1 Timothy 1:18-20 “This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, (19) having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, (20) of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.”
So what are the weapons that the Lord Jesus has given to His ministry gifts, for the pulling down of strongholds and casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God? The above quoted passage of scripture answers that question for us, for in this account we see the apostle Paul handing two ministers of the gospel over to Satan so that they could learn not to blaspheme. The context of this passage is that these two men had begun to teach false doctrine in the church. Obviously, both were mature believers who should have known better. It is also just as obvious that the apostle Paul would have addressed the issue with these two individuals, and yet they had refused his admonition and had continued in their actions. As a result, the apostle Paul had used his authority given to him by the Lord, and had delivered these men to Satan. So what was the consequence of Paul’s action? You will recall the incident where Paul delivered another believer to Satan for not repenting of their sin. On that occasion Paul had judged that individual with early death (1 Corinthians 5:5). On the occasion mentioned above however, death would not have been the outcome, because Paul wanted to teach them a lesson. Paul speaks of their lives being shipwrecked, so it seems that Satan was allowed by Paul, to cause a certain amount of devastation in their lives. Some would say that Paul’s actions seem very harsh. Hell is far worse, and if the Lord’s ministers have to inflict some form of punishment upon believers to keep them from a course of action that will take them there, then they have the Lord’s permission to do so.
Acts 5:1-11 “But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. (2) And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. (3) But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? (4) While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." (5) Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. (6) And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. (7) Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. (8) And Peter answered her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?" She said, "Yes, for so much." (9) Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." (10) Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. (11) So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.”
Obviously the apostle Paul was not the only minister of the Lord who used his authority to punish sin in the church. The above quoted account in scripture is a very vivid account of a ministry gift using their authority in this area. In this incident the apostle Peter pronounced judgement on two believers for their sin of lying to God. In this instance both believers suffered early death as a result. As in Paul’s incident with the church in Corinth, the spirits of these two were still saved however. Nevertheless, the authority given to the ministry gifts by the Lord Jesus is not to be taken lightly, because when that authority is used it carries severe consequences. I want you to also notice what reverence and fear Peter’s actions produced in the church, which ties in with Paul’s comment that the authority given to the Lord’s ministers is for the edification and not for the destruction of the church.
Titus 2:15 “Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.”
1 Timothy 4:11-12 “These things command and teach. (12) Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
Although the examples we have looked at in this section involved the Lord’s apostles i.e. Paul and Peter, it is not only apostle’s that have that authority, but rather all the ministry gifts. That truth is confirmed to us in the above quoted passages of scripture, for the Holy Spirit refers to that same authority in the ministries of both Titus and Timothy.
Michael E.B. Maher
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