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Christ has made ample provision for the care and development of His Church.
Ephesians 4:11 "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,"
He Himself gives gift ministries to His Church, they are not man-made, they are Christ-given. Designation of the ascension gift ministries reveal the fullness of Christ's provision.
"To be APOSTLES" - Greek 'apostolos'
"The word "apostle" means "one sent forth" as an ambassador who bears a message and who represents the one who sent him". RyrieThe Greek word for "Apostle" is also translated "messenger" (2 Corinthians 8:23; Philippians 2:25 ). Authority characterises an apostle - the sent one is backed up with the power and authority of the one who sent him. The qualifications that distinguish the initial group of apostles are given in Acts 2:22. They were Christ's original foundation apostles (Revelation 21:14 )
Paul's own apostleship was that of one commissioned "of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God" (1 Timothy 1:1 KJV). Paul emphatically declared his apostleship was "not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father" (Galatians 1:1 KJV). That he was clothed with the authority of the one who sent him, Christ Jesus, is evident (1 Corinthians 5:3-5; 2 Corinthians 10:8 ). That the Church recognised apostles other than the twelve and Paul, as having a real function among them is very clear. Among these apostles were Barnabas (1 Corinthians 9:5-6; Acts 14:14 ), also Andronicus and Junia (Romans 16:7 ) and James the Lord's brother (Galatians 1:19 ), Silas and Timothy (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2:6 ), Titus (2 Corinthians 8:23 ), messengers, i.e. apostles, and Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25 ).
Apostles are known for their foundational ministry(Ephesians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 3:10 ). The use of this metaphorical language conveys the idea of establishing and consolidating local integrated structures. They bring cohesion and tie into the tested cornerstone Christ, so that they become centres of God's presence and of Christ's activity in the local community (Ephesians 2:21 )
Apostles are marked by a Christ-given authority as His servantsTheir seal of authority are the souls won to Christ, and the Churches established (1 Corinthians 9:1-2 ). Their actual authority consisted of correctly presenting Christ and His word (2 Corinthians 4:5 ).
Apostles have supernatural signs accompanying their ministry(2 Corinthians 12:12; Romans 15:16-21; Hebrews 2:3-4 ). Apostles are mighty in God pulling down strongholds of the opposing enemy. and they demolish arguments and pretensions set up against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:4-5 ).
Apostles are marked by their suffering for ChristSome like Paul, (1 Corinthians 4:9-13 ).
Apostles have the burden of the church upon them(2 Corinthians 11:28 ).
Apostles exercise a father ministry(1 Corinthians 4:15 ), meeting the needs of leaders and Churches with fatherly concern.
Apostles do not lord it over othersOver other churches and leaders, but rather, they work for their joy (2 Corinthians 1:24 ). They respect the leading and decisions of others (1 Corinthians 16:12 ).
Apostles desire to be fruitful among all nations as part of their grace calling(Romans 1:5,13 ).
Apostles have a heart desire to impart spiritual gift to make others strongExercising his own gifting to make the ministry of others grow in effectiveness (Romans 1:11 ).
Apostles value with true sincerity the faith and encouragement of othersIn their ministry they open themselves to others (Romans 1:12 ).
Apostles labour under a constraint to share the good news of jesus christThey have an unshakeable confidence in the relevance of the gospel to our cities, and its mighty power to bring salvation and righteousness to everyone who believes (Romans 1:14-16 ).
Apostles are intended to be so christlike in life and conductThat they can rightly invite others to follow and imitate them (1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1 ).
Apostles are recognisable from their alignment to biblical standardsFalse apostles are exposed by the Scriptures and we should be able to detect them (Revelation 2:2; 2 Corinthians 11:3 ).
"Some prophets"Greek 'prophetes' - an inspired speaker - a spokesman for God (Exodus 7:1-2; Jeremiah 15:19 ). New Testament spokesmen for God edify, exhort and strengthen with prophetic utterances of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:3 ).
New Testament Prophets receive revelation(1 Corinthians 14:3 ). They need to reverence the Lord (Psalm 25:14 ).
New Testament Prophets have the ministry of exhorters(Acts 15:32 ).
There is a New Testament office of a Prophet(1 Corinthians 12:28 ) Distinct from those who prophecy as part of body ministry in the local Church (1 Corinthians 14:23-26 ). Like all the ascension gifts, those in the prophetic office are given to the Church as a whole, not just to one local part of it. To the rhetorical question "are all prophets?" (1 Corinthians 12:29 ), the answer is positively "No." Obviously the prophetic office is limited in numbers - while on the other hand the body ministry of prophecy is open to all (1 Corinthians 14:24,26 ).
Those operating in the office of a prophet will be used in the realm of spiritual gifts that are outside the defined gift of prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:3 ). Interestingly, 1 Corinthians 13:2 puts "mysteries" and "knowledge" distinct from prophecy. Those in the prophetic office will major in the "word of wisdom" and the "word of knowledge" and "discerning of spirits." (1 Corinthians 12:8-10 ). They are specially used in the discerning of the human spirit (Acts 8:20-21 ). They will be used to make known calling through confirmation, and to impart spiritual gifts (1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6 ). As prophets they are to evaluate the prophetic word and prophetic visions given through others (1 Corinthians 14:29 ).
Prophets along with Apostles are foundation layers(Ephesians 2:20 ). Prophetic ministry is active in evangelism (Acts 13:1-2 ) and stirs others to evangelism. They are used in demonstrations of the Lord's power through being instruments of miraculous ministry (1 Kings 17:23-24 ). The gift of the "working of miracles" will attend the prophetic ministry (1 Corinthians 12:10 ).
Prophets function as intercessors(1 Samuel 12:23 ), and watchmen (Ezekiel 3:16-17 ), and are required to be faithful to their responsibility as those accountable (Ezekiel 3:18-21 ).
Prophets were and are now, examples to believers, of suffering and patience(James 5:10 ). Forthtelling and foretelling God's will and purpose at times bring scorn and ridicule upon the prophet, but patience under trial is an example and encouragement to God's faithful people.
"Some Evangelists"Greek 'euaggelietes' - one who declares the good news (Romans 10:15 ). This ascension gift ministry has a burden for the lost and enjoys a special gifting as a soul-winner. The only man in the New Testament spoken of as being an evangelist was Philip (Acts 21:8 ). He was used to turn cities to Christ. As part of Christ's gifting to His body the Church, they stir up the saints in evangelism, and train them for their witnessing and soul-winning. Every ministry, just as every saint, is expected to become involved in evangelism. The word to Timothy is applicable to every gift ministry today.
It may not be your specific gifting but you are to work at evangelism so as to discharge all the duties of your ministry. Both the world and the Church owe much to the Christ-given evangelist.
"Some Pastors And Teachers"Greek 'poimen' - shepherd; "didaskalos' - teacher. The word in the Greek for shepherd and for pastor is the same - their work is the same, they care for and feed a flock (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-2 ). Pastors, or shepherds, is the usual term in the Old Testament applied to kings and princes.
Israel's shepherds, the kings, failed to provide and protect the people (Ezekiel 34:2-3 ). The prophecy of Ezekiel 34:23 specially applies to the Shepherd Christ Jesus the Chief Shepherd who gives true pastors. In the office of pastor there is implied the work of giving, guarding as well as nourishing the flock, necessitating a localised ministry.
The omission of the article from "teachers" would seem to indicate that pastors and teachers are one class, that the two giftings belong together. Certainly a pastor unable to teach would not be able to feed. A teacher to be effective needs the knowledge which pastoral experience gives. Nevertheless the gift of teachers is a distinct gift ministry of Christ to the Church - that there were true and false teachers. Teaching being their main function in the Early Church is supported by New Testament references to them (Acts 13:1; 1 Timothy 1:3; 2 Timothy 4:2 ).
The Greek word translated "teacher" is rendered "master" 48 times. It is used once in the book of Acts (Acts 13:1 ), and is translated "teachers," and is always translated "teachers" in Paul's epistles. With this use of 'didaskalos' in mind, we can define teachers as masters in the art of understanding and communicating the meaning of Scripture. One who is faithful to what the meaning was when originally written. A gift of Christ that instructs in sound doctrine. Without doubt this ascension gift of Christ will have a teachable spirit and be able to impart to others the proven truth he has received, so that they in turn can share what they have learned.
The two gift ministries are put together, namely pastors and teachers, but in Acts 13:1 we have "prophets and teachers." So looking at these five gift ministries we notice that they are distinct in themselves - but in one person we can have dual gifting - even triple - and of course, the apostle by the very nature of his office, will be gifted to a measure in all the ministry gifts. The risen, exalted Lord is the great provider.
The Lord is still giving gift ministries - the Church will never be in want.
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