8b – Sustaining Prayer Through The Five-Fold Ministry

A. As a sojourning nation awaiting the consummation of the covenants, the Church is called to seek the Lord, prepare in holiness, and testify to all the nations concerning the coming Kingdom of our Lord Jesus the Messiah. Moreover, God has given us a deposit of his Spirit to assure us of the certainty of such things and empower a witness of them.

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to youat the revelation of Jesus Christ.¹⁴As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance…¹⁷And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds,conduct yourselves(Gk. anastrephō)with fearthroughout the time of your exile. (^ESV1 Peter 1:13-17)

Those who have served well gain an excellent standing andgreat assurance in their faithin Christ Jesus.¹⁴Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that,¹⁵if I am delayed, you will know how peopleought to conduct themselves(Gk. anastrephō)in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. (^NIV1 Timothy 3:13-15)

• <390> avnastre,fwanastrepho{an-as-tref’-o}

Meaning:1) to turn upside down 2) to turn back 3) to turn hither and thither, to turn one’s self about, sojourn dwell in a place 4) metaph. to conduct one’s self, behave one’s self, live

Origin:from 303 [Gk.ana] and 4762 [Gk.strepho, “to turn”]; TDNT – 7:715,1093; v

Usage:AV – return 2, have conversation 2, live 2, abide 1, overthrow 1, behave (one’s) self 1, be used 1, pass 1; 11[1]

B. Considering the state of the human heart and the persistence of darkness on the earth, God has deemed discipline necessary to sustain a repentant and believing heart—internally through a fasted lifestyle and externally through trials and tribulations. Moreover, in order to remain faithful, the human heart demands a continual feeding of the Holy Spirit, who testifies to the age to come.

When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name,your kingdom come.³Give us each dayour daily bread.⁴Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us…⁵Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to himat midnightand says, “Friend, lend me three loaves ofbread…“⁹So I say to you: Ask and it(i.e. bread)will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you…¹³If you then, though you are evil, know how to givegood giftsto your children, how much more will your Father in heavengive the Holy Spiritto those who ask him! (^NIVLuke 11:2-13)

C. The gifts of the Holy Spirit have thus been given by God to strengthen the Assembly in the place of prayer and faithful sojourning. More specifically, gifts are givento individualswithin the Church to bless and encourage the whole in repentance and belief in the age to come. Unfortunately, when emphasized today the five-fold ministry is generally interpreted under the banner of dominionism rather than sojourning.

There aredifferent kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.⁵There aredifferent kinds of service, but the same Lord.⁶There aredifferent kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.⁷Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is givenfor the common good…²⁷Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.²⁸And in the church God has appointed first of allapostles, secondprophets, thirdteachers, then workers ofmiracles, also those having gifts ofhealing, those able tohelp others, those with gifts ofadministration, and those speaking in different kinds oftongues.²⁹Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?³⁰Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?³¹But eagerly desire the greater gifts. (^NIV1 Corinthians 12:4-31)

A. Thus, the purpose of the “five-fold ministry” (cf. Eph. 4:11) is toadministrate the giftsof the Holy Spirit unto leading the church in righteousness and watchful prayer, unto empowerment in the grace of God, unto maturity and faithfulness in our calling, unto our inheritance in the Kingdom.

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore youto walk in a manner worthy of the callingwith which you have been called,²with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,³being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.⁴There isone body and one Spirit, just as also you were called inone hope of your calling;⁵one Lord, one faith, one baptism,⁶one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.⁷Butto each one of us grace was givenaccording to the measure of Christ’s gift.⁸Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high, he led captive a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”(cf. Ps. 68:18)…¹¹And He gave some asapostles, and some asprophets, and some asevangelists, and some aspastorsandteachers,¹²for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;¹³until we all attain to theunity of the faith(concerning the Kingdom and resurrection), and ofthe knowledge of the Son of God(as Messiah), to amature man(in our calling), to the measure of the stature which belongs to thefullness of Christ(cf. Phil. 1:27; Col. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:12; etc.). (^NASBEphesians 4:1-13)

• …until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord,measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ(i.e. the righteousness of the coming Kingdom). (^NLTEphesians 4:13)
• For you know how, like a father with his children,¹²we exhortedeach one of you andencouragedyou andchargedyouto walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. (^ESV1 Thessalonians 2:11-12)
• For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stoppedpraying for youand asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his willthrough all spiritual wisdom and understanding.¹⁰And we pray this in order that you maylive a life worthy of the Lordand may please him in every way:bearing fruitin every good work,growingin the knowledge of God,¹¹being strengthenedwith all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully¹²giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified youto share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. (^NIVColossians 1:9-12)

B. Since the five-fold ministry is an expression of the ministry of the Holy Spirit, it is ultimately meant to testify to the age to come. Thus, like all the other gifts of the Holy Spirit, the five-fold ministry is meant to shepherd and establish the Church in its calling in the age to come.

This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord(in his resurrection), was confirmed to us by those who heard him.⁴God also testified to itby signs, wonders and various miracles, andgifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. (^NIVHebrews 2:3-5)

Butwhen the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father,he will bear witness about me.²⁷And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. (^ESVJohn 15:26-27)

C. The Lord has chosen to establish various ministries within his Body by the Holy Spirit, each designed to spur the Church on to maturity in its calling and destiny in the coming Kingdom. Paul groups these ministries into five general categories:

He gave some asapostles, and some asprophets, and some asevangelists, and some aspastorsandteachers,¹²for the equipping of the saints…(^NASBEphesians 4:11-12)

1. Apostles

a) The idea of apostleship was not a new concept to those in first century Judaism. Apostleship simply embodies the idea of governmental appointment or anointing—i.e. thosesent as representativesof a king or lord.[1]

• <652> avpo,stolojapostolos{ap-os’-tol-os}

Meaning:1) a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders 1a) specifically applied to the twelve apostles of Christ 1b) in a broader sense applied to other eminent Christian teachers 1b1) of Barnabas 1b2) of Timothy and Silvanus

Origin:from 649; TDNT – 1:407,67; n m

Usage:AV – apostle 78, messenger 2, he that is sent 1; 81.

• <649> avposte,llwapostellō{ap-os-tel’-lo}

Meaning:1) to order (one) to go to a place appointed 2) to send away, dismiss 2a) to allow one to depart, that he may be in a state of liberty 2b) to order one to depart, send off 2c) to drive away

Origin:from 575 [Gk.apo; “of separation”] and 4724 [Gk.stello; “to set, place, arrange…”]; TDNT – 1:398,67; v

Usage:AV – send 110, send forth 15, send away 4, send out 2, misc 2; 133.

Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts onJesus, the apostle(Gk. apostolos)and high priest whom we confess.²He was faithful to the one who appointed him,just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. (^NIVHebrews 3:1-2)

When Jacob went into Egypt, and the Egyptians oppressed them, then your fathers cried out to the LORD andthe LORD sent(Gk. apostellōLXX)Moses and Aaron, who brought your fathers out of Egypt and made them dwell in this place. (^ESV1 Samuel 12:8)

Korah son of Izhar…became insolent²androse up against Moses. With them were 250 Israelite men,well-known community leaderswho had been appointed members of the council.³They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is with them. Why then do youset yourselves above the LORD’s assembly?”⁴When Moses heard this, he fell facedown.⁵Then he said to Korah and all his followers…⁸“Now listen, you Levites!⁹Isn’t it enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the Israelite community and brought you near himself to do the work at the LORD’s tabernacle and to stand before the community and minister to them?…¹⁵Then Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Do not accept their offering.I have not taken so much as a donkey from them, nor have I wronged any of them.”…¹⁹When Korah had gathered all his followers in opposition to them at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the glory of the LORD appeared to the entire assembly…²⁸Then Moses said, “This is how you will know thatthe LORD has sent me(Gk. apostellōLXX)to do all these things and that it was not my idea…“³¹As soon as he finished saying all this, the ground under them split apart³²and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them…(^NIVNumbers 16:1-33)

b) Those in the New Testament simply assumed the idea of Old Testament apostleship, only applied to a new era of redemptive history when grace and mercy has been fully displayed and extended to the nations.

Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him.¹⁴He appointed twelve–designating them apostles–that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach¹⁵and to have authority to drive out demons. (^NIVMark 3:13-15)

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.As the Father has sent me(Gk. apostellō), even soI am sending you(Gk. pempō).”²²And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (^ESVJohn 20:21-22)

In those days Peter stood up among the brothers…¹⁷“he(Judas)was numbered among us and was allotted his share inthis ministry(Gk. diakonia)…²²one of these men mustbecome with us a witnessto his resurrection.”…²⁴And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen²⁵to take the place inthis ministry(Gk. diakonia)andapostleship(Gk. apostolē)from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”²⁶And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias…(^ESVActs 1:15-26)

• <1248> diakoni,adiakonia{dee-ak-on-ee’-ah}

Meaning:1) service, ministering, esp. of those who execute the commands of others 2) of those who by the command of God proclaim and promote religion among men 2a) of the office of Moses 2b) of the office of the apostles and its administration 2c) of the office of prophets, evangelists, elders etc. 3) the ministration of those who render to others the offices of Christian affection…

Origin:from 1249; TDNT – 2:87,152; n f

Usage:AV – ministry 16, ministration 6, ministering 3, misc 9; 34

c) Thus, those in the New Testament view their apostleship as a governmental responsibility inservingthe Body of Christ. Apostleship is not a privilege to be exploited in this age for the riches, honor and long-life of the commissioned servant.

I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, forI am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,”even though I am nothing.¹²The things that mark an apostle– signs, wonders and miracles– were done among you with great perseverance…¹³How were you inferior to the other churches, except thatI was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!…¹⁷Did I exploit youthrough any of the men I sent you?¹⁸I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him.Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not act in the same spirit and follow the same course?¹⁹Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends,is for your strengthening. (^NIV2 Corinthians 12:11-19)

• Unlike so many, we do notpeddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity,like men sent from God(“commissioned by God”ESV). (^NIV2 Corinthians 2:17)

For I think thatGod has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men…¹¹To the present hour wehunger and thirst, we arepoorly dressed and buffeted and homeless,¹²and welabor, working with our own hands. Whenreviled, we bless; whenpersecuted, we endure;¹³whenslandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still,like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.¹⁴I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children…¹⁵ForI became your fatherin Christ Jesus through the gospel(cf. leader of the household). (^ESV1 Corinthians 4:9-16)

d) Apostles are thus the “foundation” of the Church—accountable to the Lord, the “cornerstone”—leading the saints in righteousness and holiness until the consummation of the Kingdom.[2]

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens(i.e. Gentiles), but fellow citizens with God’s people(i.e. Jews)and members of God’s household(sojourning unto the Kingdom),²⁰built onthe foundation of the apostles and prophets(serving the whole house), with Christ Jesus himself asthe chief cornerstone.²¹In him the whole building is joined together and rises to becomea holy temple in the Lord(awaiting the messianic consummation).²²And in him you too are being built togetherto become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit(cf. resurrection). (^NIVEphesians 2:19-22)

2. Prophets

a) Old Testament and New, prophets have always been fundamentally defined as those who foresee the restoration of all things by means of the Messianic Seed.

• <4396> profh,thjprophētēs{prof-ay’-tace}

Meaning:1) in Greek writings, an interpreter of oracles or of other hidden things 2) one who, moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation…

Origin:from a compound of 4253 [Gk.pro; “before”] and 5346 [Gk.phēmi; “to declare; to say”]; TDNT – 6:781,952; n m

Usage:AV – prophet 149; 149.

In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,⁴and intoan inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade– kept in heaven for you,⁵who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time…¹⁰Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care,¹¹trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointingwhen he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. (^NIV1 Peter 1:3-11)

He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believeall that the prophets have spoken!²⁶Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”²⁷And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to themwhat was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (^NIVLuke 24:25)

b) The prophetic ministry is thus simply assumed in the New Testament to be complementary to that of the prophetic ministry in the Old Testament.

Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,¹¹and you will receive a rich welcome intothe eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…¹⁸We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.¹⁹Andwe have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place,until the day dawnsand the morning star rises in your hearts.[3]²⁰Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation.²¹For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, butmen spoke from God(concerning the eternal kingdom of the Christ)as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.^2:1But there were alsofalse prophetsamong the people, just as there will befalse teachersamong you. They will secretly introducedestructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them– bringing swift destruction on themselves.²Many will follow their shameful ways and will bringthe way of truth into disrepute(concerning the Kingdom and resurrection).³In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. (^NIV2 Peter 1:10-2:3)

c) Like the ministry of an apostle, the ministry of the prophet is raised up by the Holy Spirit to strengthen and encourage the Church in its destiny and calling. Without the self-sacrificial spirit of the One whom we serve, the prophet’s words are spoken in vain.

And in the churchGod has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues…³¹But eagerly desirethe greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.^13:1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.²If I havethe gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing…^14:1Follow the way of love andeagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy…³everyone who prophesies speaks to menfor their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.⁴He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesiesedifies the church. (^NIV1 Corinthians 12:28-14:4)

3. Evangelists

a) The ministry of the evangelist (cf. Gk.euaggelizō) is likewise assumed to be carried over from the Old Testament as one whom the Spirit empowers to make known the good news of the coming Kingdom and Messiah (cf. Hb.basar, Is. 40:9; 52:7; 60:6; 61:1; etc.).

• <2099> euvaggelisth,jeuaggelistēs{yoo-ang-ghel-is-tace’}

Meaning:1) a bringer of good tidings, an evangelist 2) the name given to the NT heralds of salvation through Christ who are not apostles

Origin:from 2097 [Gk.euaggelizō]; TDNT – 2:736,267; n m

Usage:AV – evangelist 3; 3 [Acts 21:8; Eph. 4:11; 2 Tim. 4:5]

Get yourself up on a high mountain, O Zion,bearer of good news(Hb. basar, Gk. euaggelizōLXX), Lift up your voice mightily, O Jerusalem,bearer of good news(Hb. basar, Gk. euaggelizōLXX); Lift it up, do not fear. Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!”¹⁰Behold, the Lord GOD will come with might, With His arm ruling for Him. Behold,His reward is with Him and His recompense before Him. (^NASBIsaiah 40:9-10)

Awake, awake, clothe yourself in your strength, O Zion; clothe yourself in your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for the uncircumcised and the unclean will no longer come into you.²Shake yourself from the dust, rise up, O captive Jerusalem; loose yourself from the chains around your neck, O captive daughter of Zion…⁷How lovely on the mountains are the feet ofhim who brings good news(Hb. basar, Gk. euaggelizōLXX), who announces peace and brings good news of happiness,who announces salvation, and says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”…¹⁰The LORD has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations,that all the ends of the earth may see the salvation of our God. (^NASBIsaiah 52:1-10)

b) Thus, the term “evangelist” is only used three times in the NT (Acts 21:8; Eph. 4:11; 2 Tim. 4:5), yet it is universally assumed to be a central aspect of the ministry of the Holy Spirit.[4]

…that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:⁹That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart thatGod raised him from the dead, you will be saved.¹⁰For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved…¹⁴How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hearwithout someone preaching to them?¹⁵And how can they preach unlessthey are sent(Gk. apostellō)? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news(Gk.euaggelizō)!”(cf. Is. 52:7)(^NIVRomans 10:8-15)

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, andin view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:²Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage– with great patience and careful instruction.³For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine…⁵But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship,do the work of an evangelist(Gk. euaggelistēs), discharge all the duties of your ministry. (^NIV2 Timothy 4:1-5)

c) Jesus models the ministry of the evangelist, which the apostles also emulate. Like the other ministries of the Holy Spirit, the preaching of the good news of the Kingdom is meant to strengthen the Body of Christ and shake the world which embraces the antichrist spirit.

Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another,proclaiming the good news(Gk. euaggelizō)of the kingdom of God.The Twelve were with him,²and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. (^NIVLuke 8:1-2)

You know the message God sent to the people of Israel,telling the good news(Gk. euaggelizō)of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all…³⁹We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem…⁴²Hecommanded us to preach to the peopleand to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.⁴³All the prophets testifyabout him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. (^NIVActs 10:36-43)

…God has chosen you from the beginning for salvationthrough sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.¹⁴It was for this He called you through our gospel(Gk. euaggelion), that you maygain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.¹⁵So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.¹⁶Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace,¹⁷comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.^3:1Finally, brethren, pray for us thatthe word of the Lord(cf. euaggelion, 3:14)will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;²and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men…(^NASB2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:2)

4. Teachers

a) Like the other ministries of the Holy Spirit, the teaching gift within the Assembly was universally assumed from the Tanakh, which found expression in the first-century “teachers of the Law”.

• <1320> dida,skalojdidaskalos{did-as’-kal-os}

Meaning:1) a teacher 2) in the NT one who teaches concerning the things of God, and the duties of man [cf. Jewish religion; John the Baptist; Jesus; apostles; Paul; false teachers]…

Origin:from 1321 [Gk.didasko; “to teach”]; TDNT – 2:148,161; n m

Usage:AV – Master (Jesus) 40, teacher 10, master 7, doctor 1; 58.

But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers.⁹And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.¹⁰Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ.¹¹The greatest among you will be your servant.¹²For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.¹³Woe to you,teachers of the lawand Pharisees, you hypocrites!You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.¹⁴(MT Insertion)¹⁵Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one,you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. (^NIVMatthew 23:8-13)

b) As those who taught the Mosaic Law were suppose to be teaching in such a way that encouraged and strengthened the people in their sojourning (cf. consecration and holiness), so also are teachers in the New Covenant suppose to spur the Body on toward love and good works in preparation for the Kingdom.

Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered…³⁵Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotlessuntil the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time. (^NIVDaniel 11:33-35)

“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish…⁵¹Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied.⁵²He said to them, “Thereforeevery teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven(and the delay therein)is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” (^NIVMatthew 13:47-52)

c) During the age of darkness, dwelling in a body of death, the Church desperately needs teaching that sheds light and brings hope, without which the human soul shrivels and dies.

Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, forthe LORD has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge(“acknowledgment”NIV)of God in the land;²there is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed…⁴Yet let no one contend, and let none accuse, forwith you is my contention, O priest.⁵You shall stumble by day; the prophet also shall stumble with you by night; and I will destroy your mother.⁶My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children…⁹And it shall be like people, like priest; I will punish them for their ways and repay them for their deeds. (^ESVHosea 4:1-9)

• The Levites…instructed the people in the Lawwhile the people were standing there. They read from the Book of the Law of God,making it clear and giving the meaningso that the people could understand what was being read. (^NIVNehemiah 8:7-8)
• Where there is no revelation(“vision”KJV/NASB/ESV),the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law. (^NIVProverbs 29:18)
• And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said,“It is not right that we should give uppreaching the word of Godto serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselvesto prayer and to the ministry of the word.”(^NIVActs 6:2-4)

You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.²Teach the older men…³Likewise, teach the older women…⁴Then they can train the younger women…⁷In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness⁸and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned…¹¹For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.¹²It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,¹³while we wait for the blessed hope– the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,¹⁴who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness…(^NIVTitus 2:1-14)

---

5. Pastors

a) Closely connected to the teaching ministry is the shepherding (i.e. “pastoral”) ministry of the Holy Spirit. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, it is the dominant glue that holds the Assembly together.[5]

• <4166> poimh,npoimēn{poy-mane’}

Meaning:1) a herdsman, esp. a shepherd 1a) in the parable, he to whose care and control others have committed themselves, and whose precepts they follow 2) metaph. 2a) the presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly: so of Christ the Head of the church

Origin:of unc. or.

Usage:NASB – pastors 1, shepherd 13, shepherds 4; 18.[6]

Son of man, prophesy againstthe shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord GOD: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have beenfeeding yourselves! Should not shepherdsfeed the sheep?…⁶My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth…¹¹Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out…¹³And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land…¹⁵I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down…¹⁷Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and male goats…²⁰I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep…²³And I will set up over themone shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd.²⁴And I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. (^ESVEzekiel 34:2-24)

• He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens;⁷¹from tending the sheep he brought him to bethe shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance.⁷²AndDavid shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them. (^NIVPsalm 78:70-72)

Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture…³I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them…⁴I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the LORD.⁵Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David arighteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. (^ESVJeremiah 23:1-5)

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?…Feed my lambs…¹⁶Simon, son of John, do you love me?…Tend my sheep…¹⁷Simon, son of John, do you love me?…Feed my sheep.” (^ESVJohn 21:15-17)

b) The pastoral ministry of the Holy Spirit functions in a general way, caring for and leading the saints in righteousness and holiness in preparation for the age to come. This requires a combination of diligence and compassion, feeding people in due season according to their true needs.

Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his householdto give them their food at the proper time?⁴⁶It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. (^NIVMatthew 24:45-46)

• But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.²I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready,³for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? (^ESV1 Corinthians 3:1-3)

Jesus went through all the towns and villages,teachingin their synagogues,preachingthe good news of the kingdom andhealingevery disease and sickness(cf. 1 Cor. 12:29-31).³⁶When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, becausethey were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.³⁷Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers(i.e. shepherds)are few.” (^NIVMatthew 9:35-37)

• So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in orderto wait on tables.³Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them…⁵They choseStephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; alsoPhilip…(^NIVActs 6:2-5)

c) Other designations, such as “elder” (Gk.presbuteros[7]), “overseer” (Gk.episkopos[8]), and “deacon” (Gk.diakonos[9]), all refer to essentially the same pastoral/shepherding type ministry within the Body.

To theelders(Gk. presbuteros)among you, I appeal as afellow elder(Gk. presbuteros),a witnessof Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed:²Be shepherds(Gk. poimainō)of God’s flock that is under your care,serving as overseers(Gk. episkopeō)— not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve;³not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.⁴And whenthe Chief Shepherd(Gk. archipoimēn)appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. (^NIV1 Peter 5:1-4)

D. Summary – thewhole ministryof the Holy Spirit, including the gifts distributed to men for the building up the Body, is meant to establish the Church in maturity so that it may function with one accord unto its destiny in the coming Kingdom. If there are any other motives involved in these ministries, then the flock ought to seek new shepherds.

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore youto walk in a manner worthy of the callingwith which you have been called,²with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,³being diligent to preserve theunity of the Spiritin the bond of peace.⁴There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called inone hope of your calling;⁵one Lord, one faith, one baptism,⁶one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.⁷Butto each one of us grace was givenaccording to the measure of Christ’s gift…¹¹And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,¹²for the equipping of the saintsfor the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;¹³until we all attain to theunity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. (^NASBEphesians 4:1-13)