Obeying the Command

Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; 

but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Mark 16:15-16

The call to evangelism; that is to zealously share the gospel, is not an option or a suggestion. It is a command.

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: and, lo, I am  with you alway, even unto the end of the world.   Amen.  Matthew 28:19-20 

Given the clear mandate of evangelism in the Word of God, why is it that so many believers hesitate to fulfill this great commission?  There are many reasons; among them, there is:

¨     Lack Of Ability:

Many people do not evangelize because they feel they lack the ability to do so. They may lack formal education or knowledge about the Bible and evangelistic methods. Some people do not really lack ability at all, but have a poor self-image or false humility.

Always remember that God calls weak people to do great things.

Ö     The account of  Gideon illustrates this.  (Judges 6 – 8) When Gideon was called to fulfill a great mission for God, he was in hiding because he was afraid of the enemy. His response was "How can I do this? My clan is the weakest and I am the least in my family."

Ö     Moses gave a similar response when he was called to lead the nation of Israel. He said 

"Who am I? I am not eloquent, neither heretofore nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant; but I am slow of speech and of a slow tongue"   Exodus 3-4

Ö     The prophet Jeremiah claimed he was just a child and totally incapable of being used by God (Jeremiah 1:4-9).

People who feel they lack the ability to evangelize should ask God for the wisdom He has promised:

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.   James 1:5

They should also understand that God uses those without natural ability so that He can receive all the glory

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:  That no flesh should glory in his presence.  1 Corinthians 1:27-29

¨     Insignificant Effort:

Many people do nothing because they feel their efforts would be insignificant since the harvest to be reaped is so great. How can one person do anything about the millions lost in heathen darkness? You will remember that the size of Gideon's army was reduced so God would get the glory instead of man (Judges 7).  God delights in taking insignificant efforts and using them for His purposes.  Just one person, winning and training one person each year, can literally raise up thousands of believers in just a short period of time. One light may not pierce the darkness by itself, but many little flames, lit one at a time, eventually produce a great light.

¨     Fear:

People fear they will be rejected by those to whom they witness. If they are not familiar with evangelistic methods, they fear the unknown. They are afraid they will be embarrassed by a situation they cannot handle or a question they cannot answer.   But God tells us in his word:

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.   2 Timothy 1:7

Fear of evangelizing often stems from questions such as these:

>    What will I say? 

>    How shall I say it?

>    How shall I deal with difficulties? 

>    What if I cannot answer a question?

If you cannot answer a question, admit it. Tell the person you'll get back to him with an answer.

>    What if I offend someone?

What usually offends people is not honest talk about God, but the pretense of having all the answers, anger, or quarreling. If you are loving and honest in your approach and people are still offended, then just remember: You are the salt of the earth. In the natural world, when salt is rubbed into a wound it causes an unpleasant reaction at first, but it results in healing. The same is true in the spiritual world.

>    What if I fail?

It is better to try and fail than not to try at all. Success and failure are not the main concerns of evangelism. You are called to faithfulness. Three types of failure are recorded in the parable of the sower (Mark 4:1-20). Later in this same chapter, Mark tells us that it is the soil itself, prepared by the Holy Spirit, that produces the grain, not the sower. This should not be used as an excuse to refrain from calling for commitment, however. We are called to fish for the souls of men and catch them, not just influence them!

¨     Isolation:

Evangelism is often hindered because we do not have contact with unbelievers. If all your friends and contacts are Christians, you will not be able to win the lost. You cannot reach unbelievers if you have no contact with them.  Our experience with God is not limited to our church, it is to be spread abroad.

And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.  Luke 14:23

¨     Insufficiency:

Insufficient time and motivation hinder people from fulfilling the mandate of evangelism. Always remember, however, we find time to do what we want to do and what we feel is urgent. If we do not have time to share the Gospel, then we either do not want to do it or we do not feel it is urgent. A re-evaluation of our priorities is needed.

Loss of motivation usually results from lack of experience. Have you ever noticed how new believers are always excited about sharing their faith? This is because their experience is fresh and exciting. If we are not careful, we will lose this later on if we do not keep a fresh and vital relationship with the Lord.

¨     Spiritual Immaturity:

Paul told believers that they should be able to teach the Gospel to others, but because of spiritual immaturity they were not able to do so

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.  Hebrews 5:12

Spiritual immaturity is revealed when believers have friction among themselves

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?   1 Corinthians 3:1-3

When you are busy fighting your brothers and sisters in Christ, you do not have time to evangelize.

Ask yourself which of these describe your own feelings and then evaluate what changes you will make in your life to keep the commandment to evangelize particularly as we are nearing post pandemic status!  All we need do is look around at the hurt, anguish, anger, anxiety, hatred that the past year has brought about and realize that more than every before, people need Jesus in their live!

Be the one to lead a soul to Jesus Christ!

Biblical Studies

09/30/19

04/13/21

5-Fold Ministry: Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers

And He gave some apostles; and some prophets; and some, evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. (Ephesians 4:11)

EVANGELISTS

An evangelist has a special ability to share the Gospel in a way that men and women respond and become responsible members of the Body of Christ. The meaning of the word "evangelist" is "one who brings good news".

The Word evangelist occurs three times in the New Testament. In Ephesians it is listed as one of the special gifts:

And He gave some...evangelists... (Ephesians 4:11)

Timothy is told by Apostle Paul to do the work of an evangelist:

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (II Timothy 4:5)

Although all believers are to "do the work of an evangelist" and share the Gospel with others, God gives some the special gift of being an evangelist. Philip was one who had the spiritual gift of being an evangelist:

And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. (Acts 21:8)

Philip was ordained by man as a deacon in the church

Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.  And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: (Acts 6:3-5)

Pastors:

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (Ephesians 4:11)

This is the only place in the King James version of the New Testament where the word "pastor" is used. The Greek word "pastor" actually means shepherd. (The New Testament was originally written in Greek).   Pastors are leaders who assume long-term personal responsibility for the spiritual welfare of a group of believers.  Because the word means shepherd, pastors should follow the example set by Jesus Christ as a "pastor" or "shepherd" of people:

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep... (Hebrews 13:20)

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (I Peter 2:25)

Jesus also referred to Himself as the good shepherd and listed some of the functions of a shepherd:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.  But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.  To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.  And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.  And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.  John 10:1-5

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.  All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.   I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:  I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.   I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.  But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.  The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.   I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.  As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.   John 10:7-16

The Bible mentions the office of a bishop (I Timothy 3). Many believe this is the same as a pastor because of the following verse spoken of Jesus:

For ye were as sheep going astray: but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. (I Peter 2:25)

The spiritual requirements for bishops, elders, and deacons, which were positions of leadership in the early church, should certainly also be met by one who would lead these people as a pastor.  

Before you call yourself a Pastor:  

The responsibilities of a pastor are to spiritually feed and protect those under his ministry. This is to be done with a proper motive and not just for financial gain:

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood. (Acts 20:28)

Feed the flock of God which is among you taking the oversight thereof, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready minds; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.  And when the chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.  (I Peter 5:2-4)

The word "pastor" is used in the Old Testament only in the book of Jeremiah. Here, God gives special warnings to pastors:

The priests said not, Where is the Lord? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit. (Jeremiah 2:8)

For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the Lord; therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered. (Jeremiah 10:21)

Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.  They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate because no man layeth it to heart.  (Jeremiah 12:10)

Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture, saith the Lord.  Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and drive them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:1-2)

 TEACHERS

Teachers are believers who have the special ability of communicating the Word of God effectively in such a way that others learn and apply what is taught. Teaching involves training, not just communicating information.

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.    (1 Corinthians 12:28)

Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; (Romans 12:7)

Not all believers receive the special gift of teaching. Paul asked:

Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? (1 Corinthians 12:29)

His answer to this question was "no". God gives some the special gift of teaching.

The special gift of being a teacher differs from the speaking gift of teaching just as being a prophet differs from the speaking gift of prophecy.  Scripture shows teachers in a special leadership position [along with the prophets] in guiding the ministry of Paul and Barnabas.

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.  As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.  And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.  So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.   Acts 13:1-4

All believers do not have the special gift of teaching or the speaking gift of teaching. But all believers are to be involved in teaching the basic Gospel message:

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. (Hebrews 5:12)

Before you call yourself a Teacher:

All mature believers are to be involved in teaching the Gospel whether or not they have the special gift of teaching.

The Bible warns of false teachers. These are people who claim to have the gift of teaching but do not teach the true Word of God:

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2 Peter 2:1)

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (II Timothy 4:3-4)

Thy first father hath sinned, and thy teachers have transgressed against me.  Isaiah 43:27

2 Peter 2 and the book of Jude list some of the personal characteristics by which you can recognize false teachers.

It is possible to have a wrong motive when teaching. You should not teach just for financial gain:

Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not for filthy lucre's sake. (Titus 1:11)

Those who have been taught God's Word should teach faithful believers who will be able to teach others:

Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. (Galatians 6:6)

And the same thing that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.  (2 Timothy 2:2)

This is the pattern of continuous teaching that, if followed, rapidly multiplies to spread the Gospel throughout the world.

A person with the spiritual gift of teaching does not teach man's wisdom:

Which things also we speak, not in the word which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (1 Corinthians 2:13)

A teacher should have Godly understanding and wisdom. Paul warns against those who are...

Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. (1 Timothy 1:7)

He stresses the importance of teaching with wisdom:

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:  Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: (Colossians 1:27-28)

Teachers must live what they teach:

Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?  Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? (Romans 2:21-22)

Teachers will be judged on the basis of what they have taught:

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. (James 3:1)

Why did God place these special gifts in the house?

For the perfecting of the saints,

for the work of the ministry,

for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Ephesians 4:12

Biblical Studies

5 Fold Ministry: Prophet

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets... 

(I Corinthians 12:28)

And He gave some apostles; and some, prophets... (Ephesians 4:11)

There are two prophetic gifts. One is the special gift of being a prophet. The other is the speaking gift of prophecy. In general, prophecy refers to speaking under the special inspiration of God. It is the special ability to receive and communicate an immediate message of God to His people through a divinely-anointed utterance. To this point, the definition applies to the special leadership gift of a prophet as well as the speaking gift of prophecy.

A person is not a prophet just because he prophesies.

Apostle Paul told the whole church at Corinth to desire the gift of prophecy:

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. (I Corinthians 14:1)

For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. (I Corinthians 14:31)

But Apostle Paul indicated that not everyone was a prophet. He asked:

Are all prophets? (I Corinthians 12:29)

The difference between a prophet and prophesying is apparent in the following passage:

And the next day we that were of Apostle Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea; and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.  And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. (Acts 21:8-11)

Philip's daughters had the speaking gift of prophesy. But Agabus was a prophet who not only gave prophetic messages but held a leadership position in the church. God used him in a leadership role regarding Apostle Paul's ministry. Agabus gave Apostle Paul spiritual direction regarding what would happen in Jerusalem

And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.  Acts 21:11

 Before you call yourself Prophet:

Those with the special gift of being a prophet do not just speak under the inspiration of God. They also hold an office of authority and leadership in the church. This is confirmed through the word of God where prophets and teachers were used in a leadership capacity to guide Barnabas and Saul into the special ministry to which God had called them.

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.  As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.  And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.   So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.   Acts 13:1-4

In the Old Testament people went to prophets for guidance. The gift of Holy Spirit infilling was not yet given. The presence of God was shut up in the Holy of Holies. Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we now have access to the presence of God. The gift of the Holy Spirit has been given and one of His purposes is guidance:

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:14)

It is no longer necessary to go to a prophet to receive spiritual guidance. This is one of the functions of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. Each believer should learn how to be led by God's Spirit. The New Testament gives no record of believers seeking guidance from prophets after the gift of the Holy Spirit was given.

But God still uses this gift to confirm guidance He has already given to a believer through the Holy Spirit. This is what happened in the case of Agabus and Apostle Paul. Apostle Paul already knew he was to go to Jerusalem. The prophecy of Agabus revealed what would happen to him there. It was not a prophecy of guidance telling Apostle Paul whether or not to go to Jerusalem.

The words spoken by a prophet under divine inspiration are called prophecies. To prophesy means to declare openly words from God that exhort, edify, and comfort:

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. (I Corinthians 14:3)

Prophecy ministers not only to believers through edification but also to the unsaved. Prophecy can convict unbelievers and cause them to turn to the Lord:

But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. (I Corinthians 14:24-25)

One of the purposes of a prophet is to bring people to repentance:

Yet He sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the Lord; and they testified against them; but they would not give ear.  (II Chronicles 24:19)

The Bible refers to prophecy as a great gift and more to be desired than the gift of tongues:

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.  For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the Spirit he speaketh mysteries.  But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification and exhortation and comfort. (I Corinthians 14:1-3)

I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied; for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. (I Corinthians 14:5)

Wherefore brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. (I Corinthians 14:39)

The Holy Spirit is always in control of true prophecy and directs attention to Jesus Christ:

Now, concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.  Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.  Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed; and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. (I Corinthians 12:1-3)

Prophecy is never to replace the written Word of God. The Bible says prophecy will cease, but the Word of God abides forever:

...but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail... (I Corinthians 13:8)

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (I Peter 1:25)

The Bible warns of false prophets

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.   

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.   Matthew 24:11, 24)

For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.  Mark 13:22

Because there are false prophets, God's word provides several ways to identify true prophecies. You can recognize them by:

√     DOCTRINAL ERROR

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith. (Romans 12:6)

The phrase "in proportion to faith" means in right relation to the faith. The way to recognize true prophecies is by whether or not they agree with the basic doctrines of the Christian faith revealed in the Bible. For example, false prophets do not confess the deity of Jesus Christ:

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.   Hereby know ye the Spirit of God:  Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is the spirit of antichrist... (I John 4:1-3)

False prophets teach sexual immorality and permissiveness:

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you... (2 Peter 2:1-3)

False prophets try to lead people away from obedience to God's Word (Deuteronomy 13:1-5). This type of prophecy is not in right relation to the Christian faith.

√     DECEIVING SIGNS:

False prophets deceive people with miraculous signs:

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  (Matthew 24:11,24)

√     BAD FRUIT:

The evidence of spiritual fruit is the true test of any ministry:

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  Ye shall know them by their fruits... (Matthew 7:15-16)

√     FALSE CLAIMS:

Any prophet who claims to be divine or the same as Christ is false:

Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.  For there shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Matthew 24:23-24)

√     UNFULFILLED PROPHECIES:

The final test by which a true prophet can be identified is whether or not what he has prophesied comes to pass:

But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.  And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken?  When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously; thou shalt not be afraid of him.  (Deuteronomy 18:20-22)

Biblical Studies