Isaiah - Verse By Verse | Walking through Ephesians

Walking through Ephesians - Day 77

versebyverse | January 27, 2008 12:06

Thought: To me, what the church is today, is due to the gifts given to men by Jesus Christ.

Question: Am I thankful for, and obedient to, the gifted teachers or Pastors over me?

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11 (NIV): "it was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,"

At that time of descension and subsequent ascension, Christ not only led the captives in hades free, but also received power to distribute graces to many living individuals. These gifts of grace all differed one from another. Some were gifted to become apostles. Apostles, as I understand, were a one-time group commissioned to form the foundation of the church. Christ is cornerstone with the 12 apostles, originally the 12 disciples minus Judas Iscariot plus Paul "born out of season", forming the rest of the foundation. Peter was declared "head apostle", if you will, the great leader of the Jews, and Paul was gifted to minister to gentiles.

Also graced were those who could bring the Word of God to the people: prophets. I know of no other prophets in the new testament era than the apostles themselves, from among whom was authored the entire new testament, except Luke who was not an apostle. But the Lord knows if there are more! John the Baptist was considered a prophet, the last of the old testament prophets at that; but he did not author scripture to my knowledge.

Evangelists are ones especially gifted by Christ to win souls. Many, if not all the apostles, also fit this category. But there are and were, no doubt, many others.

Pastors and teachers, and to some, "pastor-teachers", are another gifted group. Paul begins at the "top", as it were, of special gifts, and goes down through to all levels. Many, many are graced to lead various groups of all sizes, and to teach God's Word as well. Even children can teach other children and be said to be "gifted" by Christ to do so.

To me, these giftings are still going on. Each teacher, pastor, evangelist and prophet today, is still receiving the grace and wisdom to do what he or she does, from Jesus Christ. The access into Christ and therefore into God's power, is made possible by Christ's descension and ascension. Christ is authorized with gracing ability because He alone achieved so much in His death and subsequent resurrection. Christ received the honor and ability of gracing men when He died and rose, but the giving of those graces continues today and on throughout the church-age.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for empowering Your Son to give gifts to men. Without those gifts I am sure we would flounder. Amen.