Let us look again at Ephesians 4:8-12, because here we are made to understand clearly that God’s burden is the church in its full expression. The five-fold gifts are given by our Lord to the Church, and not just to a certain group. And it is our privilege to ask for these gifts. Just as we ask God to move in revival, so we must ask Him for blessings… such as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, which, when they function together, establish the believers on a strong foundation. So I begun to see that it was our fault that we were not seeing these gifts manifested among those who were being born again. We had not asked God for these gifts. Apostles are given authority to establish churches, appointing those called of God for the work of the ministry. Prophets are those who find the mind of God and declare it to the church.
Evangelists have the main responsibility of preaching the Gospel, and bringing unbelievers to repentance and salvation. Teachers reach people of all classes, and with patience, sympathy and kindness instruct them in the word. Pastors are like fathers and mothers, nurses and shepherds. They have the care and oversight of the flock of God. All these gifts can only function effectively when they are together and not by themselves.
Today’s calendar’s Bible verse:
“God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deut 33:27.
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