THE MINISTRY LEADERSHIP GIFTS FOR THE CHURCH. CHAPTER 5)

TEACHERS:

BIBLE TEACHING

NT  Teachers were gifted spiritually leaders along side apostles and prophets, who had a special, GOD given gift to clarify, expound and proclaim god's word with effectiveness and power in order to build up the body of Christ(1Co12:28;Eph4:12).



1) The special task of teachers is to guard, by the Holy Spirit's help, the gospel entrusted to them(2Ti1:11-14)they are faithfully to point the church to biblical revelation and to the original message of Christ and the apostle, and to help equip the saints for "works of service"(Eph4:12).

2) The principle purpose of biblical teaching is to preserve truth and to produce holiness in god's people by leading Christ's body into an uncompromising commitment to the godly lifestyle set forth in god's word.Scripture stats that the goal of christian instruction is "Love,evidence of christian learning is not just in what one knows,but how one lives,that is the manifestation of  love,purity,faith and godliness."

3) Teachers are essential to God's purpose for his church.The church that rejects or refuses to hear those teachers and theologians who remain faithful to scriptural revelation will stop being concerned about the  genuineness of the biblical message and the correct interpretation of the original teaching of Christ and the apostles.The church in which such teachers and theologians remain silent will not continue steadfast in the truth.New winds of doctrine will be uncritically accepted, and religious experience and human ideas,rather than revealed truth,will be the ultimate guide to the church's doctrine,standards and practice,on the other hand,the church that listen to godly teachers and theologians will have its teaching,and practices measured by the fundamental testimony of the gospel,its false ideas exposed and the purity of Christ's original message handed down to its children.God's inspired word will become the test of all teaching,and the church will be reminded that the spirit's inspired word is ultimate truth and authority, and as such stands over the churches and their institutions. 

Dear readers:
what else can you say about the duty of a bible teachers or a theologians.

THE MINISTRY LEADERSHIP GIFTS FOR THE CHURCH. CHAPTER 4)

PASTORS:

Pastors are those individuals whose calling and ministry gifts cause them to devote themselves to shepherd,oversee and care for the spiritual needs of a local congregation.In the NT they are also called "elders"(Ac20:17;Tit1:5)and "overseers"(1Ti3:1;Tit1:7).

PASTOR PREACHING THE WORD OF GOD.

1) The task of pastors is to help believers grow up in to Christ the head(Eph4:15-16) by teaching god's word and exercising spiritual leadership in the local church(1Th5:12;1Ti3:1-3); be an example of purity and sound doctrine(Tit2:7-8);and see to it that all  believers remain in god's grace(Heb12:15;13:17;1Pe5:2).Their task described in Ac20:28-31 as safeguarding apostolic truth god's flock by watching out for false doctrine and false teachers within the church.Pastor function as shepherd of which JESUS as the good shepherd is a model(Jn10:11-16;1Pe2:25;5:2-4).

2) The NT pattern shows a plurality of pastors directing the spiritual life of a local church(Ac20:28;php1:1).Pastors were chosen,not through politics,but through the spirit's wisdom given to the body as it examined the candidate's spiritual 
qualifications.

PASTOR PRAYING FOR THE CONGREGATION.

3) Pastor are essential to god's purpose fro his church.The church that fails to select godly and faithful pastors will cease to be governed according  to the mind of the spirit(1Ti3:1-7).It will be a church left open to the destructive  forces of Satan and the world(Ac20:28-31).The preaching of the word will be distorted and the standards of the gospel lost(2Ti1:13-14).Members and families of the church will not be cared for according to god's purpose(1Ti4:6,12-16;6:20-21).Many will turn away from the truth and turn aside to myths(2Ti4:4).On the other hand,if godly Pastors are appointed,believers  will be nourished on the words of faith and sound doctrine and disciplined for the purpose of godliness(1Ti4:6-7),the church will be taught to persevere in the teaching of Christ and the apostles and thus ensure salvation for itself and those who hear(1Ti4:16;2Ti2:2).

JESUS  ONE AND UNIQUE SHEPHERD OF THE CHRISTIAN KINGDOM.

Dear Readers:

Please do share your knowledge with me in the work of a  pastor.Thank you,and GOD bless.

THE MINISTRY LEADERSHIP GIFTS FOR THE CHURCH. CHAPTER 3)

EVANGELISTS:

In the  NT , Evangelist were those GOD-called individuals who like Philip in Acts8,were especially gifted,anointed and commissioned to proclaim the gospel(GOOD NEWS) of Christ and his kingdom to cities and unsaved individuals so as to awaken faith(Ac8:4-40).When proclaimed,the gospel always carries with it the offer and power of salvation(Ro1:16-17).

I)The ministry of   Philip "the Evangelist"(Ac21:8) gives a clear picture of the work of an Evangelist according to the NT pattern.

• Philip preached the gospel of Christ(Ac8:4-5,35).
• Many were saved and baptized with water(Ac8:6,12).
• Singes,miracles,healings and deliverances from evil spirits accompanied his preaching(Ac8:6-7,13).
• He wanted new convert to be filled with  the Holy Spirit(Ac8:12-17;2:38;19:1-6).

II) The evangelist is essential to God's purpose for the church.The church that fails to support the ministry of the evangelist and maintains an earnest love for the lost will proclaim the message of salvation with convicting and saving power(Ac2:14-41).

EVANGELISTS

THE MINISTRY LEADERSHIP GIFTS FOR THE CHURCH. CHAPTER 2)

PROPHETS:

Prophets in the NT were those Spiritual leaders who were uniquely gifted in receiving and communicating direct revelation from GOD by the holy spirit.One of their main concerns was  the spiritual life and  purity of the church under the new covenant they were raised up and empowered by the Holy spirit to bring a message from GOD to his people(Ac2:17).

APOSTLES PETER AND JOHN HEALS A LAME MAN.

I)  OT prophets are foundational for understanding the prophetic ministry in the early church.Their primary task was to speak a word of GOD by the spirit in order to encourage God's people to remain faithful to their covenant relationship.They also, at times,predicted the future as the spirit revealed it to them.Christ and the apostles serve as examples of the OT ideal(Ac3:22-23;13:1-2)

II) Prophets functioned within the NT church in the following ways:

1.  They are spirit filled proclaimers of the word of GOD, called by GOD to warn, exhort, comfort and edify(Ac2:14-36;3:12-26;1Co12:10;14:3)
2.  They are to exercise the gift of prophecy(see post on 'SPIRITUAL GIFTS FOR BELIEVERS').
3.  They were at times seers(1Ch29:29)who foretold the future(Ac11:28;21:10-11).
4. Like the OT prophets,the NT prophets were called to expose sin,proclaim righteousness, warn of judgement to come,and combat worldliness and lukewarmness among God's people(Lk1:14-17).Because of their message of righteousness,prophets and their ministry can expect rejection by many in the churches during times of lukewarmness and apostasy.

III) The prophets' character,burden,desire and ability include:

1.  A zeal for church purity(Jn17:15-17;1Co6:9-11;Gal5:22-25).
2. A deep sensitivity to evil and the capacity to identify unrighteousness(Ro12:9;Heb1:9).
3. A keen understanding of the danger of false teachings(Mt7:15,24;Gal1:9;2Co11:12-15).
4. An inherent dependence on God's word to validate the prophet's message(Lk4:17-19;1Co15:3-4;2Ti3:16).
5. A concern for the spiritual success of GOD 's feelings(Mt21:11-13;23:37;Lk13:34;Jn2:14-17;Ac20:27-31).

IV) The NT prophets' messages and prophecy were not to be regarded as infallible.Their prophecy  was subject to the evaluation of the church,other prophets and God's word.The congregation was required to discern and test whether their witness is from GOD(1Co14:29-33;1Jn4:1).

V) Prophets continue to be essential to God's purpose for the  church.A church that rejects God's prophets will decline in spiritual discernment and drift towards worldliness and the  compromise of Biblical truth(1Co14/3;Mt23:31-32;Lk11:49;Ac7:51-52).If  prophets are not allowed to bring words of rebuke and warning,as well as encouragement,words prompted by the spirit,words exposing sin and unrighteousness(Jn16:8-11), as well as comfort,then the church will become a place of  where the voice of the spirit is stifled or muted.Ecclesiastical politics and worldly power Will replace the spirit(2Ti3:1-9;4:3-5;2Pe2:1-3,12-22).On the other hand,if the church, with its leaders,hears the voice of the prophets, it will be moved to renewed life and fellowship with Christ,sin will be forsaken,and the spirits presence will be evident among the faithful(1Co14:3;1Th5:19-21;Rev3:20-22). 
 

Prophet AMOS.

THE SLAUGHTER  OF BAALS PROPHETS BY PROPHET ELIJAH.

DEAR READERS:

Please do share your spiritual knowledge with me about  the offfice of a prophet of GOD.

THE MINISTRY LEADERSHIP GIFTS FOR THE CHURCH. CHAPTER 1)

Eph4: 8This is why itsays:“When he ascended on high,

he took many captives

and gave gifts to his people.”.....

11So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ...

THE  GIVER:
list  the ascension gifts of Christ ( Eph 4:8,10).Which are the  gifted ministers of GOD(called"Spiritual leaders") whom Christ has given to his church subsequent to his ascension.Paul states that Christ gave those gifts.
1) For preparing God's people for works of service (Eph4:12).
2)For the spiritual growth of the body of Christ as GOD intended (Eph4:13-16).

THE 12  APOSTLES of JESUS.

THE APOSTLE:  The word "Apostle"  is applied to certain leaders in the NT.The  noun apostolos, derived from the verb "Apostello " "to send" generally refers to individuals specifically "called commissioned" and  given authority by the lord JESUS Christ to be his representatives in proclaiming the gospel and establishing the church.

• The title is used of JESUS himself(Heb 3:1).
• The twelve disciples(Mt10:2).
• Paul(Ro1:1;2Co1:1;Gal1:1).
• And others(Ac14:4,14;Ro16:7;Gal1:19;2:8-9;1Th2:6-7). 

I) APOSTLE IN A UNIQUE SENSE:
a) The term "Apostle" is used in a very special  sense to .identify those qualified to bear spirit- inspired witness to Christ.These are the men JESUS personally called and commissioned to be leaders for the sake of his church.The twelve are a unique company  whose names will be inscribed to the twelve foundation stones of the new Jerusalem(Rev21:14).

b) Still other apostles are mentioned in the NT who possessed special authority within the church,such as: 

• Paul(Gal1:19;2:7-8;1Co15:9).
• Barnabas(Ac 14:4,14).
• James the half brother of JESUS(Gal1:19;2:9;1Co15:7).
• It is not clear whether Silas(1Th1:1;2:1,6-7),Andronicus and Junias(Ro16:7) or others belonged  in this  level of apostleship.

Apostle in the first century were mentored by JESUS, were closely associated with eye witness(Ac1:21-22) or had a personal post resurrection encounter with JESUS(1Co15:7-9).The uniqueness of some first century apostle lay in their calling to write Scriptures, the NT Scriptures being recognized as the same authority as the OT Scriptures (2Pe3:16).

II)  APOSTLE IN A GENERAL SENSE:

a) The term "Apostle" was used in the NT in a non-technical general sense to identify commissioned representatives of a church,such as a messenger appointed and sent as a missionary or for some other special responsibility(Ro16:7;2Co8:23;Php2:25).
Apostle in this general sense remain essential to fulfilling God's purpose in the church.If the church ceases to have spirit-filled apostolic leaders who point the way in spreading the gospel to the world,it's spiritual and numerical growth will be stunted.On the other hand as long as the church recognizes Christ's gifts and callings by releasing such leaders as church planters at home and for the nations,the church will fulfill it's mission and remain faithful to the lord's Great Commission.

commissioned representatives of a church.

III) A very important distinction in the use of the term "APOSTLES":
a) Some of the original first century Apostles were uniquely commissioned to write Scripture,and therefore must be carefully distinguished from all Christian leaders who have  followed them.The 27 books of  the NT called the "APOSTOLIC DEPOSIT" stand apart from all other christian literature.It safeguards the integrity of christian teaching in all subsequent ages.To reject the inspired revelation of NT apostolic truth is to cease being a church according to the biblical pattern and is to reject  the LORD him self(Jn16:12-15;1Co14,36-38;Gal1:9-11).And on the other hand,to believe the NT Apostolic message,obey it and guard it against all distortion is to remain true to the Holy Spirit(Ac20:28;2Ti1:14)and to guarantee God's continued blessing and presence within the church(see Eph2:20).All theology  experience and practice,and all spiritual manifestation must  be  evaluated in the light of Scripture.

APOSTOLIC DEPOSIT

b) At the same time,it is clear that certain aspects of the NT Apostolic leadership were intended to continue throughout the  history of the church(see Eph4:11-13). To insure that the uniqueness of the first century Apostles and their authority to write scripture are safeguarded,and at the same time encourage the  recognition of the Apostolic ministries in the church today, it may be helpful to use terminology like "Apostolic" leaders or functions rather than "The office of Apostle" at this point in history.In effect, this discourages a misuse of the title of Apostle that often times opens the door to serious abuses,on the other hand, it recognizes the place and importance of apostolic functions and Biblical services associated with pioneer ministries.

c) In connection with( Eph4:11-13), the conjunction "until"  (Eph4 :13) indicates that all  the five fold leadership ministry gifts(including the apostolic ministry) continue to be essential for bringing the corporate body of Christ worldwide to the level of mature fullness in  and for Christ as is described in (Eph4:13). 
                                                                  
                                                       Eph4: 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.





Dear Readers
Do you have any other knowledge about the work of the Apostolic ministry? Pls share your knowledge with me.