EPHESIANS 4:11-13   And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Vs.12   For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Vs.13   Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

God Gave and God Sets

* These ministry offices and gifts are given and set in the church by the Lord.

Question: Are they still for today?

Answer:    Do people still need a miracle? a healing? helps? etc.

Question:   Are there still Apostles. Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers today?

Answer:     In the above scripture, why were they given?

                1. For the perfecting of the saints.
                2. For the work of the ministry.
                3. For the edifying of the body of Christ. ( church )

Question:   For how long were they given?

Answer:     1. Until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the
                      Son of God.
                 2. Unto a perfect man, unto the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Has the church come into unity yet?

Is the church perfected yet?

Is the church presenting the fullness of Christ?

Does the church still need edifying?

* Anyone that is familiar with the church must realize that these gifts and callings are
  still needed today.

Each office of the five fold ministry; Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher, carries its own distinct anointing and has its own individual work. For these offices to work together, and accomplish the building up of the body of Christ; they must recognize their differences and be yielded and submitted to one another. Each of these offices are directly responsible to the Lord Jesus Christ and are directed by the Holy Spirit, to the work of service.

Directed by the Holy Ghost

ACTS 8:5   Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

ACTS 8:26-40   And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
Vs.29   Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

ACTS 10:19-20 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
Vs.20   Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

ACTS 16:6-10 Vs.6   Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia.

Each Must Recognize its Limitations

ACTS 8:14-17   Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Vs.15   Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
Vs.16   ( For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Vs.17   Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Question:   Why didn’t Philip pray and lay his hands on them, that they might get the Holy                    Ghost?

1 CORINTHIANS 12:29-30 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
Vs.30   Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

* No one person has it all, gifts, callings, etc. We must recognize our individual gifts and
  that of others. We need each other and should be willing to yield.

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