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Walking with God and the Work of the Ministry

Ephesians 4:11-16

 

The LordÕs Gifts

ÒHe gave some, Apostles.Ó — The Lord Jesus Christ himself appointed chosen men and gave them gifts that qualified them to be his Apostles. This was the first and chief office in the Church. They were called by Christ, had their doctrine directly from him, and had power to work miracles to confirm their doctrine (Hebrews 2:3-4). — This office is now ceased.

      ÒAnd some, ProphetsÓ — extraordinary preachers, exceptionally gifted men of God in the early Church, who had a particular gift to interpret Scripture (especially the prophecies of the Old Testament) and of foretelling things to come, such as Agabus (Acts 11:27-30; 21:10-13).

      ÒAnd some, EvangelistsÓ — preachers of the Gospel who were traveling missionaries, going from place to place to establish local churches and to assist struggling churches and pastors.

      ÒAnd some, Pastors and TeachersÓ — Pastors/Teachers are men appointed of God to preach the Gospel, teaching the Scriptures, shepherds who guide the flock of God in the Scriptures, rulers who rule the house of God by the Word of God, leading GodÕs people in the way of the faith. Each pastor is GodÕs appointed teacher, the angel of God, in the local church over which the Holy Ghost has made him the overseer.

 

Their Work

The reason Christ gave his Church these men, the reason he gives pastors to his Church is for Òthe perfecting of the saints,Ó for the spiritual growth and maturity of GodÕs children.

      ÒFor the work of the ministry,Ó — to preach the Gospel to the lost (2 Timothy 2:10), to oversee the Church (1 Peter 5:1-4), to do the work of an evangelist (2 Timothy 4:5), and to teach the things of Christ (Matthew 28:19-20).

      ÒFor the edifying of the body of Christ.Ó — to strengthen, build up, and give comfort and assurance to the people of God.

      The Lord Jesus gave his Church these men to pray, preach, and teach, until all the elect come to saving faith and are perfectly united in him. Blessed be his name, our God will continue to supply his Church with faithful, gifted pastors throughout the ages of time, until all ChristÕs redeemed ones are united to him in the perfection of life eternal in the heavenly glory, teaching believers to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (vv. 13-16). GodÕs servants will be found in this world faithfully preaching the Gospel, until all of the elect are made to behold his glory, and trust in him.

 

Pastors and Peace

Remember, Paul is urging us to Òkeep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.Ó And he tells us plainly that our unity in the Spirit and our peace as a Church family is directly and inseparably connected with this blessed gift of Christ to his Church (1 Thessalonians 5:11-13).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don Fortner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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