IS YOUR PREACHER SAVED?___________________                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

The dismal truth is that the Church's credibility is under scrutiny. Many individuals who are in leadership positions (i.e. preachers, elders and teachers) lack sound biblical knowledge that leads to a clear insight to the Scriptures. What we end up hearing from the pulpit is often influenced by the speaker's own personal philosophical point of view. They advocate their own belief system out of selfishness or for personal gain. The results is less biblical doctrine and more fluff, less Scripture and more entertainment, less condemnation of sin and more indifference. In contrast to Paul's preaching of the gospel which lead to many of the Corinthians hearing, believing, and being baptized (Acts 18:8) what we often receive from the above model is expanded conflict in the church. We have tension.... while Paul's preaching was so powerful even two rulers of the synagogue, Crispus and Sosthenes obeyed the truth.

The apostle Paul then is our example. He had the knowledge to overwhelm men but he only strove to preach Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor.2:1-2) so that the faith of the Corinthians might stand by the power of God and not by the power of men. The man-made philosophical positions that Paul condemns at Corinth are found in the church today. Christ made it clear that opposition to the world would be a natural consequence of living for God (Jn.15:16-20). To be a devoted servant of Christ one must be able to rise to the challenge of combating a multitude of false doctrines fostered by Satan's deception. Once again, Paul is our example.

The church is not to be spoiled and ruined by divisions, controversy or other sins like members at the church in Corinth were experiencing. The brothers and sisters at Corinth were divided over their leadership much as we are today. We would argue that 1 Cor. 3:5-23 indicates that members have seriously misunderstood the nature and function of church leadership. How could one not catch Paul's emphasis that he, Apollos, and Peter were servants. Everything and everyone belongs to God, which includes the church, the servants, and even church growth. In 1st Cor. 3:10 we find the statement "but each one should build with care." Paul is speaking of those leaders who are in charge of building the church and warning them that they must lead with wisdom and humility. They had the same problem that we have today. We often study to know 'about' Christ instead of 'knowing' Christ.

The church then as well as now is being seduced by leaders who do not share the same agenda we find in God's plan of salvation. They align themselves with the wrong goals, the wrong values, and the wrong morals. This is expressed in such a seductive manner that the average member either will not admit or cannot see what is taking place. Preachers are exalted to a celebrity status not on the basis of factual data but on the basis of personality.

Here is the problem as we see it. Exalting a preacher on the basis of human wisdom or personality will not save anyone and in fact if that preacher or leader causes trouble or division in the church the clear teachings of Scripture are that God will destroy those leaders. They are headed for damnation (1Cor. 3:17).

In 1 Cor. 3:16 we have this statment:

This is one of the most misused texts in the Bible in that people tend to 'individualize' it. This passage says that the "church" is the Temple of God. The "you are" is plural:

Now we need to review! Here is the context. We have these leaders in the congregation and different members are following different leaders (Apollos, Paul, and Peter). Each leader has their following and divisions have resulted. Now listen to what Paul says about those leaders who have their following!

Here is what we have learned. If any man (any of these leader preachers, teachers, former elders) bothers the Temple of God, the church by perciptating divisions, God will destroy that preacher. Of course one might be mislead since the English translation of the word phtherio is translated "destroy." Do not be deceived. Look at the word!

The point is well made that Preachers who are involved in divisions (have followings) in a congregation are lost. They will be destroyed. This is the promise from God delivered to the church at Corinth, revealed by the Holy Spirit in words of divine Wisdom and power (1 Cor. 2:13).  Once again, Is your Preacher saved?       

by Dr. Moss Dickerson