DISTINGUISHING A GOD ORDAINED MINISTRY.

Distinguishing Between Man-Made Ministries and God-Sanctioned Ministries

*A Call to Discernment and Doctrinal Purity*

The ability to distinguish between the man-made ministries of today and the God-made ministries is a vital skill that comes through knowing God’s Word and learning to discern the spirits. True discernment enables us to test every doctrine and ensure that those who preach are indeed sent and sanctioned by God—not merely self-appointed or operating on half-truths.

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## 1. Testing the Spirits and Heeding Biblical Warnings

**Jeremiah 14:14** declares:

*"And the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I have not sent them, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision, divination, a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart."*

This scripture warns us that when men prophesy or preach in God’s name without His commission, they are not sent by Him; rather, they propagate a false vision. It is by knowing the whole of God’s word that we learn to discern the spirits and reject any teaching that deviates from the full gospel.

Similarly, **1 John 4:1** instructs:

*"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."*

This imperative to test the spirits reinforces that we must be vigilant; false prophets may even seem to teach correctly on the surface.

In **Galatians 1:8-9**, the apostle Paul vehemently warns:

*"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."*

This passage underscores the grave danger of assuming authority to preach a gospel that is not pure and complete. It is not enough to simply include some biblical truths; omission of essential elements is equally damning.

Paul further cautions in **Romans 16:17-18**:

*"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."*

Here, the danger of seemingly fair and articulate teaching is exposed—it is not the eloquence of words, but the substance of doctrine that determines godly ministry.

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## 2. The Danger of Unsanctioned Ministry and Self-Appointed Authority

A true minister is not one who takes upon himself the honor of preaching or teaching. **Hebrews 5:4** clearly states:

*"And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron."*

This reminds us that ministerial authority must be divinely bestown—not assumed by human presumption. Those who set themselves up without God’s sanction are liable to lead others astray.

In **2 Corinthians 11:13-15**, Paul exposes the deception of false apostles:

*"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for even Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."*

False teachers disguise themselves with the clothing of righteousness, deceiving even the simple by their fair words and superficially biblical preaching; yet what they neglect to teach is their true error.

A sobering observation is this:

> **"YOU NEVER IDENTIFY A FALSE TEACHER BY WHAT HE TEACHES FROM THE BIBLE, BUT BY WHAT HE DOES NOT TEACH FROM THE BIBLE."**

This truth is pivotal—it is not solely the inclusion of erroneous doctrines that betrays a false teacher, but also the omission of key truths of the full gospel.

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## 3. Called Versus Sent: God’s Distinction

God’s desire is to use many men, and His call is upon many. Yet, there exists a great difference between being called and being sent. Men may be called by God; however, unless they receive the full revelation and are empowered to minister the complete gospel, their calling remains unfulfilled.

Jesus Himself emphasized the urgency of a genuinely sent laborer in **Matthew 9:38**:

*"Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few: Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest."*

While God calls many, it is only those who embrace doctrinal purity, grow in spiritual maturity, and reject half-truths who will be fully sanctioned and sent forth. Many, content with partial truths, remain stagnant and unempowered; their baptisms and ministries, lacking divine approval, are invalid and fruitless.

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## 4. God’s Divine Order: The Fivefold Ministry

God has established a divine order for ministry by appointing leaders who are fully anointed by Him. In **Ephesians 4:11-13** we read:

*"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."*

Likewise, **1 Corinthians 12:28** confirms:

*"And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues."*

These offices are not conferred by human institutions—they are divinely appointed. No man-made bureaucracy or institution can replicate or validate the authority that only comes directly from God.

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## 5. Indicators of a True God-Sanctioned Ministry

A preacher who is truly called and sent by God will manifest several key characteristics:

- **Correct Doctrine:** His teaching conforms fully to the doctrines of the apostles, leaving no essential truth omitted.

- **Deep Revelation of Scripture:** He exhibits a thorough understanding of God’s Word, as urged in **2 Timothy 2:15**:

*"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."*

- **Anointing of the Holy Ghost:** He operates under the Spirit’s power, in accordance with **Acts 1:8** (though not quoted here, the principle is implicit in every true ministry) and is empowered to overcome darkness.

- **Divine Authority Manifested by Signs:** His ministry is confirmed by signs and wonders, as well as by the fruit of righteousness—remember **Mark 16:17-18**:

*"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."*

Without these attributes, though one might preach with fair words, the full and unadulterated gospel remains absent.

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## 6. Doctrinal Purity Is Not Optional—It Is Commanded

There is no compromise when it comes to doctrinal purity. It is not merely a recommendation; it is a divine mandate. Allegiance to the complete truth of scripture is essential for anyone who aspires to minister in God’s harvest. As the Scriptures command, one must be vigilant, for the danger of sitting beneath a teacher who omits vital doctrines is real and grave. The integrity of the Church depends upon faithful, unsullied teaching.

> **"YOU NEVER IDENTIFY A FALSE TEACHER BY WHAT HE TEACHES FROM THE BIBLE, BUT BY WHAT HE DOES NOT TEACH FROM THE BIBLE."**

This truth must resonate in the hearts of all believers. It is a stern warning to those who would assume ministerial office without the full, transformative revelation that God intends. A false or incomplete gospel cannot stand; it leaves gaps that deceive and lead the simple astray, much as Eve was deceived by the subtilty of Satan.

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## Conclusion

In conclusion, true ministry is marked by the complete gospel and the unmistakable seal of divine authority. We must rigorously test every spirit, examine every teacher, and reject any ministry that lacks the fullness of God’s truth. The differences between being called and being sent underscore that while God calls many, He empowers and sends only those who have embraced doctrinal purity and rejected half-truths.

Let us pray fervently, as Jesus instructed, that the Lord of the harvest would send forth laborers equipped with the full gospel, who will endure the cross and boldly proclaim a doctrine that is bulletproof and undivided from the immortal Word of God.

May we ever remain vigilant, discerning, and steadfast in our pursuit of the uncompromised truth, for the integrity of the Church and our eternal salvation depend on it.