1. Apostles
Greek = apostolos: a delegate; specially an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ [“apostle”] (with miraculous powers) :- apostle, messenger, he that is sent.
Romans 1:1 (NKJV) 1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God
2. Prophets
Greek = prophētēs: a foreteller (“prophet”); by analogy an inspired speaker.
<- In Ancient Hebrew (Jeff A. Benner - The Ancient Hebrew Lexicon of the Bible) 1 Corinthians 14:3 (NKJV) 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
3. Evangelists
Greek = euangelistēs: a preacher, one who announces good news especially the gospel:- declare, bring (declare, show) glad (good) tidings, preach (the gospel).
Acts 21:8-9 (NKJV) 8 On the next day we who were Paul's companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
4. Pastors
Greek = poimēn.: a shepherd
Matthew 9:36 (NKJV) 36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
5. Teachers
Greek = didaskalos (didasko); an instructor:- doctor, master, teacher.
Matthew 22:16 (NKJV) 16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men.
Ephesians 4:12 (NKJV)for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
Ephesians 4:12 (GW) 12 Their purpose is to prepare God's people, to serve, and to build up the body of Christ.
-Why is it so important to be trained to serve?
1. Children like fantasy. They can be deceived easily by the trickery of men.
Ephesians 4:14 …by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
2.Children are not consistent. They don’t have enough knowledge to stand firm in their beliefs.
4:14 …children, tossed to and fro…
3.Children cannot bear children. Children cannot teach children.
Ephesians 4:12 (GW) 12 Their purpose is to prepare God's people, to serve, and to build up the body of Christ.
- How can we grow up in Jesus, to become mature?
Ephesians 4:13 (NIV) 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
The Key word in this verse is UNITY
A) Unity in the faith
B) Unity in the knowledge of the Son of God
Back to Ephesians 4: 3-6
3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
There are doctrines called as FAITH. We must understand those principles and keep the Unity on it.
4: 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
UNITY IN DIVERSITY
One Body
One Head – Jesus Christ
Many members…
Maturity comes from the UNITY of the Body of Christ, in a life of Faith and Knowledge applied.
DECIDE TODAY
1.Decide to keep the Unity
2.Decide to know more about the faith
3.Decide to know more about Jesus
4.Decide to apply your faith in Jesus!
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