Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Published July 3, 2013 | By Mark Arnold

Different Jobs

This week in our prayer group someone mentioned and prayed for the emergence of the five fold ministry. As I read Ephesians 4 this morning, I realized that it was as much about warfare as it was about edification. Many are aware of the five ministry positions listed in Ephesians 4:11 of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher. (I know what your thinking – where is the listing for “Senior Pastor” or “Head Pastor” or “Associate Pastor”, right? Crazy, right?) Many people get into disagreements over these titles, whether they are for today, whether Paul really meant that these were really all one person as some profess from the pulpit today, etc. What I found interesting was a part I had read many times but not considered as much until now.

In verses 7-10 Paul talks about Jesus death and resurrection. The One who ascended first descended. There are some interesting teachings on this as well. Let me be clear about my position. It was the blood on the cross of Jesus that sets men free, not some battle afterwords. The captivity that Jesus took captive was sin and death. That is the essence of why we ALWAYS win against the devil. He is already defeated because a sinless man died and rose again. The warfare that we wage is based on the gifts given to raise up the body. What are they? That is what is in Ephesians 4:11. Jesus took away sin and death, and gave something back to fight the fight. But, you may be thinking, “We don’t have all those types of gifts at our church. How are we supposed to be built up until we all come in to the fullness of Christ?” Hmmm. Now that is worth praying for!

Prayer
Father, we praise You for the Kingdom that You set up. We acknowledge that You alone are the Most High God. We want to thank You for the gifts You give men of some apostles, some prophets, some pastors, and some teachers. Father, please bring these gifts, these people, into the open, into our assemblies of believers today, that we may come into the fullness of Jesus. In Jesus name. Amen.

Posted in Day 4 - Yom Re-vi-i