For about two weeks, I have been drifting like somehow I have gotten separated from God; the reason I say this is because usually, when I pray, God gives me open manifestations and reveals things to me, but now it's like I've been shut out.  The things that I once was on fire for concerning God… it's like I have to push harder to get into the presence of God when it used to be so easy to get in His presence.  Please help me; I've never been in this place before, and I'm ashamed because I am supposed to be more mature than this when it comes to the Word and things of the Spirit of God.  Am I being rocked to sleep by the enemy?

Sincerely,
Asking For Directions

Dear Asking For Directions,

Our closeness to God isn’t defined by how close we feel to Him or by any personal revelation we think we receive… the Scriptures are our compass, not our emotions.  When the Bible was perfectly completed, all prophecy and individual revelations were done away with (1 Cor 13:9-10).  We believe your sincerity in feeling that God answers your prayers through directly speaking to you, but you are mistaken on that point.  However, the up side of that is that you can know – without worry of personal judgment muddying the waters – whether or not you are pleasing to God.  Paul told Timothy that he was approved by God when he rightly handled the Word of Truth (2 Tim 2:15).  Col 1:5 says that we have hope through the Word of God, and Eph 1:13 says we are sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit through the Gospel of salvation.

Many people wholeheartedly believe that they are pleasing to God but will be condemned on the Day of Judgment (Matt 7:22-23).  Feelings can be deceptive, but God’s Word is unchanging, unbiased, and able to rightly divide our lives and character (Heb 4:12).  If you want to know whether or not you are pleasing God, compare your life to the Scriptures.  “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom 10:17).”

     Is there any evidence in the New Testament that the giving Paul asked for was meant to continue past him picking up the funds?

Sincerely,
The Buck Stops Here

Dear The Buck Stops Here,

1 Cor 16:1-2 was a collection taken up specifically for the case of benevolence, but it is also the only Bible example we have of how to collect funds when the church has a need.

In the particular case of the Corinthian church, they needed to collect funds for benevolence… and that was a very common reason for collection in that time of Christian persecution.  In today’s culture and world the church finds itself in, we need to pay for things that the first century saints would never have dreamed of (“Electrical bills?  What are those?!”).  However, just because the expenses we face are not the same, that doesn’t mean that the same guidelines don’t apply.  1 Cor 16:1-2 outlines the mode with which to collect funds to pay for whatever expenses a church may incur.  It also explains that it is appropriate for the church to have a store of money for future expenses (1 Cor 16:2-3).

    How do you know fasting wasn't required in the New Testament?  All we have are the examples; should we follow them?

Sincerely,
Not So Fast!

Dear Not So Fast,

Fasting is a Biblical practice, but there are no specific guidelines for when to do it.  Fasting is the practice of not eating for a designated period of time.  Jesus once fasted for forty days (Matt 4:2).  Fasting is often associated with times of grief and difficult decisions (Joel 2:12)… but not every grieving person fasted in the Bible.  The New Testament doesn’t require fasting, but it also shows the benefits of fasting during times of difficulty or when important decisions needed to be made (Acts 14:23).  If anything, Jesus’ disciples were noted for not fasting as often as the rest of the Jewish community (Matt 9:14), an indication that fasting doesn’t have the same level of emphasis in the New Testament.  There is a time for fasting, but it is purely up to personal discretion.

We have been meeting at a local elementary school for the past several months while some repairs are being done to our building.  Some of the members have been bringing potluck food items and using the cafeteria to eat together following Sunday worship.  I'm not sure if I should participate because I have never eaten at the building before.  Is this practice acceptable?  Please help.

Sincerely,
Building My Case

Dear Building My Case,

The Lord’s church doesn’t have authority to use its funds and resources (a church building would count as part of those resources) for potlucks, social events, etc.  You are right on this issue – there is simply no biblical precedent for the church functioning as a social organization.  The work of the church is simple, and anything that doesn’t fulfill that work shouldn’t be done.  We posted an answer to a question regarding the work of the church.  Read “The Purpose Driven Church” for more details on that subject.

However, while you are meeting at this elementary school, we have no idea what the arrangement is.  Is the congregation paying to use this facility, are individuals paying for it, or is it free?  The potluck issue is only an issue if the congregation is renting the facility, but if they aren’t, or if individuals are renting the facility separately after services, there is no issue.

I have been feeling called to minister.  I have read 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus several times, and they are pulling me in that direction.  I am a man with no money for Bible college, and I was wondering: is it possible to become ordained without the schooling?  I am so lost; please help.  I know I will need training, but can I not get it from the church I attend, or must I go to college to become a minister and get ordained?

Sincerely,
Un-ordain-ary Fellow

Dear Un-ordain-ary Fellow,

If you are a part of a religious group that says that you have to be ordained by a “Bible college” in order to preach – then you need to find another church.  The books 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus are letters sent by Paul to men that had studied under him (we might use the term ‘apprenticed’ nowadays) and worked with him over the years.  These men were educated in the Scriptures through practice and individual study (2 Tim 3:15-17).  Paul had a father/son relationship with Timothy, and that is how that Timothy progressed as a preacher (1 Tim 1:2).

There are no examples of Bible colleges having authority within God’s church, and no one was ever expected to have a college degree in order to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.  In fact, the apostles were often noted as being uneducated (Acts 4:13).

Teachers incur a stricter judgment (Jas 3:1); preaching needs to be Biblically accurate, or you will be condemned as a false teacher.  You will need to find a Biblically correct congregation that teaches only the pure and undefiled Gospel of Jesus Christ if you are going to study to become a preacher.  If you would like to find a congregation in your area that can faithfully guide you in those teachings, feel free to e-mail us at askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org.  We cannot emphasize enough that what church you learn to preach from will make all the difference between serving God and being accursed (Gal 1:8).