Back to Home Page

.  Living Hope Fellowship Church
Church Study Course

SAINTS AND MINISTRY

Lesson 6 Part 2

CHURCH #6, (Part 2)

SAINTS AND MINISTRY

A. SOME OF GOD'S MINISTERS

1. APOSTLE
2. PROPHET
3. TEACHER
4. PASTOR
5. EVANGELIST
6. BISHOP
7. ELDER
8. DEACON

B. MINISTER TO JEWS AND GENTILES

Definitions are taken from Webster's dictionary.

FOR MEMORIZATION:

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:28.
_________________________________________


A. SOME OF GOD'S MINISTERS:
All who are saved are called to be witnesses of Jesus Christ. Some are called to be preachers. Some preachers are apostles, some are pastors, some are evangelists. Some of God's leaders are teachers. Some of God's leaders are bishops, elders, or deacons.

PREACHER

To preach is to speak in public on religious matters; give a sermon, as from the Gospel. Jesus preached. We must preach the Gospel message so souls will be saved. Read Luke 7:22-23 and all of 2 Timothy. Acts 8:35 reveals to us that you can preach to one at a time as when Philip preached to the eunuch. Matthew 13:2 tells us that great multitudes were gathered together unto him and he spake unto them in parables. Read 1 Corinthians 1:23, 2 Corinthians 4:5, and 2 Peter 1:16

For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. Matthew 18:11.

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 2 Timothy 4:2.

And he said unto them, go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15.

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 1 Corinthians 2:4.

For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 1 Corinthians 9:16.

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 1 Corinthians 1:21. Read 1 Corinthians 1:18.

(9) And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. (10) The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. Ecclesiastes 12:9-10.

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:14.

(14) Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. (15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:14-15.

APOSTLE

Apostles are part of the foundation of the church. They are mature in Christ, able to lay the foundation for new convert congregations, and able also to strengthen established congregations (1 Corinthians 9:1-2). Paul was an apostle and he had the care of all the churches daily (2 Corinthians 11:28). Apostles are humble and sacrificial. Read 2 Corinthians Chapter 11 and 12. Proof of their ministry is signs, wonders, and miracles (2 Corinthians 12:12). They rank high in God's army of Christian soldiers in honor, works, spirituality, knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Paul became an apostle by the will of God, by Jesus Christ, and by the commandment of God. Read Galatians 1:1, Ephesians 1:1, and 1 Timothy 1:1. Read also 2 Timothy 1:11, Titus 1:1. Jesus was an apostle.

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

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; Ephesians 2:20.

Jesus Christ is the chief corner stone of the foundation of the Church. The apostles and prophets are part of that foundation. They teach from God's Word the foundation principles for a church to follow. It is Biblical for modern apostles to travel and preach. When God is in it, sinners are converted, producing new congregations of saints. You can be an apostle, preacher, and a teacher at the same time (2 Timothy 1:11). Read about false apostles in 2 Corinthians 11:13.

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

For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 1 Corinthians 4:9. Read also Verse 10-16.

PROPHETS

Prophets are part of the foundation of the church (Ephesians 2:20). They have revelations from God (Ephesians 3:3-5). They are able by the Spirit of God to foretell future events (Acts 11:27-28). They exhort and confirm the brethren (Acts 15:32). There are many other references. Jesus was a prophet. False Prophets: read Matthew 24:11, Matthew 24:24, Luke 6:26, and 1 John 4:1.

TEACHER

Jesus taught (Luke 5:3, Matthew 11:1, Mark 6:34). Teaching establishes the saints and gives them roots (Ephesians 3:17-21 & Colossians 1:23). How can we teach if we are not first taught ourselves? How can we convince others if we are not convinced concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ? Read Hebrews 5:12, 1 John 2:27, John 14:26, 2 Timothy 2:24, and John 3:2. Jesus commanded the disciples to go and teach.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matthew 28:19.

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:2.

(20) And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, (21) Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20-21.

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19.

(3) If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; (4) He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, (5) Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 1 Timothy 6:3-5.

TEACH BY REASONING (This is one way they taught in the Bible.)

And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Acts 17:2.

And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. Acts 18:4.

And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. Acts 18:19.

And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have convenient season, I will call for thee. Acts 24:25.

There will always be some who cannot be reasoned with. There are some who are reprobate concerning the truth. Though we teach, preach, or otherwise minister to souls, it is God who gives the ability to be saved. It is God that draws you to him to be saved (John 6:44). Read Romans 1:18-32 & 2 Thessalonians 3:2.

FALSE PROPHETS AND FALSE TEACHERS

(1) But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (3) And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 2 Peter 2:1-3.

PASTOR

Pastors are preachers who are shepherds for the local church. Read Ezekiel Chapter 33-34. A good shepherd will lay down his life for the sheep. Read John 10. Jesus said that we must take up our cross and follow him (Luke 14:26). We must lay our lives down and die to flesh (Galatians 2:20). Jesus was the Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20). Bad Shepherds and pastors: read Jeremiah 23:1 and John 10:12-13.

EVANGELIST

Jesus was an evangelist. Evangelists are preachers who travel and preach instead of preaching to basically the same crowd as pastors do. They are to have a ministry according to Mark 16:15-20. Read Acts 8:5-8 about Philip's evangelistic ministry. They stir up the people if they have a ministry like Jesus had.

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5.

And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Acts 17:6.

It is a sober responsibility to reach people for Christ and then help them get established in Christ that the "fruit remain" (John 15:16). Always, God's leading is to be sought and followed. Paul helped to establish churches, ordained elders (Acts 14:23) and had to set in order some things when he went back (1 Corinthians 11:34). Read Titus 1:5.

BISHOP

A bishop in the early Christian era was a religious or spiritual overseer. Read 1 Timothy 3:1 & 2, Titus 1:7, 1 Peter 2:25, and the surrounding scriptures.

ELDER

An elder is one who is born or brought forth earlier than another or others; exceeding another in age. That is physically OR spiritually. Some people get saved while they are young and might grow quickly in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is possible to have a young person to be an elder and an older person (physical age) to be a baby in Christ. Read Titus 1:5.

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 1 Timothy 5:17.

DEACON

A deacon is, in some churches, a layman appointed to help the minister.

And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 1 Timothy 3:10. Read also Verse12-13.

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 1 Timothy 3:8.

GOD HATH SET SOME IN THE CHURCH

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:28.

There is a ministry of "helps" mentioned in this verse. There is a WIDE range to this. If you desire to serve God, there are opportunities to do so. There is a lot of work to be done. Most of the world's population is going to hell. Do not complain, as God punishes griping. Read about murmuring and complaining in John 6:43 and 1 Corinthians 10:10.

(10) For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. (11) For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalm 84:10-11.


B. MINISTER TO JEWS AND GENTILES
We must minister to the Jews and to the Gentiles. The Jews were God's chosen people of the Old Testament. Jesus came and now Jews, Gentiles, or any people may be His chosen. We minster to get all people saved. We continue to minister to those who are already saved, strengthening, encouraging, and meeting needs until Jesus comes.

But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. Romans 2:29.

(12) That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: (13) But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. (14) For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (15) Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; (16) And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: (17) And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. Ephesians 2:12-17.

That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Ephesians 3:6.

(8) Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: (9) And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. (10) And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. Romans 15:8-10.

That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Rom. 15:16

 

CLICK HERE to go to Church 6 part 2 Lesson  Exam.