Who Can Preach the Gospel?
[On-screen text graphic]
Kristina Larsen: How can we tell if God is speaking to us through a pastor?
Brother Bob Pellien: Thank you so much Kristina for that very insightful question. We say insightful because there might be some who have never been concerned with or even thought to wonder if their pastor, their priest, their bishop, their minister or whatever they call their preacher is actually preaching the true word of God to them. And of course on the flip side of that is the mentality, which is that well there doesn’t even need to be a preacher in order to hear the word of God.
Dear friends as we always do in this program and in every program produced by the Church Of Christ we will address these questions by reading the answers right here recorded in the Holy Bible. Kristina’s question of how can we tell if God is speaking to us through a pastor.
[On-screen text graphic]
Question: How can we tell if God is speaking to us through a pastor?
Brother Bob: It’s actually perfectly aligned with the instruction to us from the apostles. And let’s read one of those in this recorded in 1 John chapter 4, verse 1:
My dear friends, do not believe all who claim to have the Spirit, but test them to find out if the spirit they have comes from God. For many false prophets have gone out everywhere.
[1 John 4:1 Good News Translation]
False Preachers
Brother Bob: According to what is written here, dear friends, we should not believe—were instructed not to believe just anyone who may be claiming to have the spirit or presents [themselves] as a messenger sent by God. Why? Because there are many false prophets according to the Apostle John, many false prophets who have gone out into the world. Therefore, Kristina you are on the right track or Kristina has the proper frame of mind to ask that question, how can I tell? How can we tell, dear friends, know even if the one is sent by God or not?
[On-screen text graphic]
Question: How can we tell if God is speaking to us through a pastor?
Brother Bob: The Bible’s instruction was clear. He said test them to find out. So obviously the next question that we have to pose together is, what’s the test and how do we test those who would be presenting themselves as a preacher or a spokesperson of God, true preacher?
[On-screen text graphic]
Question: What’s the test? How do we test those who present themselves as a “preacher” or a “spokesperson” of God?
Brother Bob: But before we delve into the Bible’s explanation of how to test the preacher to see if he’s really sent by God, let’s first understand, why is it so important to do that?
“How can they hear without a preacher?”
Brother Bob: Why do we need to know that? Dear friends, because what would be the harm if one ended up listening to and following a preacher that is not sent by God? Maybe many would think that, “Well, they’re safe as long as they’re holding, as they’re reading from the Bible. That should be good enough.” But listen to the response of the Holy Scriptures, this time in the writings of Apostle Peter. Second Peter 3:16, he wrote:
This is what he says in all his letters when he writes on the subject. There are some difficult things in his letters which ignorant and unstable people explain falsely, as they so with other passages of the Scriptures. So they bring on their own destruction.
[2 Peter 3:16 Good News Translation]
Brother Bob: So we can clearly see here, dear friends that there are people who are explaining the passages of the scriptures, but doing so falsely. And although all you know they might sound like they know what they are saying, what did the Bible call them? The Bible calls them ignorant and stated here that they are bringing on their own destruction. So consider this, if the false preacher is headed to destruction where do you think all those who listen, all those who follow him are also heading? Destruction too, of course. Exactly.
[On-screen text graphic]
It’s so vital to know if a preacher is truly from God.
Brother Bob: That’s why it’s so vital to know if a preacher is truly sent by God. So dear friends, what is the benefit of actually hearing a genuine preacher of God? Again, we go to the Bible for the answer and this time is recorded in the book of Romans, Chapter 10, in fact verses 14 and 15. It says this:
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? . . .
[Romans 10:14-15 New King James Version]
Who can preach the gospel?
Brother Bob: So the benefit of hearing a genuine preacher of God is actually learning then how to properly call upon God. Notice the sequence of events that was recorded in these verses in the Bible so that that could happen. First, one cannot properly call to God or have his or her prayers heard by Him if they don’t believe in the Biblical instructions that God established to be heard.
[On-screen text graphic]
One cannot properly call to God if he doesn’t believe in God’s biblical instructions.
Brother Bob: Then next, there’s no way that one would be able to believe in those biblical instructions if in fact they have never been taught those instructions.
[On-screen text graphic]
One cannot believe in those biblical instructions if he has never been taught those commands.
Brother Bob: And one would not correctly be taught God’s commands if they never encounter or hear a genuine preacher sent by God.
[On-screen text graphic]
One would not correctly be taught God’s commands if he never encounters or hears a genuine preacher from God.
Brother Bob: Therefore, dear friends, finding a genuine preacher is the first step that one has to take in order to be able to call upon God. Again, that’s why it’s so vital to know if a preacher is truly from God or not. So we should take notice that a genuine preacher has the authority from God to preach.
[On-screen text graphic]
A genuine preacher has an authority from God to preach.
Brother Bob: It’s not just their own proclamation, “I’m a preacher.” Why? Because God is the one who sends him. That’s what we just read. And if one is not sent by God he will not be able to correctly preach God’s words. That’s what the Bible says. And how so they preach unless they are sent?
Preaching the gospel: The difference between true and false preachers
Brother Bob:So now that we know the value of a true preacher sent by God, let’s find out, [how] are we going to be able to tell if one is true or not true? Well what’s the test that only a true preacher, one who has the spirit and is truly sent by God? What is the test that only he can pass? Well, listen to what’s recorded here in the Holy Scriptures. The writings of the Prophet Isaiah 8:20 says:
To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word. It is because there is no light in them.
[Isaiah 8:20 New King James Version]
Brother Bob: Dear friends, the Bible clearly states that one has to speak according to the law and speak according to the testimony, in order to prove that there is light or truth in him. It’s the criteria that a preacher has to meet in order to prove or demonstrate that they are indeed sent by God to preach. So what is that law mentioned here? What’s the law and what is that testimony referred to here in the prophecy of Isaiah that will serve the evidence that a preacher is truly sent by God? Let’s take a look at those two criteria. Let’s find out first, what is that law that was mentioned there and how would a true preacher speak according to the law?
[On-screen text graphic]
Question: What is the law and how would a true preacher of God speak according to the law?
Brother Bob: Jesus Christ, of course being an undisputed true preacher sent by God, well he’s the one who gives the answer and he does so here in John Chapter 7 verses 16, 17 and 18. I quote:
Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is God or whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory on the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.
[John 7: 16-18 New King James Version]
Brother Bob: Here, dear friends, Jesus Himself explains that we would be able to know who is true. How? Concerning that doctrine or God’s law. Jesus did not preach His own doctrine.
[On-screen text graphic]
Christ, being a true preacher from God, spoke only to God’s law and not His own.
Brother Bob: Christ Himself, of course being a true preacher sent from God, spoke only according to God’s law and not His own. It’s already known that God’s laws and doctrines are written right here in the Holy Bible. A true preacher sent by God to preach God’s words will teach by reading God’s words written here in the Bible. Then if someone is preaching claiming that what they’re preaching is from the Bible, he must then read it to prove that he is speaking according to the law. If he cannot read what he is preaching then it’s a clear sign that he is not speaking from God, but instead is speaking from Himself. And of course then this would prove that he’s not sent by God to preach and would automatically then disqualify him from the test. In short he fails the test.
There are many preachers that are well versed in the Bible even if they could memorize it you know, citing different biblical passages in their sermons. We have already learned very important truths. Number one: false preachers will also use the Bible but will explain it falsely. That’s why we read that from Apostle Peter.
[On-screen text graphic]
1. False preachers will also use the Bible but will explain the meaning falsely.
2. Reading the Bible is not the only criteria of the test.
Brother Bob: Number two: reading the Bible is not the only criteria of the test. Remember that one must speak according to the law and according to the testimony. That’s what we read in Isaiah 8:20. So let’s find out now what is the testimony that a true preacher of God will speak according to? And we can read here in the book of Revelation 19:10:
And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
[Revelation 19:10 New King James Version]
Brother Bob: Dear friends, this is so important the testimony that a true preacher from God will speak according to the spirit of prophecy because God is the one who sends His messengers to preach. He is also the one, then, who validates them. How does he do that? Through biblical prophecy. A true preacher sent by God would be able to speak according to the particular prophecy about him, which would testify that he is indeed from God.
So let’s take a look at this a little bit deeper.
[On-screen text graphic]
Question: Who are some examples of messengers sent by God to preach that spoke according to the biblical testimony of their authority?
Three Biblical examples of messengers sent by God
Brother Bob: Let’s look at some examples of messengers sent by God to preach that spoke according to the biblical testimony of their authority. Let’s take a look at three examples.
Lord Jesus Christ
Let’s start with our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, one of God’s own prophecies regarding His son Jesus Christ.
[On-screen text graphic]
Jesus Christ
Brother Bob: Well we all know is the greatest messenger of all. We can read that testimony recorded here in the writings of Prophet Isaiah 61, verse 1 and 2:
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,
[Isaiah 61:1-2 New King James Version]
Brother Bob: Dear friends, we should take notice in this verse that in this prophecy there is no mention of the messenger’s name. How would we know? How would we know whom then it’s referring to? Who then will explain and speak according to the testimony of the messenger mentioned here? It will be that particular messenger himself. How did Jesus do that? How did he speak according to this prophecy that testified of His authority being sent by God? Here it is. It’s recorded in Luke Chapter 4 verses 17 through 21:
And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
[Luke 4:17-21 New King James Version]
Brother Bob: Jesus Himself explained that He was in fact the one referred to in the prophecy. John the Baptist is another example of one sent by God to preach and he spoke according to biblical testimony concerning his authority. What was God’s prophecy regarding him? Let’s read that as well. It’s also recorded in the writings of the prophet Isaiah, Chapter 40, verse 3:
The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God.
[Isaiah 40:3 New King James Version]
Brother Bob: Notice again that the messenger’s name is not mentioned, the one referred to as crying in the wilderness.
John the Baptist
It did not mention his specific name but how did John the Baptist speak according to this testimony concerning him? Him being sent by God? let’s read that. It’s recorded in the in the writings of apostle John, chapter 1 verses 19 through 23:
Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,” ’as the prophet Isaiah said.”
[John 1:19-23 New King James Version]
Brother Bob: John the Baptist here, dear friends he explained, he himself is the one that explained that while he was in fact the one referred to in the prophecy of Isaiah. That prophecy gave testimony of him.
Apostle Paul
Another example of this is Apostle Paul. We can read another prophecy. In this prophecy is a testimony of Apostle Paul’s authority. Let’s read one more testimony. This one again going back to the prophet Isaiah 49:6:
Indeed He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant
To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
[Isaiah 49:6 New King James Version]
Brother Bob: By now, dear friends, we should notice God’s policy. His policy when making a prophecy regarding a messenger he will send in the future. First of all, He does not include the name of the messenger. That’s one. It is the messenger himself that will speak according to the testimony. Did Apostle Paul make known that he was God’s messenger? In Acts 13:46 and 47 it says this. Let’s listen to the to the Apostle Paul here:
Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
[Acts 13:46-47 New King James Version]
Brother Bob: As we can see here, dear friends, in these Biblical examples the messenger of God sent to preach His words not only speaks according to the law of God or the true doctrine, but also reveals the prophecy validating that God Himself is the one that has really sent them. In this way we would always be able to know who is actually sent by God and who is just claiming to be because anyone can make the claim.
Some might think you know that, “Can a false preacher just make a claim like that? Well the Apostle Paul made the claim. John the Baptist made a claim. Jesus made the claim.” But they read the testimony. They read the prophecy concerning them, the Bible verse. They could say that anyone could just claim to be a messenger of God. How can we know, how could we do the test, apply the test?
How to prove a preacher is the fulfillment of a Biblical prophecy
[On-screen text graphic]
Question: How can we tell if a particular preacher is actually the fulfillment of a biblical prophecy?
Brother Bob: If a preacher is speaking to the testimony or a biblical prophecy is it really truly about them? It’s a very good question that’s posed there because the best one to answer that, first of all it can’t be said it has to be Jesus Himself because many people, in fact, did not even believe Him even after He revealed the prophecy that He was a messenger sent by God. Let’s take a look at what was recorded here in John Chapter 5:36:
But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.
[John 5:36 New King James Version]
Brother Bob: It’s so important, dear friends, because Christ explains that it’s the work being done or accomplished. If it’s the same work that God gave in the prophecy, which proves then or bears witness that one is a messenger sent by God or that that one is fulfilling the prophecy, if they don’t do the work contained in the prophecy it can’t be speaking about them. Being able to fulfill the work stated in the biblical prophecy is something that a false preacher will never be able to do and that will reveal who is true, who is false. So as the apostle stated in the verse we read earlier, we should not believe just anyone who presents themselves as a preacher from God.
[On-screen text graphic]
We should not believe just anyone who presents themselves as preachers from God, but instead we need to test them first.
Brother Bob: What was the instruction? He said test them first. Because if one cannot read in the Bible what is the authority for their preaching, if he cannot reveal the biblical prophecy that testifies of their authority as a messenger of God, if one has not accomplished the work stated in the prophecy, then that person, that preacher fails the test. And then he’s not sent by God should not be listened to. He is a false preacher. One has no right to preach God’s words unless God sends him to do so. But if we are fortunate enough to encounter a genuine preacher sent by God in connection with the fulfillment of biblical prophecy, we should pay very close attention to it to every word that is preached. Why? Because God will make His will known through him. This is what we should believe. This is what we believe also here inside the Church of Christ. Why? Because that’s in the Bible.
Dear friends, when you’re ready to learn more about this and all the other fundamental teachings found here inside the Church of Christ please visit incmedia.org.
[On-screen text graphic]
learn more at incmedia.org
Brother Bob: Because there you’ll find various series of programs dedicated to answering your spiritual questions. You can also follow our Facebook pages
[On-screen text graphic]
follow us on Facebook:
/IglesiaNiCristoNewsandUpdates
Brother Bob: Iglesia Ni Cristo news and updates. Also Iglesia Ni Cristo Media. There you can view more of our shows and see how the church gets involved also with the community. You can find out all about that incgiving.org.
[On-screen text graphic]
learn more at incgiving.org
Brother Bob: To find a house of worship. Visit iglesianicristo.net.
[On-screen text graphic]
find a house of worship near you:
Brother Bob: If you have questions that you’d like answered here on this show
[On-screen text graphic]
Do you have questions about the Bible?
Brother Bob: please email them to answers@incmedia.org
[On-screen text graphic]
answers@incmedia.org
Brother Bob: From all of us here in That’s in the Bible team, thank you so much for joining us and we’ll see you again next time here on That’s in the Bible.
