The Twofold Work of the Holy Spirit Part 4

 

The Past four lessons we have been studying the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  The Spirit within, our salvation experience and the Spirit upon which is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and all the power and blessing that flow from that experience.  We have been discussing the gifts of the Holy Spirit and today we will conclude with learning about the five offices the Lord has given the Church.

 

1 Corinthians 12:28:

27. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
28. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers,  helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

 

Ephesians 4:4-12:

4. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
5. one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6. one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.
8. Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.''
9. (Now this, "He ascended'' what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?
10. He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)
11. And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and  some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

This is our 2 main text and we will be referring to them throughout this lesson.

 

At first glance, there would seem to be a contradiction in these Scriptures as 1 Corinthians 12:28 does not mention pastors and evangelists as Ephesians 4:11 does.  But as we go into this lesson and discuss each office we will see that as always the Word does not contradict itself.

 

Let's start with the Apostle:  " first apostles.."  "some to be apostles"…

The word apostle comes from the      Pronounced ap-os'-tol-os

from GSN0649; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ["apostle"] (with miraculous powers):

KJV--apostle, messenger, he that is sent.

Text:  is, lit., "one sent forth" The word is used of the Lord Jesus to describe His relation to God.

Hebrews: 3:1-2:  Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

2. Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.

 

John 17:3: 3.  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

 

The twelve disciples chosen by the Lord for special training were called apostles.

 

Luke 6:13:  And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

 

 Paul was commissioned directly, by the Lord Himself, after His Ascension, to carry the gospel to the Gentiles.

 

Acts 9:3-6: 3.  And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5. And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

 

Acts 9:13-16: 13.  Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

14. And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16. For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

 

Acts 13:1-3: 1.  Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

2. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

 

The Apostle is one sent with a commission.  He is an ambassador of the Gospel of Christ.

The listing of offices does not mean the order of importance.  We must remember that God was raising up people and offices to establish His New Covenant Church and for this certain anointed offices were needed.

 

An Apostle walks in the manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

 

2 Corinthians 12:12: 12.  Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

In his ministry an Apostle will have sign, wonders and mighty deeds manifested.

 

An Apostle will bear fruit.

An Apostle will start churches. Paul went throughout all the Roman empire establishing churches, staying until a leader was mature enough to continue the work and then went on to another place.  In many cases he stayed several years.

 

Let's look at the characteristics of an Apostle.

1. He will be a preacher, teacher.

1 Timothy 2:7:  Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

 

2. He has had a deep spiritual encounter with God, something beyond the ordinary.  This   

       is a deeply personal thing, but it will be manifested to us in their walk and fruit.

       Galatians 1:11-12: But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached      

       of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by

       the revelation of Jesus Christ.

2. Embraces all the manifested gifts of the spirit with the distinguishing mark of being

able to establish churches.

 

Modern day missionaries are an example of Apostles, but many will not agree that they walk in that office.  I am referring to missionaries who go, share the Gospel and establish churches in a foreign field and stay to make sure they are well established.

They do the work of:

Evangelist - get people saved

Teacher - establish them in the Word and help them mature.

Pastor - act as shepherd of the flock until someone is raised up by the Lord to fill that role.

Govern - Help the new church get organized and established both spiritually and organizationally.

 

Now let's look at the office of Prophet:  " second prophets.."  " gave some.. prophets"

 

The Prophet was one who had immediate intercourse with God. It also translates the word nabhi, meaning "either one in whom the message from God springs forth" or "one to whom anything is secretly communicated." Hence, in general, "the prophet" was one upon whom the Spirit of God rested.

 

The Prophet speaks by divine inspiration from the light of sudden revelation.  A Prophet will be called to the full time ministry and have the manifestation of the revelation gifts operating in his ministry, the gifts of word of wisdom, word of knowledge, discernment  of spirits and visions and revelations. The prophet does not turn his gift on and off like a light switch.  Remember, all the gifts are as the spirit wills, not as we desire.  Even though prophets are able to speak to events of the future, they are not fortune tellers.   Prophets are given to the church for edification and at times will have individual messages, but we should not seek to be led by prophecy given over us. Each one of us has the Holy Spirit dwelling in us and we should be led by the spirit within, not someone's word over us.

A prophet's Word should confirm something the Lord has already shared with you, it should never take you by surprise.

 

The Prophet Agabus in the book of Acts is an example of modern day prophet.

 

Acts 11:28-29:.  Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar.  29.  Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.

 

This was a specific event foretold, that would affect the entire geographical area, and have a marked effect on local church bodies, informing the church so that provisions could be made for those affected.

 

Acts 21:10-11: And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.  11.  When he had come to us, he took Paul's belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, `So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.' ''

 

This was a specific message to Paul, confirming what was in store for Him when he got to Jerusalem.  It was not meant to change His actions, or tell Him what to do, it only confirmed what the Lord had already let Him know through revelation.

 

Always, always  judge prophecy by the Word and fulfillment of the prophecy.

 

A prophet is a preacher or teacher first, he always starts out sharing the Word. John the Baptist was listed as one of the greatest prophets and all he did was foretell of Jesus coming and teach repentance.  It is not recorded that he gave predictions of future events.

He did speak by revelation as in John 1:34-36:

34. "And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.''
35. Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples.
36. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!''

 

This was direct revelation from God, John in the natural did not know Jesus as the Lamb of God, it was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit.

 

A prophet will practice laying on of hands and have a healing ministry.

Luke 4:24-27: Then He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country.  25.  "But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land;  26.  "but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.  27.  "And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.''

 

The Evangelist: " some evangelists.."  " after that miracles, then gifts of healings,"

 

Transliterated: euangelistes

 

Text:  lit., "a messenger of good" (eu, "well," angelos, "a messenger"), denotes a "preacher of the gospel," euangelizo, "to proclaim glad tidings," and euangelion, "good news, gospel."  Some missionaries are "evangelists," as being essentially preachers of the gospel.

 

The word Evangelist is used only three times in the Scriptures.

In our original text Ephesians 4:11, Acts 21:8, when it talks about Philip the evangelist and in 2 Timothy 4:5, when Paul tells Timothy to do the work of an evangelist.

 

An  Evangelist essentially spreads the good news, the Gospel of Christ. He brings the message of redeeming grace, His main theme will always be salvation, no matter what text he uses, it will always end up a salvation message in it’s simplest form.

 

Miracles and gifts of healing accompany the gift of evangelism.

 

Acts 8:5-8: Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.

6. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.  7.  For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.
7. And there was great joy in that city.

You cannot preach salvation in it’s fullness without including healing, healing is a part of salvation, not something extra.  When Christ died, he died with stripes on his body that included healing.  As a dear, Faith Stephanie said to me before she went home to be with the Lord,  "we forget to look at the back of the cross, where the healing is."

 

An evangelist has a divine compelling urge to preach salvation, the Gospel of Christ and it will burn a hole in him if he doesn’t.

 

1 Corinthians 9:16: For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

 

The real gift of an evangelist is to lead any person to Christ, it is a true gift and not all of us will have it.  We can all share what God has done in our lives, but evangelism is a special anointing from God.

 

The Pastor and Teacher:  ", and some pastors and teachers.."  " third teachers,  helps, administrations,".

 

The Pastor is the shepherd of the local flock. 

Transliterated: poimen

 

Text:  "a shepherd, one who tends herds or flocks" (not merely one who feeds them), is used metaphorically of Christian "pastors. "Pastors" guide as well as feed the flock; cf. this was the service committed to elders (overseers or bishops); so also in 1 Pet. 5:1, 2, "tend the flock...exercising the oversight,"

 

Acts 20:28: 28.  "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to 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.

 

1 Peter 5:1-2: 1.  The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:

2. Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
3. nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;

 

Jesus was the Chief Shepherd:

Hebrews 13:20: 20.  Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting Covenant.

 

Pastors are under shepherds under Christ, to lead, feed and govern the local body.

 

A Pastor is called and equipped for this role. It is a calling not a career choice.

It is a settled stationary office, a person may not start out serving the Lord as a Pastor but eventually may be called to that role.

It is a very important role, it is the local Pastor who keeps people from going astray.

 

Matthew 9:36: 36.  But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.

 

It requires the person to be full of God's love and to have the ability to love any and everyone.

 

A Pastor will be supernaturally equipped to lead the flock.  He will move in the gifts of the spirit as the spirit wills, to edify the local body.

He will have both an evangelistic and teaching ministry.

 

The teacher is the gift to the local body and to the church universal. It is a divine gift that enables the person to explain the Word of God which enables Christians to grow and mature.  It is a role specifically for the church, as the teacher will be teaching the meat of the Word not the basic salvation message.  It does not refer to a local Sunday School teacher. It is someone who God has called and anointed to understand the deeper things of the Word and who is not satisfied until they have studied and shared what God has given them.  It involves personal revelation.

 

The role of teacher may be in conjunction with the other offices, pastor-teacher, Apostle-teacher, prophet-teacher and so forth.

Jesus walked in all these offices, He was a prophet, teacher, evangelist, pastor and teacher.

God's plan for the church is that some will be given these Gifts to edify and strengthen the local body and bring more to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Some will walk in more than one office, but it is all for the glory of God and not man. 

 

Let me close with this: God gave these gifts:

Ephesians 4:13: 13.  till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;