The gifts Christ distributed upon his ascension are the benefits of the covenant community. They relate to your redemption, sanctification, and perseverance.
Pray and Read Ephesians 4:11-12.
Do you remember the Power Team—popular in the 1980s—that would put on shows at megachurches demonstrating feats of strength. They would quote Phil 4:13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me,” before smashing their head through a stack of bricks, or ripping phonebooks in half, or ramming their shoulder through several sheets of ice.
This was the first illustration that came to mind when I thought of this title. So I brought some bricks and a phonebook this morning… Unfortunately, I do not have a demonstration of strength for you, but I also think that’s completely beside Paul’s point in Philippians and Ephesians.
Paul encourages his readers by reminding them of the diversity of Christ’s gifts and the purpose for which he gave them. Every saint is called to build up the body of Christ, and he himself has ensured that they are equipped for the task by providing them with officers to prepare them.
This gave every reader a purpose. You may be an equipper or an equippee, but either way—if you belong to Christ—you have been called to be his body builder.
This implies…the Church is not fit for glory. She is incomplete and immature.
Every saint edifies the body by doing the work of ministry for which they have been equipped.
I. The Diversity of Christ’s Gifts (11)
How does Christ keep you and prepare you for glory? By supplying apostles, prophets, evangelists, and shepherd-teachers. There are five lists in the NT with a total of 20 “gifts” (Rom 12; 1 Cor 12; 13; 14; Eph 4). The offices/ministries were crucial for establishing the early church in the first century, but are they still active today?
1. Apostles—Men who were (1) personally chosen and sent by Christ, and were (2) witnesses of the resurrected Christ. Paul’s commission came later when he was blinded by the vision of Christ on the Road to Damascus (Acts 9; 1 Cor 15:1-9). By this definition, the office of apostle does not continue today.
2. Prophets—Men and women, young and old, who were given a revelatory word from the Holy Spirit. These prophets were God’s mouthpiece, ensuring his will under the new covenant was understood. This was especially important while the apostles were still writing the New Testament. Apostles and prophets were foundational for the new covenant church (Eph 2:20; 3:5). Since the canon has been closed, this office is no longer needed. [Some have said “prophecy” today is the gifted illumination and application of God’s Word. But that makes this gift indistinguishable from the next two.]
3. Evangelists—Testified of the risen Lord and proclaimed the free offer of the gospel to all who had ears to hear (e.g., Stephen Acts 6:8-7:60; Philip Acts 21:8). While Evangelists were particularly gifted, the work of evangelism was taken up by everyone (Acts 8:1). Historically, this office has been clothed with presbyterial powers for a limited time (Hodge).
4. Pastors (Shepherds-Teachers)—Called to feed and tend the flock Christ entrusted to them (e.g., Timothy, Titus). Old Testament usage of “shepherds who care for my flock” (Jer 23:2-4). The language of “elder” and “overseer” is interchangeable (Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Pt 5:1-2). One of the qualifications for elder is “able to teach” (1 Tim 3:2). So “elder” is not a separate office from “pastor/shepherd”. In the PCA, we distinguish between “Teaching Elders” and “Ruling Elders” based upon 1 Tim 5:17-18. The pastoral office is perpetual (2 Tim 2:2).
Notice what’s missing: The Roman Catholic Church has connected the Pope with the apostolic succession (beginning with Peter). In reality, the New Testament represents the apostolic succession (Acts 2:42). The infallible and inerrant word of God remains the ultimate authority.
Did Paul forget to mention the single individual who could invent infallible doctrines by speaking “ex cathedra” (from the chair)? This is how the RCC came to believe the doctrine of Mary’s Immaculate Conception (Mary was conceived without original sin), and the Assumption of the Virgin (Mary was taken body and soul into heavenly glory at the end of her earthly life)—even though there isn’t any Scriptural proof for these doctrines.
If Christ needed a Vicar on earth to mediate between him and the Church, and to bring new inspired doctrine, would he not have told us here? Or in one of the other lists? Apostolic succession is never even hinted. If Peter was the first of many “Vicars of Christ”, why isn’t there any mention of this office in any of these lists?
We cannot improve upon Christ’s plan to purify his bride. Jesus takes great concern to care for her. There is nothing casual about the gifts he distributes or the manner in which he does so.
Christ gave these gifts to preserve the gospel and maintain unity. Maybe we should make the connection more clear. Christ maintains unity by preserving the right proclamation of the gospel.
If we refuse his gifts, not only do we dishonor the Giver, but we seek to divide his body. Honor Christ by receiving his gifts.
• Preaching: Sit under God’s Word.
• Membership: Submit to God’s gifts.
II. The Purpose of Christ’s Gifts (12)
Paul says the work of ministry is done by saints who have been equipped. We’ve already seen the term “saints” several times (Eph 1:1, 15, 18; 2:19; 3:8, 18). The term is not reserved for elite believers. It refers to every believer.
1. Equip—for the work of ministry. Associated with the work of philosophers and teachers in Greek world. We tend to relate “ministry” to the formal activities of ordained pastors/elders (preaching, prayer, sacraments). Rather, the primary purpose of elders is to equip the saints for ministry. Elders are not excluded from ministry, but they are not the exclusive ministers. [Stott: One church bulletin listed their Reverend, Associate Reverend, then “Ministers: the entire congregation.”] All are called to do “the work of ministry,” some are called and qualified to equip the others in that work. This puts pressure on elders to train others. [Don’t be surprised if a Ruling Elder occasionally preaches!] This puts pressure on you to be trainable.
2. Edify—building up the body of Christ. Saints are equipped for ministry that builds up the body of Christ. They aren’t equipped to be rogues or culture warriors. No doubt, the church will have an impact on the culture, but that’s because scoundrels become saints. If you think God has gifted you to be someone or do something that does not involve the Church—you’re mistaken! God’s gifts always relate to the Church. He is not accomplishing something in the world apart from the Church.
Notice the pattern: Doctrine precedes action. If activity is lacking, pastors should return to teaching the doctrines that motivate activity. We don’t want the congregation to merely understand the truth, but to be moved by it.
MLJ, “In a sense nothing is more devastating than a ministry which is only intellectual, and which never disturbs. There have been times in the history of the Church when ministers have preached very orthodox sermons, but the Church was dead. The explanation is that the preaching was purely intellectual, the heart was never moved.”
Prioritize the preaching of God’s Word, then put the application into practice. That is the means by which Christ promises to preserve your faith! Jesus speaks to us through his Word, transforming us by his Spirit, from one degree of glory to the next until we reach our final rest!