Category Archives: apostles

Apostles in the New Testament (Part 1)

Posted on October 13, 2011 by | 2 comments

by Scott

It’s been a few weeks since my last post, but it is time to move on into the more ‘debatable’ issues with regards to my current series on the Ephesians 4 ministry gifts, based out of the passage of Ephesians 4:7-16. Here are some of the summary thoughts so far from past articles:

  1. Upon his ascension to the Father, Jesus began gifting people in all five of the Ephesians 4 ministries – apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds (pastors), and teachers. As the Ephesians passage makes clear, these ministries are given to equip the body of Christ and help prepare them to outwork the ministry of Christ in the world today. (You can read more from me here.)
  2. Jesus Christ was the greatest to function in all five of these ministries – the greatest apostle, the greatest prophet, the greatest evangelist, the greatest shepherd and the greatest teacher. The body of Christ can only function in these ministries as we look to him who was faithful in all five. (You can read more from me here and here.)
  3. The Holy Spirit was sent in the place of the resurrected and ascended Christ, all to continue the full work of Christ. As ‘another Helper’, just as if Christ were still here in active ministry, he is the apostolic, prophetic, evangelistic, shepherding and teaching Spirit. (You can read more from me here.)
  4. The body of Christ, as a whole, are to be empowered by the Spirit of God as we look to continue to be all of Christ to all of the world. That means that we are to function as an apostolic, prophetic, evangelistic, shepherding and teaching community of God’s people. Again, the concept is pretty simple, and biblical, but we are to walk out all that Christ himself walked out since we are His body on earth today. (You can read more from me here.)
  5. Finally, my past two articles have been looking at some practical areas – why this all matters and what ‘general’ fruit we should already expect from those gifted in these areas.

But, let’s be honest, the question really is this: Does Christ actually still gift people in all five of these ministries today, especially as apostles, and even prophets? Continue reading →

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Some Practical Thoughts on Apostles & Prophets Today

Posted on September 15, 2011 by | 1 comment

by Scott

I am well aware that many people would disagree with my conclusion that apostles and prophets are still much needed amongst the body of Christ. I believe one main reason they are given is to help God’s people continue to be fully equipped and prepared for works of service in the world today. At least that is what Paul indicates in Eph 4:11-16. And, interestingly enough, he says that these gifts were given ‘until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ’.

I think we would all agree we are not there yet, hence my strong belief in the continuing need of these ministries to help us move towards that goal of unity and maturity. And with Jesus being the greatest one to ever function in all five of these ministries, and with him sending the Spirit to continue in all five of these ministries, then I would only, could only, expect that he would desire his body to continue functioning in all five of these ministries.

Of course, many would say, ‘It’s not that simple, Scott.’ Well, I lean towards it being that simple. But I am willing to walk down the well-worn path of biblically and theologically considering all things necessary. Continue reading →

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Apostles & Prophets Today – Why It All Matters

Posted on September 6, 2011 by | 1 comment

by Scott

When I write or teach, I tend to talk a bunch of theology and doctrine while forgetting to consider many practical matters. And we all know that theological talk (or jabber) without practically walking out the truth is not true biblical theology. Or we should know that.

So I’m aware of my tendencies. I can try and wax eloquent about certain things (I said try), but, in the end, I really want it to be a practical reality that affects our lives.

In the midst of this series on the Ephesians 4 ministry gifts, some might ask, ‘What’s the point? Why does it all matter?’

And the question is more directed at me, not the Scriptures. Continue reading →

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The Body of Christ Continues the Work

Posted on August 26, 2011 by | Leave a comment

by Scott

I’m rolling out a longer series on what is known as the five-fold ministries of Ephesians 4:11-13. Here is my thesis thus far, as summarised in these three statements below:

  1. Upon His ascension to the Father, Jesus began gifting people in all five of the Ephesians 4 ministries – apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds (pastors), and teachers. As Eph 4:11-13 makes clear, these ministries are given to equip the body of Christ and help prepare them to outwork the ministry of Christ in the world today. (You can read more here.)
  2. Jesus Christ was the greatest to function in all five of these ministries – the greatest apostle, the greatest prophet, the greatest evangelist, the greatest shepherd and the greatest teacher. We can only function in these ministries as we look to Him who was faithful in all five. (You can read more here and here.)
  3. The Holy Spirit was sent in the place of the resurrected and ascended Christ, all to continue the full work of Christ. As ‘another Helper’, just as if Christ were still here in active ministry, He is the apostolic, prophetic, evangelistic, shepherding and teaching Spirit. (You can read more here.) Continue reading →

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The Holy Spirit Continues the Work

Posted on August 8, 2011 by | Leave a comment

by Scott

In my articles on the Ephesians 4 ministries (part 1, part 2, part 3), also known as the five-fold ministries, I emphasised one very important characteristic to remember about Christ. In Ephesians 4:8-16, we read that, upon his ascension, Jesus gifted people as apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds (or pastors) and teachers. But, even more importantly, I highlighted the fact that Jesus is the greatest apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd and teacher that has ever lived.

It still might be weird for us to think of Christ in all five of these ministry roles. We usually note him as prophet, priest and king, which he was. But to think of Jesus as apostle or as evangelist, well, that’s maybe not as kosher. And even to consider Christ as a prophet or teacher can seem quite derogatory, since Jews and Muslims are willing to recognise that about him, but nothing more.

But do take courage. When referring to Christ as apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd and teacher, I am not denigrating him. I’m simply recognising that he walked in all five of these ministries. He is still the divine Lord of heaven and earth. But he was the faithful apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd and teacher. Continue reading →

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