With this thread, I hope to shed more light on this subject.

Question: Does anyone know who the first preacher of the gospel was? A woman.

When Mary found Christ not in the tomb, and Christ showed Himself as being alive. What did Christ tell Mary to do? Go tell the other apostles I have risen. That friends is preaching. And any place that where believers are gathered can be considered a church. So when Mary came unto them and told them the news, she was preaching the gospel to a group.

And to confirm this even more. Christ appeared to them to back up what Mary preached.

Also, here is a verse to confirm this:

John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

What this means is that no ministry can have the drawing power to Christ and salvation unless Father God first approves. Now you might say: Well that don't work because there are some ministries that are just wrong. So let's ponder something for a minute...

Are we perfect? Is your denomination perfect? Is your preacher perfect? No?

What this means is that for our imperfections, God has to leave some leeway. So how much leeway? We don't know because it's not outright said in the Bible. But, God did leave us an example when He said:

John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

So God's approval of having drawing power is the first sign. Why?

Matthew 12:26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

Satan cannot be a part of something that brings people to Christ because he would be casting himself out of that person's life. So the second sign is that if power to draw people into receiving the free gift exists, then Satan is not a part of that ministry

This does not mean that a ministry that draws people cannot be wrong on some issues. But it does mean that God is allowing the drawing power because His leeway for imperfection supersedes what we think is right. And when He allows this, we should not talk badly of a ministry just because we disagree with it. Instead we should pray for them.

This same issue also applies to music ministries. You may not like some of the music that is applied to Christian lyrics. But if that music ministry draws people in for salvation, it's God allowing His leeway which supersedes what we think.

So do you think that all other Christians have to act and think like you or I do to be saved or be the correct ministry? You'd be wrong.

luke 9:49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.

50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

Not everyone will believe as you or I do. And not everyone is going to have understanding and knowledge as everyone else does. But Christ is not going to judge us that way. If we are for Him, then how could we be against him? That is what Christ looks for. And perfection is not a requirement for salvation. So if we judge others by how well they can preach from their knowledge. Then we are truly missing the point Christ is trying to make.

Because if perfection and knowledge are required to some degree, then the mentally challenged are already condemned. Ponder that one.