Sunday, November 15, 2015 pm
STUDIES IN EPHESIANS
(23)
For the Equipping of the Saints
Ephesians 4:11 (11-16
Tonight we continue our study of the book of
Ephesians. The past few lessons
we have addressed the unity of the body that we are to strive to
achieve. In our last
lesson we noted that the gift of Christ was given to each one – rather
than being miraculous gifts given by the Spirit to select ones at His
discretion, this seems to be a more general “gift” available to all –
this could be salvation, spiritual blessings, that which promotes true
unity or perhaps even leaders within the Lord’s body who build us up to
be the body we ought to be.
In our last lesson we noted that it could be descriptive of all these
things – as they are certainly related to one another.
Tonight, we want to focus on leaders that were
given for the equipping of the saints.
Truly, those who lead us are a gift from God.
a.
Note: Not everyone can serve in these
capacities. They were given
as functions for the building up of the body.
Before noting each work individually, we want to notice that these
persons were ALL involved in teaching the word of God to saints.
We have already spent considerable time establishing that the
word itself comes from God (i.e. Eph. 3:3-4).
Each of these persons has a function in our reception of the word.
b.
Apostles – a special class
of disciples that were with Jesus during His teaching on earth.
i.
We find from Acts 1:21-22 that the one to
replace Judas had to have been with Jesus throughout His teaching and
preaching from the time of His baptism through His resurrection. (NOTE:
This is one reason we don’t have apostles today).
ii.
Some describe them as ambassadors of Christ.
iii.
Jesus gave His apostles special
instructions – including the “the keys to the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt.
16:18-19)
iv.
The church was built on the foundation of
the apostles and prophets, with Jesus as the chief cornerstone
(Ephesians 2:20)
v.
Ephesians 3:5 reveals that the message
was made known by His holy apostles and prophets.
John 13-16, it is believed the disciples on this occasion were the
apostles (consider Matthew 26:20 – when Jesus sat down with the twelve).
This is believed to be the occasion of that the teachings in
John. Certainly, they would
be the ones the Holy Spirit would guide into all truth.
vi.
Matthew 28:16-20 – it was to the eleven
that Jesus gave the “great commission”.
It was to the apostles (the eleven plus Matthias) that the Holy Spirit
baptized them and they spoke in tongues and preached on the day of
Pentecost (Acts 1:26-2:4).
They had the ability to lay hands upon others to receive gifts of the
Holy Spirit (Acts 8:18)
vii.
2 Corinthians 12:12 tells us there were
“signs of an apostle” – abilities with which they proved themselves
worthy of consideration.
viii.
NOTE: The apostles did not think of
themselves as superior to others – they simply had a function that was
vital to the revelation of God’s word!
ix.
ALSO: The office of apostle was limited
to the first century considering the qualifications.
We also note in 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 that prophecies, tongues and
knowledge (miraculous) would be done away with when “that which is
perfect has come.”
Notice how the miraculous gifts mentioned here all related to
revelation.
x.
Today, we still follow the teachings of
the apostles, who taught what Jesus revealed to them (e.g.
Galatians 1:10-12, 1 Cor. 14:37, etc.), but we must respect the
boundaries they set.
c.
Prophets – the task of
taking the gospel to the known world of that day could not be done
exclusively by the twelve apostles.
i.
There were godly men (and some women) who
taught the word of God and helped to establish its truth, under the
guidance of the Holy Spirit (cf. 1 Cor. 12:4-11, 29, etc.).
NOTE: The apostles were also prophets by the very definition of
their work.
2 Peter 1:20-21 – they spoke as the Holy Spirit moved them.
NOTE: This text is addressing OT prophets, but it describes what
makes one a prophet.
ii.
In revealing the message, they were often
associated with the apostles. Again
note Ephesians 3:5 – the message was made known to the apostles and
prophets.
Eph. 2:20 build upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets.
iii.
There were prophets above and beyond the
apostles – Acts 11:27-30 – Agabus, Acts 21:9 – Philip had 4 daughters
who prophesied, Acts 13:1 – there were prophets in Antioch, etc.
iv.
They were needed in the first century
because they did not have the written word in its completed form.
They were able to with divine guidance reveal God’s word.
As with the work of the apostles, the work of the prophets was done when
“that which is perfect” came (1 cor. 13:8-10).
Also, SPECIFICALLY stated here is that prophecies would fail.
v.
Today, we still learn from the inspired
prophets whose message is recorded in scripture.
Some of the NT books were written by prophets who were not
apostles – Luke & Acts, possibly Mark and James.
Thus they build us up
d.
Evangelists – proclaimers
of the “good news”, actually a derivative of the same root word as
“gospel”.
i.
When we think of preachers today, it is
the idea of the evangelist.
There were men who served in this role.
Some of them had gifts of the Holy Spirit that enabled them to
teach (i.e. some were prophets, all apostles were also evangelists,
etc.)
ii.
We read of a handful of evangelists in
the New Testament – Philip was an evangelist (Acts 21:8), 2 Timothy 4:5
– Timothy was told to “do the work of an evangelist” – the letters to
Timothy and Titus help the preacher/evangelist understand what his
responsibilities involve.
Romans 10:14-15 speaks about the preacher (a different Greek word).
iii.
Evangelists are different in that they
are not described as “laying the foundation” in the same way as apostles
and prophets, but rather proclaiming that which had already been taught.
iv.
Because of his work, the
evangelist/preacher can still work today as he uses the word that has
already been delivered (2 Tim. 3:16-17, Jude 3).
We need preachers today!
v.
NOTE: Never is the term preacher or
evangelist used as a title.
It is a description of what we do.
Scripture is clear concerning the avoidance of such titles as
they can lead to arrogance.
Consider Matthew 23:6-10 where we are told to avoid the terms Rabbi,
father and teacher AS TITLES!
e.
Pastors – shepherds of the
flock
i.
The word for pastor here (ποιμήν, poimēn)
is descriptive of a shepherd and is so used at times (Matthew 9:36, John
10:11).
ii.
This is a special office that requires
men who meet certain high qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9)
that help them to shepherd the flock.
iii.
They are also called elders and bishops.
1.
The term “elder” is (πρεσβύτερος,
presbyteros) and has reference to one of experience (i.e. not a novice –
1 Tim. 3:6). Titus 1:5 finds
Titus left at Crete to appoint elders in every city, Acts 14:23 speaks
of Paul and Barnabas appointing elders in every church, etc.)
2.
The term “bishop” is (ἐπισκοπή, episkopē) and means
an overseer (similar to a supervisor in a company).
It is descriptive of how elders oversee the work they are
entrusted with. 1 Timothy
3:1-2 in describing the qualifications of elders uses this term.
So does Philippians 1:1.
3.
NOTE: We have 2 passages that deal with
the qualifications of elders – they use the 2 different words to
describe the same office (elder and bishop)
4.
In Acts 20:17 as Paul is headed to
Jerusalem after his 3rd preaching tour, he calls for the
elders (presbyterous) of Ephesus.
Speaking to them he tells them in vs. 28, “Therefore
take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy
Spirit has made you overseers (episkopous) , to shepherd (poimainein) the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”
Notice that forms of all 3 words are used to describe the same
persons.
5.
Also, 1 Peter 5:1-3 similarly uses all 3
words – elders (vs. 1); shepherd (vs. 2); overseers (vs. 2).
iv.
The work of elders is limited to their
local congregation – Phil. 1:1 – to all the saints, with the bishops and
deacons in Philippi;
1 Peter 5:2 – the flock of God which is among you:
Acts 20:28 – take heed to your salves and to all the flock, among which
the Holy Spirit has made you overseers – this was said to the elders of
the church in Ephesus (Acts 20:17).
v.
They are to be honored because they watch
out for our souls – Hebrews 13:17.
vi.
A primary work of elders includes
teaching, which is why it is included in our list.
1 Tim. 3:2 – able to teach.
Titus 1:9-11 speaks of the ability to hold fast the faithful word
including being able with sound doctrine to exhort and convict
gainsayers, etc.
f.
Teachers –
i.
Teachers convey a message and provide
instructions. They help convey the word of God.
Not everyone can be an elder or even a preacher, but that doesn’t
mean we can’t teach.
ii.
There is a sense in which we are ALL
teachers to some degree – Hebrews 5:12, 2 Tim. 2:24 (possibly broader
than a preacher)
iii.
But our text seems to imply there are
some entrusted with that responsibility above and beyond the teaching of
everyone. Consider James 3:1
– let not many of you be teachers.
1 Corinthians 12:29 – with spiritual gifts – “Are all teachers?”
The teaching of this text is tied to building up the body of Christ.
iv.
The terms we have discussed previously
all involve being teachers.
In fact, some see the word here in our text as a description of
the work of pastors in teaching us.
We have noted that he must be able to teach.
v.
Teaching, like preaching does not require
inspiration. We learn and we
share – 2 Tim. 2:2. But let
our goal be to fulfill what Paul says these leaders in the word do.
g.
NOTE: Deacons are not mentioned in this
text – because their work is not primarily about teaching.
This helps us understand the point of our text!
a.
We will address this more in our next
lesson, but here we want to put in context the works to be carried out
by those given to us as leaders in His word.
b.
To
equip the saints – this is the summary!
c.
For the work of ministry, for the
edifying of the body of Christ – the work here described builds up the
body
d.
How? Till we come to unity of the faith
and knowledge…no longer tossed to and fro, etc.
e.
Vs. 16 describes the result – when those
teaching us do their work properly (shall we say – with excellence) the
body is built up
God has given us the gift of leaders that can help
us get to heaven when this life is over.
May we cherish the work they do and thank God for their efforts
to maintain the truth. Think
about it!