THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY - 3

Ephesians 4:12

In reading Ephesians 4:11-13 we see that Paul's statement is meant to envision all these kinds of ministry to accomplish four things:

This time I want to stress the ministry of "teachers", vs. 11. The end of all these five facets of the ministry is "unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:", vs. 13. It takes a powerful lot of influential force to take a new born saint into the "perfect man" which God desires, vs. 13.

In the process of being saved, the lost man comes under the sound of the Gospel at 'minus umpteen' negative measures from the maturity which the Lord desires. Even after the "men" are saved, three measures are provided of the Lord to mature him to the state desired, as seen by vs. 13.

Namely, the Word of God, the teaching Spirit (John 14:26) and the ministry defined in vs. 11.

In modern times the ministry called "teachers" probably envisions what we call 'Bible Studies'; Sunday School classes; seminars, and such functions. It would involve such things as: Christian living, church truth, Bible prophecy, etc.

The Scriptures record "certain prophets and teachers", Acts 13:1. To the Corinthian church, Paul listed "teachers" as third in order, I Corinthians 12:28.

To young Timothy, Paul identified himself as a "teacher of the Gentiles.", 2 Timothy 1:11.

In writing to the Hebrews, 5:12, the apostle sets "teachers" as a rather ultimate goal for them; and equates it as "strong meat" being the spiritual diet of mature ones.

It is certain that "teachers"are to be taught ones - - - and that the text is the Word of God, the master teacher is now the Holy Spirit, and what we teach is a serious matter, Hebrews 5:13-14. DDH.