AboutTom Smith Expertise I am able to answer a wide range of questions regarding doctrines and movements within Pentecostal churches, including Word-Faith, Laughter and others.
Experience I have attended a number of Pentecostal churches in the past and was previously a member of a local pentecostal church council, as well as missions coordinator. Have studied and researched various movements for several years and maintain a website on this topic.
Organizations Apologetics Coordination Team (http://op.50megs.com/act/) Network of Christian Apologists in Calgary (http://www.whyjesus.ca)
Publications Website, accessible by means of http://discern.ca or http://www.religioninfo.org; and
Audio files of talks at Last Days Bible Conference available at http://ldbc.ca
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.)
I have been a lifelong student of the Bible. In addition, I have been saved through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, and believe in the truth of God's Holy word in the Bible as the inerrant and infallible word of God. I have been a believer for over 43 years. Other qualifications include:
- Former member of the counril of a local church
- Speaker at the "Last Days Bible Conference" and other functions.
- Researcher into religious movements and cults (maintain website with information on some of these movements and cults)
- Member of the Apologetics Coordination Team
I hold to the view that the Bible is inerrant and infallible, and I belief that the Bible is our sole authority on matters of faith and doctrine (Sola Scripture, Sola Fide).
Can a man that is divorced and remarried and their x-wife is still living be qualified to become a deacon? Thank You
You answered in part:
I would be reluctant to say an absolute "no" because God can do some miraculous things in people's lives if they are truly repentant and I would no want to keep a man out of a role that the Holy Spirit had prepared him for.
You seem pre-occupied with a scenario whereby a man sinned against his wife... and later repented... but is this the only way a man can find himself divorced from his wife?
Jesus clearly spoke that there is no good reason for a man to divorce his wife except on the grounds of marital unfaithfullness.
Now I am not pentecostal, nor a deacon, nor do I seek to become such an individual. However 3 1/2 years ago, my wife, of her own free will, decided to leave me and our two children.
She lives with another man.
I only sought a legal divorce after see evidence that she was indeed involved sexually with this other man. Over the last three years I have extended the offer of reconcilliation. She refuses. I have tried to follow bible principles through the entire ordeal. I even took what I thought was an unfair settlement, and am now waiting for the divorce to be final in Jan 2010. I allowed the judgement to be delayed because I wanted her to continue to recieve medical health insurance as long as possible.
If a man's wife wants no part of him or his children, what is he supposed to do? Leave himself and his children open to endless financial liabilities because he does not seek a divorce?
Are you suggesting that I am sinning in some way? Certianly I accept my fair share of blame for the failed relationship. I am imperfect, I am only human. But I have remained faithful these three plus years.. I have not dated, nor entered into any unwholesome relationship.
I just want you to admit that there are scriptural grounds to divorce that do not involve sinning on a persons part. I just want to know that you have a balanced view.
Answer First, I was not making any assumptions regarding fault on anyone's part (though it may have appeared that way from your perspective), and that is one reason why I worded what I said as carefully as it did - assuming no fault in particular. But you are right and for a complete answer I probably should have mentioned the exception for sexuality immorality.
Matt 19:6-10
7 They said to Him, "Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?" 8 He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery." 10 His disciples said to Him, "If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry."
NKJV
I would still suggest that if one were seeking a role in church leadership, this would be a matter for the board to consider prayerfully and, of course, with considerable discretion.
