There is a belief within the Charismatic sect of Christianity that claims that certain ministers (usually those with large followings) are God’s generals.
I recently heard a minister tell about a “supposed supernatural experience” he had in which he was introduced to the archangel Michael. Supposedly this man was introduced to the archangel, by Jesus, as “General” in from of his name, so Imagine his name was Tom, he was introduced as General Tom.
I chose not to mention the minister’s name.
Supposedly the minister was given a “warfare strategy” which he demonstrated. He seriously looked into the camera and gave a quite interesting “shout.”
The older I get, the more I laugh.
The truly sad part of this is that so many will fall prey to things like this. Many have been conditioned to exalt men, and in their exaltation of men, they seek out those who have had “supernatural experiences.”
Someone else made the following observation regarding the minister’s experience:
“Paul of the New Covenant didn’t get a new doctrine or military strategy from Michael the Archangel when they were slaughtering new believers. Beware of visitations from Angels that provide new doctrine. New Movements and new religions are built (and were built in the past) on these kind of visitations.
This is well said, and this is why we need to follow the scriptures for our doctrine regarding those who lead in ministry.
In his Pastoral epistles, (the letters to Timothy and Titus) Paul gives the qualifications for those who should be leaders in ministry. Never once does Paul mention visions, or supernatural experiences as a qualification for ministry.
Paul’s lists of qualifications are those who are established in godly character, with integrity, and who are well respected among unbelievers so as not to bring a reproach on the gospel.
Referring to ministers as “generals” because they have garnered large followings with their claims of “divine revelation” and “supernatural experiences” is not a Biblical practice, and it is doctrinally unsound.
If anyone in the history of the church were deserving of such a title, it would have been the apostles who walked with Jesus, along with men like Paul. Yet these men did not view themselves as generals, but as servants of God, because this is what they had been taught by Jesus.
Consider the following from the gospel of Matthew:
25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant… ~ Matthew 20:25-27
Ironically, many of the “great general ministers” have people serve them, and Jesus plainly says, “this shall not be so among you.”
Those who are great in the kingdom of God see themselves as servants, and not as generals, and the true servants of God are recognized by their character rather than their supernatural experiences.
Yeshua The Son Of God 