Eschatology and Eschatology and EcclesiologyEcclesiology

The Ministry of the ChurchThe Ministry of the Church

The Ministry of All MembersThe Ministry of All Members

Christ is the High Priest for believers in the Christ is the High Priest for believers in the church.church.

All church saints constitute a “royal All church saints constitute a “royal priesthood” (1 Pet 2:9). All of life is to be priesthood” (1 Pet 2:9). All of life is to be offered as a living sacrifice to God (Rom offered as a living sacrifice to God (Rom 12:1).12:1).

Universality of ministry is evident in the Universality of ministry is evident in the distribution of various gifts by the Spirit to distribution of various gifts by the Spirit to various members (1 Cor 12:7, 18). All are various members (1 Cor 12:7, 18). All are necessary for the proper functioning of the necessary for the proper functioning of the Body.Body.

The Nature of the MinistryThe Nature of the Ministry

The dominant theme of ministry is The dominant theme of ministry is serviceservice (Matt 20:26-27).(Matt 20:26-27). The church does what it does because of what The church does what it does because of what

Christ has done, but also as an extension of His Christ has done, but also as an extension of His ministry in the world today. Christ set the ministry in the world today. Christ set the ultimate example of humility and service.ultimate example of humility and service.

The NT terminology for believers as slaves The NT terminology for believers as slaves ((doulosdoulos, Rom 1:1; Jam 1:1; Jude 1; Rev 1:1; , Rom 1:1; Jam 1:1; Jude 1; Rev 1:1; 1 Pet 2:16) and performing ministry 1 Pet 2:16) and performing ministry ((diakoniadiakonia, Acts 1:17, 25; 2 Cor 5:18; Eph , Acts 1:17, 25; 2 Cor 5:18; Eph 4:12; Col 1:25) confirms this.4:12; Col 1:25) confirms this.

The Ministries of the ChurchThe Ministries of the Church As already noted, the gifts for the ministry As already noted, the gifts for the ministry

of the members are varied (Rom 12:6-8; 1 of the members are varied (Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12:8-10). These can be generally Cor 12:8-10). These can be generally grouped as ministries concerning the:grouped as ministries concerning the: preaching and teaching the Word;preaching and teaching the Word; leadership and administration;leadership and administration; the physical well being of the body.the physical well being of the body.

Each member is responsible to exercise the Each member is responsible to exercise the gifts that God has given him (1 Pet 4:10).gifts that God has given him (1 Pet 4:10).

Some gifts were foundational for Some gifts were foundational for authenticating God’s New Testament authenticating God’s New Testament messengers and, after some period, ceased messengers and, after some period, ceased to exist (1 Cor 13:8).to exist (1 Cor 13:8).

The Ordered MinistriesThe Ordered Ministries General (Eph 4:11) – all involve some ministry of General (Eph 4:11) – all involve some ministry of

the Wordthe Word ApostlesApostles – directly appointed messengers of Christ. – directly appointed messengers of Christ.

Eyewitnesses of his ministry and resurrection. Their Eyewitnesses of his ministry and resurrection. Their teaching formed the foundation of the church (Eph 2:20; teaching formed the foundation of the church (Eph 2:20; 3:5; 2 Pet 3:2; Jude 17).3:5; 2 Pet 3:2; Jude 17).

ProphetsProphets – spoke directly from God, with the purpose of – spoke directly from God, with the purpose of providing edification to the church (1 Cor 14:3-4). Often providing edification to the church (1 Cor 14:3-4). Often mentioned with the apostles, their ministry was also mentioned with the apostles, their ministry was also foundational and particularly important in the beginning foundational and particularly important in the beginning of the church.of the church.

EvangelistsEvangelists – Only three NT references (Acts 21:8; 2 Tim – Only three NT references (Acts 21:8; 2 Tim 4:5; Eph 4:11). Their role was (and is) to proclaim Christ 4:5; Eph 4:11). Their role was (and is) to proclaim Christ where He was (and is) not already named.where He was (and is) not already named.

TeachersTeachers – Mentioned in 1 Cor 12:28 and Eph 4:11. Edify – Mentioned in 1 Cor 12:28 and Eph 4:11. Edify the congregation by means of their own clearer the congregation by means of their own clearer understanding of God’s revelation. Their function understanding of God’s revelation. Their function becomes increasingly important as apostles and becomes increasingly important as apostles and prophets begin to pass off the scene.prophets begin to pass off the scene.

The Ordered MinistriesThe Ordered Ministries

Local – The NT refers to two offices in the Local – The NT refers to two offices in the local church:local church: Bishop, elder, of pastor – Study of NT usage Bishop, elder, of pastor – Study of NT usage

demonstrates these terms are demonstrates these terms are interchangeable. Key function is interchangeable. Key function is oversightoversight, , caring for and feeding the flock of God with His caring for and feeding the flock of God with His word. There is to be a plurality in leadership.word. There is to be a plurality in leadership.

Deacon – Key function is Deacon – Key function is serviceservice, meeting , meeting physical needs of the body.physical needs of the body.

Both must be qualified according to the Both must be qualified according to the standards in 1 Tim 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9.standards in 1 Tim 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9.

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