The second public sphere in the assembly is that of gift. This is the sphere where ministry is given in the way of teaching and exhortation. Priesthood has to do with spiritual things being ministered from man to God; whereas the exercise of gift has to do with spiritual things being ministered from God to man, in the way of truth from His Word. A Scriptural assembly will recognize the spiritual gifts in its midst and will allow them to be exercised, as led by the Spirit.
The Bible teaches that all believers have had a spiritual gift communicated to them when they are saved and sealed with the Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 4:1010As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (1 Peter 4:10) says, “As every man hath received the [a] gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles [utterances] of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” And in Ephesians 4:77But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. (Ephesians 4:7), it says, “Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12:77But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. (1 Corinthians 12:7) says, “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal [for the profit of all].” The distribution of gifts is illustrated in a parable of the Lord in Matthew 25:1515And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. (Matthew 25:15), “Unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability.” The words “every man” (in the KJV) in these verses might be construed to mean that only the men have been given a spiritual gift. However, that phrase should be translated “each” (J. N. Darby Translation), which is generic, and therefore would include both brothers and sisters.
It is important to understand that these gifts are not natural gifts that we might have—such as musical or artistic talent, or natural strength, etc.—but spiritual capabilities given to us to enable us to fill our place in the body. We mention this because many Christians are confused about this. They think that a person’s natural ability is their spiritual gift in the body of Christ. From this comes the idea that a Christian should play professional sports or pursue a professional music career as an entertainer, because they have natural abilities. Christians today are encouraged to pursue worldly endeavours because of their natural abilities, but it only entangles them in the world and nullifies their Christian testimony. J. N. Darby said, “It is wholly a false principle that natural gifts are a reason for using them. I may have amazing strength or speed in running; I knock a man down with one, and win a prize cup with another. Music may be a more refined thing, but the principle is the same. This point I believe to be now of utmost importance. Christians have lost their moral influence by bringing in nature and the world as harmless. All things are lawful to me, but as I said, you cannot mix flesh and Spirit.”
Ministry is the Exercise of Our Gift
Gifts, in Scripture, are “spiritual manifestations” in the body of Christ and are given for the spiritual edification of the members of the body (1 Cor. 12:1; 14:11Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. (1 Corinthians 12:1)
1Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. (1 Corinthians 14:1)). Ministry is simply the exercise of a person’s gift (1 Peter 4:10-1110As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10‑11)). Some people talk about being “called to the ministry.” We know what they mean; they feel led to pursue the occupation of a clergyman, and enroll in a seminary to be trained for that position in a church denomination. But in the Scriptural sense of the word, we have all been “called to the ministry.” Since we all have a gift, we all should be ministering in one way or another.
Sad to say, many Christians today have been led to believe that the preacher is the only one in their Church group who has a spiritual gift. Therefore, they haven’t even considered what their gift may be. But in normal Christianity, each member of the body of Christ has something to do. There are to be no drones in God’s beehive. The Lord said, “To every man his work” (Mark 13:3434For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. (Mark 13:34)). He would have us all to be exercised about what we should be doing for Him. On our part, there needs to be:
1. Discovery of our gift. This will become evident through devotion to the Lord. J. N. Darby said, “If there were more devotion, there would be more gift among us.” He didn’t mean that spiritual gifts are given as a result of a person’s devotion to the Lord, but that if there were more devotion in our lives, our spiritual gift would become evident.
2. Diligence to learn the truth. This is also important, because we need to have some spiritual substance to communicate to others when exercising our gift. A person may have the gift of a teacher, but if he hasn’t been instructed in the truth, he will not be of much help.
3. Development of our gift. We need to have faith to go forward and exercise our gift in the opportunities given to us, so that it develops and our effectiveness in service increases.
4. Dependence on the Lord in exercising our gift. The exercise of our gift needs to be carried out under the Lordship of Christ and under His guidance and direction—in where to go and what to do and say.
Paul said to Timothy: “I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands” (2 Tim. 1:66Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. (2 Timothy 1:6)). This shows that we need to be stirred up in regard to the use of our gift. Archippus was rebuked for not fulfilling his ministry (Col. 4:1717And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. (Colossians 4:17)). If we are young, we should not be overly occupied with finding out what our gift is, but simply seek to do what comes into our hand. In time, it will be evident what our gift is. We can go to the Lord with the simple prayer of Saul of Tarsus, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” (Acts 9: 6; 22:1010And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. (Acts 22:10)) There is much to do in His vineyard, and He has something for each of us to do. Scripture says, “Let us occupy ourselves in service” (Rom. 12:77Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; (Romans 12:7)). The Levites—the servants in the tabernacle—were to go to Aaron, the high priest and he would appoint to every man “his service” and “his burden” (Num. 4:1919But thus do unto them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach unto the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in, and appoint them every one to his service and to his burden: (Numbers 4:19)). Similarly, if we go to the Lord, our High Priest, He will give us our “work” and our “burden” (Gal. 6:4-54But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5For every man shall bear his own burden. (Galatians 6:4‑5)).
It is also important to understand that not all of the gifts are for ministering the Word. Some gifts are not to be exercised publicly at all. Romans 12:4-84For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:4‑8) indicates this: “As we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office [function]: 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 [service], 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.” There are seven gifts listed here, but the last three are of a private nature, and have nothing to do with ministering the Word publicly, and therefore wouldn’t be exercised in the assembly meetings.
The Free Action of the Gifts in the Assembly
It is also important to see that all such gifts do not reside in one person. Scripture says, “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another ... ” (1 Cor. 12:8-108For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: (1 Corinthians 12:8‑10)). A man may have more than one gift, but it is clear from this passage that he will not possess all the gifts. Therefore, the assembly will need participation from all who have a gift for ministering the Word if it is going to get the benefit of the gifts in its midst. Unfortunately, the clergy system is just about everywhere in Christendom. We refer to the setting up of a man to carry on the ministry of the Word in the assembly—i.e. a Priest, a Pastor or a Minister. This pre-empts the free exercise of the gifts, as led by the Spirit. The whole idea of “one-man ministry” is not found in the Bible. As we have noted, the Bible teaches that all the brothers who have a gift for ministering the Word should have liberty in the assembly to exercise their gift as led by the Spirit.
Nor is there any mention in the Scriptures of a person needing to go to a seminary to be trained before he can use his gift in the assembly. The very passage we quoted in 1 Peter 4:1010As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (1 Peter 4:10)-11 indicates this. It says, “As every man hath received a gift, even so minister the same one to another” (1 Peter 4:1010As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (1 Peter 4:10)). It doesn’t say, “If one has a gift, let him go to a seminary, and then minister...” It simply says that if he has a gift, “even so minister” with that gift. This shows that the possession of a spiritual gift to minister the Word is a person’s warrant to use it.
Again, it says, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it in the ability which God giveth” (1 Peter 4:1111If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:11)). Notice again, there is no mention of him going to school and then letting him speak in the assembly. The simple order in Scripture is, “When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying” (1 Cor. 14:2626How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. (1 Corinthians 14:26)). If we have a “doctrine [teaching],” etc., let it be done to the edifying of the assembly. This is God’s order for ministry in the Church. It is how the Church was taught and edified in its early days, and it is our model for ministry today.
God’s order for ministry, of course, must be done under the control and leading of the Holy Spirit. If we are not subject to the Spirit, we could very easily turn the meetings into a free-for-all. This was happening at Corinth and it needed to be regulated (1 Cor. 14:2626How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. (1 Corinthians 14:26)). The Apostle indicates that if a person persistently acts in the flesh in the sphere of ministry, the assembly has recourse in exercising judgment in regard to him (1 Cor. 14:2929Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. (1 Corinthians 14:29)). More will be said on this later. The point to get here is that the answer for fleshly action in public ministry is not to establish a system that pre-empts people from speaking unless they have been approved by the system—i.e. the clergy/laity system. Where the Holy Spirit is depended on, and free to act in the assembly, He will call forth and energize the spiritual gifts that are there, and they will function in teaching and exhortation for the edification of all. The assembly does not need eloquence; it needs edification. “Five words” as led by the Spirit can be used in the assembly for lasting profit, more than a great display of eloquence (1 Cor. 14:1919Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. (1 Corinthians 14:19)).
Since we no longer have apostles in the Church, the main gifts for ministering the Word today are: evangelists, pastors [shepherds], teachers, and prophets (Eph. 4:1111And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (Ephesians 4:11); Acts 13:11Now 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. (Acts 13:1)). We see all four of these gifts in action in Acts 11:19-3019Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. 22Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. 25Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. 27And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 28And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea: 30Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:19‑30).
An Evangelist
“Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the Word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians [Greeks], preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord” (Acts 11:19-2119Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. (Acts 11:19‑21)).
Evangelists are the heralds of the glad tidings—the gospel. It is unlikely that all of these people who were scattered abroad in this persecution were evangelists, but they all helped in spreading the gospel. This shows that we can all “do the work of an evangelist,” even if we don’t have the gift of an evangelist (2 Tim. 4:55But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (2 Timothy 4:5)).
Those who do have a specific gift for preaching and sharing the gospel will go out with the Word as directed by the Lord (Mark 16:1515And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15); Acts 8:55Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. (Acts 8:5)). The sphere of the evangelist’s service is predominantly in the world. He should be like a compass, having one foot firmly established in the assembly and the other reaching out to lost souls in the world. All his work should be carried out with the assembly in view. Paul indicates this in saying, “That they who are of the nations should be joint heirs, and a joint body, and joint partakers of His promise in Christ Jesus by the glad tidings” (Eph. 3:66That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: (Ephesians 3:6)). We see from this that gospel truth and assembly truth are inseparably linked. The material that the Church, the body of Christ, is composed of is gathered in “by the gospel.” God intends that when a person is saved, he would be found, thereafter, functioning in the body as God has set him.
The “great stones” that were brought for the purpose of building the temple (1 Kings 5) were not only cut from the place where they were found; they were brought to the temple site and fitted into the house (1 Kings 6). To get the stones out of the pit was not an end in itself. Similarly, the living stones that compose God’s house today have been saved for the purpose of functioning in the assembly for His glory. The evangelist should work with this in view. Wanting souls to be saved without seeing them functioning in their place in the body is falling short of God’s purpose for them.
This work of an evangelist, of course, must be carried out in communion with the Lord Jesus—“the Lord of the harvest” (Matt. 9:3838Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest. (Matthew 9:38)). It should be done out of love for Christ and love for souls. The old adage—“What comes from the heart goes to the heart”—is surely needed in this work. When souls are saved, a Spirit-led evangelist will not tell his converts to go to the church of their choice, as is often done. Instead, he will show them that, having believed on the Lord Jesus, and consequently having been sealed with the Holy Spirit, they are already in the Church. And that what they need to do is to continue “stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in [the] prayers” (Acts 2:4242And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:42)). This is what the early Church did. The four things mentioned in this verse have been called “the four anchors of assembly life.” If one or more of these anchors are missing in our Christian lives, we will drift onto the rocks and make shipwreck (Acts 27:2929Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. (Acts 27:29); 1 Tim. 1:1919Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: (1 Timothy 1:19)).
A Pastor
Being guided to an assembly on Scriptural ground, the new convert will need spiritual help in moral and practical issues in his life. To help him in this, God has given another gift to the Church—a pastor (shepherd). This is illustrated in the next series of verses in Acts 11. “Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the Church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord, for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith” (vss. 22-24). While Barnabas is also called an apostle (Acts 14:1414Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, (Acts 14:14)) it is evident that he had the gift of shepherding God’s people. His work in Antioch illustrates this.
The pastor’s burden is to help the members of Christ’s body in their walk with the Lord. He particularly has the care of the newborn babes in Christ at heart, and will look after them and will see to it that none go astray. And if any do, he will go after them to recover them. This is a much-needed gift today when there is so much failure in the Church.
The pastor (shepherd) will have a sympathetic heart and will administer comfort to the flock in times of sorrow and affliction. He will feel the trials and problems that the Lord’s people are going through, and will carry their sorrows on his heart, and will offer counsel and encouragement. He may have to give correction where one has gone wrong, but he will do it faithfully and lovingly (Prov. 27:66Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. (Proverbs 27:6)).
A pastor’s work is largely private in character, but he can and will teach and apply the truth to souls in public meetings. This is seen in Barnabas helping Saul in the teaching of the saints in the assembly at Antioch (Acts 11:2626And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (Acts 11:26)). This gift takes the most wisdom of all the gifts to exercise. If a pastor is not careful, and he gets out of communion with the Lord, he could lead the saints after himself and not Christ (Acts 20:3030Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20:30)). This is an ever-present danger for pastors. It is essential, therefore, that he be found in communion with the Lord at all times (John15:4).
A Teacher
In the next couple of verses in Acts 11 we see the gift of a teacher in exercise. “Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the Church [assembly], and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (vss. 25-26). The teacher’s work is to help the saints understand the truth of God. The truth, when properly understood, occupies the soul with Christ.
A teacher is one who enjoys the truth and loves to help others enjoy it too. Since Christ is the center and theme of all Scripture, the teacher’s main desire is to help the saints to know Him and the ways of God better. A Spirit-led teacher will exalt Christ and unfold the glories of His Person and work. He will labour to “rightly divide the Word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:1515Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)), pointing out various distinctions and shades of meaning, which will help believers have a better understanding of the revelation of God. One distinguishing mark of a teacher is that he is able to say the same thing in a half dozen different ways until his audience gets a hold of the particular concept he is seeking to present. He has the natural ability to explain his thoughts clearly and a spiritual gift from the Lord that compliments his abilities. These two things can be seen in the parable of the talents. The man gave "talents" (figurative of a spiritual gift) to every man "according to his several ability" (Matt. 25:1515And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. (Matthew 25:15)). See also 1 Peter 4:10-1110As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10‑11). If he uses his gift and ability rightly and in dependence on the Lord, the saints will be taught much truth.
Before a teacher can truly be effective, he must first be taught the truth himself. This will take time and diligence in private study, “fully following up” on the various lines of truth in Scripture (1 Tim. 4:66If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. (1 Timothy 4:6)). Teaching requires not only learning the truth but also knowing how to set it forth clearly and orderly, so that the saints can take it in and profit from it. We see this in Paul’s exhortation to Timothy: “Have an outline of sound words” (2 Tim. 1:1313Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 1:13)). This was not an exhortation to Timothy to learn the truth of Paul’s doctrine, for Timothy had done that already (2 Tim. 3:1010But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, (2 Timothy 3:10)), but to have the truth of God in an orderly way for the purpose of keeping it (2 Tim. 1:1414That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. (2 Timothy 1:14)) and disseminating it (2 Tim. 2:22And the things 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 shows that the teacher must not only know the truth; he must have it in an outline form so that he can “systematically delineate” its various tenets to others (J. N. Darby Translation footnote on 2 Timothy 1:1313Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 1:13)). For this reason alone, this gift requires more time in preparation than the other gifts, that it might reach its maximum effectiveness.
Teachers, pastors, and prophets will work together profitably in the assembly, when directed by the Spirit. This is seen in the fact already mentioned—both Barnabas and Saul taught the assembly in Antioch. The teacher will lay out the truth, and the prophets and pastors will give the practical application of those truths in the various situations of life. The harmony of the gifts, working toward one common goal, is seen in Ephesians 4:11-1411And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till 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: 14That 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; (Ephesians 4:11‑14): “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.” Notice how closely pastors and teachers are linked in this passage, as indicated by the absence of the word “some” in the text between these two gifts. It could be that one man is both a pastor and a teacher, but usually they are seen as separate gifts (1 Cor. 12:2828And 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)).
The object of the gifts is to help the members of the body to grow to the point where they can participate in “the work of the ministry.” If the gifts are effective, the saints will be built up in the most holy faith (Jude 2020But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, (Jude 20)), and they, in turn, will be able to contribute in the ministry. The ministry of all pastors and teachers should have this in “view.” In a sense, they “work themselves out of a job,” and thereafter, are able to move on to other places where there is a need for teaching and shepherding.
A Prophet
In the last part of Acts 11, we see prophets at work. “And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Ceasar. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea: which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul” (vss. 27-30). There are two aspects to this gift’s use: to foretell, and to tell forth. We see Agabus acting in the first capacity—fortelling certain events that shortly were to come to pass. This aspect of prophecy is not seen in the Church today—though there are some who might pretend to have this ability. The other aspect of prophecy—telling forth the mind of God for the occasion—is encouraged in the local assembly (1 Cor. 14:11Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. (1 Corinthians 14:1)). It is a very needed ministry. The three-fold object of this kind of prophetic ministry is:
• “Edification”—the building up of the saints in the most holy faith (Jude 2020But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, (Jude 20)). If the saints are deficient in some point of doctrine in the Christian faith, ministry of this kind will meet that need. It is for our understanding.
• “Exhortation”—the stirring up of the saints in some aspect of Christian practice. If the saints are lacking in some practical area of their lives, this will meet that need (Hagg. 1:13-14). It is for our consciences.
A prophet, in this sense, labours to improve the state of the saints, whereby their communion with the Lord is deepened. His ministry deals with the hearts and consciences of the Lord’s people, and on occasion, he may address things they may not want to hear (Acts 21:10-1410And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus. 11And 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. 12And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. 14And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. (Acts 21:10‑14)).
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Summary: A Scriptural assembly will recognize the spiritual gifts in its midst, and will allow them to be exercised, as led by the Holy Spirit. Where He is depended on, and free to act in the assembly, He will call forth and energize the spiritual gifts that are present, and they will function in teaching and exhortation for the edification of all.