Friday | 05 December 2025
Every time that the Lord speaks, it is straight from the Scriptures, by the Holy Spirit. For this reason, Christ’s messengers must be spiritual. That is, they must be able to receive the ministry of the Spirit in the fellowship of the presbytery and proclaim this word through testimony. This is essential to their sanctification and the efficacy of their ministry. Significantly, their qualification and capacity to proclaim the mystery of God is not their formal training, nor their natural capacities. Rather, it is the grace of God, which is multiplied by offering in the fellowship of the Spirit. As they maintain their participation in this fellowship, they are preserved from the form of ministry that Paul described as ‘peddling the word of God’. 2Co 2:17. They do not exceed what is written in the Scriptures, nor do they avoid passages of Scripture that challenge the carnal expectations and conduct of their hearers in order to appease them.
Everyone who receives the words of Christ, through the ministry of His messengers, is illuminated by the Spirit and joined to the fellowship of the presbytery. The presbytery’s fellowship is with the Father and His Son. 1Jn 1:1‑4. The prophetic word is confirmed in our hearts as we hear the message and apply ourselves to search out the Scriptures as a participation in the fellowship of the word. Act 17:11‑12. Describing the importance of applying ourselves in this manner, Peter wrote, ‘And so we [as a presbytery] have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.’ 2Pe 1:19‑21.
Further Study:
Hebrews 2
References:
2Co 2:17
For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.
1Jn 1:1-4
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
Act 17:11-12
These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore, many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.
2Pe 1:19-21
And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.