𝗜𝗦 𝗜𝗧 𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗔 𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥 𝗜𝗦 𝗨𝗡𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗗?

 IS IT POSSIBLE THAT A PASTOR IS UNSAVED?

(Rightly Dividing the Man from the Message)
2 Corinthians 11:13–15 (KJV)
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.”

INTRODUCTION

Many assume that title equals truth and position equals salvation.
But Scripture—rightly divided (2 Timothy 2:15)—warns us that religious leaders can be sincere, educated, gifted… and still lost.

Being a pastor does not automatically mean being saved.
Salvation is not inherited by office—it is received by faith.

Today we ask a serious but biblical question:
Is it possible that a pastor is unsaved?

POSITION DOES NOT PROVE SALVATION
Matthew 7:21–23; Romans 10:1–4

A. Office Is External – A title does not change the heart
B. Ordination Is Human – Men appoint, God regenerates
C. Occupation Is Not Conversion – Ministry ≠ salvation
Dispensational Insight:
In this age, salvation comes by faith alone, not by function.

PROFESSION DOES NOT GUARANTEE POSSESSION
Titus 1:16; 2 Timothy 3:5

A. Verbal Confession – Saying “Lord” is not saving faith
B. Visible Religion – Outward godliness can hide inward unbelief
C. Vital Relationship Missing – Christ not personally trusted
A pastor may preach Christ without believing the gospel.

PREACHING DOES NOT PRODUCE NEW BIRTH
1 Corinthians 9:27; John 3:3

A. Teaching Truth – Truth can be taught academically
B. Talking Theology – Knowledge ≠ regeneration
C. Trusting Self – Ministry replaces faith
Paul feared being disapproved in service, not unsaved—but others may be unsaved entirely.

PERFORMANCE CAN HIDE PERDITION
Matthew 23:27; 2 Corinthians 11:14

A. Polished Pulpits – External excellence
B. Powerful Personalities – Charisma replaces Christ
C. Pretended Piety – Religious acting without redemption
Satan’s ministers look clean, convincing, and Christian.

PERSEVERANCE IN WORKS IS NOT PROOF
Galatians 2:16; Romans 4:5

A. Works-Based Teaching – Mixing law and grace
B. Wage Mentality – Earning instead of trusting
C. Wrong Gospel – Faith plus works equals no gospel
A pastor preaching works is often revealing his own unbelief.

PAULINE GOSPEL IS THE TRUE TEST
1 Corinthians 15:1–4; Galatians 1:6–9

A. Christ’s Death for Sins – Substitution understood
B. Burial and Resurrection – Finished work believed
C. Grace Alone – No sacraments, rituals, or performance
Rejecting Paul’s gospel = rejecting salvation for today.

POSITION CAN BE USED FOR PROFIT
2 Peter 2:1–3; 1 Timothy 6:5

A. Pulpit as Business – Ministry for money
B. People as Products – Sheep exploited
C. Profit over People – Gain replaces godliness
Some preach for pay, not because they are saved.

PASTOR MUST BE PERSONALLY SAVED
Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 4:16

A. Take Heed to Thyself – Salvation comes first
B. Then to Doctrine – Truth follows life
C. Both Must Align – Saved man, sound message
A pastor must believe the gospel before teaching others.

PROOF IS THE PREACHED GOSPEL
Romans 16:25; Colossians 1:25

A. Grace Message – Salvation by grace alone
B. Mystery Message – Pauline revelation honored
C. Christ Exalted – Not church, not self
The clearest evidence of salvation is what gospel he preaches.

CONCLUSION

Yes—it is possible for a pastor to be unsaved.
A pulpit does not save.
A seminary does not save.
A title does not save.
Only faith in the finished work of Christ, as revealed to Paul, saves.

CALL TO ACTION

Examine the message—not the man
Test every pastor by Paul’s gospel
Trust Christ—not clergy
Believe the gospel of grace alone
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith.”
2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)

FINAL THOUGHTS

Title does not equal truth
Ministry does not equal salvation
Works do not replace faith
Religion can hide unbelief
Grace exposes false gospels
Paul’s gospel is the standard today
Charisma is not conversion
Sound doctrine matters
Christ alone saves—pastor or not