Prepared For

DEVOTION

THE LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS

PREPARED FOR

Eph 4:9-13

9 (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

NIV

Having examined this ascended and descended concept, let us take a look at the gifts to the church which were given to prepare God’s people for works of service. We may be able to also consider what the works of service are for. It would be right to consider these gifts to the church as offices rather than as with the gifts of the Spirit manifested in believers as the Spirit desires. He, who would mean Jesus as Paul is talking about Jesus descending and ascending, gave to the church some to be apostles. Before we get into the rest we wonder if this station, or office is gone or still in effect. The Greek word does not specifically mean the twelve Jesus selected or called. It has been applied to them but does not mean only them. Apostolos simply means one sent with orders or an ambassador of the gospel. This word is also translated as a messenger and one sent. So it would seem we could very well still have apostles in the church today. Those who have been sent by the Lord, given a commission by Jesus to be an ambassador of the gospel. Being an ambassador would simply mean this person would speak for their sovereign, not with their own authority, but with his. Because this office has the purpose of preparing or perfecting, as the Greek word is translated, the believers, it would make sense the apostle’s work is in the church, as are the other offices, such as that of the prophet. When we think of the Old Testament prophets they spoke to Israel, and so it would also make sense to believe the office of modern-day prophets is for the purpose of perfecting the believers. The Greek word profee’tas has many usages. What appears to be the main issue is that a prophet speaks for God, or is an interpreter or spokesperson for God; one through whom God speaks. This might well be done in a sermon, as in many cases they are inspired at moments. A preacher might have a very prepared text to preach, but at some point in the sermon, the Spirit takes over and prophetic words are spoken. But that may not be the actual office of prophet spoken about here. This would be a person specifically called to speak for God to the people of God. As for the office of an evangelist, we often think of those who appear to be the proclaimers of the gospel, such as Billy Graham did for many years. The Greek word means just that, a bringing of good tidings, which the gospel fits that term. But how does this person prepare God’s people for works of service if they are simply bringing good tidings, or proclaiming the gospel? Maybe the people of God, the church, need to hear the gospel message in order to be always prepared. Do we forget the gospel message and get involved in our own agendas instead? Just a thought, but we do have to consider why Jesus gave this gift to the church and not as a messenger to the church, as Billy Graham did, but to perfect the existing church for works of service. Then we have the pastors and the teachers, which some believe are the same person, but in Greek, it is not. Pastors are the shepherd or the presiding officer of an assembly, which fits the role of Pastor. However, the Greek word translated teacher, is just that, one who is fitted to teach. The shepherd watches over the flock, a herdsman, while he may teach through his sermons, or he might conduct a Sunday school, the teacher is specifically called to teach, but not shepherd the church. However, we have to see all of these are for the perfecting of the saints, for preparing God’s people for works of service and these works of service have but one purpose. It might be best to leave that for the next time, as this would be a book instead of a short look into the word. But what we do have to consider is whether these four persons or offices are given to the church at large or to each local congregation. If at the church at large, then there would be only one pastor and one teacher as with one apostle and one evangelist. So we would have to believe these gifts are given to the church as in the local church, as each local church has a pastor, a teacher, an evangelist and an apostle for their perfecting, so each believer is prepared for perfected for works of service.