Ephesians 4:11 -16

The role of the seven-foldministry

Structure of the Ministry Leaders

Here is how the Church identifies them

The Ministry of the Body

1. Apostle2. Prophet3. Evangelist4. Pastor5. Teacher6. Bishop7. Presbyter8. Deacons

The Scriptures say the following about these

ministers

And He [Jesus] gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service,

Ephesians 4:11-16, NASB95

to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,

Ephesians 4:11-16, NASB95

God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

Ephesians 4:11-16, NASB95

As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine,

Ephesians 4:11-16, NASB95

These ministers provide stability in the Body of Christ

Acts chapter 20 gives us overseers that Shepherd the flock

Titus 1.5 installs overseers in every Church

Seven Fold-Ministry

1. Apostle2. Prophet3. Evangelist4. Pastor5. Teacher6. Bishop7. Presbyter

Ephesians 4.11

Acts 20.17 and 20.28

Same responsibility to Same responsibility to shepherd, feed and guard

the flock

Installed in EVERY city and

Assembly at Paul’s request

Given to build up the Body

Closer look at these overseers

"“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood."

Acts 20:28, NASB95

ἐπίσκοποςποιμαίνω

Overseers are accountable to the Lord

for shepherding and guarding those in the

assembly

More explanations on the overseers

The word ἐπίσκοπος (Bishop) is actually any curator, guardian or superintendent it incudes πρεσβύτερος (presbyters). The word is actually derives from two words ἐπί and σκοπέω meaning from a position of an observer, (i.e. “a watchman”)

ἐπίσκοπος is a word in which we derive the English Word “Bishop”

"shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;"

1 Peter 5:2, NASB95

ἐπίσκοπος

ποιμαίνειν

The responsibility of ἐπίσκοπος (Bishops) are described in terms of ποιμαίνειν (Shepherd).

1 Peter 2:25

ἐπίσκοπος (Bishop) as used in Scripture as a shepherd

For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

Example

ποιμαίνεινἐπίσκοπος

Paul calls these Eldersin Acts 20.17

πρεσβύτερος

Acts 20.17

Acts 20.17 gives us the other ministers

From Miletus he [Paul] sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the assembly

πρεσβύτερος

Acts 20.17

ἐκκλησία

Paul call the πρεσβύτερος (presbyters) from Ephesus to warn them

Paul is directing his words to a specific group whose members may be called πρεσβύτεροι (Presbytery) or ἐπίσκοποι(Bishops)

Seven Fold-Ministry

1. Apostle2. Prophet3. Evangelist4. Pastor5. Teacher6. Bishop7. Presbyter

Ephesians 4.11

Acts 20.17 and 20.28

Same responsibility to Same responsibility to shepherd, feed and guard

the flock

So what is the function of each of these individual working parts?

The Apostle

ἀπόστολος - Apostle means one who is sent

History of the word ἀπόστολος

Originally the term was related to sea-faring and was often combined with πλοῖον to mean a freighter or transport ship.

It is particularly related in the military sense such that it denotes the dispatch of a fleet (or army) on a military expedition.

History of the Word ἀπόστολος

Gradually it changed to be applied to the fleet itself and it thus acquired the meaning of a naval expedition.

In this way it comes to be applied to a group of men sent out for a particular purpose

Thus you have “sent one”

So how is the “term” used in Scripture so that we may better

understand its meaning

ἀπόστολος - Apostle

"“Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him."

John 13:16, NASB95

ἀπόστολος

ἀπόστολος - Apostle

As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ.

2 Co 8:23.ἀπόστολος

"But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need;"

Philippians 2:25, NASB95

ἀπόστολος

The Apostles “decided doctrine” wrote a letter and, sent to the Gentile Churches

So here is what they said….

"and they sent this letter by them, “The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings."

Acts 15:23, NASB95

"“Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,"

Acts 15:24-25, NASB95

"men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. “Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth.

Acts 15:26-28, NASB95

Here comes the message they are

sending to the Gentile Churches

“For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials:"

"that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”"

Acts 15:29, NASB95

Here’s the doctrine they decided on

So the ἀπόστολος (apostle) is someone sent with a message to

assembly of believers

The Prophet

προφήτης (prophet) - The Greek προφῆται(prophets) are are sent to utter the deep things of God for conviction of sin for edification and comfort. The ability to communicate this to others is the best and highest spiritual gift.

So how is the “term” used in Scripture so that we may better understand its

meaning

"Then it seemed good to the apostlesand the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas—Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren,"

Acts 15:22

"Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message.

Acts 15:32-33

So they encouraged them with additional words other than what the Apostles sent

them with.Prophecy speaks to men for edification,

exhortation and comfort (1Cor 14.3)

Acts 21:10-11

"As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says:

Prophets are mouthpieces for the

Lord

Acts 21:10-11

“This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”"

As proclaimers of “Truth” they are mouthpieces for

the Lord

1 Corinthians 14.29

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment.

In this passage Prophets are prophesying AND interpreting while the “Presbyter” and “Bishop’s” judge (i.e. “overseers”)

1 Thessalonians 5:19-20

"Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances."

Speaking under the Power and Influence of the Holy Spirit

The Evangelist

εὐαγγελιστής - Evangelist means “bringer of good news”

Philip met the Ethiopian to explain to him about Jesus…Acts 8.33

Philip the Evangelist

"Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them. The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing.

Acts 8:5-8, NASB95

Philip the Evangelist

For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice;

and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was much rejoicing in that city."

Acts 8:5-8, NASB95

“…Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ,

Acts 8:12-13, NASB95

The Evangelist preaches “Good News” about the

Kingdom of God and Jesus Christ

The work of an Evangelist

"But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea."

Acts 8:40, NASB95

The Pastor

ποιμήν (Shepherd) – First it refers to a shepherd whose care and control others have committed themselves…

Secondarily it means the presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly

Responsibilities of the ποιμήν

1) to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep;

2) to defend the sheep from attackers; 3) to heal the wounded and sick sheep; 4) to find and save lost or trapped sheep; 5) to love them, sharing their lives and so

earning their trust

"“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood."

Acts 20:28, NASB95

ἐπίσκοποςBishopποιμαίνω

Pastor

shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;"

1 Peter 5:2, NASB95

ἐπίσκοποςποιμαίνεινPastor

The Teacher

διδάσκαλος - one who imparts instruction such as a schoolmaster.

In the technical sense the terms connotes someone who is a “master of instruction”

The Teacher

The διδάσκαλος is not just a teacher in general, but someone who teaches something “specific” by developing the aptitudes already present. Thus, one who is expounding the Scriptures more accurately to the students.

Seven Fold-Ministry

1. Apostle – “sent ones” with a message2. Prophet – Speak under the “unction”3. Evangelist – Bringer of Good News4. Pastor – Shepherd5. Teacher – School Master6. Bishop – watchman/overseer7. Presbyter – watchman/overseer

It is understood that the Churches have the Ministers such as these

The Church at Antioch

Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Acts 13:1.

These Prophets traveled from Jerusalem to the Antioch Church

"Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch."

Acts 11:27, NASB95

Philip’s daughters were Prophets

"Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses."

Acts 21:9, NASB95

Responsibilities of overseers

This Includes Deacons Elders Bishops

Know well the condition of your flocks, And pay attention

to your herds

Proverbs 27.23

"“As a shepherd cares for his herd in the day when he is among his scattered sheep, (Ezekiel 34:12, NASB95)

A good overseer will gather those who have been scattered and bring them back into the fold

An overseer does not exalt himselfabove others he does the work of a servant of LordWhen that person finishes the course being obedient to the Lord; that person can say I have only done my duty; that which I ought to have done.

Luke 17.14

1 Corinthians 12.25

there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.

“I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest,” declares the Lord God.

An overseer feeds the flock

Ezekiel 34:15

Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes

An overseer strengthens the weak and heals the sick

Isaiah 40.11

He will… shepherd the flock in the strength of the Lord

Micah 5.4

An overseer

Will be on guard for himself and for the flock, which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers

An overseer

Acts 20.28

shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness

Go in the strength of the Lord and….

1 Peter 5:2, NASB95

he who is wise wins soulsProverbs 11.30

“…whoso is watering, he also is watered."

Proverbs 11:25

Paul said I have planted, Apolloswatered; but God gave the

increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the

increase

1 Corinthians 3.6-7

every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill shall be

made low

Luke 3.5

Closing comments

Addendum

Next Session

There is a Special Emphasis on these

1. Apostle2. Prophet3. Teacher

1. Miracles 2. Gifts of healing3. Helps4. Administrations5. Tongues

"And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers,

1 Corinthians 12:28, NASB95

"then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues."

1 Corinthians 12:28, NASB95

Special priority on these three

ApostleProphetTeachers