Ministerial Leadership Gifts for Christ’s Church

Ephesians 4:11

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.”

Today’s discussion is the prelude to a lesson that is forth coming in the very near future in my online class via YouTube.

Why did Christ give these specific gifts for His church leadership? Christ gave these gifts so His called leaders could prepare His people for service work (Ephesians 4:12). Each gift has a special purpose and responsibility in proclaiming God’s Word. Each of these gifts are working together so there is unity in the Spirit and faith (vv 4, 12) as there is one body—Christ’s –the church. Each gifted person is called by God. Why? Christ did so because “there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all and in all” (vv 4-6).

What is the purpose of these gifts? Verse 12 provides the answer by stating, “For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Notice the verse did not say self-edification, but instead stated that these gifted leaders are to train and release every member of the church to do ministry in some corner of the world proclaiming Christ to others. This represents church growth while edifying Christ and adding to the kingdom of God.

How are unity of the Spirit and faith maintained and perfected? This is accomplished by accepting in faith the gospel messages from the above named gifted leaders who have been called by God to train His people. Christ’s leaders who proclaim the truth about God’s Word and those who hear will grow in grace thus advancing toward spiritual maturity as it relates to Christ (v 15) and will no longer be looked upon as children who will be swayed by “every wind of doctrine” (v 15) because they will know the truth (2 Timothy 2:15). This verse is essential to our spiritual growth and maturity. It is noteworthy to say that only true gifted and called leaders of God will proclaim the Word of God as there are many false proclaimers who are trying to boggle the mind of God’s people with false doctrine.

What are the functions of Christ’s called leaders as noted in our scripture text? An apostle is one that have been called, commissioned and given the authority by Christ Himself to serve as His representative in proclaiming God’s Word. Prophets are and were essential to the church in the OT and NT as they are spiritual leaders gifted in receiving and communicating revelations received from God by the Holy Spirit. Evangelists are those persons called by God with a special anointing and commissioned to proclaim/spread His Word world over to the unsaved. When the “Word” is proclaimed it carries the power and gift of salvation. Phillips in Acts 21:8 was a great evangelist who preached Chris. Pastors are persons called by God to devote themselves to the ministry of shepherding and overseeing the spiritual needs of a local congregation of believers. Lastly, teachers are gifted-called leaders who alongside apostles, evangelists, pastors and prophets that have been given the gift to clarify, expound and explain God’s Word with clarity, effectiveness and power to build up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:12).

In summary, each spiritual leader is called by God to proclaim His Word to edify the Body of Christ and promote Christian growth and maturity so there is unity in the Body of Christ as in the Godhead.

Author’s Contact:
www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
williwhite8613@sbcglobal.net