[5] GN vol. 20, no. 12, 1 December 1929

DIVINELY ORDAINED MINISTRY

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By P. C. NELSON. PRESIDENT SOUTHWESTERN BIBLE SCHOOL.

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A Divinely called and Scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for a twofold purpose: (1) The evangelisation of the world, and (2) The edifying of the Body of Christ (Mark 16: 15-20; Eph. 4: 11-13).

The church is both an organisation and an organism. As an organism it is an expression of the life of Christ implanted in each individual (Gal. 2: 20; Col. 3: 3), and in the whole group as the body of Christ (Rom. 12: 4, 5; 1 Cor. 12: 12, 13, 27; Eph. 1: 22, 23; Col. 2: 18, 19). As an organisation each member has his particular duty power, gift, or function to perform for the common good. This is very clearly stated, argued and illustrated in 1 Cor. 12. For the sake of emphasis and clearness the following propositions are set forth:

1. Christ is the Head of the church or assembly of God.—In Eph. 1: 22, 23 we read that God "gave Him to be Head over all things to the church, which is His body." (See also Eph. 5: 23). As1 the head controls the activities of each member of a normal human body, so Christ directs the activities of every member of His spiritual body, the church (1 Cor. 12: 4-6). He is our Lord and Lawgiver. He has power to direct even the minutest details of our lives, and no one who refuses to recognise this authority and ignores and disobeys His will in the affairs of life can know the sweetness of a Christian life.

2. When Christ ascended on high, He gave certain gifts to His church (Eph. 4: 9-16). These gifts are the divinely appointed leaders for His church. One can hardly imagine a more helpless object than an army without officers. The most helpless thing on earth is a flock of sheep without a shepherd, and the church is likened to a flock of sheep (John 21: 16, 17). The word "pastor" occurs several times in the Old Testament, but only once in the New (Eph. 4: 11). This is the Latin word for shepherd, which occurs several times in both Testaments..

3. We must distinguish between the gifts of the Spirit and the gifts of Christ. The gift of the Spirit (Acts 2: 38 and 11: 17) is the bestowment or induement of the Spirit Himself to abide with us forever. John 14: 16, 17. This experience we identify with the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Acts 1: 5; 2: 1-4 The gifts of the Spirit are graces, powers, enablements bestowed by the Spirit on believers. 1 Cor. 12. The gifts of Christ are officers or leaders, specially called, authorised, and qualified by Christ, the Head of the church, to lead, and feed, direct, instruct and discipline the church for its own good and development, and for the furtherance of its work for Christ on earth. (Eph. 4: 7-11; 2 Tim. 4: 1-5; Heb. 13: 7, 17.)

4. In the great spiritual temple of God, Christ is the Chief Cornerstone, and the apostles and prophets are foundation stones. (Eph. 2: 20.) The apostles and prophets are the two ranks in the ministry given first mention by Paul in the list of gifts Christ bestows upon the church. (Eph 4: 11.) Evangelists rank third. Their special work was to spread the gospel where, before, it was unknown. The fourth place is given to pastors and teachers. These two functions are joined together because the Bishop or pastor should be "apt to teach" (1 Tim. 3: 2), and we might add that the teacher should be apt to preach. The crying need today is for a Bible-teaching ministry. Pentecost cannot live on "manifestations" alone, nor can it live on doctrine or teaching alone. Here is God's gracious promise to Israel: "And I will give you pastors according to Mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." Jer. 3: 15.

5. The word pastor or shepherd and "bishop" denote the same office. The word "bishop" translates a Greek word meaning overseer. In some churches there was more than one bishop (Phil. 1: 1; Acts 20: 28, where we have the same Greek word translated "overseers"). The qualifications for this high and holy calling are set forth in Paul's letter to Timothy and Titus. No amount of learning, no natural ability or affability or eloquence or mental acumen can qualify a minister of Jesus Christ to perform his arduous, responsible duties. Even three years of special training under the personal guidance, instruction and example of the peerless Teacher could not adequately prepare the apostles for the service they were to render. With great emphasis they were commanded to tarry for the enduement they received at Pentecost. Luke 24: 49; Acts 1: 4-8. Surely no less equipment can be sufficient for the ministry now. Even our Lord himself did not undertake His ministry before He received a mighty anointing for His work. Acts 10: 38; Matt. 3: 16, 17; Luke 4: 14-21. If our ministry is to be a continuation of His, or rather if His ministry is to be continued through us (John 14: 12, 13), we must have a similar enduement of power.

6. As the responsibility of a minister of Jesus Christ is great, so his reward is proportionately great (Mark 10: 28: 31). Read 1 Peter 5: 1-4, in Weymouth's version:

"So I exhort the Elders among you—I who am their fellow Elder and have been a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and am also a sharer in the glory which is soon to be revealed. Be shepherds of God's flock which is among you. Exercise the oversight not reluctantly but eagerly, in accordance with the will of God; not for base gain but with cheerful minds; nor lording it over your churches but proving yourselves patterns for the flock to imitate. And then when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the never-withering wreath of glory." —"Christ's Ambassadors".

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DEAD, YET ALIVE!

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A Testimony by an Elim Crusader.

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It is with a heart full of gratitude to my precious Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ that I pen these few words. The Lord saved me in a wonderful way, and He also healed me of spinal disease which I had suffered from all my life. At the time of my healing I weighed 4 stone, and was just over 4 feet high, although I was 161 years old. Now, at the age of 20, I am 5 feet 6 inches, and weigh 10 stone 10 lbs.

When I was saved I fully expected great opposition from my parents, as I am Jewish by birth and training. When my parents got over their shock at seeing me healed and learned that I had been converted, there was a terrible row. Finally, they gave me an ultimatum—I could continue in my new faith, and give up parents, friends, and home; or give up Christ and keep everything.

By God's help I decided for Christ; and so I was turned out of home, absolutely penniless and friendless, about 12 o'clock at night. However, the Lord undertook in a marvellous way for me and kept me. Then my parents, in accordance with their belief, mourned for me as dead. You can judge how I felt when I came along a couple of days afterwards and saw a hearse and carriage at the door; and then saw a coffin come out, followed by father, brother, and relatives. Then I found out that they had buried me (in effigy) according to my father's belief, he being a strict orthodox Jew. However, the Lord was, and still is, with me in my trial, and, praise the Lord! He brought me out of the grave a new man in Christ Jesus.

By a curious coincidence my name happens to be Lazarus, and truly the Lord brought me to life after being dead in trespasses and sins. Praise God! He is still my all in all!

I love my Saviour! He saved me, healed me, filled me with His Holy Spirit, and I know that one day He's coming for me. Truly, when God took me in He made a good job of me!

—'"Four-square Revivalist."