EVANGELISM WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 3)

REV. PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU

NCE (ENG.) ND/HD (JOURNALISM) DIP, BA (THEOLOGY) MA, PHD

EVANGELISM WITHOUT

THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 3)

IMPERATIVE OF DIVINE CALLING

…”Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro… there, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush…Moses (was attracted when he) saw that through the bush was on fire it did not burn up…when the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from the bush Moses! Moses! And Moses said, “Here I am”, Exodus 3:1-4).

INTRODUCTION:

          One  of the factors that alienate one’s ministry from Holy Spirit is the lack of divine calling. Please notice that Moses was called (Exodus 3:14), Abraham was called (Genesis 12:1-2), Peter, the apostle was called (Mathew 4:18-20), Paul and Barnabas were equally called, (Acts 13:2) e.t.c. But, nowadays, people take-up the work of the ministry as retirement vocation, some are there to represent family or community interests, many more are driven into it for prestige or financial gains, etc. However, no matter the motivation of one, the truth remains that one who is not called into ministry by the Lord, will in no way experience the presence of the Holy Spirit in one’s work. Without mincing words, this is why churches go with a form of godliness, but denying its power (2 Tim 3:5). So, learn further that:

GOD’S CALLING IN INDISPENSABLE IN EVANGELISM

          The kingdom order in taking-up the work of the ministry of the Lord or evangelism is by divine appointment and not by personal choice or volition. On this note, the Bible remarks that, “no one takes this honour upon oneself, but must be called by God, just as Aaron was. So Christ also did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a High Priest. But God said to him…you are a Priest forever in the order of Melchizedek, (Hebrews 5:4-6). Today, however, the Christian field of evangelism witnesses an upsurge of impostors who besiege the gospel pulpit for personal gains. This is a dangerous trend, as the Lord would not work with or confirm the words of those He did not call into the ministry, as He does in that of those He called (Mark 16:20). The implication therefore, is that not all the gospel ministries/preachers who claim they are of God, are really linked-up with Him in the Spirit, no matter the testimonies they present to the world. For, not all who:

1.            Say Lord, Lord will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, hereafter (Matt 7:21);

2.            Prophesy or cast out demons in his name are genuine prophets (verse 22)

3.            Perform miracles in the name of Jesus that do so by the Holy Spirit (verse 22-23) etc.

SELF-CALLED MINISTERS ARE ON THEIR OWN  

          The part (2) of this gospel project had already noted that, “Evangelism

Is a spiritual work, and that every one who is not connected to the Holy spirit is on their own, no matter the type and  level of education they acquire, and so, cannot receive messages from God. But, in the words of the Apostle John, the one that God sends, speaks God’s Word, for God gives the Spirit without limit”, (John 3:34). Please deduce from the cited scripture that “calling” precedes ‘sending”, and that, it is only when God calls one that He gives one His Word(s) and Spirit for the work of evangelism. Put differently, it is God that decides whom He chooses and gives His Spirit for His work, and not man, (Isaiah 42:1). If the above Assertion is anything to go by, it than means that any individual(s) behind the        Gospel Pulpit that has no trace of divine calling remains alienated from the Holy Spirit. This is because:

(1)         God alone reserves the right to choose one to work with

                 (Isaiah 42:1);

(2)         When He chooses one, he gives one His Holy Spirit

For His work, (Verse 1):

(3)         Only those chosen and empowered by Holy Spirit can do  

          justice in their missions to the nations, (verse 1), etc

THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A MARK OF DIVINE CALLING

          Simply put, anointing is divine investiture for service. But, mind you that occult manipulations can deceive one into believing that anointing is in place when it is not. This is why the Bible talks of lying wonders, (2 these 2:9). Today, many false preachers display spurious signs in the name of miracles. Nevertheless, the fact of the genuine work of God cannot be discarded. In the Bible, Jesus shows that the anointing of he Holy Spirit is a veritable and indispensable tool for the work of the ministry, as He says, “the Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because He Has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He Has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed” (Luke 4:18). This means that one must be anointed as a mark of divine approval for the job, as well as be sent, having been called by God. The foregoing, therefore, indicates that the:

1.    Anointing of the Holy Spirit is the only guarantee for genuine miracles (Luke 4:18);

2.    Power of efficacious proclamation of the Word of God lies only on those called and sent by the Lord (verse 18);

3.    Counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders in the field of evangelism are never from the Lord, but from Satan and his agents, (2 Thess 2:9) etc.

In conclusion, let it be re-emphasized that the work of God is not by self-appointment, but by the calling of the Lord. This means that imposters are at risk of God’s judgment, where they fail to repent and turn a new leaf, as they have their final place in the domain of torments, with Satan and other false prophets. (Revelation 20:10). BE WARNED   

         

EVANGELISM WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 2)

REV. PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU

NCE(Eng.), ND/HD (Journalism),Dip,BA, (Theology),MA,PhD

EVANGELISM WITHOUT

THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 2)

PROBLEM OF THE EDUCATED ILLITERATES

“Study to show yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”, (2 Timothy 2:15).

INTRODUCTION:

Well observed, many of the early Pentecostal notable preachers grew up in poverty stricken surroundings. With a few exceptions, most of them had little or no education. A Christian source reveals that men like, William Branham was born in a dirt-floored log cabin in the remote mountains of Eastern Kentucky, U.S.A.. He was the poorest of the poor. Oral Roberts was born to poor parents… T. L. Osborn was one of 13 children and was raised in the poverty of a depression farm in Okbahoma, etc. The source also cites that their counterparts from the non-Pentecostal and Charismatic backgrounds attained reasonably high standards of education. For example, Francis MacMutt has a B. A. from Harvard, M.F.A from Catholic University of America and a Ph.D from Aquinas Institute of Theology. Father Ralph DiOrio was ordained at Sacred Heart Seminary, Illinois in 1957. He holds a B.A. degree in Philosophy and a Masters of Education in Psychology. Dennis Bennett graduated from Chicago Divinity School with a graduate degree in Divinity, etc.

However, attention is hereby drawn to the fact that the successes of both the educated and the uneducated gospel ministers cited in this work were not based on their education or otherwise, but on their yieldedness to the acts of the Holy Spirit. Biblical inference as well shows that both the apostles Paul (the educated) and Peter (the un-educated) were all dependent on the Holy Spirit for their ministerial successes. But, that was the scenario of the past. Today, the Pentecostal Christianity parades to the amazement of all well informed preachers of influence. If that is so, why then, the high level of gospel perversion in this generation? On this note, the writer cites the:

LACK OF THE EDUCATION THAT FOSTERS THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

            By formal standards, one who must serve as a church operative (pastor, evangelist, teacher, apostle, prophet, etc) should as a matter of the demands of the work be spirituo-intellectually trained and not just a person of human intellectual pursuits. This is where the role of the Bible college or seminary becomes vital. All things being equal, courses taught in such institutions are spiritually designed to suit the operations of the Holy Spirit in the field of evangelism without which a given ministry loses divine flow. Unfortunately, most of the people who feature as gospel ministers today exhibit qualifications in Medicine, law, journalism, marketing, architecture, accountancy, banking and finance, etc. without formal theological training. In fact, such people are better described as “educated illiterates”, and are not qualified for the ministerial positions they occupy. Who has ever practiced medicine with a qualification in theology? Who has, at any time been allowed to become a legal practitioner with qualifications in Marketing, Journalism or Medicine? Here lies another point of confusion and perversion in evangelism, as it is not possible for someone without a spiritually structured formal education in theology to correctly divide the word of truth, (1 Tim. 2:15). For sure, this is one of the aspects of training that the Apostle Paul has in mind as he advises that one should endeavour to;

(1)              Study to show oneself as one approved to God, (verse 151)

(2)              a workman who does not need to be ashamed, (verse 15);

(3)              but rightly dividing the word of truth, (verse 15), etc.

LACK OF INTUITIVE TEACHING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

            Without controversy, there are “spiritual illiterates” who do not understand the things of God by reason of their depraved disposition. For the man without the Spirit of God cannot understand the things of the Spirit, because they are spiritually discerned, (1 Cor. 2:14). Evangelism is a spiritual work, and the preacher who is not connected to the Holy Spirit is on his own, no matter the type and level of education he/she acquires, and is incapable of receiving messages from God. But, one that is linked-up with Him (the Holy Spirit) intuitively learns from Him and in turn disseminates such information to the people. The testimony of the Apostle Paul authenticates this truth, and I quote, “I want you to know, brothers that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ”, (Gal. 1:12).

            The above explanation does not discard the relevance of Bible College or seminary training as highlighted in the previous unit of this piece, but an effort to complement it. To be candid, training in the seminary equips one with the modus operandi of the Ministry, as well as the exegetical principles of God’s word, as it remains the prerogative of the Holy Spirit to inspire and teach one what one should preach or teach, if one is really to be called a man or woman of God. On the account of the foregoing, “head knowledge” becomes retrogressive in terms of life changing gospel. So, one is an “educated illiterate” in the field of evangelism, when one is not:

(1)              Formally trained for the work, (1Tim. 2:15);

(2)              Knowledgeable of the things of the Spirit, (1 Cor. 2:14);

(3)              Intuitively aware of what to preach or teach, (Gal. 1:12), etc.

LACK OF MENTORSHIP TRAINING BY MEN OF THE SPIRIT

            Spiritual mentorship has been one of the ways God transfers His Spirit, Knowledge and Power to the multitude of men and women who serve Him. In the Old Testament, Elijah was Elisha’s mentor. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul influenced Saint Luke. Records of a near history of the Pentecostal movement show that Oral Roberts’ early methods in his independent deliverance ministry may have been influenced by his observation of William Branham. T. L. Osborn was also influenced by Branham’s Ministry and authority. A. A. Allen was captured by Robert’s power over his audience. Robert W. Schamback said that everything he learned was learned at the side of A. A.  Allen. This method of ministerial training remains a point of misunderstanding on the part of those who castigate some Pentecostal ministers for poor command of English Language in the name of public commentary. One good reference is a statement credited to one Dr. Chuks Osuji in a write-up by Evangelist Samuel Ezeji on the page 19 of the Announcer Express Newspaper of Thursday April 23 – 26, 2009 where he was quoted as saying that some of the (Pentecostal) preachers he hears on Radio do not have good command of English. Let it be pointed out here that those ministers who have under-taken mentorship training from other men of God may not be proficient in English language, but have been trained informally by God through His Spirit – filled men, and by divine standards are educated and qualified for the ministry, of which the said Dr. Osuji and the likes may not have known by reason of the concept they hold, for it is by a humble approach to God through sincere prayers that He opens the inner-eyes of one to understand the things of the spirit, as the carnally minded persons cannot understand the things of God, because they are spiritually discerned, (1 Cor. 2:14).

            Here, a testimony would buttress the writer’s point. The Rev. Dr. Mac Nwulu of the blessed memory, the founder of the Trinity College of Ministerial Arts, Aba, Nigeria in the 80s narrated how God, prior to his conversion, healed him through an illiterate Pastor after an ailment defiled every medical attention by experts, and I quote, “as I was sinking into the darkness of the world beyond, after doctors had hopelessly tried their best, a pastor in the process, who could not speak correct English came over and laid his hands on me and said, “Brother Jesus is healing you”. As soon as this statement of prayer was made, I saw myself lifted out of the darkness and every sickness vanished”. Now, who is the doctor in this case, the medical doctors or the illiterate Pastor? Your answer is as good as that of the writer. But, to strike a position, the medical doctors are “illiterate doctors” in term of divine healing, whereas, the illiterates Pastor remains an “educated doctor” attached to the Kingdom Healing Fountain / Clinic (KHF/C). By this, the writer wishes to draw the attention of Dr. Chuks Osuji and other friends to the fact that the pastors they portray as illiterates are in the sight of God and those who know their inestimable values, “Divine Doctors”, and also advises that they be cautious in addressing religious issues, especially as they affect the men of God, as they may be fighting God, thinking they are doing His work, (John 16:2). Therefore, be informed that:

(1)        Mentorship mode of training is one of the ways God equips his servants for the work of the ministry, (Acts 4:13);

(2)        The Apostle Peter and other disciples of Jesus were trained that way, (verse 13);

(3)        The gospel ministers of today who are trained that way are qualified for the work of God, (verse 13), etc.

            In conclusion, this part of the long essay on Evangelism Without The Holy Spirit” has been the writer’s attempt to bring to the fore that there are types of education that are not suitable for the work of evangelism, which in turn alienate the Holy Spirit from one’s ministry. Those who are fashioned with such (secular) education, but occupy ministerial offices, without going through any of the modes of the training highlighted in this work are not good materials for the gospel. Where this is the case, and eventually the Holy Spirit becomes alienated, skillful manipulations and falsehood set in, giving way to self-styled evangelism, which in other words is evangelism without the Holy Spirit. This is one of the major problems that ravage evangelism at present. PRAY FOR REVIVAL.

EVANGELISM WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 1)

REV. PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU

NCE(Eng.), ND/HD (Journalism),Dip,BA, (Theology),MA,PhD

EVANGELISM WITHOUT

 THE HOLY SPIRIT(Part 1)

                        PROBLEM OF FALSEHOOD

…“Evidently, some people are throwing you into confusion and trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But, even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned”, (Galatians 1:7-8).

INTRODUCTION

The reaction of Chief Ifeanyi Olumba, addressed as a renowned public commentator from Orlu, Imo State to the high rate of the bastardization of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ is worthy of all praise, except that the writer does not agree with him on the caption with which the article was published. Chief Olumba, in an interview published on the page 11 of the Nigeria Newspoint of March 9-11, 2009 posited that Evangelism without Education is poisonous. No debate, the education of the gospel minister in the new millennium should not be compromised, if he / she is to perform optimally in this era of high intellectual harvest. However, it is important to point out that the problem ravaging the gospel today is not the lack of education, but the lack of the Holy Spirit in the lives of certain preachers. In fact, a critical look at the issues raised by Chief Olumba in the said write-up would prove the point that it is not Evangelism without education that is poisonous, but evangelism without the Holy Spirit. Having highlighted the above, it becomes proper to beam the gospel light on the first three issues raised by Chief Olumba in the interview.

(1)        MADNESS IN EVANGELISM

The first issue raised by Chief Olumba in this section of his piece is that of tearing families apart by the pastors he referred to as “wolves in sheep clothing”. Here he is quoted as saying, “as an Igbo son, an African and a Nigerian, I am really disturbed and I am sure that so many other people, right thinking Igbo people are equally disturbed at the turn of event whereby “wolves in sheep clothing” who parade themselves as men of God go about dislocating happy families and communities, branding old men witches and wizards, setting the youths against them…”

What a feeling of love and concern for the society! But, a meticulous look at Chief Olumba’s comments would reveal that elements of falsehood and wickedness, as occasioned by the absence of the Holy Spirit may have been at work and not the lack of education. Therefore, in defence of the legitimate gospel, let it be stated that no spirit-filled pastor with the principles of God’s word would ever embark on such nefarious activities. To call a spade a spade, such pastors who invade families by means of deceit are indeed “wolves in sheep clothing” as Chief Olumba rightly pointed out. Nevertheless, inasmuch as the writer is strongly opposed to any form of incitement against family members in the name of preaching the gospel, he also advises that one should not totally rule out the fact that some family members are witches and wizards, and definitely bewitch others in society. For sure, such things do exist. Be it as it may, the writer still insists that:

(i)            The gospel that tears families apart is no gospel at all, (Gal. 1:6);

(ii)           Such a gospel comes from confusionists who pervert the gospel of Christ, (verse 7);

(iii)          Those who preach such a (another) gospel heap eternal condemnation on themselves (verse 8), etc.

(2)        EVANGELISM AS ESCAPE TO UNEMPLOYMENT

At this point, Chief Olumba accuses unemployment and lack of proper education as inducing the menace of gospel perversion. In his words “the big question then arises, who ordained these types of pastors, where are they coming from, what are their antecedents? If a trader blows his money on one “Akwan abalia Ife nile ga emesi junction” or point, then the next thing wise for him is to declare himself a pastor, and if he lays his hands on any money, he goes to rent a warehouse, before you know it, a church is began. Evangelism that does not go with education is poisonous to the society. It is spiritual poisoning, and it is dangerous…”

Once again, a closer attention to the expression of Chief Olumba in this part of his work would still point to falsehood and not lack of education. One who tries to escape the problem of unemployment in pretence of working for God is in deception, and should be seen as such. Furthermore, the insinuation by Chief Olumba that the illiterate traders who failed in their businesses now take advantage of the gospel work to make ends meet is baseless, since statistics shows that vast majority of those holding churches in warehouses are highly educated individuals and not just the uneducated or the academically half-baked. So, the problem remains evangelism without the Holy Spirit and not evangelism without education, and the agent of pollution remains falsehood. Therefore, as much as education is important in the preaching of the gospel, it should not be allowed to take the place of the Holy Spirit in the life of the preacher. Let it be pointed out here that if education is the bedrock of evangelism, then:

(i)         God would have been going for only the educated (or the noble) for the work of the gospel, (1 Cor. 1: 26-29);

(ii)        Men like the Apostle Peter who were not educated in the formal sense of the word wouldn’t have been called into the gospel work. (verses 26-27);

(iii)       Most uneducated disciples would have been instruments of family breaking and not that of salvation, which is the case in today’s world, (Acts 10), etc.

(3)        SUSTAIN CULTURE / HERITAGE

Culture is people’s traditional way of life. Here Chief Olumba tries to return parents to their traditional role of educating children at home. “We have formal and informal education”, the public commentator observes… The family is the first unit of school… Parents should educate their children, teach them morals and salvation, whatever the Church missed, a father or mother should have to complete it, he opines…

To be candid, Chief Olumba’s call on parents to spend time in the house to educate their children is a step in the right direction. But, the indispensable omission is that the parents in question are not told that one who is not morally upright cannot really make moral impart.  It is not possible for a lying parent, a parent who rigs elections before the children, a parent who aids examination malpractice, a parent who lacks chastity, etc. to make moral impart on children, for one cannot give what one does not possess. The second issue raised by Chief Olumba in this section of his treatise is that of salvation. Let it be pointed out also that parents who have no experience of salvation cannot impart salvation. Salvation is a sacred thing, and can only be imparted by God through holy vessels, parents or anybody. Biblically speaking, salvation is only achieved by the washing of rebirth and renewal through the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3:5). In fact, it is the gift of God obtained by faith (Eph 2:8). Based on the foregoing therefore, the writer affirms that:

(i)            Parents can only make moral impart on children when they exemplify what they teach them (Act 1:1).

(ii)           Salvation is the gift of God obtained by faith, (Eph. 2:8);

(iii)          Parents should ensure that they themselves have experienced salvation through rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, and in turn preach same to their children, (Titus 3:5), etc.

In conclusion, it is obvious that Chief Olumba in his message descended heavily on such pastors he branded “fraudulent”, “wolves in sheep clothing”, “witch doctor”, etc. as well as accusing them of embarking on what he calls “retrogressive evangelism”, yet the truth remains that a pastor is not fraudulent simply because he operates the gift of revelation which reveals spiritual wickedness like, witchcraftcy, wizardry and the likes. This is because through such a gift many have repented and confessed getting involves in such spiritual wickedness. A pastor also should not be branded fraudulent for cutting down trees that form the strongholds of demons, for even the early Christian missionaries embarked on such a work, and that most of our cathedrals and churches today are built on places where such evil trees were cut down. Furthermore, a pastor should not be told to restrict his preaching to social vices like, armed robbery, kidnapping, assassination, etc, as there are also spiritual vices like, witchcraftcy, spell casting, white magic, etc which are more devastating crimes than social vices.

Yes, a pastor is fraudulent when he is manipulative and deceitful in his ministerial operations, but that through the gift of the Holy Spirit he genuinely reveals spiritual wickedness that most people associate with or that he/she destroys evil trees / shrines in an effort to enthrone Christ in an environment does not make him/her fraudulent. What such a pastor needs is wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit to enable him use the gift to the glory of God and for the good and harmony of the society. SUCH PASTORS NEED YOUR PRAYERS.