Fatherhood by Derek Prince

Fatherhood by Derek Prince

Author:Derek Prince
Language: eng
Format: mobi, pdf
Published: 2012-01-03T16:45:02+00:00


THE FATHER AS KING

The function of a king, of course, is to rule or to govern and is the third ministry of the father in his home. In modern America, the word "king" is not always too acceptable, although it is a word that is used throughout the Bible. If you do not like the word king, we can substitute the word "governor." In any case, the function of the father is to rule or govern his household on behalf of God.

If we turn to 1 Timothy, Paul discusses the qualifications for a man who wants to hold the position of an elder, overseer, or a bishop. Various different words are used, but the point is, it is the description of a man who is to lead or to govern God's people. The most important of all the qualifications for that office is the condition of the man's home. How does that man function in his home? This is what Paul says in 1 Timothy 3:4-5:

[Such a man] must have proper authority in his own household, and be able to control and command the respect of his children.

(For if a man cannot rule in his own house how can he look after the Church of God?)

(JBP)

A man is expected to rule in his own house. He is expected to exercise authority and to have his children respectful, obedient and under his control. If a man cannot achieve that at home, Paul indicates he has no hope of succeeding as a ruler, governor or leader in God's church.

The word that is used there for "to rule" literally, in Greek, means "to stand out in front" or "to stand at the head of." It contains various related ideas. I would just like to give you a few different ways you could understand it: to rule, to lead, to stand at the head, to protect, to control. Essentially, it means that the father is the head of his home, he is out in front, he sets an example and he stands between his family and all the dangers and pressures of life. It means that he is a man. He has what it takes. He has what modern speech calls "guts." It takes "guts" to be a man and to be a father.

Paul then goes on to say that successful leadership at home is essential for leadership in the church. There is strong reason for this: The home is really the church in miniature, in microcosm or in embryo.

In the church there are three main elements: the pastor or the shepherd; the deacon or the helper; and the congregation or the flock. Those correspond to the three main elements in the home. In the home, the father has the responsibilities of the pastor or shepherd. The wife, according to Scripture, is the helper, created to help her husband like the deacon. The children are the congregation or the flock. God has built into the family all the basics that make up a proper New Testament church.



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