Dr. E.C. Fulcher, Jr.

There are many in the traditional Christian world that believe you do not need a Pastor to be saved.  But according to the bible, that is not true. (1 Cor 1:21) says: For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

Just because one attends a seminary or a bible college does not mean that he has been anointed to preach the gospel.  Jesus said in (Luke 4:18):  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. One may have a degree from OR University but unless that person has been anointed by God to preach the gospel that degree will not mean much. Having a degree will only allow you to know what man knows, and that boils down to the traditions that have been handed down through the generations. The Bible says that man makes the word of God to none effect by his traditions. (Mark 7:13) Making the word of god of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. The Bible also says, (1 Cor 2:13)  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

So, who does God call to perfect the saints? (1 Cor 12:28)  And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.   Who hath set them?  God, not man.

An Apostle is one that is sent (by God). (Rom 10:14)  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  A true Pastor is a man who has been anointed by the Holy Spirit to teach his congregation how to use the Bible to compare spiritual things with spiritual.  And the only way that can happen is if the Pastor’s eyes have been opened to see past the plain words printed on the page to the hidden meaning beneath… something you cannot learn in a school?  It has to be revealed to you.

To further drive this home, it is written in (Rom 10:15)  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!  Note, the Scripture says, “be sent.”  A Bible School or seminary does not send you.  It indoctrinates their students in the particular brand of theology they are teaching so that their graduates will all agree with the doctrines of their specific denominations.  Not all Bible Schools teach the same doctrine.

Yet, the Bible says in (Isa 55:9)  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my  ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.  God’s thoughts are higher than man’s thoughts and as such, by nature, must be revealed.  No degree can reveal God’s word, only God can reveal His word.

Written by Jerry Corsaletti and Eric B. Ruark