TUESDAY May 28, 2024
Edifying the Body of Christ
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ....
Ephesians 4:11-13
In the early church, prophets were commonly associated with making futuristic predictions. However, in the New Testament, a prophet was one who made a proclamation as they taught God’s Word. When a person uses the gift of prophecy in teaching, it does not necessarily mean something about the future is revealed. Its purpose is for edification, encouragement and consolation. The only person who I would consider to be close to a prophet would be Dr. Billy Graham, because he has preached the Gospel all over the world.
Understand, the gift of prophecy is nothing if used without God’s love. Seriously, it is of no value, as 1 Corinthians 13:2 states: ...though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge ... but have not love, I am nothing. In fact, all the gifts of the Holy Spirit are to be operated in love.
A person with the gift of prophecy usually occupies a position of leadership in the ministry, such as an apostle or teacher, as this is a gift used when teaching the Word of God. The spiritual gift of pastor/teacher is used to help believers progress in Christ. A pastor feeds the congregation with the Word of God.
However, an evangelist is a person called to proclaim the Good News to the lost. He devotes himself entirely to preaching the Gospel message of salvation. His aim is to reach the non-believer so they can come to know Christ. Billy Graham was a great evangelist. He would give a simple message of salvation to those without an eternal hope. Then he would give an invitation so that people could come and accept Christ.
...grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
~2 Peter 3:18~
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