INTRODUCTION
No doubt as we study God’s Holy Word and that being both The Old and New Testaments that we draw definite conclusions of how Ascended Gifted Ministries are released. There are those certain few individuals and denominations that move away from The Old Testament examples. Their unwise reasoning was that The Old Testament saints were governed by The Law, whereas The New Testament Church is governed by Grace.
We have to agree that The Old and New Testaments comprise (consist of) of different Dispensations. However though that is true, we have to heed to what the Word of God has to say about the entire Word of God:
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).”
We note the word “All” in the above Scripture, which simply means both The Testaments. And therefore we consider examples of how ministries were set apart in both Testaments.
I, personally have the understanding from both Testaments that there is a definite role played by mentors (coaches) in developing ministries in their protégés. Young men of God, who were ear marked for the ministry by God, served an apprentice under the tutorship of experienced seasoned men of God. The Old Testament cites classic examples of this Divine method of training and releasing men for the ministry. Joshua served under Moses, Elisha served under Elijah. Not only did they serve their so-called apprenticeship, but they were also released by the mentors:
“And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them (Numbers 11:28).”
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him (Numbers 27:18); And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation (Numbers 27:22).”
“But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah (2 Kings 3:11).
“And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces
He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over (2 Kings 2:9-14).”
From these classic Old Testament examples we get a vivid (bright) example of how ministries are set in order. First an apprenticeship with a seasoned man of God must be served and then after years of faithful serving, the mentor releases the protégé.
On close examination of The New Testament examples it is evident that this pattern continues:
“Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Timothy 1:2).”
“Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery (1 Timothy 4:14).”
“To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour (Titus 1:4).”
“Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ (2 Corinthians 8:23).”
THE CALLING OF MINISTRY
Very often I am prompted by The Lord to write and speak of my personal experiences. It is not something that I am very eager about, for the simple reason that my experiences do not in any way endorse The Word of God. Other than that other men of God may be cited in these experiences and it may be interpreted that I am attacking them. This is not the case, what had transpired had transpired and I write about these experiences for the sole reason that from these experiences correction may come.
I served in an Apostolic Church. My Pastor was an Apostle, Pastor and a Teacher. It was the belief of The Local Church that all callings of ministry had to come via the Apostle. In The Local Church there were also other Ascended Gifts, however it was embedded in their belief system that the calling of ministry could not come through any of the other Fivefold Ministers but the Apostle.
I had several debates with my Pastor over this and may I add our different persuasions in no way divided us; rather it brought a great mutual respect for each other. We concluded that we would differ on the subject but stay true to our relationship.
It has and will always be my understanding that it is The Word of God that has the final and only say of how the Church is governed and through what means made available by God for this governance. Callings are essentials via The Gifts of The Holy Spirit; however we must come to a Scriptural conclusion who is responsible for the calling?
First and foremost the Lord is responsible for the calling of His Ascended Gifts. He is the Head of The Church and because He governs His Church through The Fivefold Ministry, The Lord makes known to them through the gifts of The Ministry and that possible being a word of Knowledge or the Gift of Prophecy.
The calling of Barnabas and Saul (Paul) has already been dealt with; however it is essential that we refer to it once again, for it clearly gives us a definite understanding of who may be used by The Holy Spirit to call men into the ministry. On reading Acts 13:1-3 we note that there were Prophets and Teachers in The Antioch Assembly. A special meeting was held exclusively for the leadership and whilst worshipping and fasting The Lord spoke that Barnabas and Saul be set apart for their respective ministries. We from this conclude that there were no Apostles present, there were no Evangelists present, and there were no Pastors present. The Holy Spirit spoke and it was either The Prophet or The Teacher that was used by The Holy Spirit. It is with this in mind that we had come to the conclusion that any one of the Fivefold Ministers may do the calling as they are prompted by The Holy Spirit.
Whenever it is stipulated (ordered) that it must be an Apostle we are simply placing The Apostolic Ministry above the other four Ascended Gifts.
THE RELEASING OF ASCENDED GIFTED MINISTRIES
We have also discussed already that there is a definite response between calling of ministry and releasing of ministry. It is God who calls and it is The Leadership of the Local Church that responds to the call. This is clearly evident when we consider the following Scriptures:
“Now 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. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away (Acts 13:1-3).”
The releasing of Ascended Gifted Ministries is not solely the work of The Apostle. Be it that this is the case, then it stands to reason that The Apostle is in total control of the Church. God who is all wise governs His Church through all of The Fivefold Ministries and not just one Ascended Gifted Ministries. The Word of God confirms this:
“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety (Proverbs 11:14).”
Barnabas and Saul were released by all the Ascended Gifts present at that special worship and fasting service and the fasting and praying service. We have to take special note from The above Scripture the word used and that being “they”.” This confirms to us that it is not just the Apostle that is used to release Ascended Gifted Apostles or even the other Ascended Gifts, but rather all Ascended Gifts within The Local Church working as a one unit.
