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"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers."

Text: Ephesians 4:11

THE GIFTS THAT CHRIST BESTOWED

The gifts of the victorious Christ were not material things. With the needs of the Church in mind, Christ Jesus gave to the Church what it needed most.

1. Apostles (“apostolos”)

Let us appreciate afresh the significance of the ministry of the apostles:-

a) They were meant to be His witnesses, first and foremost (Acts 1:8).

b) They were especially empowered to bear witness of the Risen Christ (2 Corinthians 12:12; Romans 15:18-19).

c) They laid the foundations of the Church (Ephesians 2:20).

d) The ministries of the Apostles Peter and Paul were highlighted in the Book of Acts
Their works demonstrate powerfully the work that the apostles undertook for the Lord.

2. New Testament Prophets (“prophetes”)

We need to distinguish between the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament prophets.

a) Larger exposure of ministry for the Old Testament prophets.

b) More restricted ministry in the New Testament.

c) The New Testament prophets were overshadowed by the ministry of the apostles.

d) Some of the prophets named in the New Testament were Agabus (Cf. Acts 11:28); Judas and Silas (Cf. Acts 15:32).

e) They were also accorded the honour of helping to lay the foundations of the New Testament Church.

3. Evangelists (“uaggelistes”)

a) These were gifted in the ministry of proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

b) The apostles Peter and Paul also manifested this gift of evangelism.

c) Philip (often called “the evangelist”) well exemplified one who had this gift (Acts 8 describes how he evangelized Samaria)