Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

(Eph 4:11) “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”  Thank God for those who teach us the precious Words of God! I think often of my own pastor, Rev. HL Petty. After six years of his teaching, the Lord called me into the ministry. At college I had a leg up, for he had diligently over the years studied and taught the Scriptures. Each Sunday after the service I would stand beside him as He said something to each of those departing. I would do so asking my Bible questions and he would try to answer my questions and say something to them at the same time. Thank God and take advantage of the Word that is being taught at every service! .   

(Eph 4:11) “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”  The pastor is referred to also as elder and bishop in Scripture. Each speaks of a various responsibility of the office. Timothy tells us they are to focus on reading (the Word), exhortation (the growing of the saints), and doctrine (the sound teaching of Scripture). There are many other things a pastor does, but these should be the center, for not only is it desperately needed to keep Him on track, but also the church.    

  (Eph 4:11) “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”  My personal belief is that evangelists are the missionaries of today. What do they do? They go forth and evangelize, gathering people into New Testament Churches, pastors them until the Lord raises up a pastor from among them, and then do it all over again. Praise God for missionaries. Their lives say they love the Lord more than anything else: a house of their own and the constant communion of relatives. They are exceptional saints of God and should be supported in every way we can!

(Eph 4:11) “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”  Yes, these are for the “work of the ministry”.  Prophets in the New Testament Church were for a limited time, giving forth the Word of God as the Spirit brought it forth. This office ceased when the Word of God was completed, (1Co 13:8) “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. (9)  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. (10)  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”  IF a person stands up in a Service and says something like, “The Lord wants us to love one another more”, is that prophecy? I say no, for we already know that from the Bible. Nothing new has been given, so it is not prophecy. If they gave us something new, would it not be adding to the Word which is seriously warned against in both the Old and New Testaments? Thank God we have the completed Word of God. We need no more. Praise His Name! 

(Eph 4:11) “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”  Yes, these are for the “work of the ministry”. It is important that the Bible be interpreted and then taught by Its whole. The teaching on the Apostles is one such subject:  (Luk 6:13) “And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;”  When you hear the word, “disciples”, you probably think of the twelve. Yet, because of lack of teaching the Bible as a whole, we do not understand that Jesus had many disciples. The twelve were called “apostles” from the very beginning.  IF we are daily in the Word of God and learn to look at it and interpret it as a “whole”, then we will protect ourselves from many errors of interpretation we are subjected unto.

 (Eph 4:8) “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (9)  (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? (10)  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)”The “fill all things” is referring to “fulfilling all things”. The predetermined plan of God was to come to this earth, fulfill all of God’s laws, offer Himself as the sacrifice for sins, die in the place of man, and then rise again from the dead, setting free the souls of  those who died in faith in the blood, and now spiritually birthing both Jews and Gentiles into the salvation experience so that they might go to heaven also. (Long sentence!) 

(Eph 4:7) “ But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”   The measure is literally “a degree of”.  What does that mean? I can only say that whatever I or you receive, it is sufficient to cover our sins! Praise His Name! 

(Eph 4:3) “ Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (4) There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (5)  One Lord, one faith, one baptism, (6)  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”  Endeavor, try your very best, to keep the unity of the Spirit among yourselves in the church. It is not, “I must have my way”, but instead, what is best for God’s children as a whole. In context, we have each the same God the Father, the same Lord and Savior, have experienced the same baptism of the Holy Spirit, and look for the same eternity. We will dwell in total unity there, so get started, as much as is humanly possible – down here.