ONE SPIRIT - DIFFERENT GIFTS

B. Mills


WE ARE ALL DISCIPLES

That is, we are all students, learners that we might strengthen our faith. The time is coming, and in fact now is that we are going to be tested. A brother recently passed along the caution that he along with others had been teaching a class in a prison for the past eight years with no problems at all. But on their latest visit a number of men came and politely asked to join the group. However, as soon as they started to pray, this entire group began to take over and to disrupt their study. They were determined to get the class removed and the believers scattered. Satan wants to destroy faith in God. In this case, replace Him with Allah. Faith comes of hearing and obeying the Word of God. Jesus is Lord. We may be much nearer the events of Revelation 13:16, Revelation 14:11 than we ever anticipated. We need to discipline ourselves as never before.

Leaders - (verse 11)

Apostles - For three years, Jesus trained the twelve, we know as apostles. They were to bring into being, his church, and spread the Gospel throughout their lives, recording all that we need to know. They were blessed with the gift to perform miracles, proof of God’s blessing, since they could not, as we do, refer to chapter and verse of the Bible. All of them with the exception of John, died as martyrs for their faith. John, whom Jesus loved, died as an old man. His life had been a life of persecution, but not martyrdom. When the Word was available, this gift as no longer needed. The Word was proof enough.

Prophets - While the written word was being established, God spoke through prophets. In a sense, He still does today. The faithful steward passes on the word from pulpit or tree. I feel blessed to have preached in the same places that Livingstone preached, even under the same tree.

Evangelists - And evangelist, and we are all to be this, spreads the word “as we go.”

Pastors and teachers - This is the work of the elder, a man “able to teach,” and to shepherd the flock of the church, ever watchful of the wayward sheep who is prone to stray.



Ephesians 4:11-16 (King James Version)

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,

WHY? (verse 2)

To bring to perfection of the saints, and build up the Body, the church.

TO MAKE FIRM (verse 14)

pastors and teachers; (Ephesians 4:, Acts 13:1, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Acts 21:8, Acts 13:1)

12 For the perfecting of the saints, (holy ones) for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (2 Corinthians 13:9, 1 Corinthians 12:27, Ephesians 1:23)

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge (true knowledge) of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure (literally, of the fullness) of the stature of the fullness of Christ: (Ephesians 4:3, Ephesians 4:5, John 6:69, Ephesians 1:17, Philippians 3:10, 1 Corinthians 14:20, Colossians 1:28, Hebrews 5:14, John 1:16, Ephesians 1:23)

14 That we henceforth be (no longer be) no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (1 Corinthians 14:20, James 1:6, Jude 12, 1 Corinthians 3:19, 2 Corinthians 4:2, 2 Corinthians 11:3, Ephesians 6:11)

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (Ephesians 1:4, Ephesians 2:21, Ephesians 1:22)

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Romans 12:4, Galatians 2:19, Ephesians 1:4)

HOW? (verse 15)

Speak “the truth in love.”