Studies in Ephesians (23)

For the Equipping of Saints (1)

LeadersEphesians 4:11

He gave some to be…

• Not everyone can serve in these capacities

• All these persons are involved in building up the saints in His word

• The word comes from God (Eph. 3:3-4)

Apostles

• A special class of disciples that were with Jesus Acts 1:21-22

• “Ambassadors of Christ”

Apostles• Given keys to the kingdom Matthew 16:18-19

• The church built upon their foundation – Eph. 2:20, 3:5

• John 13-16(Mathew 26:20)

• Matthew 28:16-20

Apostles• The signs of an apostle

2 Corinthians 12:12• They did not think themselves

superior to others• Their works limited to first century –

1 Corinthians 13:8-12• Today, we learn from their teachings

– Gal. 1:10-12

Prophets• The task of taking the gospel to

the world not limited to the apostles

• Ephesians 2:20, 3:5• These were godly men who

taught the word of God with Holy Spirit guidance 1 Cor. 12:4-11, 29, 2 Pet. 1:20-21

Prophets• Prophets in the New Testament• Acts 11:27-30 – Agabus

Acts 21:9 – Philip’s 4 daughtersActs 13:1 – Prophets in Antioch

• They were needed in the first century because the word of God in written form was not completed.1 Cor. 13:8-10 – prophecies would fail

• Today, we learn from messages of some of these prophets – Luke, Mark, James, etc.

Evangelists• Proclaimers of good news• Preachers/evangelists - Acts 21:8,

2 Timothy 4:5• Some had gifts of the Holy Spirit

(Apostles were preachers as were some prophets – 1 Timothy 2:3)

• Romans 10:14-15 – we need preachers

Evangelists• They did not “lay the foundation” but

built upon it. They proclaimed what had already been taught

• Such can still be done today - 2 Timothy 3:16-17Jude 3

• NOTE: Preacher and evangelist never used as a title, but an occupation. Cf. Matt. 23:6-10

Pastors• Descriptive of a shepherd

(ποιμένας, poimenas - cf. Matt. 9:36, John 10:11, etc.)

• A special office that requires men who meet certain high qualifications- 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9

Pastors• Called elders (πρεσβύτερος,

presbyteros) – Titus 1:5, Acts 14:23 - describes one of experience – 1 Tim. 3:6

• Called bishops (ἐπισκοπῆς, episkopēs) 1 Timothy 3:1-2, Philippians 1:1

• NOTE: 2 Passages that deal with qualifications of same “office” using these two different words

Pastors

• Also see Acts 20:17, 28, 1 Peter 5:1-3

• All 3 terms (elder, bishop and pastor are used of the same men

• Their work is limited to the local congregation – Philippians 1:1, 1 Peter 5:2, Acts 20:28, 14:23

Pastors

• They are to be held in honor Hebrews 13:17

• A primary work was to teach – 1 Timothy 3:2 Titus 1:9-11

Teachers

• Convey a message or provide instructions

• There is a sense in which all teach – Heb. 5:12, 1 Peter 3:15

• But there is a teaching that is limited – James 3:1, 1 Corinthians 12:29

Teachers

• The teaching of our text is related to the building up of the body of Christ

• All the above “tasks” involve teaching• Some see the word here as tied to

the work of the elder (as opposed to an exclusive class of people)

• Teaching does not require inspiration – 2 Timothy 2:2

Their purpose (12-16)

• For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry (in the word), for the edifying of the body of Christ (spiritual), till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man…

God has given us the “gift” of leaders to

help us get to heaven!

Do we thank God for their efforts?