Critiquing Confirmation

During the late 1970s, I went through two years of confirmation at the Lutheran Church I attended as a kid. Back then I didn’t have much interest in spiritual things. It didn’t help I was mistreated by some of my classmates. Nevertheless, I learned more about the Bible from reading assignments and listening to tapes. One of the latter was a comedy routine by Bill Cosby about Noah that had me laughing hysterically.

Occasionally I served as an acolyte, which the dictionary defines as “a person assisting the celebrant in a religious service or procession.” My duties were to light candles and put them out at designated times while wearing a long white robe. Another thing confirmands had to do was turn in critiques of the pastor’s sermons. That was an adjustment for me. I was used to letting my mind wander while sitting through unemotional messages containing few (if any) Scriptures.

My confirmation class also went on retreats. We traveled to a campsite in rural North Dakota on a bus that often broke down. Aside from the obligatory lessons, we played volleyball and other games. A couple times the pastor practiced hypnosis on us for fun (I didn’t know at the time that can open up doors to the devil).

Finally in October 1979 I was officially “confirmed” during a Sunday morning service. Hands were laid upon me but I felt nothing significant happened. It was simply a ritual I had to go through. Afterwards I ate lunch with family members and received a few gifts. One of them was a small wall cross a Lutheran business gave to all the confirmands. Included was a note suggesting I write a thank you letter. My parents told me I didn’t have to do that. They suspected it would put us on a mailing list to receive solicitations.

Looking back on all this, I can see why confirmation influenced me to stop going to church for a while. I wasn’t taught how to be born again and live a victorious Christian life. Instead we studied Lutheran doctrine through a catechism booklet. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for “…making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down.” (Mark 7:13)

We also made recitations like the Apostles’ Creed, which meant nothing to me since it was said rote like the Pledge of Allegiance. Jesus said in Matthew 6:7, “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.”

Two decades after going through confirmation, I reconnected with one of my old Sunday school teachers. She was thrilled to hear I became born again and filled with the Holy Spirit. Although my former teacher had remained a member of that Lutheran church (I just found out this morning she passed away ten days ago), I don’t desire to go there again. I’d rather go to fellowships where miracles are happening and God confirms His word through accompanying signs (Mark 16:20).

All churches that have confirmation classes need to teach their students the whole counsel of God. Joining a church or denomination will not get anyone into heaven. Without knowledge of the new birth, confirmation will lead to damnation.

“how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him” - Hebrews 2:3

Addressing a Minister

Three years ago I reconnected with a pastor who used to work with me at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. One day at his church, we got into a discussion about how pastors should be treated. My friend had congregation members calling him by his first name despite asking to be addressed as “Pastor Lee.”

Romans 13:7 tells us to give honor to whom honor is due. Civil authorities expect to be addressed by certain titles. Courtroom judges are called “Your Honor.” Policemen are often addressed as “Officer.” If you were a White House guest, you would refer to Barack Obama as “Mr. President.” If you lived under a monarchy, you would address your king or queen as “Your Majesty.”  

While serving in the U. S. Army, I quickly learned to address my superiors the right way or I would get in trouble. If a noncommissioned officer such as a sergeant gave me an order, I was expected to respond, “Yes, sergeant.” If I accidentally addressed him as “Sir” (a title reserved for officers), the sergeant would yell back, “I’m not a sir. I work for a living!” If I talked to one without addressing him by his rank, he or she would say, “Who you talking to?”  

Likewise, it’s proper to honor our spiritual leaders. Jesus said in Matthew 10:41, “He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward.” 

However, some ministers take titles too seriously. One man I stayed with wanted to call me “Evangelist Post.” I didn’t object since that is my primary ministerial calling. At the same time, this man insisted I address him as “Apostle So-and-so.” The only ministry I saw him actively involved in was helping out at a local food pantry.

On rare occasions people have called me Reverend Post. I don’t care for that title because it sounds old and ancient. It’s also worth noting the word reverend appears only once in the King James Bible and refers to God Himself. Psalm 111:9 says, “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.” Catholic priests are called “Father” despite Jesus saying in Matthew 23:9 (AMP), “And do not call anyone [in the church] on earth father, for you have one Father, Who is in heaven.” I find it odd Mormon missionaries call themselves an “Elder” when most of them are college aged.

Some spiritual leaders shouldn't be concerned about titles and just do the stuff.

“Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.” - 2 Corinthians 1:24

A True Apostle

Normally I’m not quick to un-friend fellow believers on Facebook. I recognize all of us are at different levels of spiritual maturity. Still, one disturbing trend I’ve noticed is professing Christians posting profanity online. Earlier this year I issued a statement on my wall rebuking those who repeatedly engage in such activity. In response, a (now former) friend wrote, “I train my kids to say s*** like a true apostle.” I was shocked to read this. My mother would have washed my mouth out with soap if I said a word like that to her!

Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines apostle as “a person deputed to execute some important business; but appropriately, a disciple of Christ.” The Greek word for apostle is apostolos, which means “one who is sent”; “messenger”, “envoy”, and “ambassador.” Apostolos was derived from a sailing term meaning to send a particular ship or group of ships, a marine expedition, or the leader of such.

In Revelation 2:2, Jesus commended the church of Ephesus because “…you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars.” 2 Corinthians 11:13 also warns against “false apostles.” Years ago I briefly stayed with a man who insisted I address him as “Apostle So-and-so.” At the time, the only ministry I saw him involved in was occasionally helping out in a food pantry. One day when I worked with him there, another person asked how I could handle being around this self-proclaimed apostle who was really bossy (believe me, he was not an easy person to live with). 1 Thessalonians 2:6 says, “Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.”

The position of an apostle is not something one can aspire to obtain. At the beginning of his epistle to the Galatians, Paul called himself an apostle “not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead.” In his greeting to the Ephesians, Paul said he was “an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.”

So what is a true apostle? 2 Corinthians 12:12 says, “Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.” One walking in true apostolic authority obeys the Great Commission. His calling is confirmed with signs following that lift up the name of Jesus.

A true apostle also demonstrates humility. Paul is often considered Christianity’s greatest apostle. Yet he wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:9, “For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” 

Some of you might remember “The Apostle”, a 1997 film written and directed by Robert Duvall, who also starred in the title role. Duvall played a troubled minister named Sonny who moves into a new town and starts up a church to be taken over by another pastor. A modern-day apostle typically functions as a church planter.

Nevertheless, some ministers will argue there are no apostles and prophets today. One man emailed me claiming, “There will always be 12 apostles...Period.” It would be helpful for him to read Ephesians 4...

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ

The Body of Christ certainly hasn’t “come to the unity of the faith” yet. Therefore, God is still using apostles today. Some ministers referred to as missionaries are really apostles since they are sent out for the purpose of starting a new work for the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:20 says, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” All believers are representatives of Jesus Christ whether or not they are called to the five-fold ministry. 

How are you representing Him?

“in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.” - Titus 2:7-8

You’re Covered

Over the years I’ve heard ministers give differing opinions as to whether they should have a “covering” or a fellow minister overseeing them. The New Oxford American Dictionary defines covering as “a thing used to cover something else, typically in order to protect or conceal it.” One apostle I know preaches that everybody should have a pastor. I believe that’s good advice, especially for newborn believers. Whenever leading someone to the Lord, I always encourage him (or her) to find a good church where he can be discipled and grow in the things of God.

The Bible mentions people who had spiritual mentors: Joshua had Moses, Elisha had Elijah, and Timothy had Paul. On the other hand, Moses never had a spiritual father nor did Elijah or Paul. Paul even cited that as proof of his apostleship (Galatians 1:15-17).

I’ve heard some Christians claim, “I am submitted to God, and no one else!” People who make remarks like that tend to have a rebellious attitude and are not open to correction. Although a believer “ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29), Ephesians 5:21 talks about “submitting to one another in the fear of God.” 1 Peter 5:5 also says, “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders.”

Nevertheless, there are times when a Christian must step out even if others disagree with where God is guiding him. In 1996, I resigned from my job at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association because the Lord wanted me to attend revival meetings in Toronto but my supervisor wouldn‘t give me the time off. He plus elders from my church questioned my decision. To them, it looked foolish for me to leave a “stable job.” But instead of following their opinions, I obeyed what God instructed me to do. As a result, I had the opportunity to stretch my faith and live in Toronto for two months where the Lord met my needs. After returning to Minnesota, I came back to work at Billy Graham. Two years later, I left that job for good to travel on the mission field full-time.

Now and then I haven’t officially had a home church but still sought counsel from other ministers I kept in contact with. Sometimes the Lord has led me to temporarily move to a new city where I initially didn’t have any spiritual connections. In situations like that, I always sought out a good church to attend that I could also refer newborn believers to. Occasionally pastors there encouraged me to come forward and speak without hearing me preach beforehand. They discerned by the Spirit of God I had something to say that would bless their congregations.

Still, there have been critics who accused me of being a “lone ranger.” Until recently I considered paying money to join a ministerial organization so my ministry would have greater creditability. But then I heard this powerful statement from Ian Clayton: “You don’t have to buy a covering when Jesus is your covering.”

If you happen to be in-between churches right now, pray and ask God to lead you to where He wants you planted and to whom He wants you accountable. Until then, God has you covered if you are submitted to Him.

“He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.” - Psalm 91:4

Raised From the Dead

Recently I got together with an old friend for coffee. Her expressing interest in going to Germany inspired me to show her photos on my laptop from the times I went there. A few of the photos were from a Reinhard Bonnke meeting at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. During which, a Nigerian pastor testified of being raised from the dead after receiving glimpses of both heaven and hell. My friend’s attitude suddenly changed as she called that “satanic” and said, “I’ll bet you a million dollars this is not true!” When I mentioned Jesus’ commandment in Matthew 10:8 to “raise the dead”, she said that was for the Jews only.

I found out my friend believes “Paul’s gospel” and claimed the apostle didn’t raise anyone from the dead. In response, I reminded her of the incident of Eutychus falling out of a window. My friend insisted it was Peter who God used to bring that dead man back to life. Not wanting to debate doctrine with my friend, I changed the subject. But when I got home, I read the following verses in Acts 20…

9 And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.

10 But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.”

11 Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed.

12 And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.

The next day I got together with my pastor for a prayer meeting. When I told Pastor Chuck what happened the night before, he reminded me of Paul himself coming back to life in Acts 14…

19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.

20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

Paul also wrote about a third heaven experience he had in 2 Corinthians 12:2-5. Therefore, it is scriptural for Christians to receive glimpses of eternity before they leave this earth for good. During a hospital stay in 1986, my grandmother went into a coma and later revealed she saw deceased relatives in heaven who basically told her it wasn’t time to go yet (Grandma Post lived another fourteen years before she went home to be with the Lord in 2000). Since then, I’ve met numerous individuals who had briefly died but came back to life.

Again I don’t want to stir up strife with my friend. But it would be nice if she had the million dollars she offered to bet me. Then I’d have more than enough finances to fly back to Germany.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

- Hebrews 13:8