Post by iris89 on Feb 9, 2008 20:46:00 GMT -5
What is a Minister - Many Do Not Understand:
INTRODUCTION:
Many do not understand the definition of the term "Minister" as used in the Inspired Word of Almighty God (YHWH) because of its frequent misuse in the modern world. They think it means someone who wears long robes and fancy clothes that preaches to a mixed congregation of men and women and leads a mixed congregation of men and women, but is this its real meaning?
George Morrish in his Concise Bible Dictionary gives us insight on the ethnology of this word as used in the Inspired Word of Almighty God (YHWH), the Bible as follows:
<<<" Minister
The word commonly occurring in the O.T. is sharath, 'to minister, serve.' Joshua was Moses' minister. All God's hosts are called 'ministers of his, that do his pleasure,' and He maketh 'his ministers a flaming fire.' The priests were the ministers of Jehovah. #Jos 1:1 Ps 103:21 104:4 Joe 2:17. In the N.T. three words are used.
1. diakonov. See DEACON.
2. leitourgov, 'a public servant,' one holding an official position. It is applied to the Lord; to angels; to Paul; and to magistrates. #Ro 13:6 15:16 Heb 1:7 8:2.
3. uphrethv, lit. 'under-rower,' and so an 'attendant' on, or 'assistant' to a superior authority. #Lu 1:2 4:20 Ac 13:5 26:16 1Co 4:1. It is also translated 'officer' and 'servant.' " [source - Concise Bible Dictionary by George Morrish]>>>.
And Easton in his Easton's Revised Bible Dictionary gives even more insight as
follows,
<<<" Minister
The word commonly occurring in the O.T. is sharath, 'to minister, serve.' Joshua was Moses' minister. All God's hosts are called 'ministers of his, that do his pleasure,' and He maketh 'his ministers a flaming fire.' The priests were the ministers of Jehovah. #Jos 1:1 Ps 103:21 104:4 Joe 2:17. In the N.T. three words are used.
1. diakonov. See DEACON.
2. leitourgov, 'a public servant,' one holding an official position. It is applied to the Lord; to angels; to Paul; and to magistrates. #Ro 13:6 15:16 Heb 1:7 8:2.
3. uphrethv, lit. 'under-rower,' and so an 'attendant' on, or 'assistant' to a superior authority. #Lu 1:2 4:20 Ac 13:5 26:16 1Co 4:1. It is also translated 'officer' and 'servant.' [source - Easton's Revised Bible Dictionary]>>>.
And D. Edmond Hiebert wrote in his "Bibliotheca Sacra" the following,
<<< "It has been held that the term is a compound of the preposition [di·a'], meaning 'through,' and the noun [ko'nis], 'dust,' so that the term denotes one who hurries through the dust to carry out his service. But this suggested derivation is not generally accepted today. More probably the verbal root was [di·e'ko], 'to reach from one place to another,' akin to the verb [di·o'ko], 'to hasten after, to pursue.' Then the root idea is one who reaches out with diligence and persistence to render a service on behalf of others."-1983, Vol. 140, p. 153.
In Hebrew and Greek these words and their related forms are applied to both male and female. (2Sa 13:17, 18; 1Ki 1:4, 15; 2Co 3:6; Ro 16:1) Joshua was Moses' minister (or, attendant) "from his young manhood on." (Nu 11:28; Jos 1:1, ftn) Elisha's attendant was called his minister and waiter. (2Ki 4:43; 6:15) Kings and princes had their royal attendants or ministers (2Ch 22:8; Es 2:2; 6:3), some of whom waited on the royal tables.-1Ki 10:4, 5; 2Ch 9:3, 4." [source - "Bibliotheca Sacra" by D. Edmond Hiebert]>>>.
NOW MANY CAN NOT GRASP THE TRUE MEANING OF THIS TERM AND IMPLY THAT IT IS GENDER BASED:
First, let's consider what the Inspired Word of Almighty God (YHWH), the Bible, says about the Angelic Ministers of Almighty God (YHWH) who lacked gender. Almighty God (YHWH) created tens of millions of Angels as testified to at Psalms 103:19-20, "Jehovah hath established his throne in the heavens; And his kingdom ruleth over all. 20 Bless Jehovah, ye his angels, That are mighty in strength, that fulfil his word, Hearkening unto the voice of his word. 21 Bless Jehovah, all ye his hosts, Ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. 22 Bless Jehovah, all ye his works, In all places of his dominion: Bless Jehovah, O my soul." (American Standard Version; ASV); and Hebrews 1:13-14 says of these ministering Angels, "But of which of the angels hath he said at any time, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation?" (ASV). In fact, Almighty God (YHWH) used Angels to minister onto his Son, Jesus (Yeshua) as shown in Matthew 4:11, "Then the devil leaveth him; and behold, angels came and ministered unto him." (ASV); and this was immediately after his Son had testified to a reality that all worship should be addressed only to his Father, Almighty God (YHWH), see Matthew 4: 10, "Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (ASV). Also, an Angel appeared to him while he, Jesus (Yeshua), was praying in Gethsemane as recorded at Luke 22:43, "And there appeared unto him an angel from heaven, strengthening him." (ASV). And at Daniel 7:9-14, "beheld till thrones were placed, and one that was ancient of days did sit: his raiment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and the wheels thereof burning fire.
10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousands of thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. 11 I beheld at that time because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake; I beheld even till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed, and it was given to be burned with fire. 12 And as for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. 13 I saw in the night-visions, and, behold, there came with the clouds of heaven one like unto a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed." (ASV), clearly showing the term "Minister" means in the Biblical sense to serve others.
Second, The ancient Hebrew tribe of Levi served as Almighty God (YHWH) special ministers to all the other tribes of Israel. Let's look at some facts as recorded at Numbers 3:6, "Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him." (ASV); and 1 Chronicles 16:4, "And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of Jehovah, and to celebrate and to thank and praise Jehovah, the God of Israel:" (ASV). In fact, the Levites had various duties in their ministry as detailed in Numbers 3:7-8, "And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, to do the service of the tabernacle. 8 And they shall keep all the furniture of the tent of meeting, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle." (ASV); and 1 Chronicles 6:32, "And they ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, until Solomon had built the house of Jehovah in Jerusalem: and they waited on their office according to their order." (ASV).
Third, The prophets of old served as ministers to the ancient nation of Israel, at that time Almighty God's(YHWH's) chosen nation as testified to at 2 Chronicles 36:15-16, "And Jehovah, the God of their fathers, sent to them by his messengers, rising up early and sending, because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling-place: 16 but they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and scoffed at his prophets, until the wrath of" (ASV); and Jeremiah 7:25-26, "Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day, I have sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them: 26 yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff: they did worse than their fathers." (ASV). Their prophecies aided and encouraged and strengthened the right hearted ones who were suffering under the moral decay of the times as recorded at
Isaiah 37:21-38, "Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, 22 this is the word which Jehovah hath spoken concerning him: The virgin daughter of Zion hath despised thee and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee. 23 Whom hast thou defied and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel. 24 By thy servants hast thou defied the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots am I come up to the height of the mountains, to the innermost parts of Lebanon; and I will cut down the tall cedars thereof, and the choice fir-trees thereof; and I will enter into its farthest height, the forest of its fruitful field; 25 I have digged and drunk water, and with the sole of my feet will I dry up all the rivers of Egypt. 26 Hast thou not heard how I have done it long ago, and formed it of ancient times? now have I brought it to pass, that it should be thine to lay waste fortified cities into ruinous heaps. 27 Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as a field of grain before it is grown up. 28 But I know thy sitting down, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy raging against me. 29 Because of thy raging against me, and because thine arrogancy is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest. 30 And this shall be the sign unto thee: ye shall eat this year that which groweth of itself, and in the second year that which springeth of the same; and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof. 31 And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward. 32 For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and out of mount Zion they that shall escape. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this. 33 Therefore thus saith Jehovah concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come unto this city, nor shoot an arrow there, neither shall he come before it with shield, nor cast up a mound against it. 34 By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and he shall not come unto this city, saith Jehovah. 35 For I will defend this city to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake. 36 And the angel of Jehovah went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand; and when men arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies. 37 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh 38 And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esar-haddon his son reigned in his stead." (ASV).
In the New Testament, the prophet, John the Baptizer is outstanding work as foretold at Malachi 4:5-6, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of Jehovah come. 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers; lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." (ASV), and Matthew 11:13-14, "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if ye are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, that is to come." (ASV) ; and Luke 1:77-79, "To give knowledge of salvation unto his people In the remission of their sins, 78 Because of the tender mercy of our God, Whereby the dayspring from on high shall visit us, 79 To shine upon them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death; To guide our feet into the way of peace. 80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel." (ASV).
Also, the apostle Peter wrote to all genuine (true) followers of Jesus (Yeshua) Christ at 1 Peter 1:10-12, "Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them. 12 To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angels desire to look into." (ASV).
THOSE NOT UNDERSTANDING "MINISTER' TRY AND GIVE IT A GENDER BASE:
Many not understanding the term "Minister" try and give it a gender basis NOT contained in the Inspired Word of Almighty God (YHWH), the Bible, failing to realize that the words translated as "Minister" in the Bible clearly means one who ministers to others in the spiritual sense, and conveniently forget that the prophetess Deborah was both a prophet and judge in her ministry, and this with God's (YHWH's) approval, is clearly shown at Judges 4:4-9, "Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, she judged Israel at that time. 5 And she dwelt under the palm-tree of Deborah between Ramah and Beth-el in the hill-country of Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. 6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali, and said unto him, Hath not Jehovah, the God of Israel, commanded, saying, Go and draw unto mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? 7 And I will draw unto thee, to the river Kishon, Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thy hand. 8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go; but if thou wilt not go with me, I will not go. 9 And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding, the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honor; for Jehovah will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh." (ASV).
Today, in the same manner, it is proper for women to share in assisting others with respect to learning more about God's (YHWH's) word - the Bible; about God (YHWH) - the creator of all that exist; about his beloved only begotten Son, Jesus (Yeshua) Christ: and assisting with regard to telling them the truth and exposing false doctrines of the creeds. This is clearly shown at Psalms 68:11, "The Lord giveth the word: The women that publish the tidings are a great host." (ASV). This fact is also highlighted at Philippians 4:2-3, "I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yea, I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life." (ASV).
CONCLUSION:
Many trying to declare who should be Ministers do not even know what the term "Minister" means and have been mislead by the ruler of this world, Satan the Devil per 2 Corinthians 4:4, "in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them." (ASV). But James 4:4 shows we should stay away from worldly thinking and philosophies, "Ye adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world maketh himself an enemy of God." (ASV).
To learn more, check out the following:
[1] religioustruths.proboards59.com/ An Educational Referral Forum
[2] www.network54.com/Forum/403209 A Forum Devoted to Exposing The False Religion of Islam
[3] jude3.proboards92.com/ A Free-Speech Forum For All
[4] www.freewebs.com/iris_the_preacher My web site.
Your Friend in Christ Iris89
INTRODUCTION:
Many do not understand the definition of the term "Minister" as used in the Inspired Word of Almighty God (YHWH) because of its frequent misuse in the modern world. They think it means someone who wears long robes and fancy clothes that preaches to a mixed congregation of men and women and leads a mixed congregation of men and women, but is this its real meaning?
George Morrish in his Concise Bible Dictionary gives us insight on the ethnology of this word as used in the Inspired Word of Almighty God (YHWH), the Bible as follows:
<<<" Minister
The word commonly occurring in the O.T. is sharath, 'to minister, serve.' Joshua was Moses' minister. All God's hosts are called 'ministers of his, that do his pleasure,' and He maketh 'his ministers a flaming fire.' The priests were the ministers of Jehovah. #Jos 1:1 Ps 103:21 104:4 Joe 2:17. In the N.T. three words are used.
1. diakonov. See DEACON.
2. leitourgov, 'a public servant,' one holding an official position. It is applied to the Lord; to angels; to Paul; and to magistrates. #Ro 13:6 15:16 Heb 1:7 8:2.
3. uphrethv, lit. 'under-rower,' and so an 'attendant' on, or 'assistant' to a superior authority. #Lu 1:2 4:20 Ac 13:5 26:16 1Co 4:1. It is also translated 'officer' and 'servant.' " [source - Concise Bible Dictionary by George Morrish]>>>.
And Easton in his Easton's Revised Bible Dictionary gives even more insight as
follows,
<<<" Minister
The word commonly occurring in the O.T. is sharath, 'to minister, serve.' Joshua was Moses' minister. All God's hosts are called 'ministers of his, that do his pleasure,' and He maketh 'his ministers a flaming fire.' The priests were the ministers of Jehovah. #Jos 1:1 Ps 103:21 104:4 Joe 2:17. In the N.T. three words are used.
1. diakonov. See DEACON.
2. leitourgov, 'a public servant,' one holding an official position. It is applied to the Lord; to angels; to Paul; and to magistrates. #Ro 13:6 15:16 Heb 1:7 8:2.
3. uphrethv, lit. 'under-rower,' and so an 'attendant' on, or 'assistant' to a superior authority. #Lu 1:2 4:20 Ac 13:5 26:16 1Co 4:1. It is also translated 'officer' and 'servant.' [source - Easton's Revised Bible Dictionary]>>>.
And D. Edmond Hiebert wrote in his "Bibliotheca Sacra" the following,
<<< "It has been held that the term is a compound of the preposition [di·a'], meaning 'through,' and the noun [ko'nis], 'dust,' so that the term denotes one who hurries through the dust to carry out his service. But this suggested derivation is not generally accepted today. More probably the verbal root was [di·e'ko], 'to reach from one place to another,' akin to the verb [di·o'ko], 'to hasten after, to pursue.' Then the root idea is one who reaches out with diligence and persistence to render a service on behalf of others."-1983, Vol. 140, p. 153.
In Hebrew and Greek these words and their related forms are applied to both male and female. (2Sa 13:17, 18; 1Ki 1:4, 15; 2Co 3:6; Ro 16:1) Joshua was Moses' minister (or, attendant) "from his young manhood on." (Nu 11:28; Jos 1:1, ftn) Elisha's attendant was called his minister and waiter. (2Ki 4:43; 6:15) Kings and princes had their royal attendants or ministers (2Ch 22:8; Es 2:2; 6:3), some of whom waited on the royal tables.-1Ki 10:4, 5; 2Ch 9:3, 4." [source - "Bibliotheca Sacra" by D. Edmond Hiebert]>>>.
NOW MANY CAN NOT GRASP THE TRUE MEANING OF THIS TERM AND IMPLY THAT IT IS GENDER BASED:
First, let's consider what the Inspired Word of Almighty God (YHWH), the Bible, says about the Angelic Ministers of Almighty God (YHWH) who lacked gender. Almighty God (YHWH) created tens of millions of Angels as testified to at Psalms 103:19-20, "Jehovah hath established his throne in the heavens; And his kingdom ruleth over all. 20 Bless Jehovah, ye his angels, That are mighty in strength, that fulfil his word, Hearkening unto the voice of his word. 21 Bless Jehovah, all ye his hosts, Ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. 22 Bless Jehovah, all ye his works, In all places of his dominion: Bless Jehovah, O my soul." (American Standard Version; ASV); and Hebrews 1:13-14 says of these ministering Angels, "But of which of the angels hath he said at any time, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation?" (ASV). In fact, Almighty God (YHWH) used Angels to minister onto his Son, Jesus (Yeshua) as shown in Matthew 4:11, "Then the devil leaveth him; and behold, angels came and ministered unto him." (ASV); and this was immediately after his Son had testified to a reality that all worship should be addressed only to his Father, Almighty God (YHWH), see Matthew 4: 10, "Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (ASV). Also, an Angel appeared to him while he, Jesus (Yeshua), was praying in Gethsemane as recorded at Luke 22:43, "And there appeared unto him an angel from heaven, strengthening him." (ASV). And at Daniel 7:9-14, "beheld till thrones were placed, and one that was ancient of days did sit: his raiment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and the wheels thereof burning fire.
10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousands of thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. 11 I beheld at that time because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake; I beheld even till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed, and it was given to be burned with fire. 12 And as for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. 13 I saw in the night-visions, and, behold, there came with the clouds of heaven one like unto a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed." (ASV), clearly showing the term "Minister" means in the Biblical sense to serve others.
Second, The ancient Hebrew tribe of Levi served as Almighty God (YHWH) special ministers to all the other tribes of Israel. Let's look at some facts as recorded at Numbers 3:6, "Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him." (ASV); and 1 Chronicles 16:4, "And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of Jehovah, and to celebrate and to thank and praise Jehovah, the God of Israel:" (ASV). In fact, the Levites had various duties in their ministry as detailed in Numbers 3:7-8, "And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, to do the service of the tabernacle. 8 And they shall keep all the furniture of the tent of meeting, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle." (ASV); and 1 Chronicles 6:32, "And they ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, until Solomon had built the house of Jehovah in Jerusalem: and they waited on their office according to their order." (ASV).
Third, The prophets of old served as ministers to the ancient nation of Israel, at that time Almighty God's(YHWH's) chosen nation as testified to at 2 Chronicles 36:15-16, "And Jehovah, the God of their fathers, sent to them by his messengers, rising up early and sending, because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling-place: 16 but they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and scoffed at his prophets, until the wrath of" (ASV); and Jeremiah 7:25-26, "Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day, I have sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them: 26 yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff: they did worse than their fathers." (ASV). Their prophecies aided and encouraged and strengthened the right hearted ones who were suffering under the moral decay of the times as recorded at
Isaiah 37:21-38, "Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, 22 this is the word which Jehovah hath spoken concerning him: The virgin daughter of Zion hath despised thee and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee. 23 Whom hast thou defied and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel. 24 By thy servants hast thou defied the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots am I come up to the height of the mountains, to the innermost parts of Lebanon; and I will cut down the tall cedars thereof, and the choice fir-trees thereof; and I will enter into its farthest height, the forest of its fruitful field; 25 I have digged and drunk water, and with the sole of my feet will I dry up all the rivers of Egypt. 26 Hast thou not heard how I have done it long ago, and formed it of ancient times? now have I brought it to pass, that it should be thine to lay waste fortified cities into ruinous heaps. 27 Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as a field of grain before it is grown up. 28 But I know thy sitting down, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy raging against me. 29 Because of thy raging against me, and because thine arrogancy is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest. 30 And this shall be the sign unto thee: ye shall eat this year that which groweth of itself, and in the second year that which springeth of the same; and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof. 31 And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward. 32 For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and out of mount Zion they that shall escape. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this. 33 Therefore thus saith Jehovah concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come unto this city, nor shoot an arrow there, neither shall he come before it with shield, nor cast up a mound against it. 34 By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and he shall not come unto this city, saith Jehovah. 35 For I will defend this city to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake. 36 And the angel of Jehovah went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand; and when men arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies. 37 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh 38 And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esar-haddon his son reigned in his stead." (ASV).
In the New Testament, the prophet, John the Baptizer is outstanding work as foretold at Malachi 4:5-6, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of Jehovah come. 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers; lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." (ASV), and Matthew 11:13-14, "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if ye are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, that is to come." (ASV) ; and Luke 1:77-79, "To give knowledge of salvation unto his people In the remission of their sins, 78 Because of the tender mercy of our God, Whereby the dayspring from on high shall visit us, 79 To shine upon them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death; To guide our feet into the way of peace. 80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel." (ASV).
Also, the apostle Peter wrote to all genuine (true) followers of Jesus (Yeshua) Christ at 1 Peter 1:10-12, "Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them. 12 To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angels desire to look into." (ASV).
THOSE NOT UNDERSTANDING "MINISTER' TRY AND GIVE IT A GENDER BASE:
Many not understanding the term "Minister" try and give it a gender basis NOT contained in the Inspired Word of Almighty God (YHWH), the Bible, failing to realize that the words translated as "Minister" in the Bible clearly means one who ministers to others in the spiritual sense, and conveniently forget that the prophetess Deborah was both a prophet and judge in her ministry, and this with God's (YHWH's) approval, is clearly shown at Judges 4:4-9, "Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, she judged Israel at that time. 5 And she dwelt under the palm-tree of Deborah between Ramah and Beth-el in the hill-country of Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. 6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali, and said unto him, Hath not Jehovah, the God of Israel, commanded, saying, Go and draw unto mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? 7 And I will draw unto thee, to the river Kishon, Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thy hand. 8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go; but if thou wilt not go with me, I will not go. 9 And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding, the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honor; for Jehovah will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh." (ASV).
Today, in the same manner, it is proper for women to share in assisting others with respect to learning more about God's (YHWH's) word - the Bible; about God (YHWH) - the creator of all that exist; about his beloved only begotten Son, Jesus (Yeshua) Christ: and assisting with regard to telling them the truth and exposing false doctrines of the creeds. This is clearly shown at Psalms 68:11, "The Lord giveth the word: The women that publish the tidings are a great host." (ASV). This fact is also highlighted at Philippians 4:2-3, "I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yea, I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life." (ASV).
CONCLUSION:
Many trying to declare who should be Ministers do not even know what the term "Minister" means and have been mislead by the ruler of this world, Satan the Devil per 2 Corinthians 4:4, "in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them." (ASV). But James 4:4 shows we should stay away from worldly thinking and philosophies, "Ye adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world maketh himself an enemy of God." (ASV).
To learn more, check out the following:
[1] religioustruths.proboards59.com/ An Educational Referral Forum
[2] www.network54.com/Forum/403209 A Forum Devoted to Exposing The False Religion of Islam
[3] jude3.proboards92.com/ A Free-Speech Forum For All
[4] www.freewebs.com/iris_the_preacher My web site.
Your Friend in Christ Iris89