Qualified Bishops

[Cody]

I would like to get some interpretations on 1 Timothy 3:2. When Paul says a bishop must be a husband of one wife is he talking about polygamy, divorced men or maybe both?

1 Timothy 3:2
"A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;" KJV


If a pastor divorced his wife because she was committing fornication would be he disqualified as a pastor?

Matthew 19:9
"And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery." KJV


Also, what about when a man is lost and has been divorced, but them comes to Christ and marries a Christian woman. Could he then be a pastor?

2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." KJV

Another Divorce verse:

1 Corinthians 7:15
"But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace." KJV

Thanks in advance for all your responses. God Bless

 

[aksd]

As I understand it, 1 Tim.3:2 and the associated verses in that section are to show the acceptable qualities to be present in a bishop - aspiring or ordained at the time of being considered for the responsibility; and the phrase "husband of one wife" is used to rule out his being promiscus - not an unknown entity in the society then and now (keep our Lord's conversation by the well with the Samaritan woman and her state as described in John 4 in mind). I don't think this verse is to be used dogmatically to disqualify.
Matt.19:9 per se rules out any blame to be ascribed to the husband for the wife's fault. If the husband has acted in the sanction of the scriptures, why should that be a negative for him?
2Cor 5:17 is also quite clear; if God can forgive our past sins and accept us in His family as His children, why should one particular aspect of the past be still held valid to disqualify a person? What if except for this one particular thing, he had indulged in all the other lusts of the flesh? Would such a person be okay for being a bishop and the one who divorced but did not indulge in other sins, in the unsaved condition, be disqualified? Rather lopsided and untenable if this were to be accepted!
In 1 Cor 7:15 again the onus is on the departing wife, not on the believing husband. The seperation is not consequent to any immorality on the part of the husband, so I see no reason to hold him guilty and bar him from holding a responsible office in the church.

 

[rizen1]

I enjoyed your reply aksd and wanted to post the full verses.

Matt.19:9 per se rules out any blame to be ascribed to the husband for the wife's fault. If the husband has acted in the sanction of the scriptures, why should that be a negative for him?

Matthew 19:9
9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality,[a] and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery

2Cor 5:17 is also quite clear; if God can forgive our past sins and accept us in His family as His children, why should one particular aspect of the past be still held valid to disqualify a person? What if except for this one particular thing, he had indulged in all the other lusts of the flesh? Would such a person be okay for being a bishop and the one who divorced but did not indulge in other sins, in the unsaved condition, be disqualified? Rather lopsided and untenable if this were to be accepted!

2 Corinthians 5:17
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

In 1 Cor 7:15 again the onus is on the departing wife, not on the believing husband. The seperation is not consequent to any immorality on the part of the husband, so I see no reason to hold him guilty and bar him from holding a responsible office in the church.

1 Corinthians 7:15
15 But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.

 

[Cody]

What if a preacher's wife left him? Could he still preach?

 

[rizen1]

I believed aksd answered that.
If God called Donnie Mc clurkin to be a worship leader and the backup singers decide to drop out,
should he abandom his calling because the others weren't commited.

=aksd
In 1 Cor 7:15 again the onus is on the departing wife, not on the believing husband. The seperation is not consequent to any immorality on the part of the husband, so I see no reason to hold him guilty and bar him from holding a responsible office in the church.

1 Corinthians 7:15
15 But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.

 

[Cody]

I asked because there is a lot of people that believe if you're divorced you can't be a preacher. They say that the preacher would have to wait till his wife died because preachers can't have more than one living wife. I guess they think God sees that as being married to two people?

I wanted to get the subject cleared up because I have listened to a preacher that has been divorced two times. The first time he was lost and then got saved. So according to scripture all things are past after you get saved. Then the second time, his wife left him and now he is married. He is a great preacher and very smart in the Bible, but if it was against scripture to be a preacher and married three times, I will submit to the scripture and not listen to him.

 

[rizen1]

well alot of those people who have their " beliefs " got them from tradition past down within their denomination. Instead of seeking the Holy Spirit for direction and leaving the judging up to God.

I've been in a church, and critize the pastor because he re married while his ex wife was still alive. Even when I left the church I spent alot of time condenming him.

There shouldnt be any confusion whether she's dead or alive she is no longer his wife.


And well, the Holy Spirit dealt with me, and showed me that we are all instruments and tools to getting people to Heaven.

If I'm the nail and the pastor is the hammer, my job is to pray for him and work along side him. A nail cant put itself above a hammer, the work will never get done.

Romans 8:33-34
33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

 

[jiggyfly]

I asked because there is a lot of people that believe if you're divorced you can't be a preacher. They say that the preacher would have to wait till his wife died because preachers can't have more than one living wife. I guess they think God sees that as being married to two people?

I wanted to get the subject cleared up because I have listened to a preacher that has been divorced two times. The first time he was lost and then got saved. So according to scripture all things are past after you get saved. Then the second time, his wife left him and now he is married. He is a great preacher and very smart in the Bible, but if it was against scripture to be a preacher and married three times, I will submit to the scripture and not listen to him.

There's a big difference between preaching and leading as an elder.

 

[Cody]

There's a big difference between preaching and leading as an elder.

Alright, what about a pastor? Can he be divorced and still lead a church?

 

[jiggyfly]

Alright, what about a pastor? Can he be divorced and still lead a church?

That really depends on the circumstances in each specific case. There are many churches that are not a result of Jesus' work but rather man's enterprise (the religious institution) anyone who wants to be a leader, can as long as they get man's endorsement.

But the Church (ekklesia) that Jesus is building is really a family, and the foremost qualification is that you run your own household (family) well before God will trust you with His. This is the main reason the body of Christ is so immature and seriously lacks the chracter of Christ. We see many leaders (self-appointed) within the christian religion but most are lacking spiritual maturity. Many come right out of some kind of religious school and begin to lead, they have never been married and had a family and know very little about keeping watch in that regard. If a man has failed in taking care of his family why should we trust him to lead us?

So you see each circumstance must be looked at in detail. Some cases may show that it was just a spouse unwilling to live a christian life and not at the fault of the mate. But I think most cases probably reveal a lack of maturity and/or commitment. Never the less, running your houshold well is one of the qualifications for being an elder or overseer in the body of Christ and should never be ignored.

 

[rizen1]

So you see each circumstance must be looked at in detail. Some cases may show that it was just a spouse unwilling to live a christian life and not at the fault of the mate. But I think most cases probably reveal a lack of maturity and/or commitment. Never the less, running your houshold well is one of the qualifications for being an elder or overseer in the body of Christ and should never be ignored.

I dont think any more explanation is needed, that was great Jiggy.

Cody I know you only believe that a bishop should be married to preach
( from our many discussion ) so I hope this helps you see that not all circumstances could be judge the same.

You might see a man preaching and he may not fit what your church considers a pastor, just know God can use anyone no matter what their background is. Look at David and everything he did, yet God called him a Man after his own heart.

1Co 4:5 - Therefore don't judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.

John 7:24 - Stop judging according to outward appearances; rather judge according to righteous judgment."

We have many false teachers, dont worry God will expose them as 1 Cor 4:5 says.

 

[Cody]

Cody I know you only believe that a bishop should be married to preach
( from our many discussion ) so I hope this helps you see that not all circumstances could be judge the same.

Actually no, I was actually posting this to clarify a preacher because I really like hearing him preach. Thanks for all your replies.

 

[rizen1]

My mistake, sorry ...I was going by discussions we had in the past.

God is good...his truth is always alive.

 

[aksd]

Cody, I am quite apprehensive as I write this, lest I be held resposible of judging another. While going through the discussions on this thread, the thought of 'walking in the spirit crossed' my mind and I thought of sharing it with you all. One way of ascertaining the spiritual credentials of the person/pastor/bishop is to use the standard given in Galatians 5:13, 25, 26 "13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
"25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."
"26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."
If the person is using his office in humility to serve and edify the church and giving all glory and majesty to God, he should be okay. On the other hand if he is using the office for selfish gains - even if it is not any material gain but just to have a name or prominence; or is possesive or covetous of the office, then beware, no matter how good or likeable or informative his sermons may be.

 

[galatians6_17]

Need to throw in my two cents

My wife and I are divorced. Not from each other but by other marrage. Neither of us wanted it but our spouces gave it to us. There is a whole teaching Jesus gives on this subject. But many seldom see it.
Read Matthew 18:15-17 -- "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican."
The same rules apply to a marrage, If your partner in marrage is in sin against you.

 

[jiggyfly]

My wife and I are divorced. Not from each other but by other marrage. Neither of us wanted it but our spouces gave it to us. There is a whole teaching Jesus gives on this subject. But many seldom see it.
Read Matthew 18:15-17 -- "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican."
The same rules apply to a marrage, If your partner in marrage is in sin against you.

You are right, and Paul said that if you are married to an unbeliever and they want a divorce then it is ok for you to give it to them. But we need to procede in each of these steps with the hope and motivation to see them reconciled back to us and the relationship restored. But I have found most just going through the motions of the protocol above just so they can be justified, in themselves, in the end. It takes a lot of patience and denying self to get through this properly.

But going back to the OP one needs to prove themselves by managing their family well before they should be considered a leader or elder in God's family. In my opinion if they are not willing to go through bad times with a spouse they won't for anyone else.