The Timothy Conference

T H E T I M O T H Y C O N F E R E N C E

(1 Corinthians 3.4, RSV) For when one says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,” are you not merely men? [5] What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. [6] I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. [7] So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. [8] He who plants and he who waters are equal, and each shall receive his wages according to his labor. [9] For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. [10] According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it.

b. The truth of the matter: Ultimately, only God gives the growth in ministry; we who are called use our gifts in the way and at the time that he dictates. We have no final control over either the number or timing of those who will respond to the Gospel.

6. S/he must have received training from a professional training academy, Bible college, seminary, or at least be credentialed by an accredited academic institution of higher learning.

a. Biblical rebuttal:

(Acts 4.13, RSV) Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they wondered; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus. [14] But seeing the man that had been healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.

b. The truth of the matter: Social standing, socio-economic background, or polished education mean nothing for the missionary pastor as do their authentic calling and spiritual power from on high.

7. S/he must be eloquent and either endowed with or trained in the art of public speaking.

a. Biblical rebuttal:

(1 Corinthians 2.1, RSV) When I came to you, brethren, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God in lofty words or wisdom. [2] For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. [3] And I was with you in weakness and in much fear and trembling; [4] and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, [5] that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

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