PANTHEISM
Pantheism is the belief that God and nature are the same. They believe that God is everything, including man, animals, nature, space, and that all these make up the one god. This belief is found in New Age teachings, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Pantheism is not to be confused with animism (see ANIMISM). If pantheism were true, we could worship idols of stone or wood or a car or your big toe. But the second commandment forbids this (Exodus 20:4–6).
God created all things (Genesis 1:1-31), He is everywhere present, but He is still distinct and unique from all things, and He is eternal, having neither beginning nor end. “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” (Psalm 90:2). Contrary to what most pantheists believe, the universe is not eternal, as the true God is. If God were nature, how could He create Himself? And how could a universe that had a beginning be explained by a pantheist?
PASTORS
Pastors as well as teachers and evangelists were given to the church: “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…” (Ephesians 4:11–13). God has called and gifted men to help His children grow. And they were to build up the believers, “saints” or Christians (see SAINTS), so they could serve in a local church “for the work of the ministry,” also for “edifying” believers and to bring us into a “unity” of beliefs (see PREACHING).
Pastors are to “feed” and “take the over sight” (I Peter 5:1-5) of the flock of God. Hebrews 13:17, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 1`3:7 “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.”
Should a pastor stay in the ministry who has committed adultery or been divorced? Unfortunately, this is a growing problem, and there is much disagreement over it. Often the response is, “But don’t you think God can forgive?” Yes, I do believe God can forgive those who repent and ask for forgiveness. But is a pastor qualified according to God’s Word to hold the office? I am not demeaning anyone.
Few people are better than King David, and he committed adultery, though because of the consequences from this, it turned out to be the worst day of his life. Proverbs 6:32–33 says, “But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.” And 1 Timothy 3:1–7 says, “This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife [not one at a time], vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” How can a pastor be above reproach if he has committed adultery? For the Bible says, “his reproach shall not be wiped away.”
Sometimes one will say that there are pastors who have committed adultery with the ladies in the church or are divorced and are still doing a great job in the pulpit anyway. But it is God Who has made the qualifications, not man. A pastor also leads by example, and every time he would preach, “Neither shalt thou commit adultery” (Deuteronomy 5:18) or “For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away [divorce]” (Malachi 2:16), then those listening in the pews may think, But the pastor did it and got away with it.
Some bring out that the other requirements of pastor such as “Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;” can be forgiven, and then the man can be a pastor. True, but when one repents of drunkenness or being a brawler, he is no longer a drunk or brawler. But when one repents of divorce and remarriage, he is still divorced and remarried. Those in this situation should find another way to minister to God’s people. As long as your heart is still beating, God is not finished with you and will still use you. But why limit your outreach because of these sins?
In the Old Testament, priests were not to marry a woman who had been divorced, “They shall not take a wife that is a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy unto his God” (Leviticus 21:7). But the priest could marry a widow if her husband had been a priest, “Neither shall they take for their wives a widow, nor her that is put away: but they shall take maidens of the seed of the house of Israel, or a widow that had a priest before. And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean” (Ezekiel 44:22–23).
If someone who is a member of a church whose pastor has been divorced decides to leave, then may he do it without causing trouble or a division in the church, for God would not bless that.
PEACE
This is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). We can receive peace by prayer: “Be careful [worry] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7). I shared this verse one time with a Christian brother who was being mightily used of God but had no peace because of all the pressures on him. I told him he should pray and give his problems into the Lord’s hand until he had peace. His response was “I have prayed, but still do not have peace.” I said, “Pray longer” (see Matthew 26:40–41). Yes, God answers short prayers also, but there is something about spending time with God that gives one peace. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3). And though my flesh may fight this, if it is necessary, I would rather pray for two hours than worry about it for two weeks. When God’s Spirit gives you this peace, then you know that the problem will be solved, even if you do not know how; it is enough to know that God will take care of it.
“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:5–6). If you will “think” on the things of God and “do” the things He asks, then the “God of peace shall be with you” (Philippians 4:8–9). “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). It is a wonderful thing to have “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding.” By the way, this is a feeling just as “joy” and “love” (at least a part of love is a feeling), which are also the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
But before one can have the peace “of” God, he needs to have “peace with God.” The Bible teaches that before one is saved, he is an enemy of God. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Romans 5:8–10). My punishment for sin was placed on Christ, and when I trusted Him for forgiveness, my debt was paid. Instead of someone warring against God, he needs to run up the white flag of surrender (repentance), and invite Christ into his heart. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). If you have not yet done so, then pray and ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart and forgive your sins (see WORRY).
Please read the other doctrines and pray for this
website to be used of God and to help Christians!
Pantheism is the belief that God and nature are the same. They believe that God is everything, including man, animals, nature, space, and that all these make up the one god. This belief is found in New Age teachings, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Pantheism is not to be confused with animism (see ANIMISM). If pantheism were true, we could worship idols of stone or wood or a car or your big toe. But the second commandment forbids this (Exodus 20:4–6).
God created all things (Genesis 1:1-31), He is everywhere present, but He is still distinct and unique from all things, and He is eternal, having neither beginning nor end. “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” (Psalm 90:2). Contrary to what most pantheists believe, the universe is not eternal, as the true God is. If God were nature, how could He create Himself? And how could a universe that had a beginning be explained by a pantheist?
PASTORS
Pastors as well as teachers and evangelists were given to the church: “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…” (Ephesians 4:11–13). God has called and gifted men to help His children grow. And they were to build up the believers, “saints” or Christians (see SAINTS), so they could serve in a local church “for the work of the ministry,” also for “edifying” believers and to bring us into a “unity” of beliefs (see PREACHING).
Pastors are to “feed” and “take the over sight” (I Peter 5:1-5) of the flock of God. Hebrews 13:17, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 1`3:7 “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.”
Should a pastor stay in the ministry who has committed adultery or been divorced? Unfortunately, this is a growing problem, and there is much disagreement over it. Often the response is, “But don’t you think God can forgive?” Yes, I do believe God can forgive those who repent and ask for forgiveness. But is a pastor qualified according to God’s Word to hold the office? I am not demeaning anyone.
Few people are better than King David, and he committed adultery, though because of the consequences from this, it turned out to be the worst day of his life. Proverbs 6:32–33 says, “But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.” And 1 Timothy 3:1–7 says, “This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife [not one at a time], vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” How can a pastor be above reproach if he has committed adultery? For the Bible says, “his reproach shall not be wiped away.”
Sometimes one will say that there are pastors who have committed adultery with the ladies in the church or are divorced and are still doing a great job in the pulpit anyway. But it is God Who has made the qualifications, not man. A pastor also leads by example, and every time he would preach, “Neither shalt thou commit adultery” (Deuteronomy 5:18) or “For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away [divorce]” (Malachi 2:16), then those listening in the pews may think, But the pastor did it and got away with it.
Some bring out that the other requirements of pastor such as “Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;” can be forgiven, and then the man can be a pastor. True, but when one repents of drunkenness or being a brawler, he is no longer a drunk or brawler. But when one repents of divorce and remarriage, he is still divorced and remarried. Those in this situation should find another way to minister to God’s people. As long as your heart is still beating, God is not finished with you and will still use you. But why limit your outreach because of these sins?
In the Old Testament, priests were not to marry a woman who had been divorced, “They shall not take a wife that is a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy unto his God” (Leviticus 21:7). But the priest could marry a widow if her husband had been a priest, “Neither shall they take for their wives a widow, nor her that is put away: but they shall take maidens of the seed of the house of Israel, or a widow that had a priest before. And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean” (Ezekiel 44:22–23).
If someone who is a member of a church whose pastor has been divorced decides to leave, then may he do it without causing trouble or a division in the church, for God would not bless that.
PEACE
This is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). We can receive peace by prayer: “Be careful [worry] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7). I shared this verse one time with a Christian brother who was being mightily used of God but had no peace because of all the pressures on him. I told him he should pray and give his problems into the Lord’s hand until he had peace. His response was “I have prayed, but still do not have peace.” I said, “Pray longer” (see Matthew 26:40–41). Yes, God answers short prayers also, but there is something about spending time with God that gives one peace. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3). And though my flesh may fight this, if it is necessary, I would rather pray for two hours than worry about it for two weeks. When God’s Spirit gives you this peace, then you know that the problem will be solved, even if you do not know how; it is enough to know that God will take care of it.
“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:5–6). If you will “think” on the things of God and “do” the things He asks, then the “God of peace shall be with you” (Philippians 4:8–9). “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). It is a wonderful thing to have “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding.” By the way, this is a feeling just as “joy” and “love” (at least a part of love is a feeling), which are also the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
But before one can have the peace “of” God, he needs to have “peace with God.” The Bible teaches that before one is saved, he is an enemy of God. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Romans 5:8–10). My punishment for sin was placed on Christ, and when I trusted Him for forgiveness, my debt was paid. Instead of someone warring against God, he needs to run up the white flag of surrender (repentance), and invite Christ into his heart. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). If you have not yet done so, then pray and ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart and forgive your sins (see WORRY).
Please read the other doctrines and pray for this
website to be used of God and to help Christians!