Husbands and Fathers: Rediscover the Creator's Purpose for Men by Derek Prince & Edwin Cole

Author:Derek Prince & Edwin Cole [Prince, Derek & Cole, Edwin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Parenting & Relationships, Parenting, Christianity, General, Family & Relationships, Marriage, Fatherhood, Christian Living, Family Relationships, Men's Issues, Religion & Spirituality, Christian Books & Bibles
ISBN: 0800792742
Google: q3XZQtR2RXUC
Amazon: B005BOXMZK
Barnesnoble: B005BOXMZK
Goodreads: 12225355
Publisher: Chosen Books
Published: 2000-02-02T00:00:00+00:00

10

The Father as King

Let’s review the three main functions of a father. As priest he represents his family to God. As prophet he represents God to his family. Finally, as king, he governs his family on behalf of God.

Just what does it mean for a father to be a king?

In 1 Timothy 3:4–5 Paul discusses the qualifications for a man who wants to be a leader in the church. The most important area of all, writes Paul, is the condition of the man’s home. Such a man “must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect” (1 Timothy 3:4, NIV). He is expected to exercise authority and to have his children respectful, obedient and under his control.

The Greek word translated manage means literally “to stand out in front of” or “to stand at the head of.” It contains various related ideas, including “to rule,” “to protect” and “to control.” Essentially the word means that the father stands at the head of the home. He puts himself between his family and all the pressures and dangers of life. He also goes in front of them and sets an example of godly living.

Successful leadership at home, Paul goes on to say, is essential for leadership in the church. “If a man does not know how to rule his own house,” he asks, “how will he take care of the church of God?” (verse 5). If a man cannot achieve successful leadership at home, in other words, he cannot expect to succeed as a leader in God’s church.

At one time I enjoyed a brief acquaintance with Lewi Pethrus of Sweden, who pastored the largest Pentecostal church in Europe through the period of World War II. He was a man who took very seriously the biblical requirements for being a pastor.

At one point he came before his congregation and told them he was resigning as their pastor.

“Scripture says that I must have my children in subjection,” he explained, “but my sons are not walking with the Lord. So I must resign.”

“Don’t do that!” the people responded. “We’ll pray for your sons that they may be saved.”

The people prayed, the sons were saved and Pastor Pethrus did not resign.

Unfortunately many men in the ministry today do not take the requirements of Scripture so seriously.

There is a logical reason that success as a father should be a requirement for holding the office of pastor. The home is really the church in miniature.

In a New Testament church there were three main elements:

1. The pastor or shepherd (usually plural—also called “elders”)

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