As long as the Church is upon earth, as long as sinners are to be brought into it and saints are to
be edified, there will be the absolute necessity for ministry, and that of a most varied and complete
kind. Let us see what Scripture teaches as to the source, character, and power of true ministry.

The Source of Ministry

The Source and Author of all true ministry is the glorified Head of the Church, the Lord Jesus
Christ. "Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave
gifts unto men. . . . And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and
some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints," etc. (Eph. 4:8-12). We are reminded
in verses 9 and 10 that all gifts are the purchase of the death of Christ, that His ascension was
preceded by His descent first into the grave. So is our adorable Lord ever contemplated now:"I
am He that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore. Amen" (Rev. 1:18). As
glorified, He has bestowed gifts upon men. That Church which He loved and for which He gave
Himself has not been forgotten or neglected by her absent Lord. He has sent down from the glory
all that is needed for the ingathering and upbuilding of His beloved people. As we enjoy the varied
gifts of ministry, let us ever remember their source. In this way we gain a clear perception of two
things:the love and care of Christ and the dignity of Christian ministry, In every gift, whether
more or less prominent, we see the love of Christ. There could be no true ministry apart from His
gift. The effect, then, of enjoying it should ever be to lead our hearts up in grateful love to Him.
But if on the one hand His love is manifested in the gift bestowed for ministry, on the other we
see the dignity and the responsibility attaching to it, "Neither count I my life dear unto myself,
so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord to
testify the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). "For I neither received it [the gospel] of man,
neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Gal. 1:12). Such and many other
scriptures show the dignity attaching to a Christ-given ministry.

The Character of Ministry

As to the character of ministry, it is most varied and complete, taking in its range all manner of
service needed for the Church. In the list already quoted from Ephesians 4, we have apostles and
prophets:these are connected with the foundation. "And are built upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone" (Eph. 2:20). The
apostles were entrusted with the planting of the church and nourishing its infancy, as well as
providing it with an infallible guide (along with the rest of Scripture) for its whole earthly history.
This we have in the apostolic writings, which are, equally with the whole sacred volume,
absolutely and perfectly inspired (2 Pet. 3:15,16; 1 John 4:6). Thus, while we have not personally
with us the apostles, we have them in their writings. These inspired writings of the apostles, and
particularly those of Paul, give us the closing revelation of God. Paul was to complete (Greek) the
Word of God (Col. 1:25). His apostleship is unique. He tells us he was appointed "by Jesus Christ
and God the Father" (Gal. 1:1). As the twelve were connected with the earthly administration of
the Kingdom, so Paul is the special apostle of the Church, a witness of its unity, spiritual
character, and heavenly destiny.

Evangelists, as their names would suggest, are heralds of the glad tidings, preachers of the gospel
of the grace of God, who awaken the careless and win souls to Christ. It is not every one who is
an evangelist, though all should have the love of souls, and be ready to point the sinner to Christ.
But men who are evangelists by gift have a true passion for souls, true longing and travailing in
birth for them. They are instructed how to present the gospel, how to gather in the souls, to
distinguish true anxiety from false, and reality from mere profession. It is their joy to bring
sinners to Christ,, to see those who were in the world brought into the Church. The evangelist is
a man of prayer, for he realizes that the work is all of God, and that "methods" are but of little
worth. He is a man of faith, who counts on the living God. He is a student of Scripture, that he
may present only the truth to souls. He is a man of courage, not fearing to go even where "bonds
and imprisonment" may await him, that he may carry the glorious gospel of the blessed God to
the perishing. He is a man of energy, instant in season, out of season. He is a man of
perseverance, not discouraged if he fails to see immediate fruit from his labor. Lastly, he is a man
of humility, glorying in another, saying from the heart, "Not I, but the grace of God which was
with me."

The evangelist, in his love for the newborn souls as their spiritual father, will see to it that, as they
have through the Spirit been introduced into the body of Christ, they also may be brought into its
fellowship. The true evangelist cannot be indifferent as to their ecclesiastical associations. And
as the evangelist introduces the convert into the Church, a ministry of a new kind awaits him.
After evangelists, in the passage we are considering, come "pastors." The word is literally
"shepherds," and fittingly designates those whom the Lord has qualified to "feed the flock of
God." The sheep of Christ need care . The Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for them, will
see that they are not only delivered from the enemy, but guarded, led, and fed as well. It is here
that the importance of the gift of pastor is seen. His it is to look after the Lord’s people; to see that
they do not go astray, and seek to recover them if they do; to comfort them under affliction; to
cheer and sympathize with them under trial; to warn them if they grow worldly or careless,
watching over their souls as one who must give account. The pastor’s work is necessarily largely
of a private character. He need not be a public speaker nor take a prominent place. The true
pastor’s sphere of service is not a limited one. And how such a one is needed by the Lord’s
people! One who can rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep; ready to
give counsel, encouragement, or correction. Are we sufficiently thankful for pastors? What would
the Church of God be without them? And is it not well for us to pray that this precious gift of
Christ may be more recognized and made Use of? Let those who have the care of Christ’s flock
awaken afresh to their responsibilities.

Closely linked with the gift of pastor is that of teacher. In a distinctive sense, as contrasted with
pastor, the teacher is one gifted to unfold the Word of God. How important is this gift! It is the
truth that makes free, and keeps free; and it is the work of the teacher to minister the truth to the
people of God. The Word of God is to be unfolded, its perfections to be exhibited, its doctrines
expounded, and its difficulties explained. The teacher is the student of this Book, devoted to it.
In days like these when all sorts of error abound professing to be derived from the Scriptures,
when the very foundations are being undermined, we need teachers, men who turn us back "to
the law and the testimony," and show us that, in the midst of the confusion of tongues, there is
still a Voice that speaks with no uncertain sound.

Let us pray for teachers:that they may be kept dependent, and thus free from error; that they may
keep the even balance of truth and present "the whole counsel of God"; that the study and
impartation of the treasures of God’s Word may never be with them a cold intellectual task, but
rather that all their service may be as the river which brings beauty and fertility to its own banks
while it bears refreshment on to the country beyond.

There are other scriptures which give us the same gifts in somewhat different form, but these are
the main ones, and others are modifications or parts of these. See Rom.12:4-8 where prophecy,
exhortation and teaching, rule and ministry, would all doubtless be included under the teaching
and pastoral care of Ephesians. So also in 1 Cor. 12 we have the gifts of the Spirit where, leaving
out those which were of a miraculous and therefore temporary character (1 Cor. 13:8), all might
be grouped again under the pastors and teachers of Ephesians.

While not all have the characteristics of, or qualifications for, prominent service in any of these
ways, it is still true that all are needed, and none can be ignored_none too insignificant to render
valuable service. Indeed, "those members which seem to be more feeble are necessary." Every
member of the body is a member of Christ, and is gifted for service to the whole. How can he
know his gift and exercise it? Not by thrusting himself forward, but simply by abiding in Christ
"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head, even
Christ:from whom the whole body, fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint
supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the
body unto the edifying of itself in love" (Eph. 4:15,16).

How beautifully does each member fall into its place to do its appointed ministry here! And what
is the secret of this harmonious and effectual working? Holding the Head!

The Power of Ministry

Having seen the various classes of ministry, we are now to inquire whence comes the power for
its exercise. And this brings us again face to face with that most evident fact, which is so
constantly ignored, that the Holy Spirit is present in the Church as the power for ministry of
whatever kind. Power in an evangelist is shown in the conversion of souls; in a teacher, in the
divine instruction and upbuilding of the people of God; and in a pastor, in their true, real
shepherding. We repeat_alas, that we all profess to believe it, but so little realize it_that there
is no power apart from the operation of the Holy Spirit. Were this truth acted upon, we would see
less dependence upon man and more upon God. We would see more true prayer, more deep self-
judgment, and we would, as a result, see more divine power exercised. Man’s power, alas, like
Saul’s armor for David, is only a hindrance. How often must God strip His people, as in Gideon’s
day, of all earthly strength, showing them that the treasure is in earthen vessels_and vessels to
be broken at that_that the excellency of the power may be seen to be of Him alone (Judg. 7:1-20;
2 Cor. 4:5-10).

We will now conclude this subject as one upon which we need, not instruction, but exhortation;
not theory, but practice. May God awaken His servants afresh to see where their weakness and
their power lies.

(From The Church and Its Order According to Scripture.)