THE MINISTRY OF THE APOSTLE CHAPTER 7. A. Definition of the Word. 1. Ancient Greek Usage. 2. Hebrew Usage (SC7971) 3.

Transcription

1 THE MINISTRY OF THE APOSTLE CHAPTER 7 A. Definition of the Word 1. Ancient Greek Usage 2. Hebrew Usage (SC7971) 3. Koine Greek Usage B. Orders of Apostles 1. Christ THE Apostle 2. The Twelve Apostles of the Lamb! The Twelve Apostles of the Lamb were conscious of the inspiration of the Spirit in their teaching whether it was oral or written. They with Paul laid down the foundation of the church for all ages. They were called personally by Christ Himself. They were eye witnesses to His life, death, burial and resurrection. Mark 3:14 Luke 6:13 Galatians 1:1 John 15:27 Acts 1:21,22 1Corinthians 9:1 Acts 15:28 1Corinthians 2:13

2 Revelation 21:14! And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 3. Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles 4. Ascension Gift Apostles! There were apostles other than the Twelve and Paul. The ministry of the apostle is the gift of Christ to His church. It is intended that apostles be a part of the church throughout it's existence. Some have suggested that apostles and prophets have passed away. However Christ has not withdrawn these gifts from the church. He continues to call those He desires to serve in the ministry of the apostle. The lack of recognition of apostles does not eliminate them from the church. The fact that some have gone to extremes and over emphasized apostles or developed inflated ideas of their role does not nullify the truth and ministry of apostleship. Acts 14:4 Acts 14:14 Romans 16:7 1Corinthians 9:5,6 Galatians 1:19 5. Apostolic Companies C. Calling, Qualifications and Ministry of an Apostle 1. Calling of an Apostle 2. Qualifications of an Apostle! a. An Apostle Must have the Character Qualifications of an Elder! b. An Apostle Must have a Servant Spirit

3 ! c. An Apostle will have Spiritual Authority! d. An Apostle will be a Spiritual Father! e. An Apostle must be Sound in Doctrine! f. An Apostle will be Clothed with Humility! g. An Apostle will be Noted for Patience! h. An Apostle will be Exemplary as a Leader! i. An Apostle Should Manifest the Qualities of Divine Love 3. Ministry of an Apostle 4. Recognition of Apostolic Ministry D. Warnings Against False Apostles THE MINISTRY OF THE PROPHET!!!!!!! [Text Page 153] A. Definition of the Word 1. Old Testament Hebrew 2. New Testament Greek! Propheteno (prof-ay-ti'-ah) = prediction, foretell future events, speak under inspiration, inspired speaker by extension a poet or a prophet. B. The Nature of Prophecy 1. Prophecy as Forth-Telling! The major area for the prophetic, even the ministry of the prophet is edification, exhortation and comfort. The word prophecy means to be flowed through, inspired to speak. It does mean more than preaching. The words for preaching are never confused or substituted for the word for the prophetic. It does not mean one is infallible, therefore it is to be judged. 1Corinthians 14:3

4 Acts 15:32 1Corinthians 14:29 2. Prophecy as Fore-Telling! Foretelling future events is not a major part of prophecy but it does have a role. The prophet reveals the mind of God which at times will involve future events. Acts 11:28 Ephesians 3:5 C. Degrees of Prophetic Inspiration 1. The Spirit of Prophecy 2. The Gift of Prophecy 3. The Office of the Prophet 4. The Prophecy of Scripture D. The Ministry of Old Testament Prophets 1. Designations of the Prophets E. The Development of the Prophetic Office 1. The Prophet Moses 2. The Prophets Samuel to Malachi F. Old Testament Prophets in Relation to Kings G. Classification of Prophets 1. Non-Writing Prophets 2. Writing Prophets

5 H. Classification of Written Prophecy 1. Local Prophecy 2. National Destiny Prophecy 3. Messianic Prophecy I. Christ THE Prophet Like Unto Moses 1. The Lord God would Raise up to Israel a Prophet 2. The Prophet would come from among the Brethren 3. The Prophet would be like Moses 4. This Prophet would be a Mediator 5. This Prophet would Speak the Words of God 6. This Prophet would Speak in the Name of the Lord 7. Those who Refuse this Prophet would be Judged J. Calling, Qualifications, Ministry and Recognition of New Testament Prophets 1. Calling 2. Qualifications 3. Ministry! [see text 3 h page 162]! Among the things listed in the text as the ministry of the prophet I want emphasize briefly their ministry of impartation and confirmation. Through the laying on of hands the Bible shows that there is an impartation by the prophet of Divine Grace and ministry. He does not create the ministry but confirms it. In the confirmation there is an impartation.! The prophet does not give personal direction. He always leaves it open for the recipient to judge and determine the will of God for himself. The prophet is not meant to be a director of personal lives but rather to share the word of God and allow it to work. He does not tell a person what to do but he can outline choices and consequences. Acts 13:1,2

6 1Timothy 1:18 1Timothy 4:14! The prophets participate with the apostles in foundation laying. It seems that these two ministries team together frequently, and are a balance to each other. Like the ministry of the apostle, the prophet is to continue in the church through out all time. Ephesians 2:20 Ephesians 4:11! [See text 3 n page 163]! [See text 3 p page 163]! Pseudophrophetes (psyod-dop-rof-ay-tace) = pretended foreteller, religious imposter, false prophet. 4. Recognition! a. New Testament Prophets! b. Ministry of the Prophetess!! 1) Old Testament Prophetesses!! 2) New Testament Prophetesses K. Distinction Between Old Testament and New Testament Prophets 1. Prophets of Guidance 2. Prophets of Vision and Scripture! a. Prophets of Vision! b. Prophets of Scripture

7 3. Distinctions Between Old and New TestamentProphets L. Testing the Ministry of the Prophet 1. Test of the Spirit 2. Test of Fulfilment of Prophetic Word 3. Test of Worship 4. Test of Doctrine 5. Test of Fruit 6. Test of Covetousness 7. Test of Ministry to the People SEE: Chapter 21 THE MINISTRY OF THE EVANGELIST!!!!!! [Text Page 170] A. Definition of the Word 1. Greek 2. Hebrew B. Christ THE Evangelist C. Calling, Qualifications, Ministry and Recognition 1. Calling 2. Qualifications 3. Ministry! [See text 3 b page 172]! Very little is said about the ministry of the Evangelists. We have Philip in Acts 21:8, Mare and some believe Timothy and Titus were Evangelists. Evangelists seem to be closely associated with the apostles and sometimes were sent on special missions.! The went to preach and baptize.

8 2Timothy 4:5! If Titus was an evangelists as some suppose, they he was sent by Paul to ordain elders in Crete. He was also to exercise church discipline toward the unruly. Titus 1:5 Titus 3:10! Unlike the apostle and prophet the ministry of the evangelists has been recognized in the church. It like the other ministries is Christ's gift to the church and intended for the entire history of the church. 4. Recognition D. Philip, A Pattern New Testament Evangelists 1. Philip - Public Evangelism! a. The Ministry! b. The Message 2. Philip - Personal Evangelism E. Woman Evangelists F. Areas of Evangelism THE MINISTRY OF THE PASTOR!!!!!!! [Text Page 175] A. Definition of the Word 1. Old Testament Hebrew! a. Pastor! b. Shepherd! c. Herdsmen

9 ! d. Keeper! e. Feed 2. New Testament Greek B. Christ THE Pastor C. Christ the Pattern Shepherd 1. The Shepherd 2. The Father of the Shepherd 3. The Sheep 4. The Other Sheep 5. The Sheepfold 6. The Door of the Sheepfold 7. The Porter 8. The Enemies of the Sheep! a. The Stranger! b. The Thief! c. The Robber! d. The Hireling! e. The Wolf D. The Chief Shepherd and Undershepherds 1. Eastern Custom 2. Jethro Principle 3. New Testament Church Application E. Old Testament and New Testament Shepherds

10 1. Old Testament Shepherds 2. New Testament Shepherds F. Calling, Qualifications, Ministry, and Recognition 1. Calling 2. Qualifications 3. Ministry! {See text 3 y page 183] Jeremiah 23:4 4. Recognition G. Judgment on the Shepherds 1. False Shepherds 2. True Shepherds H. The Marks and Responsibilities of God's Sheep THE MINISTRY OF THE TEACHER!!!!!! [See Text Page 187] A. Definition of the Word 1. Old Testament Hebrew 2. New Testament Greek B. Christ THE Teacher C, Old Testament Teaching Ministry 1. Teaching in the Home! a. Patriarchal! b. Parental

11 2. Teaching in the Nation of Israel! a. Levitical! b. Ministerial! c. Synagogical D. New Testament Ministry of The Teacher E. Calling, Qualifications, Ministry and Recognition 1. Calling 2. Qualifications 3. Ministry 4. Recognition! a. The Teacher! b. The Elder! c. Levels of Teachers! The ministry of the teacher is basically self-evident. It is the gift to impart knowledge through expounding the Word. Some link the pastor-teacher together as the word "and" is not in the Greek in Eph.4:11. The pastor is to have an ability to teach but that main not be his main emphasis. All ministries are to have the ability to teach. 1Timothy 2:7 2Timothy 1:11! The fact is that every Christian is to have some ability to teach. The sharing of the gospel and explanation of its meaning is a form of teaching. We are to be able to give an answer for the hope that is within, therefore there is teaching involved. Titus 2:3

12 Hebrews 5:12 2Timothy 2:2 Galatians 6:6! While we recognize that all of this is true there is still a special ministry of teaching. God has set teachers in the body to instruct us in His word. They are not mediators, and the Holy Spirit must teach through them, but they are Christ's gift to the church to instruct His people in the way of righteousness. Acts 13:1 Romans 12:7 F. Warnings and Judgments on False Teachers 1. Teachers of Law - Legalizers 2. Teachers of the Traditions of Men - Traditionalists 3. Teachers of False Doctrines - Heretics STUDENTS READ:! Chapter 25 - Challenge to Change the Traditional System! Chapter 26 - Congregational Ministries and Functions! Chapter 27 - Dwelling Together in Unity! Chapter 28 - The Ministry of Women!! Chapter 29 - Discerning the Body of Christ