Introduction to the Ministry Module
.... Among the elementary principles of Christ, which are listed for us in Hebrews 6:2, we find the concept of ‘the laying on of hands’. This unusual description requires a basic explanation. As mentioned in a previous lesson, the primary purpose for laying on hands is to vouch for someone, and the primary application for this vouching is to commend them to the Lord for the work of the ministry. For example, let’s look at the apostolic calling of Barnabas and Saul:
.... "As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away."
(Acts 13:2-3)
.... In this passage, the two apostles were commissioned and sent on their first missionary journey. But of course, their real journey had begun much earlier, when they had first proven themselves faithful in smaller things:
.... "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much."
(Luke 16:10)
.... By this time in his life, Paul had been a Christian for many years but he had not always been an apostle. Following his conversion, he labored as a teacher and an evangelist in Damascus, and then again in Jerusalem (Acts 9:20, 29). Years later, we find him at the church in Antioch where he was now serving in a higher role, as a teacher and a prophet (Acts 13:1). Finally, in the passage we have just noted, he was commended to the Lord as an apostle, according to the Lord's calling. So the rise of Saul fits an easily recognizable Biblical pattern:.... "And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues."
(1 Corinthians 12:28)
.... Because Paul had proven faithful as an evangelist and teacher, he was promoted to prophet and teacher; and because he was faithful in that, he was promoted again to the ministry of an apostle. This is the concept we’ll discuss in this module, amd we will also discuss the concept of authority within the church.
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Daily Bible Reading: Ephesians 2
posted by Cleopas at 10:38 PM
5 Comments:
Later we’d see another prophet, named Silas, who was promoted and would serve along with Paul (Acts 15:40). The Bible tells us clearly that "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (Rev 19:10) so we may assume that both men, while still prophets, had represented Jesus to the people truly. Yet prophets seem more limited in this regard than apostles, because they ‘know in part and prophesy in part’ (1 Cor 13:9). In other words prophets are learning to be Christ-like while an apostle has actually attained more growth in that area.
So then, bearing in mind the learning curve we all face, as apostle has become sufficiently Christ-like, in the basis of his character, to serve as a steadfast example to others. But when a prophet reaches a certain level of maturity in Christ, he appeared to be a prime candidate for apostleship.
By
Cleopas, at 12/29/2005 10:41 PM
Thank you for revealing this progression of growth. It is helpful, very helpful right now.
It is hard sometimes to understand things that one goes through and understanding that the prophets operated in such manner and that Paul had to grow into his Apostleship...well its just helpful brother. Thanks.
By
Bhedr, at 12/30/2005 7:14 PM
Hi Brian,
Occasionally there's some 'ouch' in that too, but it's always good ouch. And Jesus is glorified when we hold fast to Him in thta growth, and allow Him to conform us to His image.
By
Cleopas, at 12/31/2005 7:37 AM
Yes and in that ouch I guess we discover that we didn't fully believe what we teached. or at least I did.
By
Bhedr, at 12/31/2005 6:10 PM
Ouch!
By
Cleopas, at 12/31/2005 9:44 PM
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