Aug. 14, 2024

We were given gifts each of different measure. Given to edify the church not by the merits of men. The Lord Jesus Christ gave these gifts. He has the authority. These are supernatural gifts. (Ephesians 4, ¹¹ And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers).

apostles: one sent out by another for a special commission; delegate. To be an apostle you had to see Jesus. It meant these first 13 individuals were set out directly by the Lord to preach the gospel: Matthew 10, ² Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; ³ Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

They had the power to heal and cast out demons.

Ephesians 2, ²⁰ And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.

John was the last apostle. We have the completed word. There are no apostles today.

prophets: foretellers; forthtelling; 100% accuracy. They interpreted God’s message by the power of the Holy Spirit. Prophets ceased because we have the completed Canon. (Ephesians 4, ¹¹ And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers).

evangelists: preacher of the gospel; primary purpose is to take the gospel to the unsaved. (Ephesians 4, ¹¹ And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers).

pastor teacher: shepherd; leads by example. A pastor is not to exercise authority. (Ephesians 4, ¹¹ And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers).