Divorce - Remarriage & Evangelists - Missionaries

[1Timothy115]

Can divorced or remarried CHRISTIAN men become evangelists and/or missionaries?

Do the words below apply to divorced CHRISTIAN men and CHRISTIAN men who marry divorced women?


Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Edited April 29, 2011 by 1Tim115

[Covenanter]

I do not consider a failed marriage the unforgivable sin but extreme caution should be applied before before appointing a divorced person to Christian office.

We called as co-pastor a man, supposedly the innocent party, remarried. We thought we knew him as a local teacher, BUT

He ousted his colleague using the method of Absalom, & sold off 1/4 million of church property. What happened to the resultant trust money is not known.

[JerryNumbers]

I do not consider a failed marriage the unforgivable sin but extreme caution should be applied before before appointing a divorced person to Christian office.

We called as co-pastor a man, supposedly the innocent party, remarried. We thought we knew him as a local teacher, BUT

He ousted his colleague using the method of Absalom, & sold off 1/4 million of church property. What happened to the resultant trust money is not known.

Excuse me.

Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Isn't there but one sin that is unforgiveable, that is, one sin that Jesus' blood will not cover, that being unbelief. And if they are not saved, them of course they would be disqualified.

So with an evangelists and/or missionaries, they would have to meet whatever qualifications God has set for them. And of course all men will not meet the qualifications for such a position.

[Brother Rick]

I think we've already been from Dan to Beersheba on this one...

[JerryNumbers]

And back again

[1Timothy115]

I corrected the original post to state CHRISTIAN men, just so there isn't any doubt.
If I read and divide Mt.28:19&20 and Acts 1:8 correctly the divorced Christian is ordered to obey the great commission and go evangelize.
So, does everyone agree a CHRISTIAN man divorced or divorced and remarried may still be a missionary or an evangelist?

[Seth Doty]

So, does everyone agree a CHRISTIAN man divorced or divorced and remarried may still be a missionary or an evangelist?

No.

[1Timothy115]

No.

Care to give a Biblical reason and your own reason too...I would listen to you.

[Seth Doty]

Care to give a Biblical reason and your own reason too...I would listen to you.

For missionaries I would generally not find it acceptable because a missionary is usually filling the role of a pastor. We have recently discussed why it is not biblically acceptable for pastors to be divorced & remarried in another thread. If it was some type of mission work that did not end up placing the man in the position of a pastor I would have no problem with it. As far as "evangelist" that is sort of a grey area since what is generally meant by that today has no direct biblical precedent. Perhaps a better question is does an "evangelist" in biblical terms mean the same thing as it has come to mean in the modern day. I am not convinced that the gift of the "evangelist" is anything like what is generally meant by the word today. Basically an "evangelist" as the term is used today is an almost constantly traveling public speaking specialist that visits and preaches at many churches he is not a part of, takes part in special meetings and tries to "stir things up" and excite people in some way or another. Now this is admittedly an area where a judgement call must be made but in my estimation if we were going to accept such a practice as a valid special calling of God to minister to many people in many churches it seems reasonable to hold such individuals to the same standard God holds pastors and deacons to since "feeding the flock" is an area that the church "elders"(which is a broad term that would probably include pastors, deacons, men the church has recognized as teachers etc.) have been given responsibility for. Probably four out of five of the self styled "evangelists" I have encountered have not impressed me favorably anyway. A lot of times they know all the "right" things to say but you can still sense something isn't quite right. For some reason "evangelists" tend to have an extremely high percentage of liars, braggarts, and "showmen". The percentage is so high that that right there makes me think something isn't quite right with the concept as practiced and that biblically an "evangelist" probably doesn't mean what it has now come to mean. I rather think that biblically an evangelist is someone who's gift is to "evangelize" rather than someone who is constantly going around to assorted churches, camp meetings, "revivals" and similar types of Christian public speaking engagements to serve as a special "inspirational" speaker. I would think a biblical evangelist would be someone who might preach or speak publicly on occasion in the right situation but not really as the foremost aspect of their ministry. Someone who's calling and focus was much closer to what we would call "soul winning" or "mission work" today than what we call an "evangelist". That is my opinion anyway. Edited April 30, 2011 by Seth-Doty

[JerryNumbers]

I corrected the original post to state CHRISTIAN men, just so there isn't any doubt.
If I read and divide Mt.28:19&20 and Acts 1:8 correctly the divorced Christian is ordered to obey the great commission and go evangelize.
So, does everyone agree a CHRISTIAN man divorced or divorced and remarried may still be a missionary or an evangelist?

That post was directed to Covenanter, seemly saying that we are against divorced men being pastor and such because divorce is an unforgivable sin. I made it clear there is only one sin that is unforgiveable, unbelief.

As stated several times its because they do not meet the qualification for that position, and those qualification are not for being a Christian, but for being a pastor of a New Testament Church.

[JerryNumbers]

Seth, I agree with much of what you stated, maybe all. Anyone that is going to be ordained need to meet the qualification of the pastor and deacon. I've noticed that many missionaries at sometime in the future become pastor.

Now leave me ask this question. Do you think a man that has been married, divorced, & or married to a divorce woman can be a preacher? Only filling in as needed at the church he is a member of and or a like church when their pastor is gone or they have such a need.

I've only run into this once, that church told him when he surrendered that they would never approve him to be a pastor. Now he did try them. For he preached at a church that called him to be their pastor. The church he was a member of said we will not ordain him for his wife has been divorced so he does not qualify for that potation. We can only recognize him as a preacher filling in where needed.

In fact this preacher told me this. I asked him, do you agree with your church on this issue. He said yes, yet he seemed reluctant to say yes. I might add, his wife had about 8 children, and most of them were very wild.

At a church I was member of we had an evangelist do a revival. A few years prior to this a friend had given me tapes of this evangelist when he held a revival for this same church 15 or 20 years earlier. 2 out of 4 sermons he gave I had on tape, for they were repeats which I had on tape. Makes one wonder.

[Seth Doty]

Now leave me ask this question. Do you think a man that has been married, divorced, & or married to a divorce woman can be a preacher? Only filling in as needed at the church he is a member of and or a like church when their pastor is gone or they have such a need.

I've only run into this once, that church told him when he surrendered that they would never approve him to be a pastor. Now he did try them. For he preached at a church that called him to be their pastor. The church he was a member of said we will not ordain him for his wife has been divorced so he does not qualify for that potation. We can only recognize him as a preacher filling in where needed.

That would be a tough one. On the one hand common sense tells me that things like that could very easily go to far very quickly, create division and lead to the acceptance of a divorced man pastoring. On the other hand I don't think it would be wrong in and of itself and would hate to oppose it categorically if it was a good man that understood the situation, was not attempting to take a pastoral or church leadership role and was merely being asked to fill in on a temporary basis.

I think the smartest thing would be for the church leadership to avoid that sort of situation if better options are available, but I would not be comfortable condemning someone over it either. I think that is enough of a matter of judgement to leave it up to the individual church to decide.

On a related note I have seen small churches that didn't have enough qualified men to serve as deacons and yet needed some people that could do the sort of things deacons would normally be called on for. In such cases some good men who were unqualified to hold the office of deacon(due to past divorce) were asked to basically "fill in" with the understanding that it was not an official position but simply a way to deal with certain needs until such a time when God should add qualified men to the church who could then be proved and eventually biblically hold the office of deacon. I don't have a problem with that when it is necessary and done in the right way.

[1Timothy115]

For missionaries I would generally not find it acceptable because a missionary is usually filling the role of a pastor. We have recently discussed why it is not biblically acceptable for pastors to be divorced & remarried in another thread. If it was some type of mission work that did not end up placing the man in the position of a pastor I would have no problem with it. As far as "evangelist" that is sort of a grey area since what is generally meant by that today has no direct biblical precedent. Perhaps a better question is does an "evangelist" in biblical terms mean the same thing as it has come to mean in the modern day. I am not convinced that the gift of the "evangelist" is anything like what is generally meant by the word today. Basically an "evangelist" as the term is used today is an almost constantly traveling public speaking specialist that visits and preaches at many churches he is not a part of, takes part in special meetings and tries to "stir things up" and excite people in some way or another. Now this is admittedly an area where a judgement call must be made but in my estimation if we were going to accept such a practice as a valid special calling of God to minister to many people in many churches it seems reasonable to hold such individuals to the same standard God holds pastors and deacons to since "feeding the flock" is an area that the church "elders"(which is a broad term that would probably include pastors, deacons, men the church has recognized as teachers etc.) have been given responsibility for. Probably four out of five of the self styled "evangelists" I have encountered have not impressed me favorably anyway. A lot of times they know all the "right" things to say but you can still sense something isn't quite right. For some reason "evangelists" tend to have an extremely high percentage of liars, braggarts, and "showmen". The percentage is so high that that right there makes me think something isn't quite right with the concept as practiced and that biblically an "evangelist" probably doesn't mean what it has now come to mean. I rather think that biblically an evangelist is someone who's gift is to "evangelize" rather than someone who is constantly going around to assorted churches, camp meetings, "revivals" and similar types of Christian public speaking engagements to serve as a special "inspirational" speaker. I would think a biblical evangelist would be someone who might preach or speak publicly on occasion in the right situation but not really as the foremost aspect of their ministry. Someone who's calling and focus was much closer to what we would call "soul winning" or "mission work" today than what we call an "evangelist". That is my opinion anyway.

Fair enough Seth and thus I went off to see what the scriptures provided. This is not an argument or meant to be confrontational. I needed a starting point for a long overdue look at the word of God with regard to this topic. I found answers I can live with until the Lord straightens me out in glory. I know its long but I was attempting leave no stones un-turned.

2 Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

G2099 εὐαγγελιστής euaggelistēs yoo-ang-ghel-is-tace'
From G2097 ; a preacher of the gospel: - evangelist.
G2097 εὐαγγελίζω euaggelizō yoo-ang-ghel-id'-zo
From G2095 and G32 ; to announce good news ( evangelize ) especially the gospel: - {declare} bring ({declare} show) glad (good) {tidings} preach (the gospel).
G2095 εὖ eu yoo
Neuter of a primary word εὖς eus ( good ); (adverbially) well: - {good} well (done).
G32 ἄγγελος aggelos ang'-el-os
From ἀγγέλλω aggellō (probably derived from G71 ; compare G34 ; to bring tidings ); a messenger ; especially an angel ; by implication a pastor: - {angel} messenger.
G71 ἄγω agō ag'-o
A primary verb; properly to lead ; by implication to {bring} { drive } (reflexively) {go} (specifically) pass ({time}) or (figuratively) induce: - {be} bring ({forth}) {carry} (let) {go} {keep} lead {away} be open.
G34 ἀγέλη agelē ag-el'-ay
From G71 (compare G32 ); a drove: - herd.

Acts 21:8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

Luke doesn’t refer to this Philip as an Apostle but rather makes the distinction “the evangelist.” Philip was chosen to be a deacon. This was at Jerusalem. But during the persecutions after Stephen’s stoning Philip most likely left with everyone else, except the apostles. Also, Paul would know the work Philip did for the Lord, that is, what an evangelist did.

Acts 6:1-6
1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

Philip the Apostle remained in Jerusalem.

Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

What did Philip the deacon do? Did he go to evangelize? If so, how did he perform this ministry?

Acts 8:3-14
3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
8 And there was great joy in that city.
9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

Now some of the apostles left Jerusalem to go to Samaria whereas clearly stated before they remained at Jerusalem.

14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

Acts 8:26-40
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

It would appear that Philip, the evangelist, went about preaching and teaching Christ and baptizing those who believed.

It appears in Ephesians 4 that Christ gave gifts to men, which men? Paul is talking about members of the church so, Paul addresses Timothy a Christian and talks about the gifts given to men. In verse 7 we see these gifts were given to, “every one of us.” It doesn’t say those married or divorced. Yes, we may have invalidated ourselves from some gifts but, not all gifts, and other scripture addresses the unique qualifications for those gifts.

Ephesians 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Ephesians 4:11-16

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

The obvious break between the several gifts or ministries (Eph. 4:11) would denote not all are the same. The ministry of a pastor is not the same as a deacon and the ministries of missionary and evangelists are also different from the former as well as each other. That doesn’t preclude some from having or qualifying for many gifts/ministries. So, a pastor is most certainly qualified for any but, someone given the ministry of an evangelist may not be qualified to be a pastor.

What I do see from the scriptures above, there is no scriptural reason to preclude a divorced man or remarried man from being either a missionary or an evangelist. Also, the scriptures do provide the answer to, what is “the work of an evangelist?” We can see the many things Philip did, he preached, baptized, and stayed on the move. He was in Samaria, south on the road to Gaza, Azotus, and Caesarea. He went west, south, north, and east preaching, teaching, exhorting, and baptizing. An evangelist isn't out there to fill stadiums, make great wealth, or make a great name for himself. That doesn't mean he won't receive these things either, its just not the objective.

[JerryNumbers]

Dave, What gifts were done away with?

[1Timothy115]

Dave, What gifts were done away with?

When were some supposed t have been done away with?