We Are All Made Ministers of the Gospel - Part 1110

How many believers have heard about the "five-fold" ministry? It is one of those questions that preachers regularly ask their congregation when presenting the idea of a hierarchical or established order within the ministry. As these same ministers often acknowledge, this topic is not for the unlearned, or those yet to find Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

Still, many of these ministers contend that while the five-fold ministry is for "the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ -- till we come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" there is often a superior emphasis placed on the position of pastor. (Ephesians 4:12-13) The 'overseer' within the church.

As such, there is often less priority placed on the other four positions -- apostles, prophets, evangelists and teachers. This is why it is important for believers to understand that not everything preached from a church pulpit aligns with Jesus' teachings. Indeed, Jesus and the apostles warned us not to be tossed to and fro and carried about with every doctrine, "by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive" but rather to diligently search the scriptures for therein Jesus said, you will find Him.

It is also for this reason that born again believers need to recognize that the five-fold ministry proclaimed within the modern day religious culture does not stop with the number five -- even when Ephesians 4:11 is used as justification for promoting a five-fold ministry.

"And He [Himself] gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors, and teachers." (Ephesians 4:11)

One, two, three, four, and five.

But if we add Paul's summation on this very same point -- "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." -- we begin to see a 10-fold ministry unfolding. (I Corinthians 12:28)

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and ten. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors (or overseers which I am led to believe is the authentic meaning of pastors), teachers, miracles, gifts of healings, helps, governments, and diversities of tongues.

In other words, there is much more than simply a five-fold ministry to focus on. In this context, how often do we limit God. How often do we try to fit our Lord God and Saviour into our human understanding? But in searching the scriptures, are we not to seek Jesus -- the giver of wisdom and knowledge in the heavenly? Certainly, Paul in his instructions to the Corinthian church wanted us to go further in our faith journey. He did not stop at a five-fold ministry, and if he didn't, neither should we. So let's examine what the apostle Paul has written -- so that we can be edified by the fullness of the good news gospel of Jesus Christ.

First, Paul would not have us ignorant concerning spiritual gifts. (I Corinthians 12) "Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed, and no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." (I Corinthians 12:2-3) Like Jesus commanded the apostles THROUGH the Holy Ghost, we as believers also hear the voice of our Lord through the Holy Ghost. (Acts 1:1-4)

Second, there are diversities of gifts but the SAME Spirit. (I Corinthians 12:4) And there are differences of administrations, but the SAME Lord, and there are diversities of operations, but it is the SAME God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." (I Corinthians 12:4-7) Let's read that again. Not only the same Spirit "but the manifestation of the Spirit is given to EVERY man to profit withal." (I Corinthians 12:7) One and all believers equally -- as ministers of the good news gospel of Jesus the Christ.

Third, Paul defines the gifts of the Spirit so that there is no misunderstanding within the believing community. For example, Paul writes:

"For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [diverse] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues; but all these worketh one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will." (I Corinthians 12:8-11) And how does He do this -- dividing to EVERY man severally as He will. You and I as we seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Fourth, we are encouraged -- by the mercies of God to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God -- our reasonable service "and be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:1-2) Why? So that we -- through grace -- can think as soberly as apostle Paul, as God hath dealt accordingly to every man the measure of faith. "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given us." (Romans 12:6)

"For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office, so we [being] many are one body in Christ and every one members one of another -- having then gifts differing according to the grace that is give to us, whether prophecy [let us prophecy] according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, [let us wait on our] ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation; he that giveth, [let him do it] with simplicity; he that ruleth with diligence; he that showeth mercy with cheerfulness ..." (Romans 12:3-8)

Fifth, the whole body with Christ as the Head is fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, making increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." (Ephesians 4:16-) Yes, the body of Christ is one, and hath many members and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body -- so also Christ. "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether bond or free, and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member but many." (I Corinthians 12:12-14)

Paul expands upon this example further. "If the foot shall say, "Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, "Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body as it hath pleased Him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body." (I Corinthians 12:15-20)

More importantly, there is no place for the eye to say unto the hand "I have no need of thee", nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble are  more necessary -- and those members of the body (which we think to be less honourable) upon these we bestow more abundant honour, and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely [parts] have no need, but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that [part] which lacked .. that there should be no schism in the body but [that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it ... now ye are the body of Christ and members in particular." (I Corinthians 12:21-27)

"There is one body and one Spirit even as ye are called in one hope of your calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ." (Ephesians 4:4-6)

Sixth, "Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men ... for as much as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart, and such trust have we through Christ to God-ward; not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God -- who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament -- not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life." (II Corinthians 3:2-6)

Finally, after all this is explained, Paul asks the question. "Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?" (I Corinthians 12:29-30)

Of course not, but rather, as Paul encourages -- "covet earnestly the best gifts, and yet show I unto you a more excellent way ... " (I Corinthians 12:31-14:1-40)

There is a lot more to learn about our role within the body of Christ but this will at least serve as a starting point to understanding that as believers in Jesus Christ our Lord, we don't need to limit His mercy and goodness for each and every one of us. There is no need to stand in jeopardy every hour. Awake to righteousness and sin not. Seek Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Stay true to His Word.

And in so doing, "therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner [stone]; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord ... in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:19-22)

Yes, we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

"Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Ephesians 4:24) Stand in the offering plate.