‘Love Comes First.’
1 Corinthians 14:1-3.
a) 1 Corinthians 14:1. There are three clear instructions for the Corinthian church here:-
1- Pursue love.
2- Be zealous for Spiritual Gifts.
3- Seek the gift of prophecy.
b) 1 Corinthians 14:2. Generally, when we use the Gift of diverse languages we are speaking to God and not to people. No other person can understand – it is a mystery to them.
c) 1 Corinthians 14:3. The Gift of prophecy has Bible boundaries and is different to the ministry gift of Prophet. The ministry gift Prophet speaks:-
1- Vision to the Church.
2- Direction to the Church.
3- Correction to the Church. The Church may be:-
A- Local.
B- Regional. (Such as in Apostle Paul’s letters).
C- Global.
The Holy Spirit gift of prophecy is for:-
4- Edification.
5- Exhortation.
6- Comfort.
The gift of prophecy in the New Testament is not a “fortune telling” gift! The nearest it comes to that is as confirmation of what God was already saying, as in the case of Apostle Paul’s journey to trial. Old Testament style prophecy came to its fulfilment in Jesus Christ Who is Prophet, Priest and King and so is no more needed.
(Through this QT I am strongly persuaded that Love Comes First)
----------
‘Every True Believer Fits In.’
Ephesians 4:11-12.
We see here that God has made the Church so that everyone fits in if they are a True Believer.
a) Apostle. One who plants a Church in a place where there is no other Church and “fathers” that Church.
b) Prophet. One who speaks to the Church as in the QT above.
c) Evangelist. One who goes out amongst non believers and shares the Gospel with them in some way and spends most of their ministry in that field.
d) Pastor. Shepherds God’s flock.
e) Teacher. Teaches God’s flock. (Sometimes Pastor/Teacher can be the same person)
f) Saints. Church members who are True Believers and are in God’s perfecting process.
g) Workers. In the ministry of the Church.
h) Being built up all together as the Body of Christ.
(Through this QT I see that Every True Believer fits in to the life of the Church – the Body of Christ)
----------
Chris.
The Book of Ephesians in the Bible is a good read for all of us, especially as True Believers. It clearly explains our need of Salvation and our place in Jesus Christ. It helps us to understand how the Church should function. It prepares the Church for persecution when it tells about spiritual weapons and armoury.
