Ephesians 4:7-13 Gifts Part 1

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. ...And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

This passage contrasts with Romans 12:6-8. "Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." While Romans is describing gifts given to individuals, Ephesians describes offices in the church that use certain gifts.

First, we are given apostles. By definition, an apostle is a delegate, or an ambassador sent on a mission from God to the world. There are two classifications of apostle, the most obvious being "The Twelve". The twelve Apostles are the twelve that walked with Jesus in His earthly ministry, and were chosen by Him; with an exception. Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus, and was no longer counted among them. 

Peter took it upon himself to try to replace Judas by casting lots. "And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles." [Acts 1:26 NASB]. Notice that the scripture does not say that he was counted with the twelve apostles. And nowhere else in the scripture is he counted as one of the twelve.

Paul counted himself among the twelve, "For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles." [2 Corinthians 11:5 NASB]. While he did not walk with Jesus in His earthly ministry, Paul received instruction directly from Jesus. "Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak." [2 Corinthians 12:2-4 NASB]

Besides these, there are others in the Bible who are called to be apostles who were not of the twelve. Barnabas, "But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out" [Acts 14:14 NASB]. Andronicus and Junias, "Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me." [Romans 16:7 NASB]. Paul included Timothy and Sylvanus when he said, "nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority." [1 Thessalonians 2:6 NASB].

Next is the office of prophet. The book of Acts demonstrates that the gift of prophecy was active in the New Testament church. Agabus received words concerning the future, "Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius." [Acts 11:27-28 NASB]. 

We are told of prophetesses, "On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses. As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea." [Acts 21:8-11 NASB]. 

Other prophets that are named are Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, Judas and Silas. "Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul." [Acts 13:1 NASB]. "Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message." [Acts 15:32 NASB]

Most traditional and evangelical churches don't recognize the office of apostle or prophet. Yet there is nothing in the scripture to indicate that these gifts have been taken away. In fact, we are told in Romans 11:29, "for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable."

Because of disbelief, and a stubborn insistence on following tradition instead of the Scriptures, the church has robbed itself of these wonderful gifts of God. 

Some would say that the modern day missionary is the equivalent of the scriptural apostle. Yet Paul said, "The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles." [2 Corinthians 12:12 NASB]. The gift of apostleship is more than just church planting and administration. The ministry of a true apostle will be accompanied by "signs and wonders and miracles".

Of course there are some churches that recognize apostles and prophets.

If the church is to recognize a man as an apostle, we must also be careful. "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ." [2 Corinthians 11:13 NASB]

Just because someone stands up and says, "I am the apostle of the church of ...", it doesn't make it so.

Is his message true? Does it line up with the Scriptures (without bending them to fit the message)? Does he show the signs of an apostle with healings and miracles? Does he exalt himself as an apostle, or does he downplay his role so that Jesus will be exalted? Does he surround himself with wealth and the trappings of this world? Without exception, the apostles were humble before God and man, putting other men before themselves.

It is understood that a New Testament prophet is not writing the inspired Word of God. Rather, his purpose is to give clarity and direction to the church, which is to judge the prophecy. No matter the authority or spirituality a person claims or appears to have we should judge their words. "Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment." [1 Corinthians 14:29 NASB].

God has given gifts to the church, and we should be eager to received them. I urge the church to seek God for wisdom regarding His gifts and how to use them.