Set Apart and Called by the Holy Spirit
As the early church continued to grow and multiply in the whole area of Judea, Galilee, Samaria, and the surrounding cities like Antioch, God started to specifically direct His people to go out into new areas to share the gospel.(Acts 13:2,3) He did this by having the Holy Spirit speak to the believers as they sought the Lord and fasted. The Spirit told them exactly what to do, and they did it. This is how we should operate today, as well.
Every believer is "set apart" by the Holy Spirit. That is what the word holy means. We are all set apart from the world, and we are set apart for God's use. Then, the Spirit comes to those who are set apart, and He calls us into specific ministries. This is not just true of pastors and missionaries. It is true for all believers. If we will be faithful to fast and pray, the Spirit will show each of us what He is calling us to do.
However, in some cases God has a special assignment like being a missionary to another country or being the pastor of a church. In those cases the Spirit communicates clearly to the group of people seeking His will, so that they know the person God wants to fulfill that ministry. The Spirit does not just speak to the person being called, but to the group who are seeking to know God's will, just like He did to the believers in Antioch in Acts 13. It is an amazing process as we follow God's will, and it is very important that we are careful to hear what the Spirit is saying and to set apart the right person or persons for ministry.
Once we have heard from the Spirit, we lay our hands on these people in an act of "ordaining" them or "commissioning" them to go forth and do God's will. This does not give them special power or authority. It is a confirmation of the power and authority of the Holy Spirit to use us as He sees fit in God's kingdom work. I look back on my time of ordination to the ministry and see how the Spirit has directed me and empowered me through the last 38 years. What a blessing! Each time God has changed our ministry, and we have prayed for the Spirit to speak to us and to the believers who were seeking God's will, He has faithfully directed in specific ways. What a blessing! God doesn't stutter. He speaks clearly.We have to listen and to obey, so we are in the center of His will for us and for His kingdom work.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Acts 14-17.
Every believer is "set apart" by the Holy Spirit. That is what the word holy means. We are all set apart from the world, and we are set apart for God's use. Then, the Spirit comes to those who are set apart, and He calls us into specific ministries. This is not just true of pastors and missionaries. It is true for all believers. If we will be faithful to fast and pray, the Spirit will show each of us what He is calling us to do.
However, in some cases God has a special assignment like being a missionary to another country or being the pastor of a church. In those cases the Spirit communicates clearly to the group of people seeking His will, so that they know the person God wants to fulfill that ministry. The Spirit does not just speak to the person being called, but to the group who are seeking to know God's will, just like He did to the believers in Antioch in Acts 13. It is an amazing process as we follow God's will, and it is very important that we are careful to hear what the Spirit is saying and to set apart the right person or persons for ministry.
Once we have heard from the Spirit, we lay our hands on these people in an act of "ordaining" them or "commissioning" them to go forth and do God's will. This does not give them special power or authority. It is a confirmation of the power and authority of the Holy Spirit to use us as He sees fit in God's kingdom work. I look back on my time of ordination to the ministry and see how the Spirit has directed me and empowered me through the last 38 years. What a blessing! Each time God has changed our ministry, and we have prayed for the Spirit to speak to us and to the believers who were seeking God's will, He has faithfully directed in specific ways. What a blessing! God doesn't stutter. He speaks clearly.We have to listen and to obey, so we are in the center of His will for us and for His kingdom work.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Acts 14-17.