TIMELY COUNSEL TO YOUNG MINISTERS

Of Saul of Tarsus and Apollos... and others

(timely counsel to younger minister

Scriptures are replete with several prototypes.
As the Word begins to grow and have influence in places these prototypes appear
We have the Simon magus
Acts 8:18-19 KJV
[18] And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19] Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Before they saw the light, they had certain queer materialistic doctrines, they believe in sowing to get.
Born again, in the midst of word people but not a pure breed.
1 Timothy 6:5 KJV
[5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
He is a sower for prosperity not a giver to meet needs of others.
May their tribe never increase further, Amen.
Then we have Saul of Tarsus...
At salvation, he's so zealous .
In this case, he meets the word.
Always on social media, teaching things he's yet to understand, such men rather than be quiet and learn, because they always been preachers like Saul who was a Pharisee, they can't just be truly submissive and learn.
This is the conundrum for most who had built ministries and images before light came.
They will take pure teachings, infect it with their attitude, rebrand it to have their signature and distort the truth
They cause more havoc.
2 Peter 3:16 KJV
[16] As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Saul did this exactly earlier on...
Acts 9:20,22 KJV
[20] And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. [22] But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
Straight away!!!
After how many weeks?
They cause unneeded persecution.
Acts 9:29 KJV
[29] And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
Being bold about what?
Boldness isn't a virtue when mixed with ignorance.
Starting topics on Facebook which you are obviously a starter at is total distraction and brings disservice to the pure doctrine of the gospel.
Saul was sent away.
Acts 9:30-31 KJV
[30] Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
[31] Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
And there was rest.
Go and sit down, stop making noise. You will be better for it
Paul surely was!
1 Corinthians 13:11 KJV
[11] When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
He grew up
Diotrephes.
3 John 1:9-10 KJV
[9] I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
10] Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
He loves to be known.
What he wants is fame.
He will try and discredit those who teach from where he learns so he could have his own disciples.
He doesn't love his congregation.
There's a fellow like that who warned his members of a minister, they now found him secretly listening to the minister, then he said; "I am the one that can sieve his teachings "
They are what the Yorubas call mugu, idiots.
Can't they see he teaches those things???
Paul warned Ephesus of such men
Acts 20:30 KJV
[30] Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Just looking for follower ship,
They will mix up things,
You can't readily place them.
ADIP (any doctrine in popularity)
They will be fitted in motivation, sowers, deliverance, marital ministry, business, add some Jankara spirit things, but look closely, they are counterfeits.
Then we have
Apollos
Acts 18:24-25 KJV
[24] And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
[25] This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
Solid teaching gift no doubt but limited light.
Well known.
Yet he submitted to learning
Acts 18:26 KJV
[26] And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
He saw this and submitted to Priscilla and Aquilla
He attended their meetings,
Not by night or secretly so that no one will find out from whom he's learning.
We are not in a competition!!!!
He became better
Acts 18:27-28 KJV
[27] And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:
[28] For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
I had this same experience years back.
A friend who didn't have my reach and even got ministry opportunities through me sat me down and came upon my soul and my teaching!
Haven been schooled under a walking concordance, I could quote even the unwritten scriptures.
He didn't.
I had more gifts of the spirit in demonstration than he did.
Yet I kept quiet for a long time, asked him questions.
Borrowed his teachings and notes.
Attended his meetings.
Came over later to my local assembly to admit all these.
I can't over grow learning, if I truly love the flock.
They mustn't be scape goats of my devious escapades or Guinea pigs of experimenting or collateral for my selfish pursuits.
For their sakes, I must be honest about ministry and its message
2 Corinthians 4:2 KJV
[2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
It might appear to be a lonely path but it's godly and worth it.
We must choose the right examples.
As the gospel of Christ grows, we don't need a Simon, Saul of tarsus or Diotrephes...
We need men of the Word and spirit in truth!
Hope this blessed you ?

 Pastor Onayinka Olusegun
https://www.facebook.com/onayinka.olusegun