On Ministry Ephesians 4:11-13 2 Corinthians 5
2 Corinthians 5: 18, "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled
us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of
reconciliation."
Ephesians 4:12, "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of
the ministry, for the edification of the body of Christ."
In the New Testament, the words “minister” and “servant,”
are interchangeable. The words mean the person designated thusly,
is under authority of one who may or may not be in evidence; faith?
The words have taken different roads in the world’s understanding
of terms and are now opposite rather than synonyms. “Servant”
refers to one of low status under direct authority of someone who
is very much in evidence and usually anxious to let everyone know
the servant is under authority. The word “minister” is now used to
designate one who has much personal authority in a given situation,
such as a “Prime Minister,” but still answers to a person who has
appointed him, or is responsible to the people who elected him.
The two words are still used as synonyms in some instances and
therein lies one reason for confusion.
If we are true to the New Testament model of a minister, all children
of God would be ministers or servants of God. There are distinctions
between the varied responsibilities of “parts” of Christ's body,” but
all could be called ministers. There must not be a special class of per-
sons who are called “ministers.” There are to be pastors, teachers,
administrative specialists, deacons, elders, evangelists, helpers and
other types workers in the kingdom. They will not be rewarded accor-
ding to position, but according to faithfulness in his or her responsibi-
lity in a given area. The Lord equips each for that ministry/service.
The problem arises when a child of God does not fulfill the role the
Sovereign God of the universe has prepared for him. Every child of
God is a minister in the area of his “predestination.” Most people I
know who name the name of Christ look to predestination as guaran-
tee of eternal life. The Word of God knows nothing of this. (I believe
in the eternal security of believers.) When the Word of God refers to
predestination, it is talking about the believer, every believer, being
predestines to be conformed to the image of Christ, and saved, even
if by fire, and has good works prepared ahead for him to perform. If
that child of God does not voluntarily seek out those good works pre-
pared for him (his predestination) and does not renew his mind in
diligent study of God’s word or fails to present himself to Christ, a
living sacrifice, then what? The Lord is "obliged" to bring things
into the life of this believer that will encourage him to respond to
the call of Christ in all of these things. At times this discipline may
seem harsh to the believer. Where does this leave us? It leaves us
with sickly saints, depressed Christians and church members who
are discontent with no apparent explanation. This leaves gaps in the
mission of the church unfilled by those whom the Lord “predestined”
for this work. Possibly, this leaves us with dead bodies of potential,
unrealized in service/ministry to God. A person of whom it may be
said; "...saved as by fire...” ( 1 Corinthians 3: 13-15) This is the
“saint” with no crown to cast before the throne, or a Child of God
who tands at the “Bema,” unable to account for those thing spo-
ken or unspoken, done or undone in the flesh; Matthew 12: 35-36.
God help us all... (Revelation 4: 11)
Finally, God has a plan for every life and His plan is the best for all.
At times we indicate we do not know God’s plan for our service, and
use that excuse for our failure to be about His business. It must work
in this manner:
When one is born into the Kingdom of God, there are basics to learn.
It's up to those mature in the faith, to disciple the newborn child of
God. Along with the basics of getting into the Word of God, private
prayer, and spending time with those who are born again. The respon-
sibility is with the new believer to follow Christ. This is accomplished
as he engages in the disciplines mentioned, and follows through on a
thoughtful, in depth study of God’s Word. He will then find God’s will
for his life and will know the doctrine. The responsibility given the
church, that's us, is to encourage him/her in the process.
Please accept my apology for my inconsistency on the male/female
situation. Sometimes it is shown as above and in other spots it is
merely shown in the male. Please accept that as generic. There
are many ministries filled by competent, Spirit filled men and
women. The word Pastor is a masculine term. You make you own
decision as regarding that. God bless us all.
Edit: 5.18.13...Regrettably the work of the Spirit of God is not covered
in this post. The believer, through faith, is led by the Spirit. This can
be referenced as the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
God the Spirit, or The Spirit of God. Since God is one God expressed
in three persons, there can be no distinction. It is good for new belie-
vers to be schooled in the work of the Holy Spirit. There is included in
this blog, an article, "Holy Spirit 101," which may be of help.
See the link below: Thanks for reading.
http://biblicalclarity-don.blogspot.com/2013/02/holy-spirit-basics-acts-1-2.html
donporter 10.19.12, edited 8.13.16
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