GIFTS TO THE CHURCH

1. APOSTLES: apostello meaning to send away or forth

1. I Corinthians 12:28 “And God hath set(tithemi=to put or place) some in the church, first apostles(apostello), secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”

2. Ephesians 2:19-22 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles(apostello) and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone: In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord; In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

3. Ephesians 4:11 “And he(Jesus)gave some, apostles(apostello); and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”

Note: The apostles are to equip the saints in the area of apostles’ doctrine: Sharing His Life as the Head and His ekklesia as His Body. The saints are in turn to disciple others in these foundational truths so that they too can lay a firm foundation in their lives so that they in turn will disciple others as well.

2. PROPHETS: prophetes meaning one who speaks under the inspiration of God’s Spirit by proclamation(forth-telling) or prediction(foretelling).

1. I Corinthians 12:28 “And God hath set(tithemi=to put or place) some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets(prophetes), thirdly teachers…”

2. Ephesians 2:19-22 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles, and prophets (prophetes), Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

3. Ephesians 4:11 “And he(Jesus)gave some, apostles; and some, prophets (prophetes); and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”

Note: The prophets are to equip the saints in the area of hearing God for themselves and learning to walk in repentance so that they in turn can teach others these same truths.

3. EVANGELISTS: euaggello meaning to tell good news, tidings thoroughly.

1. Ephesians 4:11 “And he(Jesus)gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists(euaggello); and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”

Note: The evangelists are to equip the saints in the area of sharing the Good News with those who have not heard the Gospel so that they can in turn teach others.

4. PASTORS: poimen meaning to tend or shepherd

1. Ephesians 4:11 “And he(Jesus)gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors(poimen) and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

2. Acts 20:17, 28 “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders(presbuteros=aged person) of the church. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock(poimnion=a little flock), over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers(episkopos=overseer, inspector), to feed(poimaino=to tend as a shepherd) the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

Note: The pastors are to equip the saints in the area of shepherding(tending and guarding)so that they in turn will teach others.

5. TEACHERS: didaskalos meaning instructor

1. I Corinthians 12:28 “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers(didaskalos)…

2. Ephesians 4:11 “And he(Jesus)gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers(didaskalos); For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

3. Note: The teachers are to equip the saints in the area of how to understand the Scripture through the revelation of the Holy Spirit and to radically obey the truths of His Word so that they in turn will teach others.