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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: What verse does it say that God chooses the minister and not man? |
Bible Answer: Hi, Seedling... The Bible teaches that everyone in the Body of Christ is there by Lord's own choosing (Ephesians 1:3-6; 1 Peter 2:9). From the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, Chapter 26 the doctrine is expressed this way: "In the execution of this power [the Head of the Church] wherewith He [Christ] is so intrusted, the Lord Jesus calls out of the world unto Himself, through the ministry of His word, by His Spirit, those that are given unto Him by His Father (John 10:16; John 12:32), that they may walk before Him in all the ways of obedience, which He prescribes to them in His word (Matt. 28:20). Those thus called, He commands to walk together in particular societies, or churches, for their mutual edification, and the due performance of that public worship, which He requires of them in the world (Matt. 18:15-20)." (paragraph 5) Along with the members, officers are appointed by Christ in order to serve Him in the church: "A particular church [local congregation], gathered and completely organized according to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members; and the officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the church (so called and gathered), for the peculiar administration of ordinances, and execution of power or duty, which He intrusts them with, or calls them to, to be continued to the end of the world, are bishops or elders, and deacons (Acts 20:17, 28; Phil. 1:1)." (paragraph 8) When ministers and elders are ordained or deacons selected, the church is simply affirming what God has already done. "The way appointed by Christ for the calling of any person, fitted and gifted by the Holy Spirit, unto the office of bishop or elder in a church, is, that he be chosen thereunto by the common suffrage of the church itself (Acts 14:23); and solemnly set apart by fasting and prayer, with imposition of hands of the eldership of the church, if there be any before constituted therein (1 Tim. 4:14); and of a deacon that he be chosen by the like suffrage [voted on], and set apart by prayer, and the like imposition of hands (Acts 6:3, 5, 6)." (paragraph 9) You see, we deem that these men -- having been set aside by our Lord specifically for this purpose -- are a gift to the church. You may have previously seen me, on the forum, cite this passage: Therefore it says, "When Je ascended on high he led a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men." (In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that He had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) 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. (Ephesians 4:8-14 ESV) In Him, Doc |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Eph 4:11 | Author | ||
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mother and child | ||
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Hood Rat | ||
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the seer from god | ||
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JCIOU | ||
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JCIOU | ||
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seedling | ||
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DocTrinsograce | ||
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dbondz |