Structure of the Ministry Leaders. Ephesians 4: The role of the seven-fold ministry

Transcription

1 Structure of the Ministry Leaders Ephesians 4:11-16 The role of the seven-fold ministry

2 Here is how the Church identifies them

3 1. Apostle 2. Prophet 3. Evangelist 4. Pastor 5. Teacher The Ministry of the Body 6. Bishop 7. Presbyter 8. Deacons

4 The Scriptures say the following about these ministers

5 And He [Jesus] gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, Ephesians 4:11-16, NASB95

6 to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, Ephesians 4:11-16, NASB95

7 God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-16, NASB95

8 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, Ephesians 4:11-16, NASB95

9 These ministers provide stability in the Body of Christ

10 Acts chapter 20 gives us overseers that Shepherd the flock Titus 1.5 installs overseers in every Church

11 Seven Fold-Ministry 1. Apostle 2. Prophet 3. Evangelist 4. Pastor 5. Teacher 6. Bishop 7. Presbyter Given to build up the Body Ephesians 4.11 Installed in EVERY city and Assembly at Paul s request Acts and Same responsibility to shepherd, feed and guard the flock

12 Closer look at these overseers

13 " Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." ποιμαίνω ἐπίσκοπος Acts 20:28, NASB95

14 Overseers are accountable to the Lord for shepherding and guarding those in the assembly

15 More explanations on the overseers

16 ἐπίσκοπος is a word in which we derive the English Word Bishop The word ἐπίσκοπος (Bishop) is actually any curator, guardian or superintendent it incudes πρεσβύτερος (presbyters). The word is actually derives from two words ἐπί and σκοπέω meaning from a position of an observer, (i.e. a watchman )

17 ποιμαίνειν "shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under ἐπίσκοπος compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;" 1 Peter 5:2, NASB95

18 ἐπίσκοπος (Bishop) as used in Scripture as a shepherd The responsibility of ἐπίσκοπος (Bishops) are described in terms of ποιμαίνειν (Shepherd). Example For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. 1 Peter 2:25 ἐπίσκοπος ποιμαίνειν

19 Acts gives us the other ministers Paul calls these Elders in Acts πρεσβύτερος Acts 20.17

20 From Miletus he [Paul] sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the assembly ἐκκλησία πρεσβύτερος Acts 20.17

21 Paul call the πρεσβύτερος (presbyters) from Ephesus to warn them Paul is directing his words to a specific group whose members may be called πρεσβύτεροι (Presbytery) or ἐπίσκοποι (Bishops)

22 Seven Fold-Ministry 1. Apostle 2. Prophet 3. Evangelist 4. Pastor 5. Teacher 6. Bishop 7. Presbyter Ephesians 4.11 Acts and Same responsibility to Same responsibility to shepherd, feed and guard the flock

23 So what is the function of each of these individual working parts?

24 The Apostle ἀπόστολος - Apostle means one who is sent

25 History of the word ἀπόστολος Originally the term was related to sea-faring and was often combined with πλοῖον to mean a freighter or transport ship. It is particularly related in the military sense such that it denotes the dispatch of a fleet (or army) on a military expedition.

26 History of the Word ἀπόστολος Gradually it changed to be applied to the fleet itself and it thus acquired the meaning of a naval expedition. In this way it comes to be applied to a group of men sent out for a particular purpose Thus you have sent one

27 So how is the term used in Scripture so that we may better understand its meaning

28 ἀπόστολος - Apostle " Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him." ἀπόστολος John 13:16, NASB95

29 ἀπόστολος - Apostle As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ. 2 Co 8:23. ἀπόστολος

30 "But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need;" ἀπόστολος Philippians 2:25, NASB95

31 The Apostles decided doctrine wrote a letter and, sent to the Gentile Churches So here is what they said. "and they sent this letter by them, The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings." Acts 15:23, NASB95

32 " Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul," Acts 15:24-25, NASB95

33 "men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. Acts 15:26-28, NASB95 Here comes the message they are sending to the Gentile Churches

34 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials:" "that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell. " Acts 15:29, NASB95 Here s the doctrine they decided on

35 So the ἀπόστολος (apostle) is someone sent with a message to assembly of believers

36 The Prophet προφήτης (prophet) - The Greek προφῆται (prophets) are are sent to utter the deep things of God for conviction of sin for edification and comfort. The ability to communicate this to others is the best and highest spiritual gift. So how is the term used in Scripture so that we may better understand its meaning

37 "Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren," Acts 15:22

38 "Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message. So they encouraged them with additional words other than what the Apostles sent them with. Prophecy speaks to men for edification, exhortation and comfort (1Cor 14.3) Acts 15:32-33

39 Acts 21:10-11 "As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, This is what the Holy Spirit says: Prophets are mouthpieces for the Lord

40 Acts 21:10-11 This is what the Holy Spirit says: In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. " As proclaimers of Truth they are mouthpieces for the Lord

41 1 Corinthians Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment. In this passage Prophets are prophesying AND interpreting while the Presbyter and Bishop s judge (i.e. overseers )

42 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20 "Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances." Speaking under the Power and Influence of the Holy Spirit

43 The Evangelist εὐαγγελιστής - Evangelist means bringer of good news Philip met the Ethiopian to explain to him about Jesus Acts 8.33

44 Philip the Evangelist "Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them. The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing. Acts 8:5-8, NASB95

45 Philip the Evangelist For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was much rejoicing in that city." Acts 8:5-8, NASB95

46 Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, The Evangelist preaches Good News about the Kingdom of God and Jesus Christ Acts 8:12-13, NASB95

47 The work of an Evangelist "But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea." Acts 8:40, NASB95

48 The Pastor ποιμήν (Shepherd) First it refers to a shepherd whose care and control others have committed themselves Secondarily it means the presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly

49 Responsibilities of the ποιμήν 1) to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep; 2) to defend the sheep from attackers; 3) to heal the wounded and sick sheep; 4) to find and save lost or trapped sheep; 5) to love them, sharing their lives and so earning their trust

50 " Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." ποιμαίνω Pastor Acts 20:28, NASB95 ἐπίσκοπος Bishop

51 ποιμαίνειν Pastor ἐπίσκοπος shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;" 1 Peter 5:2, NASB95

52 The Teacher διδάσκαλος - one who imparts instruction such as a schoolmaster. In the technical sense the terms connotes someone who is a master of instruction

53 The Teacher The διδάσκαλος is not just a teacher in general, but someone who teaches something specific by developing the aptitudes already present. Thus, one who is expounding the Scriptures more accurately to the students.

54 Seven Fold-Ministry 1. Apostle sent ones with a message 2. Prophet Speak under the unction 3. Evangelist Bringer of Good News 4. Pastor Shepherd 5. Teacher School Master 6. Bishop watchman/overseer 7. Presbyter watchman/overseer

55 It is understood that the Churches have the Ministers such as these

56 The Church at Antioch Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. Acts 13:1.

57 These Prophets traveled from Jerusalem to the Antioch Church "Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch." Acts 11:27, NASB95

58 Philip s daughters were Prophets "Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses." Acts 21:9, NASB95

59 Responsibilities of overseers This Includes Deacons Elders Bishops

60 Know well the condition of your flocks, And pay attention to your herds Proverbs 27.23

61 " As a shepherd cares for his herd in the day when he is among his scattered sheep, (Ezekiel 34:12, NASB95) A good overseer will gather those who have been scattered and bring them back into the fold

62 An overseer does not exalt himself above others he does the work of a servant of Lord When that person finishes the course being obedient to the Lord; that person can say I have only done my duty; that which I ought to have done. Luke 17.14

63 there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 1 Corinthians 12.25

64 An overseer feeds the flock I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest, declares the Lord God. Ezekiel 34:15

65 An overseer strengthens the weak and heals the sick Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes Isaiah 40.11

66 An overseer He will shepherd the flock in the strength of the Lord Micah 5.4

67 An overseer Will be on guard for himself and for the flock, which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers Acts 20.28

68 Go in the strength of the Lord and. shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness 1 Peter 5:2, NASB95

69 whoso is watering, he also is watered." Proverbs 11:25 he who is wise wins souls Proverbs 11.30

70 Paul said I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase 1 Corinthians 3.6-7

71 every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill shall be made low Luke 3.5

72 Closing comments

73 Addendum Next Session

74 There is a Special Emphasis on these 1. Apostle 2. Prophet 3. Teacher 1. Miracles 2. Gifts of healing 3. Helps 4. Administrations 5. Tongues

75 "And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, 1 Corinthians 12:28, NASB95

76 "then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues." 1 Corinthians 12:28, NASB95

77 Special priority on these three Apostle Prophet Teachers