Over the past 18 months, we have been greatly blessed as a church to see new people join our church community. It has been a joy to watch individuals learn about the love of God and discover how a relationship with Jesus Christ can straighten our paths and lead us through the many difficult situations we face in life.

One of the ways we have sought to serve our congregation is through our blog. We have endeavoured to speak the truth of God’s Word with love and humility. For example, we addressed the claim that prayer does not work.

We explained from Scripture that such a statement is not consistent with the teaching of the Bible. Interestingly, within weeks, the same pastor who had made that statement launched a church-wide prayer initiative that continued for several months.

We cannot know the reasons behind this change. Perhaps the pastor reconsidered their earlier comments, perhaps they came to a different understanding, or perhaps other factors were involved. Whatever the reason, a renewed emphasis on prayer emerged. We thank God for that outcome and rejoice whenever Christians are encouraged to pray.

The more God’s people pray, the more they acknowledge their dependence upon Him. Scripture repeatedly calls believers to pray, we desire to see Christians drawing closer to God in faithful obedience with prayers also leading to positive change in all kinds of situations.

We have also written about the importance of baptism and the danger of measuring success simply by church attendance or baptismal numbers. Baptism is a wonderful step of obedience, but discipleship must continue long afterwards. A person baptised can be later asked to leave the church after raising concerns about certain matters. Rather than walking patiently alongside an individual and working through those differences together, relationships can break down.

We prayed about a similar situation, asking God to bring restoration where possible. We were encouraged to see a person who was asked to leave later welcomed back into the church and, in time, received into membership. We give God the glory for every step towards reconciliation and restoration.

The point we wish to make is that one of the Christian’s spiritual weapons is the truth of God’s Word. Our warfare is not fought with worldly methods but by faithfully proclaiming the truth found in Scripture. Here at Canton Community Church, our desire has simply been to speak God’s truth, bring those matters before Him in prayer, and trust Him to work in the hearts of people. When God chooses to correct situations, restore relationships, and draw people closer to Himself, all the glory belongs to Him.

In 2 Corinthians 10:3–5, the passage reads:

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (KJV)

This passage teaches that the Christian’s warfare is not fought with physical weapons or human force. Instead, it is fought with spiritual weapons that God provides. One of the primary ways Christians engage in this warfare is by speaking and proclaiming the truth of God’s Word. Here is a graphic to help you understand further.

Speaking truth tears down strongholds

Paul describes “strongholds” not as physical fortresses but as ways of thinking, false beliefs, arguments, and ideas that oppose the knowledge of God. These are overcome not by intimidation or violence, but by truth.

When Christians speak the truth of the gospel, they expose falsehood and point people to Christ. Jesus Himself said:

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” (John 8:32)

Truth has the power to free people from deception, error, and unbelief. In this sense, speaking biblical truth is a weapon God uses to bring people to repentance and faith.

We overcome lies with God’s Word

Throughout Scripture, Satan is described as a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). Jesus resisted Satan’s temptations in the wilderness not through displays of power, but by repeatedly declaring:

“It is written…” (Matthew 4:1–11)

Christ answered every temptation with Scripture. His example shows that God’s revealed truth is a weapon against deception.

Our warfare is persuasive, not coercive

Paul’s language in 2 Corinthians 10 emphasises that believers destroy arguments and false ideas by presenting God’s truth. The goal is:

• to expose error,
• to proclaim the gospel,
• to encourage obedience to Christ,
• to call people to repentance.

This warfare is conducted through faithful witness, teaching, preaching, correction, and encouragement—not through force or manipulation.

The armour of God reinforces this

Paul expands on this theme in Ephesians 6:

• The belt of truth (Ephesians 6:14) represents being established in God’s truth.
• The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17), is the only offensive weapon listed. Believers use God’s Word to defend the faith, refute error, and proclaim Christ.

The practical application

Christians wage spiritual warfare by:

• Speaking the truth of Scripture faithfully.
• Refusing to spread false teaching.
• Correcting error with gentleness (2 Timothy 2:24–26).
• Proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Bringing their own thoughts into submission to Christ before seeking to influence others.

The emphasis of 2 Corinthians 10:3–5 is therefore not on mystical techniques or physical conflict, but on the power of God’s truth to overthrow false ideas and bring hearts and minds into obedience to Christ. The Christian’s weapons are effective because they are God’s means of confronting deception with truth.

Conclusion

So, let’s conclude. Keep reading Gods word, which is truth, keep praying and watch God move through your prayers changing hearts, safeguarding the church and vulnerable people who need Gods truth more than ever to bring about transformation over time. A small church like ours can make the difference.

One of the most troubling inconsistencies within some churches is when a pastor tells a member of the congregation that they should not create a product to glorify God.

Yet later that same pastor writes and publishes their own book claiming it is for God’s glory.

If writing about God’s truth is wrong for one believer, why is it acceptable for another simply because they stand behind a pulpit?

The New Testament teaches that every believer has been given gifts by God to serve the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.”

It does not teach that only ordained ministers or those with theological qualifications have permission to communicate biblical truth. Throughout Scripture, ordinary believers testified about what God had done in their lives, shared the gospel, and encouraged one another without requiring official recognition from a religious institution.

When a pastor discourages someone else from writing while pursuing their own publishing career, it raises an important question: Is the objection really about protecting biblical truth, or about protecting authority and influence?

A Double Standard

Imagine a congregant says:

“I want to write a book explaining what I have learned from Scripture so that others might know Christ.”

If the response is:

“You shouldn’t do that.”

but the same pastor later announces:

“I’m pleased to release my latest book, available now in Christian bookshops.”

there is an obvious inconsistency.

The principle has changed depending upon who is doing the writing.

This creates a two-tier system within the church:

• The congregation are expected to listen.
• The leadership are expected to publish.

Such an approach can unintentionally communicate that God’s work belongs primarily to recognised leaders rather than to the whole body of Christ.

Does God Only Speak Through Qualified People?

The Bible gives no indication that only professionally trained leaders can communicate biblical truth.

Some of the most influential servants of God were ordinary people whom society overlooked.

The gospel spread across the Roman Empire through countless unnamed believers who shared Christ with neighbours, families and communities.

God has always used ordinary people.

Therefore, if a Christian faithfully teaches Scripture, handles God’s Word carefully and points people to Christ rather than themselves, there is no biblical reason why they could not write a book.

Glorifying God Should Not Be Reserved for Church Leaders

Every Christian is called to glorify God.

Paul writes:

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

That principle surely includes writing.

If writing a book can glorify God when a pastor does it, then writing a book can glorify God when an ordinary Christian does it.

The deciding factor is not the person’s title but whether what they write is faithful to Scripture and whether their motivation is to honour Christ rather than themselves.

The Real Danger

The greater danger is not that ordinary Christians write books.

The greater danger is creating an atmosphere where spiritual authority becomes concentrated in a small group of recognised leaders who believe they are entitled alone to interpret, publish and teach God’s Word publicly because of their stature and qualifications.

When this happens, members can begin to feel that their gifts are less valuable, their insights are less welcome and their service is somehow secondary because they lack a title or qualification.

The New Testament paints a very different picture. The church is described as one body with many members, each gifted differently but all called to contribute to God’s work.

A Call for Consistency

Church leaders should encourage believers to use their gifts responsibly, including writing, teaching and sharing biblical truth where appropriate. Likewise, Christians who write should do so with humility, careful study and a willingness to be corrected by Scripture.

The issue should never be who is writing.

The issue should always be what is being written and whether it faithfully reflects the teaching of God’s Word.

If pastors are free to write books to glorify God, then they should be careful not to deny other believers that same opportunity without clear biblical reasons. Otherwise, they risk creating a standard for others that they are unwilling to apply to themselves—a contradiction that can undermine both their credibility and the principle of fairness within the church.

In many parts of the modern church, ministry has increasingly taken on the shape of a career path. There is often an expectation of formal education, structured progression, public recognition and visible platforms of influence. While training, teaching and leadership are valuable gifts to the church, Christians must carefully examine whether this has unintentionally created a form of career Christianity that differs from the pattern we see in Scripture.

The central question is not whether Christians should be trained or equipped. The question is whether spiritual authority has become tied to human systems of qualification and status, rather than to faithfulness to Christ and the authority of God’s Word.

Scripture consistently reminds believers that God’s ways often differ from human expectations:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” (Isaiah 55:8)

The Rise of Career Christianity

In many contexts, ministry is approached as a structured profession:

• Formal theological education is expected.
• Ordination or institutional recognition is required.
• Advancement through leadership roles is common.
• Public speaking and visibility are often seen as marks of success.

None of these things are inherently wrong. Scripture affirms the value of teaching and orderly leadership within the church:

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.” (Ephesians 4:11)

However, problems arise when these structures begin to define spiritual authority more than obedience to Christ.

The danger is subtle: ministry can shift from being a humble service to God into a system of professional advancement. In such an environment, influence may begin to depend more on position than on faithfulness.

Does Human Qualification Equal Spiritual Authority?

Scripture values wisdom and instruction:

“The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.” (Proverbs 18:15)

Yet it also warns against placing ultimate trust in human understanding:

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)

Formal training can be helpful, but it does not guarantee spiritual truthfulness or maturity. Throughout church history, sincere and educated believers have disagreed on important doctrines. Human qualification cannot remove human limitation.

This is why Scripture commends those who test teaching against God’s Word:

“These were more noble… in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11)

Even apostolic teaching was measured against Scripture. The authority always remained in God’s Word, not in the status of the speaker.

The Temptation Toward Self-Importance

When ministry becomes professionalised, there is a real temptation toward pride and self-importance.

Scripture repeatedly warns against this:

“Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” (1 Corinthians 8:1)

“Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12)

A person may possess great learning, theological training and public recognition, yet still lack humility before God. The danger is not knowledge itself, but knowledge that is not governed by love, humility and submission to Christ.

True spiritual maturity is not measured by status, but by Christlike character:

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

Jesus and the Absence of Human Credentials

The life of Jesus Christ stands in direct contrast to human systems of qualification and status.

Jesus did not rely on institutional recognition or academic credentials.

Instead, His authority was rooted in His identity and His obedience to the Father.

When He taught, people recognised something different:

“For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Matthew 7:29)

Yet many also rejected Him because He did not fit their expectations:

“Is not this the carpenter’s son?” (Matthew 13:55)

From a human perspective, Jesus lacked the credentials that religious leaders valued. Yet Scripture declares:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel…” (Luke 4:18)

His authority came from God, not from human systems.

The Apostles and Ordinary People

The pattern continues with the apostles. Many of them were not formally trained in the religious institutions of their day.

When Peter and John spoke boldly, the authorities took note:

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled…” (Acts 4:13)

Yet their effectiveness was not based on education or status, but on their relationship with Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit:

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6)

God consistently uses the ordinary to accomplish His purposes:

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise…” (1 Corinthians 1:27)

The True Source of Authority

Scripture is clear that ultimate authority belongs to God’s Word, not human systems:

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

This means that no matter a person’s position, education or recognition, their teaching must always be measured against Scripture.

The Berean example remains the standard: believers are called to test everything, not accept teaching simply because of the status of the speaker and their qualifications.

Calling Versus Career

A key distinction must be made between calling and career.

A career is often defined by progression, recognition and achievement.

A calling is defined by obedience to God.

Scripture emphasises that ministry is service, not status:

“Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister.” (Matthew 20:26)

“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2 Corinthians 4:5)

When ministry becomes primarily about advancement, recognition or platform, it risks drifting away from the servant-hearted model of Christ.

The Greatest Qualification

Ultimately, Scripture does not present formal qualification as the foundation of ministry. Instead, it emphasises faithfulness:

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2)

Faithfulness to Christ, obedience to His Word and dependence on the Holy Spirit are the true marks of spiritual maturity.

Education can assist ministry, but it cannot replace faithfulness. Titles can describe roles, but they cannot produce spiritual authority.

Conclusion

The church benefits greatly from teaching, training and thoughtful leadership. These are gifts from God and should be valued. However, believers must be careful not to elevate human systems of qualification, status or progression above the authority of Scripture and the example of Christ.

Jesus did not call people to follow Him because of institutional recognition, but because of truth, grace and divine authority. The apostles were not chosen for their credentials, but for their willingness to follow.

Therefore, the church today must continually return to this foundation:

“Thy word is truth.” (John 17:17)

Our confidence must not rest in human systems of advancement, but in Christ alone—whose authority does not come from earthly qualification, but from God Himself.

Baptism is one of the most important steps of obedience in the Christian life. It is a public declaration that a person has placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Throughout the New Testament, those who believed the gospel were then baptised as an outward testimony of their inward faith.

Baptism itself does not save a person. The Bible consistently teaches that salvation is by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by any religious ceremony or human work.

Ephesians 2:8–9 says:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Because salvation comes through faith, baptism should be understood as an act of obedience rather than the means by which someone receives forgiveness of sins.

What Does Baptism Symbolise?

The Apostle Paul explains the meaning of baptism in Romans 6:3–4:

“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

Being immersed in water symbolises:

• Dying to the old life of sin.
• Being buried with Christ.
• Rising again to live a new life through Him.

It is a powerful visual picture of what God has already done in the believer’s heart.

A Public Declaration of Faith

In the New Testament, baptism was never a private event hidden away from others. It was a public confession that someone now belonged to Jesus Christ.

Jesus Himself commanded His followers:

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
(Matthew 28:19)

This command remains for Christians today.

Does Baptism Save You?

Different Christian traditions answer this question differently. However, many believers point to passages throughout the New Testament showing that people are justified by faith before baptism.

For example, the thief on the cross trusted Christ and was promised paradise, even though he was never baptised (Luke 23:39–43).

Likewise, throughout the book of Acts, people believed the gospel and were baptised because they had already become followers of Christ.

Baptism is therefore best understood as the response of someone who has already trusted Christ.

Does It Matter Where You Are Baptised?

This is a question many people ask, especially if they have come from different church backgrounds.

The New Testament places surprisingly little emphasis on the location.

People were baptised:

• In the Jordan River.
• In rivers.
• In places where there was “plenty of water.”
• Immediately after believing when water was available.

Acts 8 records Philip baptising the Ethiopian official beside a stretch of water during their journey.

There is no biblical command saying baptism must take place in a particular denomination, church building, baptistry, river, lake or sea.

The emphasis is never on the location.

The emphasis is always on Christ.

Does It Matter Who Baptises You?

Again, Scripture places very little emphasis on the individual performing the baptism.

Paul even wrote to the Corinthians:

“For Christ did not send me to baptise, but to preach the gospel…”
(1 Corinthians 1:17)

Paul’s concern was that people were beginning to boast about who had baptised them rather than focusing on Christ.

The importance lies not in the status or title of the person baptising someone, but in the believer’s obedience to Jesus.

Should the Church Matter?

While the physical location is not emphasised in Scripture, it is wise to be baptised among believers who faithfully teach the gospel and point people to Christ rather than to themselves.

Baptism should never become about joining a personality, following a particular leader, or showing loyalty to a denomination.

Its purpose is to identify the believer with Jesus Christ.

If a church teaches the gospel faithfully and baptises believers in obedience to Christ, the exact building or denomination is of secondary importance.

What About Rivers, Lakes and the Sea?

Many Christians choose to be baptised outdoors because it closely resembles many examples found in Scripture.

Others are baptised in church baptistries or pools.

The Bible does not elevate one location above another.

Here is Dean who got Baptised in the River Jordan in Israel.

Here is a lady who got baptised in a bath.

The point is this. Whether someone is baptised in a river, lake, sea, swimming pool or church baptistry, the significance remains the same: it is the believer’s public testimony of faith in Jesus Christ.

The Heart Is What Matters

Ultimately, God is concerned with the heart.

Someone can be baptised in the most beautiful cathedral in the world yet have no genuine faith.

Another person may be baptised in a small paddling pool after sincerely trusting Christ.

The location does not determine the value of the baptism.

Faith in Christ does.

Conclusion

Baptism is a beautiful act of obedience that publicly declares a believer’s faith in Jesus Christ. It symbolises Christ’s death, burial and resurrection and identifies the believer with Him.

The New Testament gives great importance to baptism itself but very little importance to the physical location where it takes place. Whether in a river, lake, sea, church baptistry or another suitable place, what matters most is that the person has genuinely trusted in Christ and is being baptised in obedience to His command.

Rather than asking, “Where should I be baptised?” perhaps the better question is, “Am I following Jesus in faith and obedience?”

That is the emphasis the New Testament continually presents.

The New Testament consistently presents Christian leadership as a calling to serve rather than an opportunity to gain status. Jesus taught that greatness in His kingdom is measured by humility, sacrifice and faithfulness—not by rank, title or influence.

Yet throughout church history, there have been occasions where individuals have sought positions of authority for reasons other than service. When leadership becomes a career ladder rather than a calling, there is a real danger that ambition can gradually replace faithfulness to God’s Word.

This is not a criticism of every pastor or every denomination. Many pastors faithfully serve Christ for decades with humility and integrity. However, Scripture repeatedly warns believers to be discerning because spiritual leadership, like every area of human life, can be corrupted by pride, the desire for influence and the love of power.

From Servant to Career Professional

Ministry begins with a desire to serve Christ.

But if that desire slowly changes into a desire to climb the organisational structure, ministry can become something very different.

The questions subtly change.

Instead of asking:

“How can I faithfully preach God’s Word?”

the focus becomes:

“How do I become the senior pastor?”

Then:

“How do I become the regional leader?”

Eventually:

“How do I reach the highest office within the organisation?”

When advancement becomes the goal, there is a temptation to make decisions that protect promotion rather than truth.

Surviving Rather Than Repenting

Sometimes leaders survive controversy because they possess influence, strong networks or institutional protection.

When reputation becomes more valuable than repentance, organisations may become more interested in preserving their image than honestly addressing wrongdoing.

The Bible teaches a very different standard.

Leaders are called to be above reproach, humble and accountable.

1 Timothy 3 v 2

“Now the overseer is to be above reproach”

When genuine repentance is replaced by damage limitation, something has gone seriously wrong.

Why Someone Might Seek the Top

Power itself is attractive.

The higher a leader climbs, the greater their ability to influence policy, teaching, appointments and direction.

For someone driven by ambition rather than service, the highest office becomes attractive because it carries authority.

Authority itself is not wrong.

The danger lies in wanting authority for personal control rather than faithful stewardship.

Jesus warned His disciples:

“Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them… But it shall not be so among you.” (Matthew 20:25–26)

His kingdom was never intended to mirror worldly systems of power.

The Danger of Gradual Doctrinal Change

Perhaps the greatest danger comes when influential leaders begin to alter doctrine.

Major changes rarely happen overnight.

Instead, doctrine may be adjusted little by little and can only change until a person has reached the highest position in a Christian organisation.

A word changes.

An emphasis shifts.

A traditional interpretation is quietly replaced.

Practices are introduced first.

Teaching follows later.

Over time, beliefs that once seemed firmly grounded in Scripture may be reinterpreted or replaced.

History shows that doctrinal development has occurred in many Christian traditions, sometimes through careful biblical study and sometimes amid significant disagreement. For this reason, Christians are called to examine teaching carefully against Scripture rather than accepting it solely because it comes from respected leaders.

This is why every believer has a responsibility to test what they hear.

Scripture—not human office—remains the final authority.

Institutional Loyalty Can Become a Temptation

The higher someone rises within an organisation, the greater the temptation to defend the institution.

A leader may begin to think:

“If admitting error damages the organisation, perhaps it is better not to admit it.”

Eventually the organisation itself can become something to protect.

Yet the church exists to serve Christ.

Christ does not exist to protect institutions.

Whenever organisational loyalty becomes greater than loyalty to Scripture, priorities have become distorted.

The Bereans: A Better Example

Acts 17 praises the Bereans because they searched the Scriptures daily to see whether Paul’s teaching was true.

Remarkably, they examined the teaching of an apostle.

They did not reject him.

Neither did they accept everything uncritically.

They tested everything against God’s Word.

This remains one of the healthiest examples for Christians today.

No pastor…

No bishop…

No denomination…

No theological college…

No organisation…

should ever become exempt from biblical examination.

Servants, Not Gatekeepers

Christian leaders are called to shepherd God’s people, not to become gatekeepers of truth as though Scripture belongs to them.

Their responsibility is to proclaim God’s Word faithfully—not to reshape it according to personal ambition, institutional pressure or cultural trends.

Where leaders remain humble, teach transparently and welcome biblical accountability, the church is strengthened.

Where leaders seek influence for its own sake, discourage honest examination or place institutional success above faithfulness to Scripture, the church is placed at risk.

Conclusion

The New Testament calls every Christian—not only pastors—to remain vigilant. Leadership is a gift from God, but leaders remain accountable to God’s Word.

The danger is not simply that someone reaches the top of a Christian organisation.

The danger is that ambition becomes the driving force, integrity gives way to self-preservation and influence is used to advance personal or institutional priorities instead of faithfully proclaiming Scripture.

The church is healthiest when its leaders remember that they are servants before they are executives, shepherds before they are administrators, and disciples before they are authorities.

The highest position in the kingdom of God is not found at the top of an organisational ladder.

It is found at the feet of Christ, serving Him faithfully.