Marks of a Real Man of God. What are the marks or appearance of a real man of God? We need to begin this study by throwing away and cleaning out thinking of what the world and religious hypocrites say he is. We go to the Bible, and look at what the Word says.
1Tim 6:11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Perhaps I should comment on the idea of an “abusive church”. An abusive church is a church that perhaps has orthodox doctrine but has practices and conduct that is not biblical, un-Christlike. Most commonly abusive churches are seen by their refusal to believe in and practice Christian liberty. In order for these people to control the brethren in a way that is advantageous for them, they also use unscriptural church discipline. By this I mean that they use tactics like public shame over issues that they do not have strong scriptural basis for, and they do it in an unscriptural way.
Let me digress with an example. For example, a pastor says that his members have to attend ALL church functions, and can only miss if they ask their pastor for permission first, and he grants it. A valid reason is that you are sick and dying in a hospital. Family reunions out of town, visiting another church, etc. are all invalid. The person ignores this imposed asking-permission structure, so the pastor now publicly says embarrassing things about the family, revealing private matters or joking in such a way as to cause the family shame, embarrassment, or discomfort on some level. Perhaps he removes the man from the deacon board suddenly, or removes either husband or wife from responsibilities or service in the church, because the pastor “has doubts”. The point is to use press to cause wayward members to tow the line. This psychological pressure is what makes them abusive. (Here I would exclude members who are serving, but the pastor or leadership removes them because of serious problems, such as marital separation, infidelity, or drinking/drug/sex problems. Also doctrinal heresy that comes to light would be a legitimate reason for removal.)
Three most important litmus tests for Pastoral Candidates is about testing and probing a candidate for the pastorate.
In this post, we will examine closer each of these three litmus tests for a pastoral candidate. But making these “the most important elements” I am not saying that there doesn’t exist other elements equally important, but at least these three should be extremely focused upon in your sessions with the candidate.
Written by Pastor Missionary David Cox
I.) His personal salvation.
II.) His family life.
III.) His preaching ability in expositing God’s Word, as well as his doctrines and practices.
The Three most important litmus tests for Pastoral Candidates
Verses for Witnessing Notes is a help study for soul winners in their evangelistic efforts.
Introduction
First of all, we need to limit ourselves to the Scriptures. We can neither leave out anything the Scripture includes, nor can we minimize it, nor can we add things the Scriptures do not include in salvation. Here I will try to justify each point of these points. Note that I do not explain or mean each sub point with each person I witness to. Depending on their background and how God leads me with that person I focus on certain aspects and leave others alone. For Catholics, works salvation and not believing in Mary are important. For Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses the deity of Christ and works salvation are key elements. Others bring in other aspects.
