The Office of the Word

# 26 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 1Ti 1:12, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,” (1 Ti 1:12) Once again Paul finds it necessary to remind Timothy, and others, (especially those who are self-called preachers of superfluous doctrines) of his own calling at the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ!. This whole statement written by Paul oozes with humility as he gives all glory to Jesus for his position and role in the kingdom. It was the Lord Jesus Himself who bestowed the power of the Holy Spirit on Paul through the laying on of hands and baptism. Ac 9:17 says, “ And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." We get further details of this event in Ac 22:14-16, "Then he (Ananias) said, 'The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. 15 'For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.' It was something that Paul never forgot and remained eternally thankful for. Not only the merciful gift of the forgiveness of his sins, but the Just One (Jesus) would appear to him personally and speak words to him, that he should know the will of God and be privileged to be counted faithful in the proclamation of those words to others! In the strictest sense, this word concerns Paul's calling to the office of Apostle, but all ministers of the Word today, who serve as called and ordained servants in the Office of the Word should ever be thankful that the Lord Jesus Christ has forgiven them, gifted them with the Holy Spirit and thereby empowered them to proclaim the will of God in His church! Such a calling carries with it tremendous responsibility. Don't abuse it! Steer clear of superfluous teachings and keep the main thing, the main thing! Ever thankful and ever reliant on the Holy Spirit.