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Speak as the oracles of God

Editor’s note: This is the seventh installment of a series by Lyndon Stimeling that will run each week.

I Peter 4:11

We have been looking at the topic of legalism and the many ways it reveals itself. Pastors who were after authority, power and honor put a lot of emphasize on I Peter 4:11 at one time. Many of them claimed to speak with God given authority, because as His duly-appointed ministers, God was speaking through them. Therefore, they were speaking with authority whenever they were preaching. Is that really what this verse is saying? Does it really give power to pastors and elders, to the point that they can impose the commandments of men because they have authority from God? Let’s take a closer look at this verse and see what it is saying.

The context or setting of this verse is Godly living that glorifies God. Verse 7 is about prayer, verse 8 is Christian love and 9 is about Christian hospitality. It certainly appears that verse 10 and 11 continue to focus on the same thing. When we live lives that are in accordance with God’s word, we then reflect the image of our heavenly Father through love and good works. He then receives praise, honor, and glory as our creator.

Verse 11 begins by addressing anyone who speaks on behalf of God or for God. In the original language, “let him speak” was not in the verse; it would have read, “If anyone speaks – as the oracles of God.” The seriousness of speaking for God is being emphasized; also the message from God is to be delivered accurately. This concept or idea is taught in the Old and New Testament. In Deuteronomy 4:2 it says, “You shall not add to the word I command you, nor take anything from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” Also in 12:32 of the same book we read, “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it or take away from it.” See also Proverbs 30:10.

In Revelation 22:18-19, God gives us a warning; “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book; If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plaques that written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

In the Old Testament the accuracy of the message was very important, as well as the instruction concerning it. In I Kings 13:24 the messenger of God was killed by a lion when he was disobedient to God. When Uzzah did not follow God’s directive in carrying the ark, he was struck dead, II Samuel 6:6-7. God expected obedience back then, just as He does today.

In the Old Testament the one who spoke for God was often referred to as a herald, prophet or crier. As God’s messenger, he was to glorify the One who was sending him, by proclaiming the message of God accurately. This seems to be the background for this statement. We should also remember that Peter’s early life was under the Old Testament economy and teaching. He would have been familiar with this teaching.

In conclusion, let’s look at some of the things we have noticed about this passage of scripture.

1– The context or background of I Peter 4:11 is holy living that glorifies God, verses 7-11.

2 — The admonition is addressed to the one speaking: not to those listening.

3 — The responsibility of the one speaking is of grave importance.

4 — The one speaking was to glorify the One who sent him by proclaiming the message accurately.

In the next article we will continue to look at the messenger of God and the oracles (message) of God.

Comments or questions, contact me at: thoughtsonword@gmail.com.

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Lyndon Stimeling, of Richfield, has been writing about faith and family for many years. He has self-published two books, “Common Thoughts on The Word” in 2016 and “Eye of a Needle” in 2017. He has also had articles published in The Coming Home Journal and local newspapers and has written a children’s book.

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