MINISTRY TYPES
INTENTION:
When we learn about
the Lord through one of these Ministry Types, we get a glimpse of who the Lord
is from that understanding. When an Apostle shares and demonstrates the Lord in
them, we see Him from that perspective—the same when from a Prophet,
Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher.
As we experience the
Lord through each as a collective, we form a greater picture of Him—and often
in the time we need to hear / see Him in a season of life.
We each have the
ability perform in them as well. And although, you may be more in-tuned in one
Ministry Type, it does not mean we cannot each operate in all the Ministry
Types in any given situation, season, or lifetime. Don’t limit what the Lord
can do in and through you!
I.
TOPIC:
We want to look at Ministry Types (Apostle, Prophet,
Evangelist, Pastor & Teacher).
These Gifts of Christ (separate from the Gifts of the Holy
Spirit) are directly from the Lord to each of us for the benefit of the world. They
each help both the Believer and Non-Believer in revealing [correct] aspects of
the Lord.
These are not titles to be given, but just a reflection of
our own personal ways of engaging in life. A person’s own nature and
development might reflect characteristics that fall within a Ministry Type.
This as us being an individual Body of Christ; but also a culmination of people
that reflect a Ministry Type become the collective Body of Christ.
NB: Remember, this involves a discerning in us / them
what those correct Characteristics of the Lord are (Bible Study Lesson 051)—for
all humans (individually and collectively) demonstrate Characteristics that are
/ are not of the Lord… a reflection of Our Duality here on earth (Bible Study
Lesson 045).
It then becomes that as individuals, we have within ourself
a correct representation of the Lord (in relationship with Him / and what
manifests out from us)—this being Love. And from each individual, a collective;
with the combined Ministry Types able to correctly demonstrate all aspects of
Christ / God in us. It takes all of us to represent the Lord.
For believers, we can learn from the person’s life those
parts of them (within the Ministry Type) that reflect a correct Character and
Nature of the Lord—when correct (Love), it eliminates whatever barriers /
filters / veils we have towards the Lord, to embrace that safe and trusting
relationship with Them.
In a similar fashion for a non-believer, these Ministry
Types that reflect a correct Character and Nature of the Lord, become a
demonstration and acknowledgement of the Lord (again, Love, safety, and trust) to
break through any unbelief and lead a person to Christ (this being an extension
of God’s Work to bring people to Christ).
Study how Jesus operated in each of these Ministry Types as
examples for us, as we too can operate in each and all of these Ministry Types as
well—with no restrictions based on gender, identity, nationality, race, age,
iniquity, or any other description. We can study out also, the many various
people after the Cross who filled those Ministry Types.
This is something I want to make clear here: that we have
the exact same capabilities as Christ Jesus—“as He is, so are we in this world”
(1
John 4:17b). Don’t limit yourself to just one of these, as you too can
operate in all of them. One may feel more comfortable for us; or that we seem
stronger in one over the others, but that does not negate His ability in you to
perform all of them at any given time.
For you, one may be a life-long Ministry Type, but also
filled with moments that are each of the others. Or, it may look to you as
though there are different extended seasons of the different Ministry Types
that play out in your lifetime. Or, it may be that you operate fully in each
Ministry Type at any/every given situation for your whole life.
As such, let us not limit how the Lord wants to manifest
each of them in and through you—whether it comes naturally or not—for each time
you accept that role (for a moment, season, or life), we help one-another and help
the Body of Christ (Bible Study Lesson 047).
II.
READING: Ephesians
4:1-32 (GWT) {PoG}
I, a prisoner in the Lord, encourage you to live the kind of
life which proves that God has called you. 2 Be humble and gentle in every way.
Be patient with each other and lovingly accept each other. 3 Through the peace
that ties you together, do your best to maintain the unity that the Spirit
gives. 4 There is one body and one Spirit. In the same way you were called to
share one hope. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and
Father of all, who is over everything, through everything, and in everything.
7 God’s favour has been given to each of us. It was measured
out to us by Christ who gave it. 8 That’s why the Scriptures say: “When he went
to the highest place, he took captive those who had captured us and gave gifts
to people.”
9 Now what does it mean that he went up except that he also
had gone down to the lowest parts of the earth? 10 The one who had gone down
also went up above all the heavens so that he fills everything.
11 He also gave
apostles, prophets, missionaries {evangelists}, as well as pastors {shepherds}
and teachers as gifts to his church. 12 Their purpose is to prepare God’s people to serve and to build up the body of
Christ. 13 This is to continue until all of us are united in our faith and in
our {correct} knowledge about God’s Son, until we become mature, until we
measure up to Christ, who is the standard. 14 Then we will no longer be little
children, tossed and carried about by all kinds of teachings that change like
the wind. We will no longer be influenced by people who use cunning and clever
strategies to lead us astray. 15 Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we
will grow up completely in our relationship to Christ, who is the head. 16 He
makes the whole body fit together and unites it through the support of every
joint. As each and every part does its job, he makes the body grow so that it
builds itself up in love.
17 So I tell you and
encourage you in the Lord’s name not to live any longer like other people in
the world. Their minds are set on worthless things. 18 They can’t understand
because they are in the dark. They are excluded from the life that God approves
of because of their ignorance and stubbornness. 19 Since they no longer have
any sense of shame, they have become promiscuous. They practice every kind of
sexual perversion with a constant desire for more.
20 But that is not what you learned from Christ’s teachings.
21 You have certainly heard his message and have been taught his ways. The
truth is in Jesus. 22 You were taught to change the way you were living. The
person you used to be will ruin you through desires that deceive you. 23
However, you were taught to have a new attitude. 24 You were also taught to
become a new person created to be like God, with a life that truly has God’s
approval and is holy.
25 So then, get rid of lies. Speak the truth to each other,
because we are all members of the same body.
26 Be angry without sinning. Don’t go to bed angry. 27 Don’t
give the devil any opportunity to work.
28 Thieves must quit stealing and, instead, they must work
hard. They should do something good with their hands so that they’ll have
something to share with those in need.
29 Don’t say anything that would hurt another person.
Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is
needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you. 30 Don’t give
God’s Holy Spirit any reason to be upset with you. He has put his seal on you
for the day you will be set free from the world of sin.
31 Get rid of your bitterness, hot tempers, anger, loud
quarrelling, cursing, and hatred. 32 Be kind to each other, sympathetic,
forgiving each other as God has forgiven you through Christ.
III.
RELATED VERSES AND QUESTIONS:
A.
An Apostle is “a delegate, messenger, one sent
forth with orders” (G652: apostolos).
Being an Apostle is not about a title, but a specific demonstration of the
Lord. Some Apostles are from Jesus’s ministry—the 11 sent to the Jews, Paul
sent to the Gentiles—others were as well. Each of them (including Jesus) being
demonstrations to us of what an Apostle can be; each fulfilling their role
differently as to what they were called to do—the role as an Apostle is not the
same for everyone. For Jesus, He was THE Apostle for us all from God the
Father. Note that being an Apostle does
not make it that you perform miracles—the miracles come to anyone who believes.
Hebrews
3:1-2a (GWT)
Brothers and sisters, you
are holy partners in a heavenly calling. So, look carefully at Jesus, the
apostle and chief priest about whom we make our declaration of faith. 2 Jesus
is faithful to God, who appointed him.
Romans
11:13 (GWT)
Now, I speak to you who
are not Jewish. As long as I am an apostle sent to people who are not Jewish, I
bring honour to my ministry.
Romans
16:7 (GWT) {PoG}
Greet Andronicus and Junia
{G2458,
a woman}, who are Jewish by birth like me. They are prisoners like me and are
prominent among the apostles. They also were Christians before I was.
1
Peter 1:1 (GWT)
From Peter, an apostle of
Jesus Christ. To God’s chosen people who are temporary residents in the world and
are scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia,
and Bithynia.
Question: Do you believe that only the Disciples
were Apostles (that when they died, there have been no more)? Have you found
things about yourself that relate to being an Apostle?
B. A
Prophet is “someone speaking / singing by inspiration of the Lord / Spirit and
being an interpreter of God” (H5030: nāḇî';
G4396: prophētēs;
G4398: prophētis).
The Old Testament contained many Prophets that spoke of the Will of the Lord—including
Isaiah, King David, Daniel, Jeremiah, Joel, and Jonah. They (with others) foretold
of the coming Messiah. These different Prophets (throughout centuries) spoke of
the comfort and hope that there will be a Saviour for us—which came true with
Christ and the Cross. For us, we can each have the Gift of Prophesy (G4394: prophēteia;
G4395: prophēteuō)
manifest for a person / moment; but the role of a Prophet is to carry that
through in their daily lives for the edification and exhortation and comfort to
people. This prophesy might be of the Lord in a global perspective, or might be
for in the life of an individual.
Matthew
13:57 (GWT)
So they took offense at
him. But Jesus said to them, “The only place a prophet isn’t honoured is in his
hometown and in his own house.”
Luke
2:36-38 (GWT)
Anna, a prophet, was also
there. She was a descendant of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was now
very old. Her husband had died seven years after they were married, 37 and she
had been a widow for 84 years. Anna never left the temple courtyard but worshiped
day and night by fasting and praying. 38 At that moment she came up to Mary and
Joseph and began to thank God. She spoke about Jesus to all who were waiting
for Jerusalem to be set free.
Acts
2:17-18 (GWT) {PoG}
‘In the last days, God
says, I will pour my Spirit on everyone. Your sons and daughters will speak
what God has revealed {G4395}.
Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams.
18 In those days I will
pour my Spirit on my servants, on both men and women. They will speak what God
has revealed {G4395}.
Acts
13:1-3 (GWT) {PoG}
Barnabas, Simeon (called
the Black), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (a close friend of Herod since
childhood), and Saul were prophets {G4396} and
teachers in the church in Antioch.
2 While they were
worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set Barnabas and Saul
apart for me. I want them to do the work for which I called them.” 3 After
fasting and praying, Simeon, Lucius, and Manaen placed their hands on Barnabas
and Saul, and released them from their work in Antioch.
1
Corinthians 14:1-5a (GWT) {PoG}
Pursue love, and desire
spiritual gifts, but especially the gift of speaking what God has revealed {G4395}. 2
When a person speaks in another language, he doesn’t speak to people but to
God. No one understands him. His spirit is speaking mysteries. 3 But when a
person speaks what God has revealed {G4395}, he
speaks to people to help them grow, to encourage them, and to comfort them. 4
When a person speaks in another language, he helps himself grow. But when a
person speaks what God has revealed {G4395}, he
helps the church grow. 5 I wish that all of you could speak in other languages,
but especially that you could speak what God has revealed.
Question: Has a Prophet revealed things to you
that changed your life for the better and came true?
C.
An Evangelist
is “someone that brings a message or proclamation of Good (including the Gospel
and promise of Salvation)” (G2099:
euangelistēs; G2097:
euangelizō) . This has been angels and people. And moreso, Christ Jesus!
Matthew
11:2-6 (GWT) {PoG}
When John was in prison,
he heard about the things Christ had done. So he sent his disciples 3 to ask
Jesus, “Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for someone else?”
4 Jesus answered John’s
disciples, “Go back, and tell John what you hear and see: 5 Blind people see
again, lame people are walking, those with skin diseases are made clean, deaf
people hear again, dead people are brought back to life, and poor people hear
the Good News {G2097}. 6
Whoever doesn’t lose his faith in me is indeed blessed.”
Luke 2:8-14 (GWT) {PoG}
Shepherds were in the fields near Bethlehem. They were taking turns
watching their flock during the night. 9 An angel from the Lord suddenly
appeared to them. The glory of the Lord filled the area with light, and they
were terrified. 10 The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news
for you, a message that will fill everyone with joy. 11 Today your Saviour,
Christ the Lord, was born in David’s city. 12 This is how you will recognize
him: You will find an infant wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly, a large army of angels appeared with the angel. They were
praising God by saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth
peace {good will towards mankind}!”
Luke
3:15-18 (GWT) {PoG}
People’s hopes were rising as they all wondered whether John was the
Messiah. 16 John replied to all of them, “I baptize you with water. But the one
who is more powerful than I is coming. I am not worthy to untie his sandal
straps. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing
shovel is in his hand to clean up his threshing floor. He will gather the wheat
into his barn, but he will burn the husks in a fire that can never be put out.”
18 With many other
encouraging words, he told the Good News to the people {G2097}.
Acts
21:7-9 (GWT) {PoG}
Our sea travel ended when
we sailed from Tyre to the city of Ptolemais. We greeted the believers in
Ptolemais and spent the day with them. 8 The next day we went to Philip’s home
in Caesarea and stayed with him. He was a missionary {G2099} and
one of the seven men who helped the apostles. 9 Philip had four unmarried
daughters who had the ability to speak what God had revealed {G4395}.
Galatians
1:11-12; 15-16 (GWT) {PoG}
I want you to know,
brothers and sisters, that the Good News {G4395} I
have spread is not a human message. 12 I didn’t receive it from any person. I
wasn’t taught it, but Jesus Christ revealed it to me.
But God, who appointed me before
I was born and who called me by his kindness, was pleased 16 to show me his
Son. He did this so that I would tell people who are not Jewish that his Son is
the Good News {G4395}.
When this happened, I didn’t talk it over with any other person.
2
Timothy 4:2-5 (GWT) {PoG}
Be ready to spread the
word whether or not the time is right. Point out errors, warn people, and
encourage them. Be very patient when you teach.
3 A time will come when
people will not listen to accurate teachings. Instead, they will follow their
own desires and surround themselves with teachers who tell them what they want
to hear. 4 People will refuse to listen to the truth and turn to myths.
5 But you must keep a
clear head in everything. Endure suffering. Do the work of a missionary {G2099}.
Devote yourself completely to your work.
Question: What does it mean to you, “Good News”?
D. A
Pastor is “a person who ‘shepherds’ others in their care—guiding and overseeing
individuals and/or groups of people” (G4166: poimēn).
It is the Lord that Shepherds us in comfort (Psalms
23), but also is that Christ Jesus is our Shepherd. This role of
Shepherding we take on, does NOT make people our flock, the role we take
is that of helping guide the Lord’s flock—Jesus told Peter to “feed,
tend to, furnish pasture for, nourish, cherish, and to supply the souls of
Jesus’s sheep” (John
21:15-18).
Mark
6:32-34 (GWT) {PoG}
So they went away in a
boat to a place where they could be alone. 33 But many people saw them leave
and recognized them. The people ran from all the cities and arrived ahead of
them. 34 When Jesus got out of the boat, he saw a large crowd and felt sorry for
them. They were like sheep without a shepherd {G4166}. So
he spent a lot of time teaching them.
John
10:14-18 (GWT) {PoG}
“I am the good shepherd {G4166}. I
know my sheep as the Father knows me. My sheep know me as I know the Father. 15
So I give my life for my sheep. 16 I also have other sheep that are not from
this pen. I must lead them. They, too, will respond to my voice. So they will
be one flock with one shepherd {G4166}. 17
The Father loves me because I give my life in order to take it back again. 18
No one takes my life from me. I give my life of my own free will. I have the
authority to give my life, and I have the authority to take my life back again.
This is what my Father ordered me to do.”
Hebrews
13:20-21 (GWT) {PoG}
The God of peace brought
the great shepherd {G4166} of
the sheep, our Lord Jesus, back to life through the blood of an eternal
promise. 21 May this God of peace prepare you to do every good thing he wants.
May he work in us through Jesus Christ to do what is pleasing to him. Glory
belongs to Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
Question: How has the Lord Shepherded you? What
does it look like to help Shephard the Lord’s flock?
E. For
Teachers, they “teach, instruct, instil doctrine, impart instruction, have
discourse with others, explain and expound on something of the Lord” (G1320: didaskalos).
Both His Disciples and other people considered Jesus as a Teacher (Rabbi / Master).
But we also see how Paul and we can also be teachers as well. How Jesus and
others taught is critical to how we teach as well.
John
13:12-17 (GWT) {PoG}
After Jesus had washed
their feet and put on his outer clothes, he took his place at the table again.
Then he asked his disciples, “Do you understand what I’ve done for you? 13 You
call me teacher {G1320} and
Lord, and you’re right because that’s what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and
teacher {G1320},
have washed your feet, you must wash each other’s feet. 15 I’ve given you an
example that you should follow. 16 I can guarantee this truth: Slaves are not
superior to their owners, and messengers are not superior to the people who
send them. 17 If you understand all of this, you are blessed whenever you
follow my example.
Acts
13:1-3 (GWT) {PoG}
Barnabas, Simeon (called
the Black), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (a close friend of Herod since
childhood), and Saul were prophets and teachers {G1320} in
the church in Antioch.
2 While they were
worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set Barnabas and Saul
apart for me. I want them to do the work for which I called them.” 3 After
fasting and praying, Simeon, Lucius, and Manaen placed their hands on Barnabas
and Saul, and released them from their work in Antioch.
2
Timothy 1:9-11 (GWT) {PoG}
God saved us and called us
to be holy, not because of what we had done, but because of his own plan and
kindness. Before the world began, God planned that Christ Jesus would show us
God’s kindness. 10 Now with the coming of our Saviour Christ Jesus, he has
revealed it. Christ has destroyed death, and through the Good News he has
brought eternal life into full view. 11 I was appointed to be a messenger of
this Good News, an apostle, and a teacher {G1320}.
James
3:1 (GWT) {PoG}
Brothers and sisters, not
many of you should become teachers {G1320}.
You know that we who teach will be judged more severely.
Question: What are ways teaching about the Lord
happens in your life—whether giving or receiving teaching?
IV.
FURTHER THOUGHT:
A. 1
Timothy 4:11-14 (GWT) {PoG}
Insist on these things and
teach them. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you for being young. Instead, make
your speech, behaviour, love, faith, and purity an example for other believers.
13 Until I get there, concentrate on reading Scripture in worship, giving
encouraging messages, and teaching people. 14 Don’t
neglect the gift which you received through prophecy when the spiritual leaders
{elders / presbytery (G4244)} placed
their hands on you to ordain you.
1
Timothy 5:1-2 (GWT) {PoG}
Never use harsh words when
you correct an {elder (G4245) that
is male}, but talk to him as if he were your father. Talk to younger men as
if they were your brothers, 2 {Never use harsh words when you correct an
elder (G4245)
that is female, but talk to her as if she were your mother}, and younger
women as if they were your sisters, while keeping yourself morally pure.
Thoughts: For any in the Ministry Types that
become Elders (as to the body of elders / presbytery), the Greek word is that
of a Noun Neuter (G4244) and
relates to the Adjective of Elder / Presbytery (G4245)—that
it does not matter your gender or identity. This is the same as we saw with
having female Apostles. Gender-discrimination is a religious dogma assigned to /
originating from Adam and Eve's curse. Jesus demonstrated equality in His
ministry of all men and women. So, let us heed the Lord’s equality, and not
religious / curse inequality—because of Christ, there is neither Male / Female,
Jew / Gentile, Slave / Free (Galatians
3:24-29).
B. Luke
4:16-21 (GWT)
Then Jesus came to
Nazareth, where he had been brought up. As usual he went into the synagogue on
the day of rest—a holy day. He stood up to read the lesson. 17 The attendant
gave him the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened it and found the place where
it read:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is with me.
He has anointed me to tell the Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to announce forgiveness to the prisoners
of sin
and the restoring of sight to the blind,
to forgive those who have been shattered by sin,
19 to announce the year of
the Lord’s favour.”
20 Jesus closed the book,
gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. Everyone in the synagogue watched
him closely. 21 Then he said to them, “This passage came true today when you
heard me read it.”
Thoughts: Jesus is His fulfilment of this
Scripture that pointed to Him. He was the one that was to come; and denoted
this when He read of Himself from the book of Isaiah. This prophesy was
satisfied fully by Jesus, but it in no way excludes you and I. When we take on
those Ministry Types (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor & Teacher), we
too get to fulfil our continuing part in that same prophesy.
A thank you to Kelly and Joshua who are inspirational in this life-journey. And to all the family, friends, sponsors, and donors who have fed into this ministry and outreach.
If you would like to support this ministry and outreach, you may do so via our website or at:
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