Sunday, August 23, 2009
Gifts Given to Men
(Ephesians 4: 7-12)
Quoting Psalm 68:18, Paul refers to Christ’s triumphant resurrection as the basis for His gifting the church with called, capable leadership. Every Christian is given grace for service “according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” In other words, gifts of service differ among Christians, with each believer functioning in a differing capacity and experiencing differing degrees of grace.
Christ demonstrated His authority in structuring the church by His sacrificial death and burial (“descended first into the lower parts of the earth”—9) and His glorious resurrection (10). Triumphing over the grave, Christ demonstrated His sovereign authority over “all things,” including the mystery revealed by Paul, the organization of the New Testament church.
From its inception, the church has experienced unique gifting from the Lord. As the New Testament canon was being written, Apostles and Prophets directed the affairs of the fledgling work. Once God’s revelation was complete, the formal apostolic and prophetic offices ceased, and pastors, teachers, and evangelists continued the work. These three ministerial gifts are active in the church today (11).
Pastors, teachers, and itinerate evangelists are God’s special gifts—given “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry.” Note that the “work of the ministry” does not fall upon their shoulders alone. Rather, gifted men labor to perfect (equip, mature) saints in order that they might carry out the Gospel work. Properly equipped saints, in turn, edify the church.
