I posted yesterday about the process of restoring those who have sinned. One of the tricky issues that it raises is whether they can be restored to public ministry and if so, how soon? Dan commented that “the church seems to vacillate between talking about ‘disqualified for eternity’ and judging harshly to the other extreme of rushing the individual who has fallen back into active ministry just because they display dramatic gifts!” Cliff pointed to the biblical stories of David and Peter, who apparently were quickly “restored” following sin.
In the case of David, he never lost his job as king, despite his despicable act of deceit and murder. He therefore didn’t need to be restored to his job, though he did need a different kind of restoring and renewal:
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.(Ps 51:10-12 ESV)
Peter’s “restoration” is also not quite so clear-cut. He was not at that time a leader of anything, simply a disciple. Jesus’ gracious words in John 21:15-17 indicated not a ministry he would resume, but a new one he would take up, after the day of Pentecost.
I do however agree with Cliff that examples such as those of Peter and David, show the grace of God in being willing to use those who have failed spectacularly. We could add Moses and Jonah amongst others to that list.
So what can be said about how soon a person can resume leadership ministry? I think some useful direction may be found in the qualifications for elders and deacons found in 1 Tim 3. Notice the following verses:
1 Tim 3:6 “He must not be a recent convert”
1 Tim 3:10 “And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.”
1 Tim 5:22 “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands,”
These verses (amongst others) indicate that Paul did not want Timothy to rush people into positions of leadership. Yes, they may have charisma, but character is vitally important. A leader is someone whose example is followed, thus to elevate someone who is not living in accordance with the gospel can be very damaging to the church.
The concern in 1 Timothy seems to be that an elder or deacon should prove themselves to be of good character over a period of time. Then when they are appointed, they are in a place of having earned the trust of the congregation. Prospective elders and deacons would thus be tested, perhaps for a period of several months or even a year.
It would make sense that no less a standard should be applied to someone who has fallen into sin. A serious breach of trust has taken place. That cannot be “healed lightly” or quickly. Over time though, they may again prove themselves faithful, humble, obedient and repentant. The local church, who know them and can see their lives, will be in a position to judge whether they now trust that person again. In the specific case of Todd Bentley, it will not be overnight that he can prove he is now ready to be a “one-woman man” (see 1 Tim 3:2). (And it will not be the YouTube viewers who are in a position to make that judgment call anyway).
Finally, Rom 11:29 should be a source of encouragement to us all. God does not bestow salvation one day and then take it away the next. And maybe against our ‘better’ judgment, neither does he seem to withdraw other gifts from those who least appear to deserve them. Perhaps that is why we call them charismata – gifts of grace.
Rom 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
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Footnote: none of this should be read as an endorsement of the “restoration of Todd Bentley” process being carried out by Rick Joyner. I still have grave concerns as to his suitability as a spokesperson for the gospel. I do sincerely hope though that he is restored to right relationship with God and with the fellow believers in his local church.
Thanks for the last two post. I appreciate your balanced and Biblical views on restoration.
Thanks for the feed back. yes the general rule is to take time. Even if someone is reappointed relatively quickly, they should still be under observation / tested as you have pointed out that is good in my local situation disciplining someone in my church. Recent convert is really speaking of salvation not restoration from sin, but point taken. Jesus told the angel to tell the women go and tell my disciples and peter, this seems to suggest amongst other verses that he was appointed by Jesus to be leader, as he interpreted and we see operated initially in acts.
Todd was definitely not mature in humility and aspects of wisdom, who is at 1st? But i was massively incouraged by his ministry as was our whole church who watched some meetings on God tv. We judge by fruits not tatoes, volume level, outward appearances. He lifted up Jesus, opperated in a massive healing anointing like our master massively focussed on this aspect of the ministry. i believe God still chooses the samsons and the jonah’s the nobodies and nothings to shame the wise and learned, he ofends the mind to test the heart, eg Drink my blood, perhaps rolling up his sleeve! We may see even more unlikely candidates for the grace of God like x- drug dealer Bentley, god still seems to hang out with the ‘sinners’ .
The main thing i was encouraged from from Todd’s teaching was the fact that all believers are called to pursue an open heaven. To experience angels and hearing the voice of God. I bourgth all his Cd’s and 1 book, the book was not so good his testemony and as mentioned earlier, seemed a little unwise how he shared all the miracles, but i must admit thru testemony we overcome the devil, but there is a thin line between testemony and boasting!
The Cds were teaching on pursuing the power of God to love with, listing to God, pursuing intimacy, all with really encouraging fresh perspectives on these foundational doctrines. His experiences with angels though so rare today are absolutely on line with biblical account . In fact you can barely find a person in the bible who did not have some sort of heavenly encounter!
We need to understand Todd to get ready for what is about to break out in the soon coming next massive revival, we do not want to miss out, if god is sending some John the Baptists in 2009 + x we need to be ready for wild men, even if they are screamers.
Bless you brother!
Cliff
Point being it almost seems unbiblical to have ministry without heavenly experiences! check out the bible.
It is interesting that most people love or hate Todd Bentley! That in itself is a sign that he is stirring up a luke warm church. ( admittedly not the only reason why many have reservations) Did not Jesus have the same reaction? but so did Hitler.
Wow how i miss spell checker in Microsoft word, next time i’ll type there and paste into your blogg!
ps see you in uk (or speak) in may , home for 2 weeks