We pray that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and full of thanks for all the Father has done and provided for us! We also want to welcome again more new members to the group, and praise God for the interaction and involvement of all those who desire, not only to post, comment, and answer question, but also those who are hungry to learn, grow, and mature in these things concerning the kingdom of God! I missed out some very powerful posts and thread of comments earlier in the week, as I was down a few days with a stomach virus. Thank God, I am doing much better and feeling like I can participate again. :) I noticed we had one rather lengthy thread of comments concerning the apostolic and whether everyone (all) could be one of the five-faceted, distinct, ascension gifts of Christ, ie. some apostles, some prophets, etc... I am not bringing this up necessarily for any more discussion or debate, as I think there were many great answers and a lot of discussion that was helpful to many. I did have several that brought up some questions on some of the points, and there were some comments that covered this aspect. I just didnt get to get involved with it at the time, so I thought I would bring some perspective to it as well. I think we can all agree that the fivefold ministry of Eph. 4:11 is NOT the END of all things, rather it is an UNTIL... they were given for the 1) perfecting (equipping, training) of the saints 2) for the work of their ministry (the saints ministry), and 3) for the edifying or building up of the body of Christ. For how long? verse 13- TILL WE ALL COME TO THE UNITY OF THE FAITH, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect (mature) man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. The church at Ephesus was a mature church, even though they eventually had to be rebuked for having left their first love. Paul established them with some cardinal tenets of the faith in Eph. 4:4-6- There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were 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. Then, he said in verse 7, But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christs gift... One perspective was that he was referring to that every believer/saint would have one or more of the doma gifting of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher. But I think the key to the text is in verse 7 was to each one grace was given ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF CHRISTs GIFT... is, I believe was brought out, that Christ gave Some not ALL, to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. If ALL were apostles, etc. there would be no saints to perfect.... In other words, there are many other grace gifts given that the rest of the saints can also partake in, such as Romans 12 and I. Cor. 12 gifts and manifestations. The other things that stands out to me is in I. Co. 12, 13, and 14: Paul states in I. Co. 12:28-31- And God has set (appointed) these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, AFTER THAT, miracles, gifts of healings, helps, governments (administrations), varieties of tongues. ARE ALL APOSTLES? ARE ALL PROPHETS? ARE ALL TEACHERS? ARE ALL WORKERS OF MIRACLES? DO ALL HAVE GIFTS OF HEALINGS? DO ALL SPEAK WITH TONGUES? DO All INTERPRET? (Emphasis, my add) I think the obvious answer is NO? verse31- But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. Of course, chapter 13 is the LOVE chapter. Chapter 14 describes the operations and activities of these gifts to be done in love, such as prophesies are for 1) edification, 2) exhortation, and 3) comfort. (14:3) And then to cut this shorter, basically, all can prophesy one by one, THAT ALL MAY BE LEARN AND BE ENCOURAGED... (verse 31) vs. 33- For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. Again, ALL is used here, meaning it is available for all, but it doesnt mean that each one will. The key is that there be peace... Finally, if I may close, What is greater than the five fold ministry, all the gifts and miracles and great preaching and teaching? is it not the priesthood that Christ was called into, the Melchizedek priesthood, which is a priesthood of kings and priests! To me, it seems that when each one is doing their part, and we all do not have the same part or function, but we function as ONE BODY IN CHRIST, THAT IS THE MELCHIZEDEK Priesthood, Ephesians 4:1-16, from whom he whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working of every part does its share, causes growth (increase) of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Should apostles reproduce apostles? Yes... Should prophets reproduce prophets, yes... and so on... The bottom line appears again to which I think we can all agree... There is an apostolic people, a company if you will, a prophetic church, and so on, made up of all those who are growing in Christ who represent Him so that Christ may be all in all... It is the hope of the church and the glorious mystery being revealed even today among the gentiles, which is: CHRIST IN YOU (ALL), the HOPE OF GLORY.... Col. 1:26-28 Many blessings and thanks for all the diversity that is in the group, that is helping all of us to grow, to learn, and grow up into the head, even Christ...
Posted on: Sat, 29 Nov 2014 04:43:50 +0000
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