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Why Should I Go?
●To Learn About The Names And Functions Of The Office Gifts
●To Learn About The Names And Functions Of The Non-Office Gifts
●To Turn The World Upside Down
CHAPTER 5
To Learn About The Names And Functions Of The Office Gifts
There are two categories of gifts that we will look at. The first category has to do with what is known as the office gifts. These are leadership gifts. Not every believer is called to an office gift. And by the way this gift is not obtained by merit. The names of these gifts are apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers. Some churches believe that the office gifts of apostles and prophets are no more thus relegating the office of pastor-teacher as the primary one. Other churches believe that the offices of apostles and prophets are still in effect today.
In my younger years I attended a two year bible college receiving certification in Christian leadership. The head pastor of the church was also the president of the bible college. Throughout my time there I found myself in the midst of discussions which talked about whether the head pastor was an apostle. I never quite understood what the big deal was. If the characteristics of this office were evidenced to others, then I would assume this would be proof of his calling.
What are the characteristics of these offices? Let’s see what they are so as to help differentiate each office from the other.
●Apostles: They obtained a special commission from Christ: being a witness of his resurrection; having received special inspiration (an extraordinary divine agency upon teachers while giving instruction, whether oral or written, by which they were taught how and what they should speak or write); being accredited by signs, miracles, and wonders; and having founded churches.
●Prophets: They foretold certain events; discerned as to whether what a man of God said was of the Holy Spirit; were preachers and expounders under the immediate influence of the Holy Spirit.
●Evangelists: Denotes a minister of the gospel who was not located in any place, but who traveled as a missionary to preach the gospel, and to found churchesby providing the need for them.
●Pastors and Teachers: They are to feed and lead the church, utilizing the teaching and expository preaching of the word of God with special assistance from the Holy Spirit.
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (Ephesians 4:11)
As we can clearly see there are certain characteristics which differentiate one office from the other. As a believer grows in the Lord, if they are called to one of these offices, then the evidence of such, what I will call divine skills, will be manifest to the assembly. God knows who is called to what office, when the recognition of such will take place, and when the confirmation of the calling was to be made before the assembly.
I don’t believe that everyone who is called to an office gift will necessarily be ordained to this office. Why do I believe this to be the case? Let me give you an example. If you were to go to 1 Timothy 3:2-3 and read these verses what you would find out is that if a person was called to the office of pastor-teacher and wanted to be considered for ordination there were certain conditions set forth that would be used to determine eligibility. I have taken what was written there and have come up with four conditions in this regard. Let’s take a look at these.
Initially, the first condition has to do with the spiritual qualities of the Holy Spirit, which hopefully will be evidenced to the assembly of believers.
~ Blameless: against whom no charge of immorality, or of holding false doctrine, is alleged.
~Vigilant: watchful, attending to one’s work and charge.
~ Sober: of sound mind; to exercise sober, sensible judgment in all things.
~ Of good behavior: organized in one’s thinking, living, teaching, and preaching.
~ Given to hospitality: a lover of strangers; one who is ready to receive into their house and relieve every necessitousstranger.
~ Not given to wine: not being intoxicated with alcohol.
~ No striker: not being a persecutor of those who may differ from them.
~ Not greedy of filthy lucre: not using unjustifiable methods to raise and increase one’s revenue; does not pursue the ministry for personal gain.
blameless,…vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality,…Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; (1 Timothy 3:2-3)
Secondly, this person will have a valid marriage standing.
~ The husband of one wife:(validly divorced people who remarried were considered married to one spouse).
Marital Conditions that are allowed
If the believing Christian is married to an unbeliever, and the unbeliever chooses to leave the marriage, then the believer is allowed to divorce and remarry. 1 Corinthians 7:15
If the believing Christian is married to either a believer or unbeliever, who decides to engage in an extra marital affair, then the Christian is allowed to divorce and remarry. Matthew 19:9
If the husband or wife dies, then the believer is allowed to remarry. Romans 7:2
If the believing Christian is married to a believer, and the believer chooses to leave the marriage while remaining unmarried without engaging in an extra marital affair, then the believer is to remain unmarried or be reconciled. 1 Corinthians 7:10-11
Marital Conditions that are not allowed
If the believing Christian seeks a divorce, when their believing spouse chooses to leave the marriage while remaining unmarried without engaging in an extra marital affair. 1 Corinthians 7:10-11
…the husband of one wife… (1 Timothy 3:2)
Thirdly, this person will have a family testimony, if married.
It had long been accepted that the family was a microcosm of society and that a leader first needed to demonstrate his leadership skills in the home. Men in Paul's day exercised a great deal of authority over their wives and children. That children's behavior reflected on their parents was a commonplace of ancient wisdom.
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
Fourth, this person will have a genuine testimony (reputation) before the unsaved (those who are outside the church).
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (1 Timothy 3:7)
If a person has met these four conditions in their testimony, and exhibits what I am going to call the divine skill associated with the office gift of pastor-teacher, which is the divine skill of being apt to teach (feeding the saints on expository teaching; to teach with special assistance from the Holy Spirit; a love to study), then this person would be considered for ordination. And by the way just to clarify, the words expository teaching is a form of teaching that details the meaning of a particular text or passage of scripture. It explains what the Bible means by what it says. Exegesis is technical and grammatical exposition, a careful drawing out of the exact meaning of a passage in its original context.
With this in mind I have a question for you? Would you say that the other office gifts of apostle, prophet, and evangelist would be subject to the same conditions in regard to a person’s eligibility?
In regard to the divine skill ascribed to the remaining offices, here they are.
Someone who is called to the office gift of an evangelist will evidence a divine skill in the area of soul winning.
Someone who is called to the office of a prophet will evidence the divine skills of: foretelling future events; determining as to whether what another prophet said was under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
Someone who is called to the office of an apostle will evidence the divine skills of:being accredited by signs (miracles with emphasis on their ability to increase spiritual understanding by pointing to a spiritual reality); in wonders (in the sense of awe, which the miracle creates); and mighty deeds (miracles resulting from divine power). These three words: signs, wonders, and mighty deeds probably indicate the three different ways of looking at miracles; being a witness of Christ’s resurrection; founding churches.
Just to clarify, what does it mean to be a witness of Christ’s resurrection? I believe that it means two things. The first is ascribed to someone who at the time Christ was raised from the dead saw him in his glorified body during the forty days when he witnessed to over 500 people on the earth. The second meaning has to do with someone seeing an appearance of Christ after he had ascended to heaven. There is one more thing to note concerning this. If someone claims to have seen the risen Christ, how do we know if what they are saying is true? According to Acts 9:10,17 a fellow believer would have received a word of knowledge from the Lord verifying this claim.
And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. (1 Corinthians 15:8)
And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. …the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
The last thing I would like to mention in regard to the office gifts are, what is their collective purpose?
The office gifts are given: for the perfecting (mending, repair, or correcting all that is deficient) of the saints; for the work of the ministry (the work of Christian service); for the edifying (to cause to grow strong) of the body of Christ so that every member might become mature or fully grown; and not as one who is operating as an infant which does not talk, being tossed to and fro (as a small ship holding no fixed course, guided neither by skill nor design) and carried about (in circles) by every wind of teaching, by the sleight of men (those who suit their own purposes), and cunning craftiness (deceitfulness), who lay in wait to deceive by telling lies.
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive (Ephesians 4:12,14)
Here is another reason to go to church. We should go to church to learn about the names and functions (divine skills) of the office gifts. Along with this there should be presented in the teaching by those in leadership the conditions for eligibility. As we witness these office gifts operating for our spiritual benefit hopefully we will become thankful and respectful of them.
And speaking about gifts, there is also what is known as the non-office gifts, at least one of which is given to each believer at salvation. Do you know what their names and functions are?
CHAPTER 6
To Learn About The Names And Functions Of The Non-Office Gifts
Another reason why we should go to church is to understand the names and functions of the non-office gifts. This topic is not always agreed upon by various churches. Some of them believe that the gifts of the Spirit are still operative while others believe they are not.
One of the churches which I was actually worked for didn’t believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit were still operational. They didn’t however believe there would never be any evidence of them. Their view was that God in his sovereignty would exercise a gift from time to time, but as far a person having such and such gift this was no longer the case. I can remember attending various worship services when someone would speak in an unknown language, which I now understand is called the Gift of Tongues. In most cases this would be followed by another person speaking forth what was conveyed in English, if albeit those in attendance spoke English.. This would be called the Gift of Interpretation of Tongues. On a different occasion when I was going to bible college I remember there was a guest speaker who was scheduled to appear before the students on stage in the auditorium. When he arrived and proceeded to stand on the stage he told us how God had been working in his life in miraculously ways. On this occasion he asked three students to leave their seat and join him on stage. Then he asked each of them to pick out one verse from the bible. After each had done this he proceeded to tell each of them correctly what the verse was that they had picked out. I have to admit that I was surprised to say the least. If the gifts of the Spirit were no longer, then what was this the evidence of?
On the following day there was a high school soccer game to be held on campus. After work I decided to attend the game. As I was walking toward the soccer field I recognized the guest speaker walking about five feet in front of me. All of a sudden he stopped walking. As I attempted to pass by him he asked me, would you like to know what the final score of the game will be? I said in astonishment, sure. He told me the score and went on his way. The game ended with the exact score he had conveyed to me. Again, this didn’t seem to line up with the view that the gifts of the Spirit were no more. Over the years I have since left this ministry and began to study this topic in more detail.
So what are the gifts of the Holy Spirit? They are otherwise called spiritual endowments, extraordinary powers, or a favor which one receives without any merit of their own. Each believer is given at least one gift at salvation to be used for the edification of the church. And one more thing to note, gifts are not human talents. Talents are given at physical birth; gifts are given at spiritual birth. The names and functions of these gifts are found in Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:1,7-10,28.
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. (1 Corinthians 12:7)
Some of the gifts that are found in either of these booksare the same, but have different names. In this case I combined the two names together. I also took each gift and put it under a particular classification along with its function as you will see. After you read this information over I will leave you with some parting thoughts on this topic.
The Inspiration Gifts - These gifts say something.
● Prophecy: is the anointed speaking forth of words of edification (to build up), exhortation (a call to encouragement), and comfort (consolation- includes the healing of distress,, of sorrow, of persecution, and of suffering) for the church; is a supernatural utterance that comes from a person who is anointed to speak the treasures of God to the body of Christ;is designed to warn men and woman of sin or shortcomings.
● Divers kinds of tongues: is speaking in a foreign language that one has not learned, which is inspired by the Holy Spirit.
● Interpretation of tongues: is used to explain the meaning of the words that were spoken in a foreign tongue into the known language of the hearers.
The Power Gifts - These gifts involve supernatural ability and energy.
● Faith: A peculiar impulse, … that came upon the apostles when any difficult matter was to be performed, which inwardly assured them that God's power would assist them in the performance of it.
Another way of describing this gift is to say that God brings about a supernatural change with no human effort involved. Another word God does something on our behalf, but independent of us. This gift can operate in areas of divine protection and divine provision.
● Healing: is the power to heal various kinds of illnesses or diseases. Healing can come through: a prayer of faith and the laying on of hands of the elders James 5:14-15; by speaking a word from the Lord for a specific healing Acts 3:6; by praying with the laying of hands on the sick by means of the prompting of the Holy Spirit Acts 28:8.
● The working of miracles: God entrusts a believer with strength or an energy, that we don’t normally have. Another way of saying this is a believer does a supernatural act by the divine energy of the Holy Spirit.
Revelation Gifts - These gifts reveal God’s truth to mankind.
● The word of knowledge: is the revealing of a fact in existence (of the present or past) that can only be supernaturallyrevealed45. Another word this is not something that could be known naturally-something one’s eyes have not seen and ears have not heard.
The Holy Spirit transmits his specific knowledge to you on something that you would have no ability or means to be able to know about with your own limited intelligence and knowledge levels. This can come in the form of: a thought or an impression on your mind; a vision or a picture in your mind’s eye; a scripture either for your-self or when you get a direct Word from the Lord to give to someone else - 2 Kings 20:1. This specific knowledge can also be referred to as a divinely given power to appropriate spiritual intuition in problem solving.
● The word of wisdom: reveals the prophetic future. God reveals something that has not come to pass.
● Discerning of spirits: is the divine ability to the presence and activity of a spirit that motivates a human being, whether good or bad. This enables a person to appraise motives. You can know whether a person is telling the truth. Their doctrine is subject to examination; and what they are saying is considered as to whether it proceeded from the Spirit of God.
Motivational Gifts - These gifts are practical.
● Teaches: This gift emphasizes accuracy of words and loves to study; delights in research to validate truth.
● Exhorts: This giftencourages other believers and is motivated by a desire to see people grow and mature in the Lord.
● Gives with simplicity: This gift involves: the impartation of one’s earthly possessions without seeking any personal or selfish ends; being excited to bless others; a desire to give in secret.
● He that rules with diligence/governments: This gift bestows not only organizational ability but efficient ways of getting work done.
● Shows mercy with cheerfulness: The person with this gift is moved by the Spirit to: devote oneself to works of mercy (e.g. caring for the widows, sick, and the poor) with a happy temper; sense the joy or distress in other people and are sensitive to feelings and needs; desire to see people healed of hurts.
● Helps/ministry: Those with this gift are like the apostles' helpers, who: accompanied them, baptizing those who were converted by them; were sent by them to such places as they could not attend to; who aided or rendered assistance in the church, and may refer to the temporal affairs of the church.
Isn’t this exciting? God gives each member of the body of Christ at least one gift as shall manifest the work and nature of the Spirit’s operation on the mind which gives each person some proof of the Spirit’s presence in order to promote harmony in the church.
For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. (1 Corinthians 12:14-20)
I go to church so that as I grow spiritually the gift or gifts God has given me will become more and more recognized by myself and my fellow believers. My place in the body is not based on how well I please others by trying to: observe certain days of the year; behave better; perform good works etc., but by God’s choosing.
So if you have taken note as to the many reasons as to why you should go to church and appropriate these reasons for yourself, then not only will you grow spiritually, but you will have an impact in the world around you.
To Turn The World Upside Down
I hope you realize the importance of why we should go to church. Before we talk about this further let’s summarize.
●We should go to church so that we will hear the good news about who Christ is and what he has done. If we repent of our sins to God the Father and believe in his Son as to who he is and what he is done, we will receive another member of the trinity into our life called the Holy Spirit, who is the verification of our relationship with God. (John 3:1-3; 7:37-39)
●We should go to church so that we will hear about the bundle of benefits we have received at salvation.
● We should go to church not only to hear the gospel preached to unbelievers, but also to receive teaching that will assist us in being able to experience God’s wonderful presence.
● We should go to church not only to be reminded of confessing known sin, but also to be taught the way we should think according to God’s perspective in relation to our weaknesses so that as we learn, memorize, and meditate upon his divine prescriptions (the word of God) the fruit (e.g. a divine love, a divine joy, a divine peace, etc.) of the Holy Spirit will begin to become experienced in our life and be manifested to others.
● We should go to church so that we can learn about the ministry of the Holy Spirit and how it can become actual in our life.
● We should go to church to learn about the names and functions (divine skills) of the office gifts. Along with this there should be presented in the teaching by those in leadership the conditions for eligibility.
● We should go to church so that we can learn about the names and functions of the gifts of the Spirit, so that at some point as we progress in our spiritual walk God will begin to cause us and our fellow believers to become aware as to the gift or gifts we have been given.
Not only now are you aware of the reasons as to why you should go to church, but with this knowledge you should use it when you attend any church to see if what has been said is taking place in said church. If the teachings of the church you are attending presents a different Jesus, a different spirit, and a different gospel you will not only not grow spiritually, but God won’t show up. There will be no impact by the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Pleasing God will be relegated to some religious format which says if you do this or do that you will please God and gain favor with church members and hierarchy. Our priority shouldn’t be to gain favor of our fellow believers and leadership, but it should involve fellowshipping with them.
So if you are following implementing what you have read in this study you will become spiritually alive. Your weaknesses will be subdued by means of the application of the word and the power of the Spirit. You will become aware of the gift or gifts you have received and will endeavor to rely on the prompting of the Spirit in their exercise. Your life has now become a testimony to your fellow believers and unbelievers. I truly believe that if we can get to this place in our walk with God we will truly be used by God to turn the world upside down.
These words are used in Acts 17:6 in regard to the apostle Paul and his friends who came to the city of Thessalonica and entered into a Jewish synagogue reasoning through questions and answers with devout Jews and Gentiles (God seekers) explaining and proving that the promises and types (of the Old Testament) corresponded with the alleged fulfilment in the person, works, and sufferings of Jesus Christ. This witness went on for three Sabbaths until many of those who believed left the synagogue. This caused those Jews who believed not, not only to try and apprehend Paul and his friends, but to make a proclamation which said, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also. What this actually means is quite alarming. What they were really saying was that Paul and his friends made people unsettled in their allegiance to their … spiritual rulers.
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;
You might ask, what have I gotten myself into? You have gotten into following the one true God, through only whom peoples live can be changed now and for eternity.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
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