bible interpretation and Christian doctrine. All of Christendom, for one reason or another, simply won’t agree. If we are truly born again then we are brothers and sisters in Christ and Jesus is watching our every move. He can’t be pleased with the current trend towards bickering which in most instances ends up in an attitude of bitterness aimed at others in His family. “And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.” 1 John 3:23. John, twice in this verse, places the emphases on the fact that Jesus gave us a commandment, first that we should believe on His name and secondly we’re to love one another. We would do well to heed all His commandments. Anytime we are in a discussion with anyone, love must never be replaced with anger. Anger will lead to hate. Jesus’ words come crashing down upon us whenever we forget one of His most basic tenets. “If ye love me, keep my commandments” John 14:15. Love one another. Nothing constructive can be achieved through all the bickering and anger associated with believers debating different Bible interpretations. It will only lead to bitterness and that’s something no believer should allow into their hearts. Bitterness, hate, strife, confusion are all strongholds where the enemy will certainly take up residence. As faithful believers we should always be prepared to take loving correction whenever it applies and even rebuke if applicable. But outright bitterness as an approach to one another in what started out as a simple discussion brings reproach on the Church as a whole. Arguing is wrong and divisive, and it might stumble a brother “He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.” 1 John 2:10. Even worse is how this constant arguing will send unbelievers scurrying for cover anywhere but to the side of a Christian. “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Matthew 24:12. Even in His Church? The Devil and his demons are always on the prowl. They love for us to fight with each other. The devil wont stop until he has all of Gods children with him. His demons are empowered to deceive us any way they can. So put on your spiritual armor take up the sword of Christ and go out teach the unbelievers with love and save your battles for Satan and his demons. I know myself Ive been guilty of arguing Gods word and for that im sorry. It does happen we lose our tempers. Not so much we are angry with the person but with the fact they are blind and cant see. Sometimes we feel the need to yell at them in attempts to wake them up. However this is not what Christ The Greatest Teacher of all had in mind. Yes you might slip from time to time but just remind yourself daily Would Jesus Do it this way and pray daily for Gods Guidance.

Job A true Man Of God

Now days i hear allot of Grumbling going on from people. Well Like this for instance. My Car is so old it just doesn’t shine like it used to i sure need a new car. I’m tired of this old house I want a new one. I want a better Computer. I blame God for my man dieing. I blame God because I lost my job. God is responsible for that Volcano that Killed all those people. How can God be so cruel?  Your never satisfied with what you got. Never  a thought for those who have nothing. To busy in your own lives to think of others who are in pain depressed sick and dieing or living in a cardboard box. Yet some of these continue to praise God while your grumbling cause you cant get the new Xbox. Read this story here even if you know it refresh yourselves.

There was an extremely pious (obedient) man named Job. He was very prosperous, and had seven sons and three daughters. Constantly fearing that his sons may have sinned and “cursed God in their hearts”, he habitually offered burnt offerings as a pardon for their sins.

The “sons of God”and Satan present themselves to God. God asks Satan his opinion on Job, apparently a truly pious man. Satan answers that Job is pious only because he is prosperous. In response to Satan’s assertion, God gives Satan permission to destroy Job’s possessions and family.

All of Job’s possessions are destroyed and a ‘ruach’ (wind/spirit) causes the house of the firstborn to collapse killing all of Job’s offspring who were gathered for a feast.Job does not curse God after this but instead shaves his head, tears his clothes and says, “Naked I came out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return : Lord has given, and Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of Lord”.

As Job endures these calamities without reproaching Divine Providence, Satan solicits permission to afflict his person as well, and God says, “Behold, he is in your hand, but don’t touch his life.” Satan, therefore, smites him with dreadful boils, and Job, seated in ashes, scrapes his skin with broken pottery. His wife prompts him to “curse God, and die” but Job answers, “You speak as one of the foolish speaks. Moreover, shall we receive good from God and shall not receive evil?”

Three friends of Job, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite, come to console him. And the three of Job’s friends heard all this evil that came on him, and they came every man from his place — Eliphaz the Temanite (Heb: Aliphaz the Thimanite), Bildad the Shuhite (Heb: Bildad the Shuchite), and Zophar Naamathite (Heb: Zuphar the Nomathite). A fourth, Elihu the Buzite (Heb: Alieua ben Barakal the Buzite), first begins talking in chapter 32 and plays a significant role in the dialogue; however, his arrival is not described. The friends spend 7 days sitting on the ground with Job, without saying anything to him because they see that he is suffering and in much pain. Job at last breaks his silence and “curses the day he was born”. Job’s friends do not waver from their belief that Job must have sinned to incite God’s punishment. As the speeches progress, Job’s friends increasingly berate him for refusing to confess his sins, although they themselves are at a loss as to which sin he has committed. They also assume, in their view of theology, that God always rewards good and punishes evil, with no apparent exceptions allowed. There seems to be no room in their understanding of God for divine discretion and mystery in allowing and arranging suffering for purposes other than retribution. Job’s friends never use the name YHVH in the story; they refer to God as El Shaddai, Eloahh, and Elohiym. Job, confident of his own innocence, maintains that his suffering is unjustified as he has not sinned, and that there is no reason for God to punish him thus. However, he does not curse God’s name or accuse God of injustice but rather seeks an explanation or an account of his wrong doing. Job does question God. Elihu, whose name means ‘My God is He’ or ‘My God is YHVH’, takes a mediator’s path — he attempts to maintain the sovereignty and righteousness and gracious mercy of God. Elihu strongly condemns the approach taken by the three friends, and argues that Job is misrepresenting God’s righteousness and discrediting his loving character. Elihu says he spoke last because he is much younger than the other three friends, but says that age makes no difference when it comes to insights and wisdom. In his speech, Elihu argues for God’s power, redemptive salvation, and absolute rightness in all his conduct. God is mighty, yet just, and quick to warn and to forgive. Elihu takes a distinct view of the kind of repentance required by Job. Job’s three friends claim that repentance requires Job to identify and renounce the sins that gave rise to his suffering. By contrast, Elihu stresses that real repentance entails renouncing moral authority, which is God’s alone. Elihu therefore underscores the inherent arrogance in Job’s desire to ‘make his case’ before God, which presupposes that Job possesses a superior moral standard that can be prevailed upon God. Apparently, Elihu acts in a prophetic role preparatory to the appearance of God. His speech maintains that Job, while righteous, is not perfect. Job does not disagree with this and God does not rebuke him as he does Bildad, Zophar, and Eliphaz. After Elihu’s speech ends with the last verse of Chapter 37, God appears and in the second verse of Chapter 38. God says, probably speaking of Job, “Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?” After several rounds of debate between Job and his friends, in a divine voice, described as coming from a “cloud” or “whirlwind”, God describes, in evocative and lyrical language, what the experience of being the creator of the world is like, and asks if Job has ever had the experiences or the authority that God has had.

God’s answer underscores that Job shares the world with numerous powerful and remarkable creatures. (Also compare Job 41:18-21 with Job 15:12-13 which was possibly in response to Job 7:11-16).

God’s speech also emphasizes his sovereignty in creating and maintaining the world. The thrust is not merely that God has experiences that Job does not, but also that God is King over the world and is not necessarily subject to questions from His creatures, including men. The point of these speeches, and ultimately the entire book of Job, is to defend the absolute freedom of God over His creation. God is not in need of the approval of His creation. He is free.

In the epilogue, God condemns Job’s friends for their ignorance and lack of understanding while commending Job for his righteous words, commands them to prepare burnt offerings and reassures them that Job will pray for their forgiveness. Job is restored to health, gaining double the riches he possessed before and having 7 sons and 3 daughters (his wife did not die in this ordeal). His new daughters (Jemima (Bible), Keziah and Keren-Happuch) were the most beautiful in the land, and were given inheritance along with their brothers. Job is blessed once again and lives on another 140 years after the ordeal, living to see his children to the fourth generation and dying peacefully of old age.

There was an extremely pious (obedient) man named Job. He was very prosperous, and had seven sons and three daughters. Constantly fearing that his sons may have sinned and “cursed God in their hearts”, he habitually offered burnt offerings as a pardon for their sins.The “sons of God”and Satan present themselves to God. God asks Satan his opinion on Job, apparently a truly pious man. Satan answers that Job is pious only because he is prosperous. In response to Satan’s assertion, God gives Satan permission to destroy Job’s possessions and family.All of Job’s possessions are destroyed and a ‘ruach’ (wind/spirit) causes the house of the firstborn to collapse killing all of Job’s offspring who were gathered for a feast.Job does not curse God after this but instead shaves his head, tears his clothes and says, “Naked I came out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return : Lord has given, and Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of Lord”.As Job endures these calamities without reproaching Divine Providence, Satan solicits permission to afflict his person as well, and God says, “Behold, he is in your hand, but don’t touch his life.” Satan, therefore, smites him with dreadful boils, and Job, seated in ashes, scrapes his skin with broken pottery. His wife prompts him to “curse God, and die” but Job answers, “You speak as one of the foolish speaks. Moreover, shall we receive good from God and shall not receive evil?”Three friends of Job, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite, come to console him. And the three of Job’s friends heard all this evil that came on him, and they came every man from his place — Eliphaz the Temanite (Heb: Aliphaz the Thimanite), Bildad the Shuhite (Heb: Bildad the Shuchite), and Zophar Naamathite (Heb: Zuphar the Nomathite). A fourth, Elihu the Buzite (Heb: Alieua ben Barakal the Buzite), first begins talking in chapter 32 and plays a significant role in the dialogue; however, his arrival is not described. The friends spend 7 days sitting on the ground with Job, without saying anything to him because they see that he is suffering and in much pain. Job at last breaks his silence and “curses the day he was born”. Job’s friends do not waver from their belief that Job must have sinned to incite God’s punishment. As the speeches progress, Job’s friends increasingly berate him for refusing to confess his sins, although they themselves are at a loss as to which sin he has committed. They also assume, in their view of theology, that God always rewards good and punishes evil, with no apparent exceptions allowed. There seems to be no room in their understanding of God for divine discretion and mystery in allowing and arranging suffering for purposes other than retribution. Job’s friends never use the name YHVH in the story; they refer to God as El Shaddai, Eloahh, and Elohiym. Job, confident of his own innocence, maintains that his suffering is unjustified as he has not sinned, and that there is no reason for God to punish him thus. However, he does not curse God’s name or accuse God of injustice but rather seeks an explanation or an account of his wrong doing. Job does question God. Elihu, whose name means ‘My God is He’ or ‘My God is YHVH’, takes a mediator’s path — he attempts to maintain the sovereignty and righteousness and gracious mercy of God. Elihu strongly condemns the approach taken by the three friends, and argues that Job is misrepresenting God’s righteousness and discrediting his loving character. Elihu says he spoke last because he is much younger than the other three friends, but says that age makes no difference when it comes to insights and wisdom. In his speech, Elihu argues for God’s power, redemptive salvation, and absolute rightness in all his conduct. God is mighty, yet just, and quick to warn and to forgive. Elihu takes a distinct view of the kind of repentance required by Job. Job’s three friends claim that repentance requires Job to identify and renounce the sins that gave rise to his suffering. By contrast, Elihu stresses that real repentance entails renouncing moral authority, which is God’s alone. Elihu therefore underscores the inherent arrogance in Job’s desire to ‘make his case’ before God, which presupposes that Job possesses a superior moral standard that can be prevailed upon God. Apparently, Elihu acts in a prophetic role preparatory to the appearance of God. His speech maintains that Job, while righteous, is not perfect. Job does not disagree with this and God does not rebuke him as he does Bildad, Zophar, and Eliphaz. After Elihu’s speech ends with the last verse of Chapter 37, God appears and in the second verse of Chapter 38. God says, probably speaking of Job, “Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?” After several rounds of debate between Job and his friends, in a divine voice, described as coming from a “cloud” or “whirlwind”, God describes, in evocative and lyrical language, what the experience of being the creator of the world is like, and asks if Job has ever had the experiences or the authority that God has had.God’s answer underscores that Job shares the world with numerous powerful and remarkable creatures. (Also compare Job 41:18-21 with Job 15:12-13 which was possibly in response to Job 7:11-16).God’s speech also emphasizes his sovereignty in creating and maintaining the world. The thrust is not merely that God has experiences that Job does not, but also that God is King over the world and is not necessarily subject to questions from His creatures, including men. The point of these speeches, and ultimately the entire book of Job, is to defend the absolute freedom of God over His creation. God is not in need of the approval of His creation. He is free.In the epilogue, God condemns Job’s friends for their ignorance and lack of understanding while commending Job for his righteous words, commands them to prepare burnt offerings and reassures them that Job will pray for their forgiveness. Job is restored to health, gaining double the riches he possessed before and having 7 sons and 3 daughters (his wife did not die in this ordeal). His new daughters (Jemima (Bible), Keziah and Keren-Happuch) were the most beautiful in the land, and were given inheritance along with their brothers. Job is blessed once again and lives on another 140 years after the ordeal, living to see his children to the fourth generation and dying peacefully of old age.

I found this on the Internet and I totally agree with it Read this and see why we dont Worship Heroes:

Beware of the “Trap” of Hero Worship!

– Part 1

by Dr. Harley Howard- www.fotbc.org

Nothing provokes me more sometimes than that which arouses me out of a deep sleep! Sometimes the Holy Spirit will not allow me to rest comfortably unless the thoughts that are on my heart are placed on paper. I want to state right from the start that I have no axe to grind about any particular preacher, pastor, etc. I also realize that unless you meditate and take heed to the warning that you are about to read, you may well fall (if you haven’t already!) into this trap. I know of it from personal experience and from watching and being involved in thousands of lives throughout 20+ years of Pastoring, radio, conferences, writing and now a Seminary professor. There are others before me who have already warned the saints (and have done a far better job too). I am just one in a (sad to say) small minority of men who either have repented from our madness or who have had the sense never to get started in it. Be prayerful and objective and you will be blessed. I have had some time to meditate on the subject (or warning) that I am writing to you about—a lot of time! It is this most serious subject of what I call (and of what it is in truth) “Hero Worship”. This is a most disturbing trend, and I guess that it has been going on for some time throughout redemptive history (1st Corinthians 1:10-17). I will refer back to this passage later on.

It seems to me that where you have Biblical ignorance—a lack of or absence of a “whole Biblical concept of scripture in teaching, preaching and of how one conducts all aspects of his or her own professed Christian life”, this “trend” of hero worship arises.

By hero worship, I mean that it is clear that instead of the scriptures being the central focus of preaching and teaching, we have now leaned to “Heroes” for support and are not ashamed to quote as many names as possible, both of alive and of dead heroes. We have become a church of “Name Dropping!” Instead of quoting from the only reliable sources of absolute truth, the scriptures themselves, we now rely on our heroes to support the validity of what we believe or teach. Now this can easily be proven without busting a sweat gland. When was the last time you listened carefully to some young man or woman speak at any length of time relative to various subjects relative to the Christian life? They will almost universally quote from, “Dr. so and so, or what my pastor or this pastor said”, rather than the scriptures themselves. We in the ministry are absolutely notorious for this kind of mess and have probably set in motion this unstoppable tidal wave of hero worship that is literally destroying our churches and many saints (and frankly, our own ministries! – I will explain later!) Whole conferences are created around the works of men. Entire ministries, so-called, are being developed and named around celebrity based, self-styled, self-appointed, church appointed, individuals who have no business doing whatever they are doing, or who should not be heeded to or listened to at all. As I said a moment ago: “We in the ministry are absolutely notorious for this kind of mess.” Sad to say, and to my own shame, I have not been immune from this mess either, although I have since renounced this madness. As one formerly “caught up” in this trap, I now thank God that I am free from it and have indeed made the scriptures the central focus of my teaching, preaching and living the Christian life. Now, if all of this wasn’t bad enough, we are still notorious for quoting from dead men without the least bit of information of what many of these so-called “spiritual giants” actually believed FROM THEIR OWN WRITINGS! We have been caught up in the name dropping and never questioned the one(s) who gave us the quotations, or the source of where these quotations came from! When I did, boy was I surprised at not only the horrible things that I found by many (I will reveal some), but of the personal attacks and stonewalling that I encountered when I questioned some about these things! I recall a recent incident where I was talking to a brother (who is a pastor himself) who I believe is caught up in this hero worship. Unfortunately, it is with his own former pastor who has a well known seminary. I ran across a web page in which a brother in the Lord questioned the validity of things that are public knowledge concerning this pastor—his writings, tapes, beliefs, etc., and I questioned this pastor about these issues. He was adamant, outraged, angered. Now anyone who knows me knows that I know when I am being hoodwinked. I knew that either this pastor did not read the material that I sent, or had already made up his mind to worship his pastor regardless of the facts, or both. I asked him this simple question: “Brother, did you read the materials?” He said, no, I don’t need to read from a man who is a fault finder.” He went on to say that it was shameful that this saint picked on the “fallibility” of his pastor. Of which I replied that this issue was not fallibility, but credibility. If the things that his former pastor said and wrote were in extreme error, would that not in and of itself demand that he would at least investigate these matters for the sake of his own pastorate and church? Such advise was ignored. Of course, I am firmly convinced that unless this brother changes his ways, time will reveal that my advice was not only right, but sensible. I asked this pastor about his own personal integrity and how important was it to him. I made it clear to him that both he and his former pastor were engaged in exposing the errors and false statements of others while at the same time ignoring the errors and false statements made by the very pastor involved in the fray! I warned this pastor that it is an absence of any integrity for us to expose and renounce the sin in others while at the same time ignoring the same sin in our friends. Again, council ignored. I am discovering and experiencing the very same things that one brother revealed in a letter he had sent to a well known Bible teacher when he rightfully rebuked him for his displayed ignorance of the scriptures. He wrote:

“I have had literally hundreds of men cut off fellowship with me because I had the gall to sound a gentle warning about something their hero has said. I have a powerful pen. Even my enemies admit that. I could have a huge ministry if I would only keep quiet on matters such as these.”

Needless to say, I wrote him back and encouraged him to continue doing exactly what he is doing.

Have our “heroes” become “untouchable”? Have we become so stupid that these “men and women” can say, write, and believe things that are utterly and totally contrary to the scriptures, and we still defend and protect them under the guise of “fallibility”? Suddenly these heroes have become beyond correction from anyone. Are their doctrines, lifestyles and associations beyond questioning even when they are dead wrong. They never even have the integrity to correct publicly what they have stated to others. Do they still deserve our praise? And God have mercy on your soul if you should ever question them or their works for whatever reason. Well, I am certainly no longer going to be a fool about this matter.

Everyone’s belief, works, tapes, and sermons are to be laid next to the Bible. The Bible is to be the final and only standard. I have taken my fair share of criticism, both just and unjustified, over the years and I see no need (nor ever have, or will) for personal protectionism, or to develop a “fortress mentality”, or to call in the spiritual attack police to defend me! Unfortunately, many have to the destruction of multitudes of people. If you or I think to ourselves or believe that any other speaker, etc., is excluded from correction or criticism, when our teaching, behavior or associations are wrong, you are sadly mistaken. Wrong behavior at any level needs correction for the sake of the leader(s) as well as the people we claim to love.

I am not infallible and am in need continually of conformity to the image of Christ—and welcome it, as many saints can testify. I don’t see what is the problem with so many of these “heroes”. We should all take the humble position. It can only benefit ourselves are the people we teach.

And let me make a point that is one of the most shameful acts of many of these men and of many in the ministry, so-called.

You NEVER have the right, EVER to criticize the wickedness of your adversaries while at the same time tolerating the same wickedness (or any wickedness) in your friends!

If you do this, first, you have no integrity. Second, no matter how you claim to love your friend, you most certainly do the opposite. Third, unless you repent, God cannot possibly bless what you are doing.

If this means that you lose your “friend(s)” because they are living under a personal illusion that they are beyond correction, then you ought to find some new friends.

Before I close this first part of this warning, I want to go to the text I referenced to earlier in 1st Corinthians 1:10-17 and make some comments from the text itself.

The Problem With Division

10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

Paul immediately gets right into the main intent of his letter. The problem with division. In fact, I believe that these verses are one of the main underlying issues of the entire letter. Paul desired that the church at Corinth would be united in their speech (a reference to verse 5) in their thinking, and in their minds. Paul begged the church not to stay divided (schisms, parties, factions). In verse 11, Paul says that he was informed by Chloe’s household that not only were they divided into little factions and schisms, but there was contentions (strife, quarrels, fights) among them. This is as contemporary in our age today as it was when Paul wrote this letter, if not more so.

The first division was over styles of preaching and personalities. Look at how this division affected the entire church.

12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

Now this I say, that every one of you saith: The divisions at Corinth affected the entire church. There were no exceptions. They were divided over personalities and styles of preaching. Sound familiar? Well it should since it is so obvious that this trend is all around us today. What were they saying?

I am of Paul, I of Apollos, and I of Cephas (Peter) and I of Christ. Sound familiar? Well, I’m sure it does! The church was divided into at least four factions, with its own inherent dangers. It is these dangers that are evident whenever hero worship is prevalent.

First, each faction had it’s own emphasis.

This is by no means anything new! It is at this juncture where so many involved in hero worship take on the particular “emphasis” or “hobby-horse” of their leader. If he, or they, or she has some kind of emphasis in whatever they are doing, hero worshippers take on this task with reckless abandonment!

Second, each faction was following its own leader.

Need I say more? How many people buy countless books, tapes, videos, shirts, cups, pencils, pens, of their “favorite” preacher, pastor, church(es), radio, and TV “whatevers”? Multitudes travel around the country to follow their hero (their god or idol, if truth be told of many!) No longer is it the church of Jesus Christ, but the church of our hero! Well that’s what we tell others, is it not? We say, “I go to Reverend, Brother, Pastor, Doctor so and so’s church!” We say it with a gleam in our eyes, a smile on our face, and a defense of pride and arrogance in our spirit! I never knew that any of us ever had a church, nor should want one! Leader worship is at an all time high. Now let me be very quick to say that I am NOT, I repeat, NOT saying by any stretch of the imagination that true leaders of God’s people are not to be supported and loved. The scriptures are clear about that. That is not my contention and you may need to read this point over and over again until it sinks in. What I AM saying is that if we go beyond that, beyond what the scriptures teach, in so much that we foolishly believe, either by mouth, thought or practice that our leader(s) are so in tune with God that we faction off from others and form pockets of heroism, we are way beyond the scriptures and are totally wrong, no matter what the motives.

Third, each faction was despising the other three.

What other alternative is there? The leader becomes the standard rather than God and His word. Preachers are compared to each other in the foolishness of the spirit of “The New Corinthianism!” Others are despised because of their education, especially if our hero is smarter than your hero! Race is another tremendous (though denied) factor in many a church faction. It seems rather obvious to me that God is not using too many Negroes, Latinos, or oriental peoples as church leaders, according to the popular variety of Bible heroes today! Tokenism? Yes, but by design. Deny it if you will. Get offended, then repent because you know it’s true!

We have got to stop closing our eyes and heart to the madness that is going on all around us, and learn to gather up the loins of our mind and be sober minded about this hero worship!

Many followed Paul, probably because of his emphasis on ministry to the Gentiles, to which the population of Corinth was mainly comprised of.

Apollos was a man who had great oratory skills. He was an eloquent speaker and must have undoubtedly appealed to those Greek intellectuals who prided on wisdom.

Peter, or Cephas, had followers who hung on his coat tail because he was rugged and straightforward in his preaching. All you need to do is look at the second chapter of Acts and following and you will see what I mean.

Then you had another group (and I think these were the worst of all) who believed that they had some special relationship to Christ and didn’t need anyone else at all.

Now, I believe that these followings, these factions, were not instigated by the leaders themselves, but rather by the carnality of the people. I don’t believe this for the most part today because you NEVER hear these “heroes” today do what Paul did, and that was to renounce any appearance of these things.

Why the very thought that people would divide and start any following over Paul was repugnant to him.

Why, just a few short months ago in Southern California, a church who sponsored a conference of so-called Bible expositors actually had the unashamed audacity, the unmitigated gall to label the speakers, (are you ready for this?) “The Dream Team!” What absolute foolishness and madness! I’m sure God was well pleased! There was no objection from the speakers, no outcry from the people, nothing!

Don’t try to convince me that “Hero Worship” does not exist. It most certainly does and many are not the least bit ashamed of it either! It is promoted in all fields, whether ministry or music, so-called, it matters not.

The facts are that many of these heroes thrive on this pride and foolishness of the people. I had a recent conversation with a man who works in one of the most well know “ministries” in the church world today. He told me about the “fightings” between the leader of this work and at least three other well known ministries, so-called. He told me the following truth and I was not the least bit surprised. He said:

“Harley, it is clear that the egos of these men have eclipsed the potential good that these ministries could do. It is their egos that are the driving force behind them all.”

I asked him could he talk with the leader of this “ministry” he was involved in. His response? “Not likely”.

He said that he could not figure out why these men, with all of their intelligence, could not go into an empty room and get on their knees and pray to the Lord for wisdom and healing in each of their hearts. My response to him was that these men simply didn’t want to and that their education, ministries (I use this word sarcastically) and status within Christian circles was no hedge against carnality. He agreed.

Back to The Apostle Paul

All four leaders in 1st Corinthians 1 were great proclaimers of the gospel message. Neither one of them ever drew away followers unto themselves—clearly a trend that is godless, yet practiced by many today. This was a problem with the people and their refusal to operate Christ’s church God’s way. Proof of that statement is clear by Paul’s shock and response to the news that some were divided towards him. Now as I have stated before, the problems of the church at Corinth are very contemporary to today’s church. Many are interested in personalities and preaching style rather than substance. Many still hold fast that they do not need anybody other than their little teacher or preacher in their lives. This is contrary to the scriptures of the oneness and unity of the body of Christ. One member of the body cannot say to another: “I have no need of you.” And yet that is exactly what was going on in the church at Corinth, and in a large measure today.

It is always sad and tragic when people place their trust and confidence in another man when their trust and allegiance should be to God alone. This is not to say that respect should not be given to God’s leaders. This would be just as bad as worshipping them. But there is a thin line between respect and worship of a church leader.

13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

Is Christ divided? In Corinth, He was very much divided. In today’s church, He is divided much more. There are thousands of denominations in America alone who will not have fellowship with each other whatsoever. Each thinking that they hold some special union with Christ that the others do not. Multitudes are feeling that they have some special relationship with God because they follow some supposed Godly leader, or like in Corinth, they just follow Jesus and have no need for anyone else. All three questions that Paul asked in verse 13 demanded a “no” answer.

14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

What sarcasm. Paul was glad that he had baptized not a single Corinthian, but Crispus, Gaius and the household of Stephanas, lest he should be accused of starting a following in his name. Let’s take a look at Paul’s attitude toward himself and of those who serve Christ as His ministers.

For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 1st Corinthians 3:3-7

Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

1st Corinthians 4:1

Clear enough for you? I’m sure that a number of men started out with noble ambitions who have long since lost their way and have been made into “heroes” when they should have never took the title! How many men do you know manifest this attitude in deed today?

Back to 1st Corinthians 1:17

17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Though Paul did baptize some, and though baptism is commanded of God, it was by no means a priority over gospel preaching but rather the result of it. Baptism was the next step after conversion, and it was evident that the Corinthians were confused about this also. Paul was not minimizing baptism, but emphasizing the gospel! Paul was trying to teach these Corinthians that he was not trying to get a following by means of calling attention to himself, or through some human wisdom, or human reasoning, or human philosophy, lest he cheapened the effect of the gospel.

The horrors of hero worship cannot be overlooked by a wise church, pastor, preacher or saint. The effects are not only damaging to the saints but for the very cause of the gospel itself.

Beware of the “Trap” of Hero Worship!– Part 1
by Dr. Harley Howard- www.fotbc.org
Nothing provokes me more sometimes than that which arouses me out of a deep sleep! Sometimes the Holy Spirit will not allow me to rest comfortably unless the thoughts that are on my heart are placed on paper. I want to state right from the start that I have no axe to grind about any particular preacher, pastor, etc. I also realize that unless you meditate and take heed to the warning that you are about to read, you may well fall (if you haven’t already!) into this trap. I know of it from personal experience and from watching and being involved in thousands of lives throughout 20+ years of Pastoring, radio, conferences, writing and now a Seminary professor. There are others before me who have already warned the saints (and have done a far better job too). I am just one in a (sad to say) small minority of men who either have repented from our madness or who have had the sense never to get started in it. Be prayerful and objective and you will be blessed. I have had some time to meditate on the subject (or warning) that I am writing to you about—a lot of time! It is this most serious subject of what I call (and of what it is in truth) “Hero Worship”. This is a most disturbing trend, and I guess that it has been going on for some time throughout redemptive history (1st Corinthians 1:10-17). I will refer back to this passage later on. It seems to me that where you have Biblical ignorance—a lack of or absence of a “whole Biblical concept of scripture in teaching, preaching and of how one conducts all aspects of his or her own professed Christian life”, this “trend” of hero worship arises.By hero worship, I mean that it is clear that instead of the scriptures being the central focus of preaching and teaching, we have now leaned to “Heroes” for support and are not ashamed to quote as many names as possible, both of alive and of dead heroes. We have become a church of “Name Dropping!” Instead of quoting from the only reliable sources of absolute truth, the scriptures themselves, we now rely on our heroes to support the validity of what we believe or teach. Now this can easily be proven without busting a sweat gland. When was the last time you listened carefully to some young man or woman speak at any length of time relative to various subjects relative to the Christian life? They will almost universally quote from, “Dr. so and so, or what my pastor or this pastor said”, rather than the scriptures themselves. We in the ministry are absolutely notorious for this kind of mess and have probably set in motion this unstoppable tidal wave of hero worship that is literally destroying our churches and many saints (and frankly, our own ministries! – I will explain later!) Whole conferences are created around the works of men. Entire ministries, so-called, are being developed and named around celebrity based, self-styled, self-appointed, church appointed, individuals who have no business doing whatever they are doing, or who should not be heeded to or listened to at all. As I said a moment ago: “We in the ministry are absolutely notorious for this kind of mess.” Sad to say, and to my own shame, I have not been immune from this mess either, although I have since renounced this madness. As one formerly “caught up” in this trap, I now thank God that I am free from it and have indeed made the scriptures the central focus of my teaching, preaching and living the Christian life. Now, if all of this wasn’t bad enough, we are still notorious for quoting from dead men without the least bit of information of what many of these so-called “spiritual giants” actually believed FROM THEIR OWN WRITINGS! We have been caught up in the name dropping and never questioned the one(s) who gave us the quotations, or the source of where these quotations came from! When I did, boy was I surprised at not only the horrible things that I found by many (I will reveal some), but of the personal attacks and stonewalling that I encountered when I questioned some about these things! I recall a recent incident where I was talking to a brother (who is a pastor himself) who I believe is caught up in this hero worship. Unfortunately, it is with his own former pastor who has a well known seminary. I ran across a web page in which a brother in the Lord questioned the validity of things that are public knowledge concerning this pastor—his writings, tapes, beliefs, etc., and I questioned this pastor about these issues. He was adamant, outraged, angered. Now anyone who knows me knows that I know when I am being hoodwinked. I knew that either this pastor did not read the material that I sent, or had already made up his mind to worship his pastor regardless of the facts, or both. I asked him this simple question: “Brother, did you read the materials?” He said, no, I don’t need to read from a man who is a fault finder.” He went on to say that it was shameful that this saint picked on the “fallibility” of his pastor. Of which I replied that this issue was not fallibility, but credibility. If the things that his former pastor said and wrote were in extreme error, would that not in and of itself demand that he would at least investigate these matters for the sake of his own pastorate and church? Such advise was ignored. Of course, I am firmly convinced that unless this brother changes his ways, time will reveal that my advice was not only right, but sensible. I asked this pastor about his own personal integrity and how important was it to him. I made it clear to him that both he and his former pastor were engaged in exposing the errors and false statements of others while at the same time ignoring the errors and false statements made by the very pastor involved in the fray! I warned this pastor that it is an absence of any integrity for us to expose and renounce the sin in others while at the same time ignoring the same sin in our friends. Again, council ignored. I am discovering and experiencing the very same things that one brother revealed in a letter he had sent to a well known Bible teacher when he rightfully rebuked him for his displayed ignorance of the scriptures. He wrote: ”I have had literally hundreds of men cut off fellowship with me because I had the gall to sound a gentle warning about something their hero has said. I have a powerful pen. Even my enemies admit that. I could have a huge ministry if I would only keep quiet on matters such as these.”Needless to say, I wrote him back and encouraged him to continue doing exactly what he is doing. Have our “heroes” become “untouchable”? Have we become so stupid that these “men and women” can say, write, and believe things that are utterly and totally contrary to the scriptures, and we still defend and protect them under the guise of “fallibility”? Suddenly these heroes have become beyond correction from anyone. Are their doctrines, lifestyles and associations beyond questioning even when they are dead wrong. They never even have the integrity to correct publicly what they have stated to others. Do they still deserve our praise? And God have mercy on your soul if you should ever question them or their works for whatever reason. Well, I am certainly no longer going to be a fool about this matter. Everyone’s belief, works, tapes, and sermons are to be laid next to the Bible. The Bible is to be the final and only standard. I have taken my fair share of criticism, both just and unjustified, over the years and I see no need (nor ever have, or will) for personal protectionism, or to develop a “fortress mentality”, or to call in the spiritual attack police to defend me! Unfortunately, many have to the destruction of multitudes of people. If you or I think to ourselves or believe that any other speaker, etc., is excluded from correction or criticism, when our teaching, behavior or associations are wrong, you are sadly mistaken. Wrong behavior at any level needs correction for the sake of the leader(s) as well as the people we claim to love. I am not infallible and am in need continually of conformity to the image of Christ—and welcome it, as many saints can testify. I don’t see what is the problem with so many of these “heroes”. We should all take the humble position. It can only benefit ourselves are the people we teach.And let me make a point that is one of the most shameful acts of many of these men and of many in the ministry, so-called. You NEVER have the right, EVER to criticize the wickedness of your adversaries while at the same time tolerating the same wickedness (or any wickedness) in your friends!If you do this, first, you have no integrity. Second, no matter how you claim to love your friend, you most certainly do the opposite. Third, unless you repent, God cannot possibly bless what you are doing. If this means that you lose your “friend(s)” because they are living under a personal illusion that they are beyond correction, then you ought to find some new friends. Before I close this first part of this warning, I want to go to the text I referenced to earlier in 1st Corinthians 1:10-17 and make some comments from the text itself.The Problem With Division10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Paul immediately gets right into the main intent of his letter. The problem with division. In fact, I believe that these verses are one of the main underlying issues of the entire letter. Paul desired that the church at Corinth would be united in their speech (a reference to verse 5) in their thinking, and in their minds. Paul begged the church not to stay divided (schisms, parties, factions). In verse 11, Paul says that he was informed by Chloe’s household that not only were they divided into little factions and schisms, but there was contentions (strife, quarrels, fights) among them. This is as contemporary in our age today as it was when Paul wrote this letter, if not more so.The first division was over styles of preaching and personalities. Look at how this division affected the entire church.12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Now this I say, that every one of you saith: The divisions at Corinth affected the entire church. There were no exceptions. They were divided over personalities and styles of preaching. Sound familiar? Well it should since it is so obvious that this trend is all around us today. What were they saying? I am of Paul, I of Apollos, and I of Cephas (Peter) and I of Christ. Sound familiar? Well, I’m sure it does! The church was divided into at least four factions, with its own inherent dangers. It is these dangers that are evident whenever hero worship is prevalent. First, each faction had it’s own emphasis.This is by no means anything new! It is at this juncture where so many involved in hero worship take on the particular “emphasis” or “hobby-horse” of their leader. If he, or they, or she has some kind of emphasis in whatever they are doing, hero worshippers take on this task with reckless abandonment!Second, each faction was following its own leader.Need I say more? How many people buy countless books, tapes, videos, shirts, cups, pencils, pens, of their “favorite” preacher, pastor, church(es), radio, and TV “whatevers”? Multitudes travel around the country to follow their hero (their god or idol, if truth be told of many!) No longer is it the church of Jesus Christ, but the church of our hero! Well that’s what we tell others, is it not? We say, “I go to Reverend, Brother, Pastor, Doctor so and so’s church!” We say it with a gleam in our eyes, a smile on our face, and a defense of pride and arrogance in our spirit! I never knew that any of us ever had a church, nor should want one! Leader worship is at an all time high. Now let me be very quick to say that I am NOT, I repeat, NOT saying by any stretch of the imagination that true leaders of God’s people are not to be supported and loved. The scriptures are clear about that. That is not my contention and you may need to read this point over and over again until it sinks in. What I AM saying is that if we go beyond that, beyond what the scriptures teach, in so much that we foolishly believe, either by mouth, thought or practice that our leader(s) are so in tune with God that we faction off from others and form pockets of heroism, we are way beyond the scriptures and are totally wrong, no matter what the motives.Third, each faction was despising the other three.What other alternative is there? The leader becomes the standard rather than God and His word. Preachers are compared to each other in the foolishness of the spirit of “The New Corinthianism!” Others are despised because of their education, especially if our hero is smarter than your hero! Race is another tremendous (though denied) factor in many a church faction. It seems rather obvious to me that God is not using too many Negroes, Latinos, or oriental peoples as church leaders, according to the popular variety of Bible heroes today! Tokenism? Yes, but by design. Deny it if you will. Get offended, then repent because you know it’s true! We have got to stop closing our eyes and heart to the madness that is going on all around us, and learn to gather up the loins of our mind and be sober minded about this hero worship!Many followed Paul, probably because of his emphasis on ministry to the Gentiles, to which the population of Corinth was mainly comprised of. Apollos was a man who had great oratory skills. He was an eloquent speaker and must have undoubtedly appealed to those Greek intellectuals who prided on wisdom. Peter, or Cephas, had followers who hung on his coat tail because he was rugged and straightforward in his preaching. All you need to do is look at the second chapter of Acts and following and you will see what I mean. Then you had another group (and I think these were the worst of all) who believed that they had some special relationship to Christ and didn’t need anyone else at all. Now, I believe that these followings, these factions, were not instigated by the leaders themselves, but rather by the carnality of the people. I don’t believe this for the most part today because you NEVER hear these “heroes” today do what Paul did, and that was to renounce any appearance of these things. Why the very thought that people would divide and start any following over Paul was repugnant to him. Why, just a few short months ago in Southern California, a church who sponsored a conference of so-called Bible expositors actually had the unashamed audacity, the unmitigated gall to label the speakers, (are you ready for this?) “The Dream Team!” What absolute foolishness and madness! I’m sure God was well pleased! There was no objection from the speakers, no outcry from the people, nothing! Don’t try to convince me that “Hero Worship” does not exist. It most certainly does and many are not the least bit ashamed of it either! It is promoted in all fields, whether ministry or music, so-called, it matters not.The facts are that many of these heroes thrive on this pride and foolishness of the people. I had a recent conversation with a man who works in one of the most well know “ministries” in the church world today. He told me about the “fightings” between the leader of this work and at least three other well known ministries, so-called. He told me the following truth and I was not the least bit surprised. He said:”Harley, it is clear that the egos of these men have eclipsed the potential good that these ministries could do. It is their egos that are the driving force behind them all.”I asked him could he talk with the leader of this “ministry” he was involved in. His response? “Not likely”. He said that he could not figure out why these men, with all of their intelligence, could not go into an empty room and get on their knees and pray to the Lord for wisdom and healing in each of their hearts. My response to him was that these men simply didn’t want to and that their education, ministries (I use this word sarcastically) and status within Christian circles was no hedge against carnality. He agreed.Back to The Apostle PaulAll four leaders in 1st Corinthians 1 were great proclaimers of the gospel message. Neither one of them ever drew away followers unto themselves—clearly a trend that is godless, yet practiced by many today. This was a problem with the people and their refusal to operate Christ’s church God’s way. Proof of that statement is clear by Paul’s shock and response to the news that some were divided towards him. Now as I have stated before, the problems of the church at Corinth are very contemporary to today’s church. Many are interested in personalities and preaching style rather than substance. Many still hold fast that they do not need anybody other than their little teacher or preacher in their lives. This is contrary to the scriptures of the oneness and unity of the body of Christ. One member of the body cannot say to another: “I have no need of you.” And yet that is exactly what was going on in the church at Corinth, and in a large measure today.It is always sad and tragic when people place their trust and confidence in another man when their trust and allegiance should be to God alone. This is not to say that respect should not be given to God’s leaders. This would be just as bad as worshipping them. But there is a thin line between respect and worship of a church leader.13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? Is Christ divided? In Corinth, He was very much divided. In today’s church, He is divided much more. There are thousands of denominations in America alone who will not have fellowship with each other whatsoever. Each thinking that they hold some special union with Christ that the others do not. Multitudes are feeling that they have some special relationship with God because they follow some supposed Godly leader, or like in Corinth, they just follow Jesus and have no need for anyone else. All three questions that Paul asked in verse 13 demanded a “no” answer.14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. What sarcasm. Paul was glad that he had baptized not a single Corinthian, but Crispus, Gaius and the household of Stephanas, lest he should be accused of starting a following in his name. Let’s take a look at Paul’s attitude toward himself and of those who serve Christ as His ministers.
For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 1st Corinthians 3:3-7Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.1st Corinthians 4:1 Clear enough for you? I’m sure that a number of men started out with noble ambitions who have long since lost their way and have been made into “heroes” when they should have never took the title! How many men do you know manifest this attitude in deed today?Back to 1st Corinthians 1:1717 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. Though Paul did baptize some, and though baptism is commanded of God, it was by no means a priority over gospel preaching but rather the result of it. Baptism was the next step after conversion, and it was evident that the Corinthians were confused about this also. Paul was not minimizing baptism, but emphasizing the gospel! Paul was trying to teach these Corinthians that he was not trying to get a following by means of calling attention to himself, or through some human wisdom, or human reasoning, or human philosophy, lest he cheapened the effect of the gospel. The horrors of hero worship cannot be overlooked by a wise church, pastor, preacher or saint. The effects are not only damaging to the saints but for the very cause of the gospel itself.