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NASB | Ephesians 4:11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 4:11 And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct], |
Bible Question (short): All or none? Or some? |
Question (full): Dear Ray V.H. I agree with you that every believer is called to participate in the church. There are no 'spectators.' However, God used Paul to tell us about a specific 5-fold gift (ministry) and I think your 'why?...' was correct. There are, indeed, several other ministries and helps and talents listed throughout the New Testament, and each has purpose and validity, and each is necessary to equip the church. I am not sure what you meant by, "...everything has been done already..." When each member of the body is functioning in his-her appointed gift, then everything will be done? My question, however, was a bit more specific. We have a list of 5 gifts, and I have been told by several colleagues that 2 of them are no longer valid in a contemporary sense. (Actually, I've been told a lot more than that! :-) But no one has made mention of the last 3 gifts. If the first two are gone, are the last three as well? Do we no longer have evangelists, pastors and teachers? In Christ Jesus. charis |