Eschatology and Ecclesiology

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Eschatology and Ecclesiology
The Ministry of the Church
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The Ministry of All Members

• Christ is the High Priest for believers in the
  church.
• All church saints constitute a royal priesthood
  (1 Pet 29). All of life is to be offered as a
  living sacrifice to God (Rom 121).
• Universality of ministry is evident in the
  distribution of various gifts by the Spirit to
  various members (1 Cor 127, 18). All are
  necessary for the proper functioning of the Body.

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The Nature of the Ministry

• The dominant theme of ministry is service (Matt
  2026-27).
• The church does what it does because of what
  Christ has done, but also as an extension of His
  ministry in the world today. Christ set the
  ultimate example of humility and service.
• The NT terminology for believers as slaves
  (doulos, Rom 11 Jam 11 Jude 1 Rev 11 1 Pet
  216) and performing ministry (diakonia, Acts
  117, 25 2 Cor 518 Eph 412 Col 125)
  confirms this.

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The Ministries of the Church

• As already noted, the gifts for the ministry of
  the members are varied (Rom 126-8 1 Cor
  128-10). These can be generally grouped as
  ministries concerning the
• preaching and teaching the Word
• leadership and administration
• the physical well being of the body.
• Each member is responsible to exercise the gifts
  that God has given him (1 Pet 410).
• Some gifts were foundational for authenticating
  Gods New Testament messengers and, after some
  period, ceased to exist (1 Cor 138).

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The Ordered Ministries

• General (Eph 411) all involve some ministry of
  the Word
• Apostles directly appointed messengers of
  Christ. Eyewitnesses of his ministry and
  resurrection. Their teaching formed the
  foundation of the church (Eph 220 35 2 Pet
  32 Jude 17).
• Prophets spoke directly from God, with the
  purpose of providing edification to the church (1
  Cor 143-4). Often mentioned with the apostles,
  their ministry was also foundational and
  particularly important in the beginning of the
  church.
• Evangelists Only three NT references (Acts
  218 2 Tim 45 Eph 411). Their role was (and
  is) to proclaim Christ where He was (and is) not
  already named.
• Teachers Mentioned in 1 Cor 1228 and Eph 411.
  Edify the congregation by means of their own
  clearer understanding of Gods revelation. Their
  function becomes increasingly important as
  apostles and prophets begin to pass off the scene.

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The Ordered Ministries

• Local The NT refers to two offices in the local
  church
• Bishop, elder, of pastor Study of NT usage
  demonstrates these terms are interchangeable. Key
  function is oversight, caring for and feeding the
  flock of God with His word. There is to be a
  plurality in leadership.
• Deacon Key function is service, meeting
  physical needs of the body.
• Both must be qualified according to the standards
  in 1 Tim 31-13 and Titus 15-9.

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