Divorce - Remarriage & Evangelists - Missionaries

[JerryNumbers]

Thanks. I wish someone would come forward with the scripture they interpret as precluding divorced/remarried from sharing the good news.

No one said they could not share the 'Good News,' would you please show us where anyone stated that they could not share the 'Good News?'

I thought we all realized that all Christians are to share the 'Good News,' not just pastors, preachers, deacons, evangelistic, and missionaries.

[1Timothy115]

No one said they could not share the 'Good News,' would you please show us where anyone stated that they could not share the 'Good News?'

I thought we all realized that all Christians are to share the 'Good News,' not just pastors, preachers, deacons, evangelistic, and missionaries.

Ah, then everyone agrees divorced/remarried can be an evangelist or a missionary.

[Brother Rick]

I've noticed this, the way many feels about divorce has to do with people that they know that have been divorced, especially family members. Or perhaps they have even had a pastor, or deacon that has been divorce and remarried. Or even they have been divorced and remarried themselves. That seems to make them sympathetic to those who have been divorce and therefore they have a different take on what the Bible teaches.

My wife and I are actually very unsympathetic to unrepentant divorcees because of the damage we've seen in our own family as a result. Her parents were divorced and it caused a lot of damage; this is a public forum so I won’t go into it. My mom had a kid and then got divorced before marrying my dad (they were lost when they got married and "the kid" was messed up as a result of her divorce). I have nephews and nieces that have been messed up because of their parent's divorce.

We're very well aware of the damage that divorce entails, we pull no punches and don’t care who we offend. We’re not into opening old wounds, but when people try to publically justify the action we won’t stand for it and have separated from others including family members.

My beliefs on marriage and divorce, the "husband of one wife" clause, and ministerial qualifications are not based on personal experiences and examples; they're based on the Bible.

[John81]

Ah, then everyone agrees divorced/remarried can be an evangelist or a missionary.

This still probably comes down to exactly what ones definition of an evangelist or missionary is and just what they do.

As has been pointed out, there are some missionaries who serve as pastor on the mission field. At the same time, most missionaries I am personally familiar with don't serve as a pastor on the mission field. Most of them go about taking the Gospel to those who have not yet heard it in places like India. Some help establish local churches where one is needed but they don't serve as pastor of the church. A few other missionaries I know spend more time helping to educate local pastors, elders and teachers. Some also help with translations into local languages, and also in other ways.

[JerryNumbers]

Ah, then everyone agrees divorced/remarried can be an evangelist or a missionary.

I did not say that. I did say all Christians are preachers, missionaries, and evangelist, and part of their duty is to share the "Good News." And yes, I know that many church member thinks its only the duty of the pastor, deacon, missionaries, and evangelist to share the "Good News," while all they are to do is attend church and put money in the collection place, doing that they feel they have done their Christian duty.

[Guest]

Folks, I’m presenting this out of love and without any intended harm, animosity, or motive. I accept what I quote below as Biblical truth and what I say without commentary and only a little subjection. I will not feel sorrowful or angry if you don’t agree; I hope none of you will be sorrowful or angry if I don’t agree with you. One of us will be corrected in heaven, it could be me; until then I serve the Savior just as you do.

4everHis

“I am trying to communicate, albeit unsuccessfully, that principles, not feelings, should rule in every situation.”

I can’t agree, scripture will rule the day not unfounded principle and I concur…especially not feeling. 4everHis, I’m not attacking you, only what you’re attempting to support without a scripture reference. Let’s not confuse pastors and deacons with evangelists and missionaries.

HappyChristian

“You might be interested in this site, Dave:”

This site gives nothing new, it has been presented on OB. However, none of it applies to a divorced/remarried “evangelist” or a “missionary.”

If it applied to a divorced/remarried evangelist or a missionary then the following scripture would not…

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.

…do the scriptures above apply to the divorced/remarried man. Is this telling a divorced/remarried man to either sit in a pew, speak well of Christ to a neighbor, or maybe go on church wide visitation as a silent prayer partner?

Christ said in 28:19 “Go…” and was speaking to the apostles…is this a command?
Yes it is a command from Christ.
Christ said in 28:20 “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:” is this all inclusive of what Christ commanded?
Yes of course it is all inclusive.
Then Christ has just commanded them to “teach all nations” to “Go.” Go for what reason?
To evangelize. The divorced/remarried man is commanded as a Christian by Christ to “Go.”

Now, I’ll be a little subjective here, I’ll be corrected some day, maybe today. Go where?
Christ commands the divorced/remarried man to go to “Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Here’s the subjective part, the divorced man’s Jerusalem is his city, his Judea is his county, state, and nation, his Samaria is neighboring nations, and his uttermost parts of the world…You’ve heard this before during mission conference so the subjective isn’t original. So, here is Biblical principle and the scripture to back it up. Christ says it again in Acts 1:8.

John81

“exactly what ones definition of an evangelist or missionary is”

You’re attempting to split a frog’s hair with a sledge hammer.

I’ll take the Bible over “one’s” definition, I believe you do too. The divorced/remarried is to obey Christ and what He said to do in both Matthew and Acts, “Go ye therefore…” and “ye shall be witnesses unto me…” It just so happens Christs command is also the definition of an evangelist and a missionary. The great commission rules the day. So, the divorced/remarried man better hit the road and get out their and evangelize. Edited May 6, 2011 by 1Tim115

[4everHis]

Let me clarify. When I said principles, of course, I meant SCRIPTURE and principles in SCRIPTURE. Sorry I wasn't crystal clear.

[Guest]

Let me clarify. When I said principles, of course, I meant SCRIPTURE and principles in SCRIPTURE. Sorry I wasn't crystal clear.

Your not providing any scripture either.

[JerryNumbers]

Folks, I’m presenting this out of love and without any intended harm, animosity, or motive. I accept what I quote below as Biblical truth and what I say without commentary and only a little subjection. I will not feel sorrowful or angry if you don’t agree; I hope none of you will be sorrowful or angry if I don’t agree with you. One of us will be corrected in heaven, it could be me; until then I serve the Savior just as you do.

4everHis

I can’t agree, scripture will rule the day not unfounded principle and I concur…especially not feeling. 4everHis, I’m not attacking you, only what you’re attempting to support without a scripture reference. Let’s not confuse pastors and deacons with evangelists and missionaries.

HappyChristian

This site gives nothing new, it has been presented on OB. However, none of it applies to a divorced/remarried “evangelist” or a “missionary.”

If it applied to a divorced/remarried evangelist or a missionary then the following scripture would not…

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.

…do the scriptures above apply to the divorced/remarried man. Is this telling a divorced/remarried man to either sit in a pew, speak well of Christ to a neighbor, or maybe go on church wide visitation as a silent prayer partner?

Christ said in 28:19 “Go…” and was speaking to the apostles…is this a command?
Yes it is a command from Christ.
Christ said in 28:20 “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:” is this all inclusive of what Christ commanded?
Yes of course it is all inclusive.
Then Christ has just commanded them to “teach all nations” to “Go.” Go for what reason?
To evangelize. The divorced/remarried man is commanded as a Christian by Christ to “Go.”

Now, I’ll be a little subjective here, I’ll be corrected some day, maybe today. Go where?
Christ commands the divorced/remarried man to go to “Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Here’s the subjective part, the divorced man’s Jerusalem is his city, his Judea is his county, state, and nation, his Samaria is neighboring nations, and his uttermost parts of the world…You’ve heard this before during mission conference so the subjective isn’t original. So, here is Biblical principle and the scripture to back it up. Christ says it again in Acts 1:8.

John81

You’re attempting to split a frog’s hair with a sledge hammer.

I’ll take the Bible over “one’s” definition, I believe you do too. The divorced/remarried is to obey Christ and what He said to do in both Matthew and Acts, “Go ye therefore…” and “ye shall be witnesses unto me…” It just so happens Christs command is also the definition of an evangelist and a missionary. The great commission rules the day. So, the divorced/remarried man better hit the road and get out their and evangelize.

Every saved person is to do that, being divorced does not hider that, they just cannot hold such a position.

[Guest]

Every saved person is to do that, being divorced does not hider that, they just cannot hold such a position.

Jerry...Jerry...Jerry please re-read and try to understand what you typed.

[John81]

John81

You’re attempting to split a frog’s hair with a sledge hammer.

I’ll take the Bible over “one’s” definition, I believe you do too. The divorced/remarried is to obey Christ and what He said to do in both Matthew and Acts, “Go ye therefore…” and “ye shall be witnesses unto me…” It just so happens Christs command is also the definition of an evangelist and a missionary. The great commission rules the day. So, the divorced/remarried man better hit the road and get out their and evangelize.

Is there a clear biblical definition as to what an evangelist or missionary is? As has been put forth here, many who are called missionaries also serve as pastors on the mission field. At the same time, other missionaries perform different tasks and are not involved in being a pastor.

Are you saying that all believers are to be missionaries and evangelists according to the command of Scripture to spread the Gospel?

It's clear from the replies in this thread there is no agreement as to what it means to be a missionary or evangelist. If we can establish a solid definition then we could better address the question at hand.

[Guest]

Is there a clear biblical definition as to what an evangelist or missionary is? Yes, its what Christ commanded of every believer in Him. As has been put forth here, many who are called missionaries also serve as pastors on the mission field. At the same time, other missionaries perform different tasks and are not involved in being a pastor.

Are you saying that all believers are to be missionaries and evangelists according to the command of Scripture to spread the Gospel?
Yes, at a very minimum we are to be these things according to His commandment.

It's clear from the replies in this thread there is no agreement as to what it means to be a missionary or evangelist. If we can establish a solid definition then we could better address the question at hand.

The replies so far, are based on the requirements for a pastor (bishop) and a deacon, in the local church. They are not the requirements of Christ for all believers in the great commission. Matthew and Acts provide the definition and the requirements. Justification for rejecting a divorced/remarried evangelist/missionary has been presented from personal preference and conjecture not from God's word.

There doesn't have to be agreement here to determine the qualifications of an evangelist or missionary, that is settled already elsewhere (Psalms 119:89). Add to Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8, Acts chapters 6&8 and Colossians 1:21-29, particularly vss. 25-29. Christ tells us who must go and why we are to go, Philip and Paul provide us examples of obeying Christ. Edited May 6, 2011 by 1Tim115

[JerryNumbers]

Jerry...Jerry...Jerry please re-read and try to understand what you typed.

I know exactly what I said. That which is in bold is given to every person that has Christ as Savior that's a member of one of Jesus Churches. Being divorced, remarried, does not stop them from doing a wonderful work for our Savior, yet they are limited to the potion they can hold.

[heartstrings]

I know exactly what I said. That which is in bold is given to every person that has Christ as Savior that's a member of one of Jesus Churches. Being divorced, remarried, does not stop them from doing a wonderful work for our Savior, yet they are limited to the potion they can hold.

The only two "offices" listed in 1 Timothy are the offices of bishop and deacon. The Bible does not say that "evangelist" is an office nor a "position" as you put it. and the word "missionary" does not even appear in the KJB. So tell me why, Biblically , that a divorced man cannot be an evangelist or missonary?
If a divorced man were to forsake all for Jesus by selling or giving away everything he owned, give up his job and livelihood and become a missionary somewhere in a remote region of the 10-40 window, would your church support him?

[Guest]

I know exactly what I said. That which is in bold is given to every person that has Christ as Savior that's a member of one of Jesus Churches. Being divorced, remarried, does not stop them from doing a wonderful work for our Savior, yet they are limited to the potion they can hold.

Is there any possibility you're adding to God's word when you say a divorced/remarried man cannot be an evangelist or missionary? If not adding to scripture, then show me where that scripture is in the Bible.