APOSTLES, PROPHETS, EVANGELISTS, PASTORS, AND TEACHERS
Tuesday – December 27, 2016
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus to the partners and friends of Eastern Gate Ministries International and The Three Minute Word publications. I urge us all not take a break from praying for our country. Take up the Mantle of Anointing given of our Lord to bring the good news of the Kingdom of God, do the works of Jesus, plunge into the greater works, and be clear that we have a soon coming King. I will now pick up my discussion, Bible Study, from Ephesians the fourth chapter.
Ephesians 4:8-12 (KJV)
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
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:
In some, perhaps many circles my topic today is controversial. It is not clear to me why it is controversial other than by the deception of the devil to weaken the Church, the Kingdom of God. The acceptance of the office of Teacher, Pastor, and Evangelist are generally recognized and present in the organized Church. Many will quickly say however that the gifts, the office of Apostle and Prophet have passed away. The rational for rejecting these gifts seems sketchy to me. The absence of these gifts in any Church or denomination leaves that congregation lacking, incomplete, and unable to respond to and fulfill the plan of God.
First I will look at the gift or office of Apostle. An Apostle is one who is set apart by the Holy Spirit and sent out to the body of Christ.
Acts 13:1-4 (KJV)
1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
Notice that the prophets and teachers (frequently the same people) were ministering to the Lord. This put them in a position to receive of the Holy Spirit (Ghost) instructions for Paul (Saul) and Barnabas to be separated from the congregation at Antioch and sent out. Yes the leaders of the Church at Antioch laid hands on them and sent them out but the primary sender (the One who ordains) is the Holy Spirit. This did not occur at the hand of another Apostle, the Evangelist, or the Pastor. As we watch the lives of the Apostles of Scripture we see that they bring a purity of Scripture wherever they go which brings correction and they establish Biblical, Godly order in the congregations to which the Holy Spirit sends them. There is the thought that they also bring a special power of God with them but this is not the main function for we are all called and empowered to do the works that Jesus did and even greater things (John 10:10).
Like others in the body of Christ, an Apostle may occupy more than one office having more than one gift. For example the Apostle John is thought to also have been the Pastor at Ephesus. John was the longest living Apostle and according to Church history perhaps the only one of the original Apostles not to die a violent death. It is not the will of God that any of His children die violent deaths, or die due to any part of the curse (hand of Satan). John is affectionately known as the Apostle of love by some. Before I move on to the office or gift of Prophet let me make one important additional point. The illumination that a person has been ordained of God and given a certain gift or office in the body of Christ will be decreed by the prophet(s) and teacher(s) in the congregation.
Tomorrow I will pick-up with the office/gift of the Prophet.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
