Eph. 4:11-12
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Everything God does, he does well.
Not only in the creation, but also in the
Creation of HIS church.
He has ORDER. And the giving of HIS
Gifts to man is part of that order.
John Calvin once said:
"This is the arrangement by which the Lord is pleased to govern his church, to maintain its existence, and ultimately to secure its highest perfection.”
Reminds me of Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Therefore, being endued with these GIFTS is a very intricate part of the plan of God for His church.
Apostles
Mark says that he sent them out two and two. This was a kind arrangement, that each one might have a companion; and that they might visit more places, and accomplish more labor, than if they were all together.
These twelve were the original number of apostles.
The word apostle means one that is sent, and was given to them because they were sent forth to preach the gospel.
• They were ambassadors of Christ.
• They were specifically commissioned!
To this number Matthias was afterwards added, to supply the place of Judas, Ac 1:26.
And Paul was specially called to be an apostle to the Gentiles, Ro 1:1
Their office was clearly made known.
• They were to heal the sick, raise the dead, preach the gospel.
• They were to be with him, receive his instructions, learn the nature of his religion, be witnesses of his resurrection, and bear his gospel then around the globe.
The number twelve was the best for these purposes that could be selected.
It was sufficiently large to answer the purpose of testimony; and it was small enough as not to be disorderly, or easily divided into parties or factions.
They were not learned men, and could not be supposed to spread their religion by art or talents.
They were not men of wealth, and could not bribe men to follow them.
They were not men of rank and office, and could not compel men to believe.
They were just such men as are always found the best witnesses in courts of justice—plain men, of good sense, of fair character, of great honesty.
Such men everybody believes, and especially when they are willing to lay down their lives to prove their sincerity.
It was important that Christ should choose them early in his ministry,
• that they might be fully acquainted with him;
• might treasure up his instructions,
• and observe his manner of life and his person,
• that by having been long acquainted with him they might be able to testify to his identity,
• and be competent witnesses of his resurrection.
No witnesses were ever so well qualified to give testimony as they;
and none ever gave so much evidence of their sincerity as they did.
The question is: Is the Ministry of the Apostle still in effect today?
Some say no: But let’s look at Eph. 2:19-22
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
If the apostles and prophets were the foundation of the church, are we still building the foundation?
Hebrews 6:1-3 encourages us to move on from the foundation. Although Jesus Christ is most definitely active in the church today, His role as the cornerstone of the church was completed with His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.
If the work of the cornerstone is, in that sense, complete - so must the work of the apostles and prophets, who were the foundation.
Some say YES:
Look again at what the Apostles did:
-specifically commissioned
-they preached the gospel, planted churches,
-oversaw Church growth
-had many signs follow them
We may not call them as such today, but don’t you think that Missionaries fit this description?
Yeah but…. An Apostle had to witness Christ’s resurrection.
Paul didn’t. Although he did have a direct confrontation with Christ on the road to Damascus.
And if you don’t think that Apostles are for today, what do you do with
1 Cor. 12:27-31
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
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.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
I believe the work of the Apostle is still relevant today (and specifically in the role of the Missionary)
2. The Prophet
a. Definition-is a spokesman, or someone who speaks on the behalf of someone else.
Remember Rom 12:6
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Prophecy was one of the motivational gifts…
PROPHECY: This word properly means, to predict future events; but it also means, to declare the Divine will; to interpret the purposes of God; or to make known in any way the truth of God, which is designed to influence men.
The name in the New Testament is commonly connected with teachers.
Ac 13:1, "There were in the church at Antioch certain prophets and teachers, as Barnabas," etc.;
It also mentions different prophets in the NT.
Ac 15:32, "And Judas and Silas, being prophets themselves," etc.;
Ac 21:10, "A certain prophet named Agabus."
(1.) They were an order of ministers distinct from the apostles, and next to them in authority and rank.
(2.) They were under the influence of revelation, or inspiration, in a certain sense.
(3.) They had power of controlling themselves, and of speaking or keeping silence as they chose.
(4.) They had the power of using their prophetic gifts as we have the ordinary faculties of our minds
3. Evangelists
The evangelist. This word properly means one who announces good news.
In the New Testament it is applied to a preacher of the gospel, or one who declares the glad tidings of salvation.
It occurs only in two other places, Eph 4:11
2Ti 4:5.
As this title is applied to Philip, and not to any other of the seven deacons, it would seem probable that he had been entrusted with a special commission to preach,
• and that preaching did not pertain to him as a deacon,
• and does not properly belong to that office.
The business of a deacon was to take care of the administrative affairs of the church, Ac 6:1-6.
The office of preaching was distinct from this, though, as in this case, it might be conferred on the same individual.
The evangelist main business was preaching, and who was not particularly engaged in the government of the church.
4. Pastors
They are to exercise the same watchfulness and care over the people of their charge which a shepherd does over his flock
Joh 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
Feed my lambs. The word here rendered feed means the care afforded by furnishing nutriment for the flock.
In the next verse there is a change in the Greek, and the word rendered feed denotes rather the care, guidance, and protection which a shepherd extends to his flock.
By the use of both these words, it is supposed that our Saviour intended that a shepherd was both to
1.offer the proper food for his flock
2.and to govern it; or, to exercise the office of a pastor.
The expression is taken from the office of a shepherd, with which the office of a minister of the gospel is frequently compared.
It means, as a good shepherd provides for the wants of his flock, so the pastor in the church is to furnish food for the soul, that the faith of believers may be strengthened and their hope confirmed.
5. Teacher
He that teacheth. This word denotes those who instruct, or communicate knowledge.
Read Barnes notes: "Perhaps the difference between the prophets, the ministers, the teachers, and the exhorters, was this—that the first spake by inspiration; the second engaged in all the functions of the ministry, properly so called, including the administration of the sacraments; the teachers were employed in communicating instruction simply, teaching the doctrines of religion, but without assuming the office of ministers; and the fourth exhorted, or entreated Christians to lead a holy life, without making it a particular subject to teach, and without pretending to administer the ordinances of religion. The fact that teachers, are so often mentioned in the New Testament, shows that they were a class by themselves."
Also note: while the office of the Teacher may not be that of the other offices…
The office of the Pastor may very well have and often is ministering as a Teacher as well as pastor.
Thus the reason why they are mentioned like they are in Eph. 4:11
(See Gifts of the Spirit Part 3 for continuation of this subject)
