His Word Today

¹⁴ …”so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. ¹⁵ Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:14–16 (ESV)

What is the purpose for which pastors labor and strive in serving the Lord in their local church? What are pastors looking forward to witnessing among their congregations? The Apostle Paul provides the answer in Ephesians 4:14-16, in both negative and positive terms.

First the negative. A purpose clause begins vs. 14 with the key words “so that.” These two words form a purpose clause for everything the apostle stated from vv. 11-13.

The equipping ministry of pastors is important because when congregations attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, a discernable pattern of character and behavior will appear in people.

Paul concludes they will no longer be children, in the spiritual and biblical sense of the word. In other words, they will become spiritual adults. As such, equipped people will not be tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind. Paul uses two nautical terms of which he was most familiar: the waves and the wind.

First, mature believers will not be tossed two and fro by the waves. Mature believers in Christ should not be like immature infants who are easily swayed and confused, like being tossed back and forth in a boat by the waves of the sea (cf. Luke 8:24; James 1:6).

Secondly, mature believers will not be carried about by every wind. Carried about (περιφέρω; periphero) means to be blown about, be carried here and there (Mark 6:55; 2 Cor. 4:10; Eph. 4:14; Heb. 13:9). It literally means to be “whirled around,” or to experience a violent swinging that makes one dizzy. Not an enjoyable sensation.

When next we meet we will see what forces and influences are prevalent in this fallen world which causes such discomfort. It is against the adversaries that Christians need to be equipped.

Soli deo Gloria!  

¹¹ “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ¹³ until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” (Ephesians 4:11–13 (ESV)

How long will God choose to use those who equip the saints to do the work of ministry (vs. 12)? The Apostle Paul provides us with the answer in Ephesians 4:13.

Ephesians 4:13 begins with conjunction until (μέχρι; mechri) meaning to the point of conclusion or to the degree of completion. The equipping of the saints is to continue until something has been accomplished.

Until we all attain. By using the personal pronoun we Paul includes everyone within the church, including himself, in this task to be completed. In case anyone may question this all-inclusiveness, the apostle adds the adjective all. No one in the church is exempt from this process. Paul lists three things that are the biblical goals for those who equip the saints and for the saints who are the equipped.

First, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God. The church is be united in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God: Jesus Christ.

Second, the church is to be united in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, in order to attain maturity, or mature manhood.  

Third, the church is to be united in faith and knowledge of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, in order to attain maturity, or mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. What exactly does this final statement mean?

To the measure (μέτρον; metron) specifically refers to a unit of measurement, such as length or volume. It is attached to the corresponding word stature (ἡλικία; helikia) which can refer to the height of a person, their age, or life-span. In this context, it is best to understand it focused upon the idea of maturity.

Paul continues by saying that this measurement of maturity is singularly focused upon the person of Jesus Christ. Fullness (πλήρωμα; pleroma) means a total quantity or completeness.  

Pastors who equip their congregation are to do so until they have such a complete faith and knowledge of the Son of God, and achieve a mature personhood, that they can be described as possessing and displaying a complete Christ likeness. A pastor’s work is never done when people in church fall so far short of this goal.

Take the opportunity to personally thank your pastor for all the work which he does each and every week. He will be blessed by your encouragement.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹¹ “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ¹³ until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” (Ephesians 4:11–13 (ESV)

How long will God choose to use those who equip the saints to do the work of ministry (vs. 12)? The Apostle Paul provides us with the answer in Ephesians 4:13.

Ephesians 4:13 begins with conjunction until (μέχρι; mechri) meaning to the point of conclusion or to the degree of completion. The equipping of the saints is to continue until something has been accomplished.

Until we all attain. By using the personal pronoun we Paul includes everyone within the church, including himself, in this task to be completed. In case anyone may question this all-inclusiveness, the apostle adds the adjective all. No one in the church is exempt from this process. Paul lists three things that are the biblical goals for those who equip the saints and for the saints who are the equipped.

First, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God. The church is be united in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God: Jesus Christ.

Second, the church is to be united in the faith and knowledge of the Son of god, Jesus Christ, in order to attain maturity, or mature manhood.  

Mature (τέλειος; teleios) means to be genuine and truthful. In other words, the believer in Christ is called to maturity and not hypocrisy. The believer is to be genuine in their walk of faith and not a private, or public, pretender.

Manhood (ἀνήρ; aner) is another way of saying personhood. This refers to every person in Christ. It matters not if you are young or old, rich or poor, a man or a woman, an adult or a child. God expects and demands biblical and spiritual maturity of His children. This is the ongoing goal in sanctification.

Puritan Matthew Henry writes concerning the phrase mature manhood that it is     “our full growth of gifts and graces, free from those childish infirmities that we are subject to in the present world.”

Take time today to ask God in what areas of your life in Christ that you need to mature. Ask a good friend who you trust to give you an honest answer. You may not like what you hear, but often we do not like what we need.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹¹ “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ¹³ until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” (Ephesians 4:11–13 (ESV)

How long will God choose to use those who equip the saints to do the work of ministry (vs. 12)? The Apostle Paul provides us with the answer in Ephesians 4:13.

Ephesians 4:13 begins with conjunction until (μέχρι; mechri) meaning to the point of conclusion or to the degree of completion. The equipping of the saints is to continue until something has been accomplished.

Until we all attain. By using the personal pronoun we Paul includes everyone within the church, including himself, in this task to be completed. In case anyone may question this all-inclusiveness, the apostle adds the adjective all. No one in the church is exempt from this process. Paul lists three things that are the biblical goals for those who equip the saints and for the saints who are the equipped.

First, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God. The church is be united in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God: Jesus Christ.

Unity (ἑνότης; henotes) refers to a unanimity, or oneness, within the church. This unity is to solely be focused upon the faith.

Within this context, faith (πίστις; pistis) focuses upon the doctrine of revealed truth that comprises biblical teaching. It is this God-given doctrine of which believers are to trust in, commit to, depend upon and of which we are to worship God. This is particularly true as it relates to the complete content of the biblical gospel. One pastor comments that, “Oneness and harmony among believers is possible only when it is built on the foundation of sound doctrine.”

Knowledge (ἐπίγνωσις; epignosis) means a full and definite understanding of not only what God has revealed in His Word, but also of what Christians are to trust, commit, depend and of which they are to honor the Lord.

Paul says this understanding is to be primarily focused upon the Son of God: Jesus Christ. This would include Jesus Christ’s eternality (John 1:1-2), His incarnation (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Matthews 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-21; John 1:3-14; Hebrews 2:14-18), His sinless life (John 8:464; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:14-16), His substitutionary death on the cross (Romans 3:21-26; Romans 5:89-10; I Peter 2:22-25; I John 4:7-11), His resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28; Mark 16:1-13; Luke 24; John 20; Acts 2:1-36; I Corinthians 15), and His ascension to the right hand of God the Father (Acts 1:1-11).

Are you committed to understanding and having faith in these essentials truths of the Gospel? If so, you evidence that you are pursuing the goal of unity within the church.

Soli deo Gloria!

We will devote each Lord’s Day in 2021 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Fifteen: Of Repentance unto Life. Part 2.

4. As there is no sin so small but it deserves damnation, ^a so there is no sin so great that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent.^b

a. Matt. 12:36; Rom. 5:12; 6:23. • b. Isa. 1:16, 18; 55:7; Rom. 8:1.

5. Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man’s duty to endeavor to repent of his particular sins particularly.^a

a. Ps. 19:13; Luke 19:8; 1 Tim 1:13, 15.

6. As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God, praying for the pardon thereof, ^a upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy; ^b so he that scandals his brother, or the Church of Christ, ought to be willing, by a private or public confession and sorrow for his sin, to declare his repentance to those that are offended, ^c who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him.^d

a. Ps. 32:5-6; 51:4-5, 7, 9, 14. • b. Prov. 28:13; 1 John 1:9. • c. Ps. 51 throughout; Josh. 7:19; Luke 17:3-4; James 5:16. • d. 2 Cor. 2:8.

I encourage you to read the portions of Scripture listed in this post.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

\Soli deo Gloria!

¹¹ “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,” (Ephesians 4:11–12 (ESV)

What was the purpose of apostles and prophets, evangelists, shepherd and teachers in the early church? What is the purpose of evangelists, shepherds and teachers in the current church? The Apostle Paul provides us the answer in Ephesians 4:12.

The purpose of these gifted offices, and all spiritual gifts (I Peter 4:10-11), is to equip the saints to do the work of ministry. The word equip (καταρτισμός; katartismos) is to make something adequate and to completely furnish. It refers to the training and preparation that fully qualifies someone to carry out a particular task.

Who is it who God’s equips through these gifted office holders? It is the saints (ἅγιος; hagios) or God’s holy and dedicated people.

Why does God equip them? They are equipped for the work of ministry. Work (ἔργον; ergon) is the assigned task, deed or activity God has decreed for the saint(s) to do. Ministry (διακονία; diakonia) is to provide a service or help for someone in need. The Greek word diakonia is where we derive our English word deacon.

What is the ultimate purpose of this equipping? It is for the building up the body of Christ. In other words, the church is edified and strengthened by the equipped saints doing the work of ministry (Rom. 14:19; 15:2; 1 Cor. 3:9; 14:3, 5, 12, 26; 2 Cor. 5:1; 10:8; 12:19; 13:10; Eph. 4:16, 29).

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “It is not primarily those mentioned in vs. 11 who do the work of the ministry, it is the people they equip. Thus, Paul goes on to describe the growth that results when each member of the body works ‘properly’ to serve others (vv.15-16). Effective teachers help believes find their own way to benefit the rest of the church.”

Soli deo Gloria!

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,” (Ephesians 4:11 (ESV)

Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled the Father’s will (Ephesians 4:8-10). Christ now distributes the spoils throughout his kingdom. After his ascension came all the spiritual gifts empowered by the Spirit, who was then sent (see John 7:39; 14:12; Acts 2:33) as the promised Comforter (John 14:15-31; 15:26-27; 16:4-11). Jesus not only has given and distributed spiritual gifts to the church, but also has given the church gifted men. Today’s text gives us the four specific offices of gifted men.

We have already examined the office of apostle, prophet and evangelist. Today, we examine the office of schepherdpastor/teacher.

Shepherds and teachers. These two words go together to refer to a single office. It is an individual who not only shepherds the church body of believers but also instructs them in the Word of God. The title can literally be read as the shepherd teachers.

Shepherds (ποιμήν; poimen) refers to a minister or pastor, who like an actual shepherd, protects and guards his flock of sheep. Teachers (διδάσκαλος; didaskalos) means an instructor (Matt. 10:24, 25; 23:8; John 1:38; 13:13, 14; 20:16; Acts 13:1; 1 Cor. 12:28, 29; Eph. 4:11; 2Ti 4:3; Heb. 5:12; James 3:1; John 8:4) or one who provides instruction (Matt. 11:1; Luke 11:1; Rom. 2:21; Col. 1:28; 3:16; 1Tim. 2:12; 4:11; 2 Tim. 2:2; Heb. 5:12; 1 John 2:27). A teacher is one who feeds his flock of sheep.

The Tyndale Bible Dictionary says, “Pastor is a word literally meaning “shepherd,” used in both the OT and NT in a figurative sense for rulers and leaders. Of the 12 times the word is used in the NT as a metaphor for “leader,” it is translated as “pastor” only in Ephesians 4:11 (kjv, asv, rsv, niv, tev, nlt).”

Metaphorically speaking, a pastor guards the church from false doctrine while the teacher responsibility in him teaches the church correct doctrine. Both roles and responsibilities are absolutely necessary.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “This phrase is best understood in context as a single office of leadership in the church. The Greek word translated “and” can mean “in particular” (see 1 Tim. 5:17), so the two functions together define the teaching shepherd. He is identified as one who is under the “great shepherd” Jesus (Heb. 13:20–21; 1 Pet. 2:25). One who holds this office is also called an “elder” (Titus 1:5–9) and “overseer” (1 Tim. 3:1–7). See also Acts 20:28 and 1 Pet. 5:1–2, which bring all three terms together”

Take time today to write, call, text or speak in person to your pastor/teacher and thank him for his ministry of not only protecting but also teaching and instructing the local church in which he serves.

Soli deo Gloria!  

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,” (Ephesians 4:11 (ESV)

Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled the Father’s will (Ephesians 4:8-10). Christ now distributes the spoils throughout his kingdom. After his ascension came all the spiritual gifts empowered by the Spirit, who was then sent (see John 7:39; 14:12; Acts 2:33) as the promised Comforter (John 14:15-31; 15:26-27; 16:4-11). Jesus not only has given and distributed spiritual gifts to the church, but also has given the church gifted men. Today’s text gives us the four specific offices of gifted men.

We have already examined the office of apostle and prophet. Today, we examine the office of evangelist.

An evangelist (εὐαγγελιστής; euangelistes) is one who exclusively proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 21:8; Eph. 4:11; 2 Tim. 4:5). It is also from this Greek word that we derive our English words evangelical and evangelism.

My pastor was an evangelist. Prior to receiving the call to be the pastor of a local church, he directed and spoke at evangelistic meetings, which were conducted for weeks at a time. Sharing the Gospel and giving people, especially young people, the opportunity to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord was his passion.

In addition to holding evangelistic meetings, and pastoring a local church, he directed a youth camo in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It was there that for over 50 years he preached the Gospel to scores for teenagers. Many of those young people sensed God’s call into full-time ministry and are serving the Lord even to this day.

When the Lord called my pastor home in December 2018, it could accurately be said of him, like the Apostle Paul, that he fought the good fight, he finished the race and he kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “(Evangelists are) people especially gifted to preach the Gospel (Acts 21:8; 2 timothy 4:5). Evangelism was at the core of Paul’s apostolic calling (I Cor. 1:17), although his office included greater authority to receive and transmit revelation from the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:5) and to lead the church.”

Who was it who shared the Gospel to you, whereupon you repented of your sin, placed your faith in Christ, and were converted? If they are still living, give them a call and tell them how grateful you are that they were obedient to God’s call to share the good news of Jesus Christ.                                                                                                                                                      

Soli deo Gloria!  

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,” (Ephesians 4:11 (ESV)

Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled the Father’s will (Ephesians 4:8-10). Christ now distributes the spoils throughout his kingdom. After his ascension came all the spiritual gifts empowered by the Spirit, who was then sent (see John 7:39; 14:12; Acts 2:33) as the promised Comforter (John 14:15-31; 15:26-27; 16:4-11). Jesus not only has given and distributed spiritual gifts to the church, but also has given the church gifted men. Today’s text gives us the four specific offices of gifted men.

We have already examined the office of apostle. Today, we examine the office of prophet.

Prophet (προφήτης; prophetes) is a proclaimer of God’s Word. In other words, he is an inspired preacher who is responsible for heralding the Word of God. Within the context of the church, prophets do not foretell the future, but rather expound and explain God’s Word as a forth-teller.

The New Testament prophets provided the church edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Cor. 14:3). They revealed God’s will to the church when the biblical canon was incomplete. However, since the biblical canon is now complete, the offices of apostles and prophets no longer exist after the first generation of believers.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “The New Testament prophets conveyed spiritual revelations to the early church. Their function included prediction, exhortation, encouragement, warning, and explanation (Acts 15:32; 21:9-11; I Corinthians 14:1-3). The teaching of the New Testament prophets and apostles laid the foundation of the church (Ephesians 2:20; 3:5), and certain aspects of their work related to that unique task have been discontinued. However, teachers and elders continue to be responsible for exhorting, encouraging, and warning believers through the explanation of God’s Word (2 Timothy 4:1-2).”   

Soli deo Gloria!  

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,” (Ephesians 4:11 (ESV)

Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled the Father’s will (Ephesians 4:8-10). Christ now distributes the spoils throughout his kingdom. After his ascension came all the spiritual gifts empowered by the Spirit, who was then sent (see John 7:39; 14:12; Acts 2:33) as the promised Comforter (John 14:15-31; 15:26-27; 16:4-11). Jesus not only has given and distributed spiritual gifts to the church, but also has given the church gifted men. Today’s text gives us the four specific offices of gifted men.

Apostles. Apostles (ἀπόστολος; apostolous) generally refers to a special messenger. The word literally means “one who is sent” (John 13:16; 2 Cor. 8:23; Php. 2:25). It is also a term specifically used of the twelve disciples who saw the resurrected Christ (Acts 1:22). These included Matthias, who replaced Judas Iscariot.

The Apostle Paul was uniquely set apart as the Apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:10-19; Gal. 1:15–17) and was numbered with the other apostles. He also miraculously encountered Jesus at his conversion on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:1–9; Gal. 1:15–17). Those apostles were chosen directly by Christ, so as to be called “apostles of Jesus Christ” (Gal. 1:1; 1 Pet. 1:1). They were given three basic responsibilities: 1) to lay the foundation of the church (Eph. 2:20); 2) to receive, declare, and write God’s word (3:5; Acts 11:28; 21:10–11); and 3) to give confirmation of that word through signs, wonders, and miracles (2 Cor. 12:12; cf. Acts 8:6–7; Heb. 2:3–4).

The word “apostle” is also used in a more general way of other men in the early church, such as Barnabas (Acts 14:4), Silas and Timothy (1 Thess. 2:6), among others (Rom. 16:7; Phil. 2:25). These are called “messengers [or apostles] of the churches” (2 Cor. 8:23), rather than “apostles of Jesus Christ” like the 13. They were not self-perpetuating, nor was any apostle replaced when they died.

Dr. John Walvoord writes, “The apostles include the Twelve, who had the office of apostleship by virtue of being with Christ (Acts 1:21–22) and having been appointed by Him (which would also include Paul; 1 Cor. 15:8–9; Gal. 1:1; 2:6–9). But “apostles” also included others who were recognized as apostles, such as James (1 Cor. 15:7; Gal. 1:19), Barnabas (Acts 14:4, 14; 1 Cor. 9:6), Andronicus and Junias (Rom. 16:7), possibly Silas and Timothy (1 Thes. 1:1; 2:7), and Apollos (1 Cor. 4:6, 9). This latter group had the gift of apostleship but not the apostolic “office” as did the Twelve and Paul. Apostles, then, were those who carried the gospel message with God’s authority. “Apostle” means “one sent as an authoritative delegate.”

Soli deo Gloria!