Main Idea: God sends pioneers to expand the Kingdom of God and apostles are these “sent ones”
Ephesians 4:11-16 ESV
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”
Ephesians 4 is an interpretative lens through which we can view the entire form and function of the Church
- Jesus gave the fivefold ministry to the Church
- Fivefold ministry is for equipping the whole Church for ministry
- Fivefold ministry is to build up the body of Christ
- Fivefold ministry promotes unity in diversity
- Fivefold ministry strengthens our doctrine
- Fivefold ministry builds up the church in love
apostles
apostles: sent ones
Ephesians 2:19-20 ESV
“Therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.”
Genesis 1:28 ESV
“Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Hebrews 3:1-2 ESV
“Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house.”
Hebrews 13:7-8 ESV
“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Authority over unclean spirits-apostles (all Christians) have authority over demonic spirits
Mark 6:7 ESV
“And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits”
Ephesians 1: 20b-23 ESV
Jesus: “seated at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”
Authority to GO and DISCIPLE- apostles often go and disciple
Matt. 28:18-20 ESV
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
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