AND HE GAVE SOME AS APOSTLES: kai autos edoken (3SAAI) tous men apostolous: (Eph 4:8; 2:20; 3:5; Romans 10:14,15; 1Corinthians 12:28; Jude 1:17; Revelation 18:20; 21:14)

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In this passage Paul lists the five kinds of ministers which have been given by Christ to His Church with first three of these being itinerant ministers - apostles, prophets and evangelists - who were preaching wherever they found an opportunity, while pastors and teachers were attached to some congregation or location. For example, Philip was a missionary who traveled from Jerusalem to preach in Samaria and was on the road to Gaza when he met the eunuch whom he baptized (Acts 8:5ff, 8:26ff)  then arriving at Azotus (modern Ashdod), passing through, preaching the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea (Acts 8:40). One can only conjecture that perhaps prophets preached to believers and evangelists to unbelievers, while apostles addressed either. An apostle was in a sense a prophet and an evangelist, but a prophet or an evangelist was not necessarily an apostle if we take the word “apostle” with the narrow sense of the apostles who had seen Jesus Christ in His resurrection (1Cor 9:1).

And He gave some - Now Paul explains how Christ sets about to attain the goal of filling all things by giving His body gifted men to foster and further growth. Paul is picking up his main thought from Eph 4:7-note. Read verse 7 leaving out verses 8-10 which shows his continued thought...

(Ep 4:7) But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift....(Ep 4:11) and He gave some as apostles...

Ray Stedman writes that these gifted men...

 constitute what we shall call "support gifts" (as contrasted with the "service" and "sign" gifts previously considered, as found in 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12). These four gifts relate to the whole body of Christ, much as the major body systems relate to the physical body...Note that each of the four support ministries we are discussing have to do with the Word of God. The first two--apostles and prophets--are concerned with originating and expounding the Word, while the last two--evangelists and pastor-teachers--are concerned with applying the Word to individual lives. The evangelist deals with the beginning of Christian life while the teaching pastor is involved with the development and growth of that life. Evangelists are much like obstetricians, helping to bring new Christians into the world. Teaching pastors are like pediatricians, seeing that these Christians have a healthy spiritual "diet," that their "diseases" receive proper attention, and that they get plenty of spiritual "fresh air" and "exercise." To return to the word picture of the church as a building, the evangelist is the quarryman who digs out the rock, cuts it loose from quarry stone, and hews it to a rough approximation of its ultimate size. The pastor-teacher is the stone mason who shapes the rock, fitting it into the building in its proper place according to the blueprint of the great architect. ((Ray Stedman's book Body Life [recommended], specifically the chapter entitled How the Body Works) (Bolding added)

Like several other passages in Ephesians (Ep 1:3-14, 15-23; 2:1-7; 3:1-13, 14-19; 4:1-7; 6:14-20), Eph 4:11-16 is one long sentence in Greek.

He - Literally this reads "He Himself" which is emphatic. Paul is saying that it is the Lord Jesus Himself who gives gifted men to perfect the church. The Lord Jesus is the One who has the authority and is the One who bestows gifts.

And gave some... - Here Paul focuses not on individual spiritual gifts but on gifted persons who Christ has given to the church. Notice that each of these designations is involved in some way with the proclamation of the Word of God (through them it is revealed, declared and taught), which speaks to the critical importance of the "pure milk of the Word" in growth in respect to salvation. It's as simple as "No Word, no growth". Don't accept substitutes as they say in the advertising world!

Gave (1325) (didomi) means He granted this based on decision of His will and not on the merit of the recipients.

Lesson - Let us not seek our work for Him but instead let us seek first His Kingdom (the King) and He will give us each our assignment in His Kingdom that we might carry out His Kingdom work to expand His Kingdom in His power and for His glory (cp Jn 15:5, 8, 16, 1Co 3:11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 2Co 5:10)

Gave some as apostles - Paul knew of what he was writing for he opens the great letter of Romans with these words...

Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, (Ro 1:1-note)

Comment: Paul did not seek this job. God sought him (Acts 9:4, 5, 6, 15, 16) and gave him the job (2Ti 1:1-note).

Apostles (652) (apostolos [word study] from apo = from + stello = send forth)) signifies one sent forth by another, often with a special commission to represent another and to accomplish his work. It can be a delegate, commissioner, ambassador sent out on a mission or orders or commission and with the authority of the one who sent him. The apostolos was officially commissioned for the position or task.

Apostolos is primarily used as a specific and unique title for the thirteen men (the Twelve, with Matthias replacing Judas, and Paul) whom Christ personally chose and commissioned to authoritatively proclaim the gospel and lead the early church. The thirteen apostles not only were all called directly by Jesus but all were witnesses of His resurrection, Paul having encountered Him on the Damascus Road after His ascension. Those thirteen apostles were given direct revelation of God’s Word to proclaim authoritatively, the gift of healing, and the power to cast out demons (Mt 10:1). They were even impressed with this authority themselves, on one occasion returning back to Jesus and telling Him how they rejoiced to discover that the demons were subject to them. When these gifted men spoke the Word, they had authority and that word of authority especially marked them as apostles. Andy by signs that accompanied their ministry, their teaching authority was verified (cf. 2Co 12:12). Thus the apostolic teachings and writings became the foundation of the church (see below), and their authority extended beyond local bodies of believers to the entire believing world.

Apostolos - 80x in 79v - Matt 10:2; Mark 3:14; 6:30; Luke 6:13; 9:10; 11:49; 17:5; 22:14; 24:10; John 13:16; Acts 1:2, 26; 2:37, 42f; 4:33, 35ff; 5:2, 12, 18, 29, 40; 6:6; 8:1, 14, 18; 9:27; 11:1; 14:4, 14; 15:2, 4, 6, 22f; 16:4; Rom 1:1; 11:13; 16:7; 1 Cor 1:1; 4:9; 9:1f, 5; 12:28f; 15:7, 9; 2 Cor 1:1; 8:23; 11:5, 13; 12:11f; Gal 1:1, 17, 19; Eph 1:1; 2:20; 3:5; 4:11; Phil 2:25; Col 1:1; 1 Thess 2:7; 1 Tim 1:1; 2:7; 2 Tim 1:1, 11; Titus 1:1; Heb 3:1; 1 Pet 1:1; 2 Pet 1:1; 3:2; Jude 1:17; Rev 2:2; 18:20; 21:14. NAS translates as - apostle(18), Apostle(1), apostles(52), apostles'(5), messenger(1), messengers(1),one who is sent(1).

Earlier in Ephesians Paul related the importance of apostles and prophets writing that God's building (composed of believing Jews and Gentiles) was...

built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone (Eph 2:20-note)

Comment: These first apostles and prophets were foundational, and once that foundation had been laid in the form of the NT books, there was no longer a need for this function. And so there is are no apostles in the sense that Paul or Peter were apostles. Some used the term "apostle" in a secondary sense to describe those men who go out and plant churches, but this "apostolic gift" as some have called it should in no way be confused with the gift given to the original 13 apostles whose function was unique and is not to be repeated. In other words there is no so-called apostolic succession as some have mistakenly taught. To reiterate there is no other line of truth about Jesus Christ and no new revelation which can come to us about Him other than what the original apostles have given.

Ray Stedman has an explanatory note writing that

"The foundation of the church is Jesus Christ, as Paul declared to the Corinthians, "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1Cor. 3:11), and the primary work of an apostle was to declare the whole body of truth concerning Jesus Christ. That is the foundation. What the apostles say about Jesus Christ is the foundation of the church, and what they said about Jesus Christ is recorded for us in the New Testament. That book is written by the apostles and prophets, and the church rests squarely upon that foundation. How does one get into the church? By believing the truth about Jesus Christ (and believing means more than intellectual assent--it is a commitment of the will as well). It is only as the church rests upon this foundation of the faith, as taught by the apostles, that there is any certainty or strength. Today many are straying from the foundation and as a result they have lost any note of authority or assurance. Merely human view-points or opinions do not change the foundation. Modern knowledge and the discoveries of science will never alter it. Our ultimate concern is what the apostles taught. That is the greatest revelation of reality we possess, "the truth [as it] is in Jesus" (Eph. 4:21-note).

People in the construction business know that a foundation is of the utmost importance. You do not take risks or shortcuts with a foundation. You lay it squarely, securely, and strongly, for the whole building is going to rest on that foundation and will derive its strength from the character of the foundation. The same is true of the church.

The Lord Jesus made very clear that if a man builds on the wrong foundation, he is in trouble. One man may build his house on the sand and the house may look very beautiful and impressive, but when the storms come, it falls. Another man may build on the rock and his house will stand in the storm. It is the foundation which makes all the difference." (Ray Stedman's book Body Life [recommended], specifically the chapter entitled How the Body Works)

In Ephesians 3 these gifted men known, both apostles and prophets were the recipients of God's revelation...

which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit (Ep 3:5-note)

'I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot endure evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false (Rev 2:2-note)

Comment: The fact that the apostles and prophets were part of the foundation [See Ep 2:20-note], a foundation which was laid in NT times, substantiates that these offices by virtue of their purpose have long since disappeared from the church.

AND SOME AS PROPHETS: tous de prophetas:

Prophets (4396) (prophetes from  pró = before or forth + phemí = to tell, to speak, to show, to make known one's thoughts, to bring to light by one's speech <> Phemí is derived from pháo = to shine) means one who speaks forth or before (beforehand) is literally one who speaks forth (speaks openly) or speaks before (in the sense of foretelling or predicting future events). (See Marvin Vincent's expansion of this definition below). In the Bible prophetes generally describes one who proclaims inspired utterances on behalf of God.

A proclaimer of a divine message, denoted among the Greeks an interpreter of the oracles of the gods.

Prophet (Parts 1 & 2) International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (scroll down the page)

Prophet in Easton's and Smith's dictionaries
Prophet in Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology

Prophet in Nave's Topic -(Eg, Called Seers...Schools of...Kept the chronicles...Counselors to kings...persecutions, etc)

Here in Ephesians 4 prophetes refers to those who spoke under divine influence and inspiration foretelling future events or exhorting, reproving, and admonishing.

Prophetes is related to prophemi = to speak forth, speak out; hence ‘one who speaks forth’; Prophetes is used in the Septuagint (Lxx) for נָבִיא (Transliterated "nabiy" = Strong's #05030 (Nabiy' is used 85x by Jeremiah!) = meaning spokesman, speaker, prophet - Moses was the greatest OT "nabiy" or prophet = Moses’ prophetic message spoke to Israel of the past (Deut 1:1-3:29), the present (Dt. 4:1; 26:18), and the future (Dt. 31:20–22) (as would every major prophet after him). ( Nabiy is derived from the same root as نَبَأَ, meaning to divulge, make known, announce’, therefore prophetes is equivalent to interpreter (cp Ex. 7:1, 4:16) and hence is a spokesman for God or one through whom God speaks or one who speaks forth by divine inspiration. The prophetes (especially in the OT) was one raised up by God and whose charge was to proclaim only the Word which was given to him by the Lord. A prophet could neither contradict the Law of the Lord or speak from his own mind, for if he did, he was functioning as a false prophet (Jer. 14:14; 23:16, 26, 30). Furthermore, when the prophet made a predictive pronouncement, that Word had to come true, for if it did not he was a false prophet (Dt. 18:22; Jer. 23:9). In summary, in the OT, the prophetes was either (1) an interpreter of oracles or of other hidden things or (2) a foreteller (the related word "seer" stressed the visionary role of the prophet - see 1Sa 9:9, 2Sa 24:11)

The gift of a prophet differs from that of an apostle: The apostle gives an authoritative declaration of the whole body of truth concerning Jesus Christ; but the prophet interprets that authoritative word and explains the truth so that it becomes very clear, vital, and compelling. The very word "prophet" suggests this. It derives from a Greek root (pháo) which means "to cause to shine," and is linked with the prefix "pro" which means "before." Thus a prophet is one who stands before and causes the word of the apostle to "shine." (Comment: This picture of "to shine forth or before" begs the question "Who gets the credit?" The inspired, authoritative Word! Are you as convicted as I am?)

This meaning of the word "prophet" is fully reflected in Peter's second letter when he says, "We have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place" (2Pe 1:19-note). Paul also says, "He who prophesies speaks to men for their upbuilding (edification) and encouragement and consolation" (1Cor 14:3).

In John 1:21 after John the Baptist denied he was Elijah, the Jews asked him “Are you the Prophet?” where the definite article ("the", Greek = to prophetes) is in the Greek modifying "prophetes" which signifies that this is not just any prophet but "the specific Prophet". In context this is an allusion to the Messianic prophecy of Moses that "God will raise up for you a prophet like" from among the Jews (Deut 18:15, cp Dt 18:19). Clearly the Jewish questioners understood this as a prophecy that would be fulfilled in the Messiah (See related resource - Christ as Prophet). John 6:14 refers to the "Expected One" (Mt 11:31), Messiah the Prophet Who would come into the world (an allusion to His incarnation).

NEW TESTAMENT USES
OF PROPHETES

Prophetes - 144x in 138v - Always translated prophet (63x) or prophets (81x). Click for the 252 uses in the non-apocryphal Septuagint. Note that the word "fulfill" occurs 16x in the same verse as prophetes...interesting!

Below are all the NT uses of prophetes for your observation and meditation, to give you a sense of this great Biblical word. Remember to check the context of the passage for the most accurate interpretation! Note also that words in bold red (exception is verbs that are commands) highlight the association of the Law and the Prophets which is a "short hand" description of the Old Testament.

Vincent: "Nazarene = A term of contempt (compare Jn 1:46, 7:52). The very name of Nazareth suggested insignificance. In Hebrew it meant sprout or shoot. The name is prophetically given to the Messiah (Isaiah 11:1-note). In Isa 10:33, 34-note, the fate of Assyria is described under the figure of the felling of a cedar forest. The figure of the tree is continued at the opening of  Isaiah 11 concerning the Jewish state. The cedar throws out no fresh suckers, but the oak is a tree “in which, after the felling, a stock remaineth” (Isa 6:13-note; compare Job14:9). There is a future then for Israel, represented by the oak. “There shall come forth a shoot from the stock of Jesse, and a twig from his roots shall bear fruit.” As David sprang from the humble family of Jesse, so the Messiah, the second David, shall arise out of great humiliation. The fact that Jesus grew up at Nazareth was sufficient reason for his being despised. He was not a lofty branch on the summit of a stately tree; not a recognized and honored son of the royal house of David, now fallen, but an insignificant sprout from the roots of Jesse; a Nazarene, of an upstart "sprout-town".

The word "prophetes": No one prophet is mentioned, but rather "the prophets" (plural) which is probably Matthew's way of alerting us to the fact that he does not have a single OT text in mind.

Matthew 4:14 This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: (referring to Mt 4:15, 16 quoted from Isaiah 9:1,2-note)

Henry Morris: (This quote from Isaiah 9) provides the prophetic background for the name of Emmanuel "Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). Much of Jesus' early teaching ministry was carried out in Galilee, especially Capernaum, and at least His first six disciples came from there (Matthew 4:18-22; John 1:35-51).

Matthew 5:12-note "Rejoice (present imperative = Jesus' command to continually do this) and be glad (also present imperative), for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Comment: Note the command be glad is the Greek verb agalliao derived from agan = much and hallomai  = to jump; leap, spring up, and so literally means to "jump for joy". Beloved, next time you are persecuted for the Lord or His Word, "jump for joy" for you have not seen the "rest of the story!"

Matthew 5:17-note "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.

Matthew 7:12-note "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

MacArthur: The implication of Mt 7:7–11 is made explicit in verse 12. The perfect love of the heavenly Father is most reflected in His children when they treat others as they themselves wish to be treated. There is no capacity within an unbeliever to love in the way that Jesus commands here. Unbelievers can do many ethical things, and every once in a while they might even approach the level of this highest of ethical standards. But they cannot sustain such selflessness, because they do not have the divine resource necessary for regular, habitual living on that plane. (Ibid)

MacArthur: Those who claim that Christians should never be sick because there is healing in the atonement should also claim that Christians should never die, because Jesus also conquered death in the atonement. The central message of the gospel is deliverance from sin. It is the good news about forgiveness, not health. Christ was made sin, not disease, and He died on the cross for our sin, not our sickness. As Peter makes clear. Christ’s wounds heal us from sin, not from disease. “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness” (1Pet 2:24-note). (Ibid)

Matthew 11:13 "For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John.

MacArthur: Everything from Genesis to Malachi to John pointed to and moved toward Christ, the Messiah. Their common theme-sometimes explicit and sometimes implicit-was, “The Messiah is coming!” (Ibid)

What an awesome God we are privileged to worship and serve...Dear saint, if your heart needs some encouragement today, then turn off your cell phone, your television, your computer, etc, and slowly, prayerfully read the Word from your Father, written words yes, but GOD'S ACTUAL WORDS, "spoken through Isaiah the prophet" and worship the LORD in spirit and in truth. Amen...

"Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure'..."I, even I, am the LORD; and there is no Savior besides Me....Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: 'I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me....I am the LORD, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known Me that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that there is no one besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other...'Surely, God is with you, and there is none else, No other God.'"...For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (He is the God Who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited), "I am the LORD, and there is none else...."Declare and set forth your case; Indeed, let them consult together. Who has announced this from of old? Who has long since declared it? Is it not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, a righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me. Turn to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.... Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and marked off the heavens by the span, and calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, and weighed the mountains in a balance, and the hills in a pair of scales? Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or as His counselor has informed Him?... Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales. Behold, He lifts up the islands like fine dust....To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare with Him?... To whom would you liken Me, and make Me equal and compare Me, that we should be alike?..."To whom then will you liken Me That I should be his equal?" says the Holy One....Lift up your eyes on high and see Who has created these stars, the One Who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power not one of them is missing....Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary....Behold, the Lord GOD will come with might, with His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him....I declared the former things long ago And they went forth from My mouth, and I proclaimed them. Suddenly I acted, and they came to pass....Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; before they spring forth I proclaim them to you."....'And who is like Me? Let him proclaim and declare it; Yes, let him recount it to Me in order, from the time that I established the ancient nation. And let them declare to them the things that are coming and the events that are going to take place.....Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning And from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, 'My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure'...Declare and set forth your case; Indeed, let them consult together. Who has announced this from of old? Who has long since declared it? Is it not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, a righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me....Therefore I declared them to you long ago, Before they took place I proclaimed them to you. I proclaim to you new things from this time, even hidden things which you have not known....I am He, I am the first, I am also the last. Surely My hand founded the earth, and My right hand spread out the heavens; When I call to them, they stand together. Shout for joy, O heavens! And rejoice, O earth! Break forth into joyful shouting, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and will have compassion on His afflicted....Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands....I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea and its waves roar (the LORD of hosts is His name)....The LORD has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations, that all the ends of the earth may see the salvation of our God. Depart, depart, go out from there, touch nothing unclean; Go out of the midst of her, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD....As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities...."No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me," declares the LORD. "Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost....My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts....Behold, the LORD'S hand is not so short that it cannot save; Neither is His ear so dull that it cannot hear....Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you...Who is this Who comes from Edom, with garments of glowing colors from Bozrah, This One Who is majestic in His apparel, marching in the greatness of His strength? "It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save....For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, Whose name is Holy, "I dwell on a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite....Oh, that Thou wouldst rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at Thy presence..."I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me; I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, 'Here am I, here am I,' To a nation which did not call on My name...."For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind....Thus says the LORD, "Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest?"...Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at His word. (Amen!) (Isaiah 46:9-10, 43:11, 44:6, 45:5-6, 45:14, 45:18, 45:21-22, 40:12, 13, 40:15, 40:18, 46:5 40:25, 26, 40:28-31, 40:10, 48:3, 42:9, 44:7, 46:9-10, 45:21, 48:5-6, 12, 13, 49:13, 16, 51:15, 52:10, 11, 53:11, 54:17, 55:1, 55:8, 9, 59:1, 60:1, 63:1, 57:15, 64:1, 65:1, 17, 66:1, 66:5) (Now take a moment to worship our indescribably majestic Lord God with Robin Mark's wonderful song Days of Elijah)

Behold He comes riding on the clouds
Shining like the Sun at the trumpet call;

Lift your voice, it's the Year of Jubilee
And out of Zion's hill Salvation comes.

Matthew 22:40 "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."

Comment: This verse alone from the lips of Jesus substantiates the authorship and the prophetic accuracy of the book of Daniel, contrary to what all the "higher critics" say! This key event in the history of Israel in particular and the world in general marks the beginning of the last 3.5 years of Daniel's Seventieth Week (timeline chart the last 7 years of this present age) (Da 9:27-note), the casting down of Satan from heaven (Rev 12:9-note), the beginning of God's bowl judgments (Rev 16:2-note), the beginning of the great day, "time of Jacob's distress" (Jer 30:7, 8), the beginning of the "time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time" (Daniel 12:1-note), the beginning of the Great Tribulation (Mt 24:21, 29, Mk 13:19, 24, Rev 7:14-note) the beginning of the evil rule of the Antichrist, whose Satanically inspired character is now fully and finally revealed (2Th 2:3-4, 8, cp Rev 13:5-note), the beginning of the end of this present age (cp Da 2:44, 45-note, cp Mt 24:3, 28:20) and the heralding of the new age to come, the One Thousand Year Millennial Reign of Messiah on earth.

Luke 13:28-note "In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves being thrown out.

Luke 16:16 "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.

Luke 16:29 "But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.'

Luke 16:31 "But he said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.'"

Luke 24:27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

Luke 24:44  Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."

John 1:45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote-- Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

Acts 13:15 After the reading of the Law and the Prophets the synagogue officials sent to them, saying, "Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it."

Acts 24:14 "But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets;

Acts 26:22 "So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place;

Acts 28:23 When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.

Comment: Notice that this passage clearly teaches the Divine origin (inspiration) of the Scriptures and that the prophets were God's "vessels of honor, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work." (cp 2Ti 2:21). Dear follower of Christ, you may not be a "prophet" per se, but practically you are "speaking forth" the Gospel of Jesus Christ with you life. As Paul said you are "adorning" the doctrine of God our Savior" (See detailed discussion of what it means to "Adorn the doctrine of God" and then let your "little light" shine!)

Comment: Observe that this is clearly a reference to the Old Testament Scriptures and again emphasizes how important it is for all of us as saints to saturate ourselves with the Old Testament writings and not restrict their intake to the New Testament.

Researchers studying eye movement during normal conversation have found that sustaining eye contact for any length of time is difficult, if not impossible. Special cameras reveal that what appears to be a steady gaze at someone is actually a series of rapid scans of the face. Eye movement is essential because the nerves in the eye need a constant change of stimulation if we are to see properly. Studies show that if we look at the same spot continuously, the rest of our visual field will go blank.  We can experience a similar problem in our study of the Word of God. If we "stare" exclusively at certain biblical truths while excluding other important doctrines, our spiritual vision will begin to blur out. Some people, for instance, tend to look only at the love of God, or the wrath of God, or evangelism, or church growth, or the end times, or the devil, or sin. No matter what particular truth we are interested in, we need to be careful lest we lose our perspective. The Bible tells us that "all Scripture (Old and New) is given by inspiration of God" (2Ti 3:16-note) and is profitable for our spiritual development. Only as we see the big picture—how the many biblical doctrines fit together—will we avoid staring at some truths and becoming blind to others. You can't enjoy the harmony of Scripture if you play just one note of truth. (M R De Haan II)

God's Word was given for our good
And we are to obey;
Not choose the parts that we like best,
Then live in our own way.
—Hess

Romans 3:21-note But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

AND SOME AS EVANGELISTS: tous de euaggelistas, tous de poimenas kai didaskalous: (Acts 21:8; 2Ti 4:5)

Evangelists (2099) (euaggelistes from euaggelizo = to evangelize) (See related word euaggelion = gospel) (Evangelist) are those possessed a special gift of communicating the Gospel in relevant terms to those who are not yet Christians. The evangelist was (and is) primarily responsible for the numerical growth of the body of Christ (the "obstetrician" who birthed saints through the gospel). He was the bringer of good tidings.

An evangelist knew the gospel narrative thoroughly and was capable of explaining it. They were traveling or itinerant missionaries preaching the gospel to the unconverted and calling them to repentance. It is important to note that the purpose of evangelization is to carefully but simply help unbelievers become aware of their sinfulness and lostness and through the proclamation of the Gospel to proclaim Jesus Christ as the only Savior and Lord. Any human manipulation in that process, no matter how well intentioned, always becomes a barrier to genuine belief.

Luke (the second of three NT uses) describes a NT evangelist writing...

And on the next day we departed and came to Caesarea; and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. (Acts 21:8) (Comment: Philip was best known for his missionary work in Samaria and with the Ethiopian eunuch [Acts 8:5-40]. An evangelist brings the good news of salvation to the unconverted 

Pastors can also do the work of evangelists, for we see Paul exhorting his young protégée Timothy (in the face of men turning away their ears from the truth, and turning aside to myths) to...

be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2Ti 4:5-note) (This is the third and final NT use)

Ray Stedman explains that...

The evangelist's task is not to go about denouncing sin, but to point the way out of sin. The evangelist may call people's attention to that which is creating so much misery and heartache in their lives, but his work is not to denounce and condemn sinners. Evangelists are no to thunder away at people, telling them what miserable creatures they are and how God is waiting to strike them with thunderbolts of judgment. He is not to expose the horrors of hellfire and dangle sinners over those fires until they writhe and tremble. That is not the calling of the evangelist!

If the preaching of "fire and brimstone" is ever called for, it is the task of a prophet, not the task of an evangelist. The evangelist's role is to tell people about the overpowering grace of God and the overpowering love of a heavenly Father--a Father who calls men and women back to Himself, offering to set their twisted lives straight through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ.

Many Christians today possess the gift of an evangelist, both men and women. Evangelism can be done anywhere. It is not restricted to mass meetings, such as in the great Billy Graham crusades, though Dr. Graham's ministry is also true evangelism. The gift of an evangelist can he exercised toward a single individual, as is clear in the book of Acts when Philip the evangelist spoke to the Ethiopian eunuch as he was riding along in a chariot and told him of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. (Ray Stedman's book Body Life [recommended], specifically the chapter entitled How the Body Works)

AND SOME AS PASTORS AND TEACHERS: tous de poimenas kai didaskalous:  (2Chronicles 15:3; Jeremiah 3:15; Matthew 28:20; Acts 13:1; Romans 12:7; 1Corinthians 12:29; Hebrews 5:12; 1Pe 5:1, 2, 3)

Pastors and teachers - The two nouns are connected in Greek by kai which often has the meaning "that is" or "in particular" and thus many feel this conjunction connects the pastors (shepherds) and teachers in a way that speaks of a single entity of teaching shepherds ("Pastor-Teachers"). An additional piece of evidence supporting this distinction is that the and (kai) differs from the other “and’s” (de) in this verse.  All pastors teach (since teaching is an essential part of pastoral ministry), but not all teachers are pastors. The latter exercise their leadership role by feeding God’s flock with His word.

NET Note...

Some interpreters have understood the phrase pastors and teachers to refer to one and the same group. This would mean that all pastors are teachers and that all teachers are pastors. This position is often taken because it is recognized that both nouns (i.e., pastors and teachers) are governed by one article in Greek. But because the nouns are plural, it is extremely unlikely that they refer to the same group, but only that the author is linking them closely together. It is better to regard the pastors as a subset of teachers. In other words, all pastors are teachers, but not all teachers are pastors.

Vincent...

The omission of the article from teachers seems to indicate that pastors and teachers are included under one class.

Ray Stedman has an interesting comment on pastors writing...

The pastors of the churches are not to exercise their authority as bosses but as examples. When they themselves obey the Word, others will be motivated to follow. But if the teaching pastors do not practice what they preach, they have no other authority. Their authority derives from their spirituality, and if they lose their spirituality they also lose their authority. It is not the office that gives a pastor the right to rule--it is the individual and his gift before God. (from Pastor Stedman's book Body Life and the chapter entitled How the Body Works)

Pastors ("Sheepherders"!) (4166) (poimen) (Pastor) is related to the word poimne, a flock of sheep, and literally is one who herds sheep and tends flocks as a shepherd. Metaphorically poimen refers to one who performs functions including feeding, oversight, protection, leading, and guiding.

John MacArthur...

Pastors translates poimen, whose normal meaning is shepherd, It emphasizes the care, protection and leadership of the man of God for the flock. Teachers (didaskaloi) has to do with the primary function of pastors.

Eadie comments...

The image of a shepherd with his flock pictures the relation of a spiritual leader to those committed to his charge.

Poimen - 18x in 17v - Matt 9:36; 25:32; 26:31; Mark 6:34; 14:27; Luke 2:8, 15, 18, 20; John 10:2, 11f, 14, 16; Eph 4:11; Heb 13:20; 1Pet 2:25. NAS translates as pastors(1), shepherd(11), Shepherd(2), shepherds(4).

Matthew's use of poimen is instructive recording that Jesus...

seeing the multitudes, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd.  (Matthew 9:36)

It is interesting to observe in the parallel passage in Mark how Jesus responded to the distressed, downcast flock...

And when He went ashore, He saw a great multitude, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things. (Mark 6:34)

Comment: The antidote for distressed, downcast sheep is the word of God.

What does this verse imply was the flock's greatest need? Is there a message for pastors today? Remember Jesus' words to the one on whom He stated He would build His church...

He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love (phileo) Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love (phileo) Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love (phileo) You." Jesus said to him, "Tend (bosko = feed; present imperative - Command to continually feed, graze, tend, herd) My sheep. (John 21:17KJV)

The parallel passages in KJV read "Feed (bosko = feed; present imperative - Command to continually feed, graze, tend, herd) My lambs" John 21:15KJV and "Feed My sheep" (poimaino - present imperative - Command calling for continual feeding - no food = "shabby sheep", easy prey for the "wolves"!) in John 21:16KJV.

Ron Mattoon (Treasures from First Peter-recommended resource) in his comments on pastor in 1Peter 5 emphasizes that...

The church needs the preaching of God's Word if it is to be nourished and strengthened. Most men fail to do this today because preaching the Word demands preparation, and that is hard work. It takes time to study but many men are too lazy to do this. The story is told of one pastor who never prepared during the week, and on Sunday morning he'd sit on the platform while the church was singing the hymns desperately praying, "Lord, give your message, Lord give me your message." One Sunday, while desperately praying for God's message, he heard the Lord say, "Ralph, here's my message. You're lazy!" Beloved, the Bible repeatedly urges us to study God's Word and preach its truths. (2Ti 2:15, 1Ti 4:6 1Ti 4:12 Act 20:27)

In his book Be Free, Warren W. Wiersbe mentioned the fact that young ministers often visited the great British preacher G. Campbell Morgan to ask him the secret of his success. When someone inquired of him what he told these aspiring pastors, Morgan replied, "I always say to them the same thing—work; hard work; and again, work!" And Morgan lived up to his own advice. He would be in his study every morning at 6 o'clock, finding rich treasures out of his Bible to pass on to God's people. May we learn from his example!

Caring for a church family involves a balance of "ruling" the church with "serving" it. The pastor is the leader, but also a servant. This balancing act is not easy and requires help from the Lord for sure. You have to have wisdom on knowing when to be firm and when to yield to the ideas or needs of others. It is the same situation that you have with your wife and children, at least it is for me. There are times to be firm as a father and husband, and there are times I yield to the desires of my wife or children. It depends on the issue and how much money I have left in the bank. Ha!

Staying in the Word of God so that you can nourish your people and yourself will help you to have the wisdom you need to pastor your people and to maintain a Christlike attitude in your life. It's when we lose that Christ-like attitude that we get ourselves into trouble by creating problems of our own making....

Howard Hendricks said, "If you can't stand the smell of sheep, you shouldn't be a shepherd." The pastor also needs to be "over" his people so he can lead them and help them solve their problems....

All of these reasons, and many others, are why Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, "A man should only enter the Christian ministry if he cannot stay out of it."....

Consider the following sobering survey results of the personal and professional lives of pastors as recorded in the 1991 Survey of Pastors, Fuller Institute of Church Growth.

• * 90% of pastors work more than 46 hours a week.
• * 75% reported a significant stress-related crisis at least once in their ministry.
• * 50% felt unable to meet the needs of the job.
• * 90% felt they were inadequately trained to cope with ministry demands.
• * 70% say they have a lower self-esteem now than when they started out.
• * 40% reported a serious conflict with a parishioner at least once a month.
• * 37% confessed having been involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with someone in the church.
• * 70% do not have someone they consider a close friend.
• * 80% believed that pastoral ministry affected their families negatively.
• * 33% said that being in ministry was an outright hazard to their family.

Luke records Paul's warning to the Ephesian elders...

Be on guard (present imperative - Command calling for continual alertness - note order = [1] your own heart [!] dear pastor/elder and [2] then you are prepared to tend the "flock") for yourselves (watch over you own heart with all diligence for from it flow the springs of life cp Pr 4:23-note) and for all the flock, (the local church is like a flock of sheep) among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd (tend flocks like a shepherd) the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 "I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them." (Acts 20:28, 29, 30)

Sheep need to graze continually in the pasture of the Word of God, the pure Word, the Word of Truth and nothing but the Truth, sound doctrine, solid food. Anything else is chaff. The Word of God is the local church’s protection and provision, and no amount of entertainment, good fellowship, or other religious substitutes can take its place. Pastors, I think Jesus is saying to shepherds of the modern church in America "Feed My sheep!" How will He one day assess the quality of the spiritual food you have fed to His sheep?

Jesus is the Great Shepherd Who vigilantly watches over and provides for the welfare of His flock.

Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20, 21-note)

You were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. (1Pe 2:25-note)

Barclay comments that...

Pastor is the Latin word for a shepherd. At this time the Christian Church was no more than a little island in a sea of paganism. The people who came into it were only one remove from their heathen lives; they were in constant danger of relapsing into heathenism; and the duty of the pastor was to shepherd his flock and keep them safe. (Barclay, W: The Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press)

Teachers (1320) (didaskalos from didasko [word study] = teach to shape will of one being taught by content of what is taught) is an instructor, master, teacher, the one who provides instruction and is used 41 (out of 58 NT uses) of Jesus! Teachers are  are divinely empowered to explain what the Bible says, interpret what it means, and apply it to the hearts and consciences of the saints. Teachers did not simply impart information or open up new ways of thought. They also urged their hearers to live by what they taught.

"A GREAT
EVANGELICAL DISASTER"

So vital is the ministry of teaching to make disciples that Paul exhorted his young disciple Timothy...

the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust (paratithemi) to faithful (trustworthy = pistos) men, who will be able (hikanos) to teach (didasko) others also. (2Ti 2:2-note)

Jesus' final command to His followers, His disciples, was to...

Go therefore and make disciples (matheteuo in the aorist imperative = "Just do it!" It is urgent! This is a "wartime" command from the Captain of the Hosts!) of all the nations (Mt 28:19a)

In 2Timothy 2:2 Paul presents God's pattern for fulfilling Jesus' Great Commission in Mt 28:19. How many "generations" do you observe in this single verse. (Stop and re-read 2Ti 2:2)? Paul to Timothy to faithful (trustworthy) men to "others also". Four generations!

Dear runner in this "once in a lifetime" race,
please don't drop the baton!
PASS IT ON!

Dear mature believer, this verse begs the serious question - Who are you discipling? For mothers this certainly would include their children as one of the most important discipling ministries they will ever carry out. Witness the impact of Susannah Wesley's (you must read her brief bio!) disciples! One was named John. Another named Charles! Point made!.

I am in my late 60's now (November, 2011) and don't have that many years left to make disciples, but that is the clarion call on my life and on all who call themselves Christ followers (Remember that Mt 28:19 is our Lord's command, not His suggestion!). If you are a man or woman who has walked with Christ for 10 or 20 years and you are in your later years, are you wasting your walk? (See John Piper's excellent exhortative online book Don't Waste Your Life) That is, are you failing to intentionally pass on what you have learned through the "blood, sweat and tears" of your growth in godliness and Christ-likeness? I want to challenge any mature man reading these notes to prayerfully consider praying for younger men whom you can disciple. When I say disciple, I am not talking about reading a popular Christian book and going through the study guide (not that that is wrong), but that you maximize your efforts by taking a small group of faithful men through a book of the Bible, verse by verse, seeking to teach them how to study the Bible for themselves (See Inductive Bible study), teaching them "how to fish" rather than just giving them fish! And then challenge them to pray for one or two men who they could pass on what they have learned. Remember Paul qualifies his charge with the phrase "faithful" men, men who are trustworthy, men who are serious about commitment, men who will agree to study during the week, men who will be willing to memorize Scriptures with you, and finally men who agree to find other faithful men to disciple. This is the the Jesus' Way of making disciples. Where are the mature believing men and women in their 50's and 60's (and older) who are willing to count the cost and disciple the next generation of men and women in their 20's, 30's and 40's (who are in desperate need of discipling!)? For the most part they don't exist, a "void" which I often refer to as "a great evangelical disaster!" May God's Spirit stir your heart and enable you will to obey Jesus' command to "Make disciples" (Mt 28:19) for the sake of His Kingdom and the glory of His Name. Amen.

A suggestion to help you begin discipling - Here is resource you can use to "make disciples" (but I will warn you it will challenge you in a way you likely have never been challenged) - Being a Disciple Counting the Real Cost (40-Minute Bible Study) The 40 minute studies (there are now more than 20 topics available - here is a great one for men which I have personally seen God use mightily in men's lives - A Man's Strategy for Conquering Temptations) are self contained resources which are based predominantly on the "pure milk of the Word". You even do the lessons together (thus there are no excuses for not doing the lesson). I usually supplement the material with additional verses, so that it takes longer than 40 minutes, but it can be done in that allotted time. Challenge the men to be diligent to take notes as you discuss the questions, so that when they finish the 6 week study they will have a built in resource that they can then take and use to disciple other faithful men. I can assure you that this motif works as I have used it for some time now.

Related Resources on Making Disciples of all the Nations:

(1) The Training of the Twelve by A B Bruce (read some of the reviews!)  (Read the Foreword to this Classic Work on Discipleship) (Online Copy) (Logos) (Wordsearch)

(2) The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert E. Coleman (read some of the reviews!) (Wordsearch) - This modern classic discusses "Jesus' Master Plan of Discipleship"

Didaskalos - 59x in 58v - Mt 8:19; 9:11; 10:24, 25; 12:38; 17:24; 19:16; 22:16, 24, 36; 23:8; 26:18; Mark 4:38; 5:35; 9:17, 38; 10:17, 20, 35; 12:14, 19, 32; 13:1; 14:14; Luke 2:46; 3:12; 6:40; 7:40; 8:49; 9:38; 10:25; 11:45; 12:13; 18:18; 19:39; 20:21, 28, 39; 21:7; 22:11; John 1:38; 3:2, 10; 8:4; 11:28; 13:13f; 20:16; Acts 13:1; Ro 2:20; 1Cor 12:28f; Eph 4:11; 1Tim 2:7; 2Ti 1:11; 4:3; Heb 5:12; Jas 3:1. Always translated teacher.

MacDonald adds this caution...

One final word. We should be careful to distinguish between divine gifts and natural talents. No unsaved person, however talented, could be an evangelist, pastor, or teacher in the NT sense. Neither could a Christian, for that matter, unless he has received that particular gift. The gifts of the Spirit are supernatural. They enable a man to do what would be humanly impossible for him. (MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson)

John Stott has written that...

“Nothing is more necessary for the building up of God’s church in every age than an ample supply of God-gifted teachers. … It is teaching which builds up the church. It is teachers who are needed most.” (John R. W. Stott, God’s New Society: The Message of Ephesians)

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A new student once asked a College president if he didn't have a shorter course to offer. The man of learning replied: "That depends upon what you want to make of yourself. When God makes an oak, He takes a century. When he makes a squash, three months will do." One reason why the Churches of our country have so many squashes and so few oaks in their pulpits and in the mission fields, lies right here. In this pell-mell, hurry-up-and-get-there age in which we are living, few young men and women have the grit to resist the spirit of the age. Few have the determination and perseverance necessary to send them to the top. In their impatience, they make squashes out of themselves-and, O, how the Church needs oaks! (Note when this was written -- Jan, 1935!)