Msg #2621A Preacher’s Prep
What The Bible Says
Good Samaritan’s Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice
When the Pharisee of Pharisees gets born-again-saved, he is filled with the Holy Ghost, baptized, and found dwelling with disciples certain days (Acts.9:17–19). He goes into Arabia for a period, then returns and spends three years preaching Christ in the synagogues of Damascus; preaching that Jesus is Christ and Christ is the Son of God (Acts.9:20, Gal.1:17–19). Typically, a Pharisees was trained in the law at the feet of a master until age 30, then trusted with on the job training (OJT as it were), and then, at age 40, he was entrusted with his own ministry. Having done that Saul, who also is called Paul, is converted, spends three years in OJT preaching Christ, then is accepted in the beloved and is “with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem”, i.e. the First Baptist Church of Jerusalem, wherein “he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts.9:26–29).
Paul regularly made it a big deal that the gospel which was preached of him was not after man, it came from Jesus Christ himself. It is altogether fitting that a preacher of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ follow a similar pattern. Not a novice, but having three or more years of OJT preaching Christ. Not trained at the feet of a man or denomination, but at the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ himself. Not a rogue outcast or a staged replica, but accepted of the beloved (Eph.1:6) and able to come in and go out with the beloved. An independent Baptist ordination is not a doctrine exam as much as a recognition of these traits. Paul further recites a “seminary” experience when, 10 years later, about the time of his first missionary journey, he met intensely with the Lord himself (2Cor.12:1–5); faithful; with integrity.
An Essay for week #21 May 24, 2026
Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs260524.mp3
12 Systematic Theology Volumes www.GSBaptistChurch.com/theology
Journaled Israel Tours www.GSBaptistChurch.com/israel22
Read the Penny Pulpit in blog www.gsbcpastorrice.wordpress.com
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