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“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him” (John 1:6-7).
“And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” And many believed in him there” (John 10:41).
Many people are addressed as men of God, who minister as Christian leaders. While some of them are truly set in ministry by God, others are planted by the devil or by themselves.
Believers, therefore, ought not to believe every pastor blindly; there is the need to test those you choose to follow to see if they are sent from God. Do this by carefully examining their ministry, paying attention to their teachings.
Moreover, ask yourself the following questions: do they preach the gospel of Christ clearly? Is their doctrine consistent with Scripture? Does their life bear the fruit of the Spirit? Do they exalt Christ or themselves?
Now, be careful not to allow their miracles, signs or prophecies to deceive you. Nothing can greatly validate a minister who is sent from God than their dedication to preaching and teaching about Christ Jesus.
God called, prepared and sent John the Baptist to minister to the congregation of Israel. Thus, he was a man sent from God. His genuineness as a true man of God was proven not by the signs or miracles he performed, but by his words. What a person really is, is known by his words.
John announced Jesus to the Jewish world, bearing witness about the purpose of His birth, His ministry, His uniqueness, and above all His deity. Simply, John preached about Jesus Christ. And his words sank deeply into the hearts of the Jews who were anxiously expecting the manifestation of the promised Messiah.
Now, when Jesus began His public ministry, moving from one place to another to preach about the Good News of the kingdom of heaven, many Jews followed Him. They heard His words of eternal life, witnessed His healing power, saw His authority to forgive sins, and His declaration of being God.
For this reason, the Jews who followed Him remarked, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” And many believed in him there” (John 10:41).
The Jewish people recognized John the Baptists as a true servant of God though he did no sign or performed miracles. However, he spoke the truth about the Lord who was and is the truth. “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelations 19:10).
This means the spirit of genuine prophecy is to reveal Jesus — therefore, a preacher who does not unveil Christ is operating outside true prophetic inspiration.
This must guide Christians everywhere in their identification of true and false preachers. Those who are sent from God cannot but to always testify about Jesus, but those who are self-styled speak about other things. They have no regard for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
A Christian ministry is all about Jesus. It is mainly about preaching and teaching about Him for many to believe in Him for their eternal salvation. Therefore, a genuine apostle, prophets, evangelist, pastors or teacher who is sent from God or set in the church speaks about Jesus. This is his greatest convincing proof that God had sent him.
By James Quansah
