LEADERS OF THE REFORMATION

Every leader in the Body should be willing to enter into the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings for truly the trials will come. The verses below reveal to us the level of commitment that must become real to the leaders of the reformation.

2 Corinthians 1:8-11

8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

Paul and those who walked with him at that time had resigned themselves to die for the sake of the gospel. They never thought to compromise. The Spirit of Faith drove them to that mindset. Paul being one who was mindful of the examples set before him, surely reflected on the plight of the old patriots as he faced the horrors of persecution.

Hebrews 11:35

Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

If these could suffer such tortures without having received the Holy Ghost, how much more are we able to do the same; having the Comforter within us and a promise from the Father that He will not put any more on us than we are able to bear. Note also that Paul acknowledged that the prayers of the saints were also a help to them. Through prayer, they were strengthened and made steadfast in their resolve.

WAR IN THE CAMP

But there were those who started out with Paul, but were either seduced by their own lusts or the traditions of men. They departed from the brotherhood even as some have departed from this reformation. Some went their way quietly, while others made themselves public enemies of the gospel preached by the disciples. They perverted the Word they had learned by rebuilding the things the gospel of Christ came to destroy. One such man was Alexander.

Acts 19:33

And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.

The first mention of this traitor to the gospel is in the evangelism of Ephesus. Demetrius, the Greek, caused a riot in the city concerning the preaching of the gospel verses the worship of the goddess Diana.

Acts 19:29-34

29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.

31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.

34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

We know from later verses found in Paul’s letters to Timothy that this Alexander, who was a Jewish convert, was also once a part of Paul’s camp. However, having been seduced, either by his own lust or the traditions of Judaism, he deserted the camp and became a blasphemer of the truth. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor (Galatians 2:18).

This was a rare occasion when the Jews did not start the riot, but they surely intended to take advantage of it. Therefore, even though Paul was not present when accusations were made against him, the Jews chose Alexander to confirm that Paul and his companions had also perverted the Jewish religion. Alexander was more than willing to speak against Paul and his companions who had been captured by the mob. The scriptures declare that he was about to offer a defense for himself and was going to make it known that he was not in agreement with Paul and the things that Paul taught. The Jews wanted to use him as their spokesman so as to strengthen their case in the minds of other Jews who were on the verge of conversion. In other words, the inference was that Alexander, having once been with Paul had discovered that Paul’s teachings were heresies and Paul himself a blasphemer. But the Lord did not suffer him to speak on this occasion. Paul also warned Timothy of this enemy of the cross.

2 Timothy 4:14-17

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

From the above it is apparent that this Alexander was present in Ephesus during the time Paul was captured and placed in the arena (amphitheatre) to face the lions.

1 Corinthians 15:32

If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

The fact that God delivered him out of the mouth of the lion caused many to respect him and his message. Nevertheless, he was extremely hated by the agents of the devil. Of all those who left the camp and opposed Paul, Alexander is mentioned most often.

1 Timothy 1:18-20

18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

This is the authority of the apostle who walks after the Spirit. He is able to commend those who walk contrary to the truth to the spirit world for chastening. It is a good thing that the Holy Ghost allowed Paul to act with compassion so they at least had an opportunity to repent. We are not told as to whether they did or not. This act of discipline was much needed because when those in leadership betray the gospel, many who follow them are overtaken by deception, confusion and their faith is uprooted. There were others who also rebelled in the camp and departed from the truth to teach their traditions.

2 Timothy 2:17-20

17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

You have to decide what you are going to be. Think on the Lord and how He really sees you. Are you steadfast in the faith or will a wind of doctrine come to move you out of place? Anchor yourself in the truth and be strong in it. This is our time; let us not forfeit the opportunity to glorify the Father by standing in His Christ.

A GOOD CONSCIENCE

The answer of a good conscience toward God is the responsibility of every saint. We must not think it a light thing to disobey the Lord. He demands truth at all times and under any circumstance. The scenario sighted below is a good and vivid example of the severity of this commandment.

1 Peter 3:21

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

In one particular school of thought taught in the Body of Christ, the scripture concerning the submission of the wife to the husband has been taken out of context. I sight the example below:

Ephesians 5:22-24

22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

The interpretation here is that the wife is to obey the husband in all things. It is taught that the husband is her head and that God’s law requires her to obey without question. This is indeed more than a stretch of the Word, but it is also a stretch of the male ego. Remember, scripture must be interpreted in light of all scripture.

James 4:7

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

All who are called to salvation must submit to the will of the Father. His will is revealed in His Word. It is not lawful for a wife to disobey God as a result of obeying her husband. Paul makes his intent even clearer in his letter to the Colossians.

Colossians 3:18

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

The wife submits to the husband as it is fit in the Lord. She is not required to move outside of the boundaries of the laws of God to obey her husband. Consider how this principal was confirmed in the early church.

Acts 5:8-10

8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

It would have been better for Sapphira if she had obeyed God instead of her husband. Do not make a pack with the devil to dishonor the Lord. Think not to put Him to an open shame. He is worthy of our obedience, sacrifice of life and livelihood.