Equipped For The Ministry

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the Word.

Acts 8:4

Throughout the Biblical account, God worked His plan and accomplishes His purposes through people who were mobilized for action. Scriptures reveal that mobilization is divinely ordained and implied by descriptive terms in the Biblical text. It is illustrated both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament Church, and it is central to the command given to believers to fulfill the Great Commission.

It is a fact that such mobilization is not based on the recruitment of vast physical or financial resources. God does mighty things through just a few people who are mobilized to action and answer His call.  The work of God, though done through man is not done through the strength of men but by His spirit:

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.  Zechariah 4:6 

The reason the Lord gave special leadership gifts to the Church was for the purpose of equipping people for the work of the ministry. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are all to be "mobilizers". They are the special ministry gifts ordained by God to equip (mobilize) believers for the work of the ministry.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 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 fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 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.   Ephesians 4:11-16

The fact that the Holy Spirit indwells and endows each believer with spiritual gifts also confirms that the mobilization of the entire Body of Christ is divinely ordained. 

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.  (Romans 12:3-8) 

(Also refer to I Corinthians 12:1-31)

The descriptive terms used for the Church also imply mobilization. Paul speaks of the Church functioning as a "body", with each believer mobilized to fulfill his unique purpose. The priesthood of all believers described in Hebrews 10:19-22 and Revelation 1:6 implies the mobilization of the entire Church for the work of the Kingdom.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;  1 Peter 2:9

Mobilization is central to Biblical commands given to believers. For example, the Scriptures clearly declare that believers are created to do good works.  

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10

((Also refer to Titus 2:14; 3:8, James 2:17, and 1 Peter 2:12)

If we are to accomplish these, we must be mobilized to act.

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold , glorify God in the day of visitation.  (1 Peter 2:12)

Mobilization is also central to the fulfillment of the Great Commission to spread the Gospel to the nations of the world:

Go Ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you... (Matthew 28:19-20)

Go, preach, teach, baptize...these are all action words. A mobilized force of believers is necessary to fulfill these commands.

The New Testament Church was a mobilized group of people. They were ministering daily in the temple and in every house. 

And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ  (Acts 5:42)

They were praising and worshiping God, and the Lord was increasing their number daily. 

Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.  (Acts 2:47)

Even persecution did not dampen their enthusiasm. Persecution resulted in the scattering of their membership but...  

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the Word. (Acts 8:4)

The first church formed missions teams and sent them to other nations (Acts 13:1-3). They ministered from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the then-known world. They literally "turned the world upside down" for God (Acts 17:6).

Mobilization is also illustrated in the Old Testament. God mobilized His people for...

Ø The building of the tabernacle:                  Exodus 35:4-29

Ø The conquest of the Promised Land:        Joshua 1:10-15

Ø The building of the first temple:                I Kings 5:13-18; I Chronicles 29:1-9.

Ø The building of the second temple:           Ezra 1:5-6; 3:8-13; Haggai 1:2-15

Ø Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem:            Nehemiah 2:17-6:15

The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few.  

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;  Matthew 9:37

Are you doing your part in the Kingdom of God; are you standing for God, building up your brothers and sisters in Christ, proclaiming the unadulterated word of God to the lost, unsaved souls?

(Biblical Studies)

12/07/13
11/28/15
09/17/19