Bible Questions and Answers

Browse all the questions that have been asked at thisisyourbible.com and see their answers, read the most recent questions and answers, or have a look at some prepared questions and answers on key Bible themes.

Thank you for asking a question on This is your Bible.

 

The characteristics of a Christian leader are clearly laid out in scripture. 

 

  • Matthew 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
  •  
  • 1Timothy 3:2... blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
  •  
  • 1Timothy 4:13... give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine....15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 
  •  
  • 1Timothy 6:11... follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
  •  
  • 2Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
  •  
  • 2Timothy 3:14.. continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 
  •  
  • 2Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 
  •  
  • Titus 1:7... blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers... 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 
  •  
  • Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine... 7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
  •  
  • Titus 3:1... be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
  •  
The next question which must be addressed is the motivation of one who seeks the position of a ‘Christian leader’ and the doctrine of the particular church that has ‘Christian leaders’.
James advises:

James 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

Or, as the NIV translates it:

James 3:1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

We need to be certain that the doctrine we propose to teach is that of the Bible.There are many churches with different doctrines all supposedly based on the same Bible. They can’t all be right.
The prophecy is:

2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth...

Christ says:

Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

We need to be certain that the gospel we preach is that preached by Paul and the apostles.

Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Before we contemplate being a ‘Christian leader’ we need to have a working knowledge of the Bible and understand both the correct doctrine and gospel.

Luke 6:39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

I hope this helps.
Glenn Smith