Recognizing our spiritual gifts can make service for God a real blessing instead of a burden. In that sense, they can be used in service to others at Christmas and every day of the year. The gifts of the Spirit are very important and are made up of one or more of the gifts that will be covered in this article.
Because of our uniqueness we are all needed in the Body of Christ, the "Church". It is a command that we learn to love and accept each other and work together for the glory of God. Everyone is responsible to God for himself about the exercise of his gift. Some day we will stand before God and give an account of how we used our gifts to minister to the body. Therefore, you are to stir up the gift of God, which is in you.
Ephesians 4:11 is sometimes referred to as "ascension gift ministries" because when Jesus "ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto me." The gifts He gave are described as the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher. Some combine the last two into a single office.
Purpose:
1. For the perfecting of the saints.
2. For the work of the ministry.
3. For the edifying of the Body of Christ.
- Actually, the Greeks indicate that the meaning and purpose are: "perfecting of the saints so the saints can do the work of the ministry, resulting in the edification of the Body of Christ."
- Jesus gave these ministry gifts in order to get His holy people read to serve as workers.
- Another translation says that God gave ministry gifts to the Church so the saints can "reach mature manhood, and reach the measure of development found in Christ Jesus."
How Long Will Ministry Gifts Be In the Church?
Ephesians 4:14 tells us: "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect (spiritually mature) man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."
There is an anointing that goes with every one of these fivefold ministry offices.
1 Corinthians 12:28 - And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
The hand in the Bible designates a type of ministry. The
fivefold ministry is like the fingers on a hand. These ministries are not gender selective although "he" is used for simplicity. Please note the second paragraph of each description is an amplified meaning of the first and may appear redundant at times. The fivefold ministry offices are as follows:
APOSTLE The Apostle "GOVERNS". He is like the thumb that works in conjunction with the other fingers to perform tasks. As the thumb GOVERNS the hand, so has the apostle been set in the Church to establish government. He is sent forth by the Spirit and has the ministry of establishment.
One sent forth with orders, a delegate or ambassador and bearer of a commission all define an Apostle. An apostle's functions are to establish local churches, ordain elders, bring forth revelation of the Word, train and discipline ministries, and bring adjustment to counselors; and also serve as a spiritual father to others. (Ephesians 4:11, I Corinthians 12:28 and Acts 2:43)
Apostle, a "FATHER" Everybody needs a father, a mentor, and affirmation. Our nation and our churches are filled to capacity with "Un-Fathered" people.
PROPHET The Prophet "GUIDES". He is like the index finger pointing the way. The Prophet has the ministry from Jeremiah chapter 1 to build and plant. In order to do this, he is often called on to root out, pull down, destroy, and throw down the things man has built through the work of his own hands. The prophet speaks to the people for God.
A foreteller of God's Word and future events, under inspiration of the Spirit is a Prophet. A mouthpiece or spokesman for God and an interpreter of God's Word are also prophets. The Prophet functions in the office of a prophet, pronounces judgment, confirms direction of ministry, and travels with apostles in team ministry confirming local churches. (Ephesians 4:11, Ephesians 2:20, Acts 11:27-30 and Acts 12:1-4)
EVANGELIST The Evangelist "GATHERS". He is like the middle finger, which has the farthest reach. The Evangelist reaches out into the world to gather in. He also reaches out into the Church to evangelize the saints. The word
evangelist and
preach come from the same Greek root. An evangelist is a preacher of the gospel as opposed to a teacher. He speaks by the Spirit to elicit a response from the heart.
A Preacher of the Gospel having a harvesting ministry is an Evangelist. Evangelists are known as messengers of good news. They train soul-winners, win the lost through preaching and miracles and work with apostolic teams in starting and establishing local churches. (Ephesians 4:11, Acts 21:8 and II Timothy 4:5)
PASTOR/SHEPHERD The Pastor "GUARDS". He is like the ring finger the covenant finger. The Greek word for pastor is the same as the word of shepherd. A shepherd cares for the flock the sheep of God. The pastor provides nurturing, care, and protection.
Pastors are defined as herdsman of God's people, an overseer of the Church or one who tends, guards, feeds and guides the flock of God. Their function is to feed, counsel, lead, identify and oversee a local flock. (Ephesians 4:11, John 10:16, John 21:16 and I Peter 5:2, 3)
TEACHER The Teacher "GROUNDS". He is like the pinky finger. When the hand is made into a fist to pound or ground something, it is this finger that makes contact. The teacher matures the saints by establishing them in the Word. The Greek word for
teacher is derived from the same word as
doctrine. The teacher establishes saints in doctrine. He speaks by the Spirit to evoke a response from the mind.
Teachers are a teacher of other teachers. They also impart systematic knowledge and are instructors of God's Word. They establish truth and doctrine from God's word and teach others how to teach. A teacher corrects doctrine and balances the prophet's inspirational ministry. (I Corinthians 12:28, I Timothy 3:2 and II Timothy 2:2, 24)
Ministry gifts will be included in the second part of this article. They include such gifts as: Word of Knowledge, Faith, Healing, Discernment and more.
Copyright 2008 by Avis Ward of
GeoVi's Home for New Life
