… apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers …
Summary: Understanding who these people are requires us to understand our relationship with Jesus, the body of Christ, and those who do not yet know our Lord.
As we look deeper into this passage, I want to spend a few minutes with the five categories of leaders that Paul has called our attention to.
Imagine a big circle drawn on the ground. Make it a big one.
Outside of the circle are all the people who have not yet put their faith in Jesus. Inside are all the people who have decided to trust in the Lord. Let’s not make any judgments here as to what these two groups look like or who is in them. That is between each of us and our God (John 10:14).
Inside the big circle, let’s draw a dividing line. On one side of the line are the “hungry,” and on the other side are the “fed.” (And yes, if you are wondering, it’s getting close to dinnertime as I write this…) The “hungry” are those people who are focused on their own needs. The “fed” are those who have known the Lord long enough to have their needs met.
As we watch these two groups interact, we notice that those who are “fed” are helping to feed those who are “hungry.” In the most fundamental sense, this is the leadership we referred to in “Roadmap to Success.” It is the light of our Lord’s heart shining through his people. This light is not confined to the big circle. It can be seen on the outside. The “fed” inside the circle often spend as much time feeding the hungry outside the circle as they do inside.
Now, let’s draw some more circles!
Inside the half of the circle where those who are “fed” congregate, let’s draw five more circles. Each of these circles represents one of the five groups that Paul enumerates; apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.
The difference between these groups is minimal. They are all engaged in feeding the spiritually hungry (and often the physically hungry as well!). The difference is in who they feed and how they feed them.
Apostles*, for example, are often sent outside the big circle. They specialize in helping the hungry to understand what the hungry feeling is and what their needs are. They bring the food of Jesus with them wherever they go, and they excel at making people know what kind of food it is and why it is important.
Prophets are people who are gifted in listening to the Spirit and expressing God’s will to others. Whether there are modern-day prophets is debated, but what in Christendom isn’t? If you do run across a modern prophet, expect to receive some encouragement from the Lord! (1 Corinthians 14:31, Acts 15:32, 2 Peter 1:21)
One thing I’ve never heard anyone debate is whether God still uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Evangelists have a special heart for proclaiming the “Good News” of the Gospel. Pastors do the hard work of shepherding the sheep. Teachers, well, teachers teach.
The differences between these groups are less than many imagine. All are called by Jesus, and all are fed by the same Spirit. As Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 12:12-30, we all have a place in the body of Christ. It’s just not the same place as the person next to us.
Application: Embrace the body of Christ as a whole. Strive for unity. Avoid division.
Food for Thought: What would the church look like if we didn’t have different names for the different kinds of believers?
*We understand that there are Apostles (capital “A”) and apostles (lowercase “a”). The former is understood to be the Apostles assigned to that role by Jesus personally. The latter refers to believers who carry the Good News out into the world and specialize in establishing God’s church wherever they are called to go.
What would the church look like if we didn’t have different names for the different kinds of believers?
I think it would look confusing to those outside the body. Just as Christ mediates for us (amoung many other and greater things) with God, we can serve as a “mediator” with the Spirit to others. That requires us to be able to help fill a need.
Your question really takes me to thoughts of working for the government, so in a sense, a higher authority, as imperfect as it is. Definitely not the perfected authority of Christ.
In my time in the military and as a civilian employee I have come to understand the four titles everyone holds. There is your calling, the paygrade associated with rank, the position you hold, and the job title. They tie together but are also seperate. They represent commitment, reward, task, and authority. They are tied together by a word that gets used alot: “commensurate.” It means “proportioned to.” If you are “in the Marines,” you are called Marine, but may be called “Sergeant,” “Mechanic,” or “Motor Sergeant.” It really depends on what is being asked of you. But always what is asked of you is commensurate to the titles you hold, and you are expected to give commensurate to the titles you hold.
We are called to be disciples. Webster’s definition of a disciple is “a pupil or follower of any teacher or school.” A true disciple is not just a student or a learner, but a follower: one who applies what he has learned.
Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Being called a disciple is like being called a Marine.
If we were to hook up a faith meter to all disciples, im sure we would find out what we already know: that we are not all equal in the Spirit. Not that we are lesser than, but that each walk is specific. Our walk is part of our reward, and others do sense the Spirit in us. In that sense it is like being called Sergeant.
Romans 12:3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
We are given tasks to complete. These are both to further God”s Kingdom, and to help us grow in the Spirit, which is also furthering God’s Kingdom. (Double whammy!)
Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
We are given purpose in the body. In that sense it is like being called Mechanic.
We are given authority through Christ, who created all, and then redeemed His creation by giving His life for all. Authority to do His Will in His name.
Colossians 1:15-18 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
In that sense it is like being called Motor Sergeant.
Our distinctions can be an instrument for God, or they can be a stumbling block for man. Just as in all things, we need to keep our hearts and minds on Jesus.
Chris,
Thank you for taking the time to write down your thoughts this morning! You have given us a fascinating take on today’s topic.
In your conclusions you write “Our distinctions can be an instrument for God, or they can be a stumbling block for man.” It seems to me they are both. As I think about why, it seems to me that what we see is an indication of where we are standing.
If we are standing in the world, we see through the world’s eyes (division). If we are standing in the Lord we see through the eyes of Love (unity).
Interesting question. Good and in depth take on this by CH.
I find it interesting that these delineations are given to us by God based on gifts He has provided. This question makes me think of the 1 Corinthians 12 passage where we are told that not everyone is an eye or an ear. The body needs different parts to function well and as God intended. It is important that we don’t look down on any parts of the body or elevate any too much above the others. Everyone has an important role to play and we want to encourage them in that role. The whole body then reaps the benefit.
Excellent reference, Rich!
There are many more circles, or “divisions” to consider, but they are all parts of the same body and we all have one head; Jesus!
06-24-2023, What would the church look like if we didn’t have different names for the different kinds of believers?
1 Corinthians 12:12-27, As believers, in we are the body of Christ on earth, called to live in unity so that Christ will be seen by the world we are currently confined to. Just as we have given names to the hand, foot, eyes, they only function properly as they act together. Try walking to a table and picking up a glass of water without eyes, or with eyes but no hands.
1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace–as in all the churches of the saints.
1 Corinthians 14:40, Let all things be done decently and in order.
Ephesians 4:11–12, The Lord had Paul list offices, descriptive titles given to individual members of the church ( body of Christ ) for equipping every member of the church for fruitful service. And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.
They are primarily believers with names/titles descriptive of their specific function, as CH expresses above, and are help each of us to understand their unique role, ministry.
Thanks Ron!
I really appreciate that you point out God is all about “order” and peace. If we find ourselves trying to impose our own sense of order on God’s order, we are definitely trying to paddle upstream!