THE SCENARIO: In all reverence, the main Character of this scenario is the blessed Holy Spirit. The Christian Church (henceforth the Church), since its establishment at Pentecost (Act 2:1-4), has been and is a Body of Believers in Jesus Christ, a Body umbilically connected to Jehovah God through His Holy Spirit; through His Spirit in every believer in their generation (Jhn 14:12-18). It follows that, since Pentecost, the great purposes of God among humankind He accomplishes by way of this His people, His Church, with which He abides. It follows too that, since Pentecost, God’s literal presence among humankind comes manifestly and singularly by way of His Church. Jehovah God works, singularly, through His Church, with which He abides. God abides with His Church, and there He may be found. Now if the declarations just made are sound, then there should be something quite extraordinary about this Body of Believers in Jesus Christ through whom God works out His purposes among humankind, and that “something” is what this scenario is all about. The people that comprise the Church in their generation have, by way of the Spirit of God that abides with them, gifts, extraordinary gifts, even surpassing gifts, from Him (1Cr 12:4-6, cf. Rom 12:3-8, Eph 4:4-7, 11-13, 1Pe 4:10), by which He accomplishes His purposes in them, and through them, among humankind. These gifts are personally manifold, and cannot possibly be covered in their entirety in this scenario, so please allow us to focus on just seven, seven gifts in the context of the offices of the Church, offices by which it functions in the world and advances the beautiful, the resplendent Kingdom of Jehovah God among humankind, for His glory and the exceeding good of humankind. The scenario will look at these gifts through the lens of seven Church offices.
In the outworking of this scenario, please consider the following:
Seven Offices:
Apostles (this office is entirely filled).
Prophets (this office is not entirely filled).
Teachers (this office is not entirely filled).
Workers of Miracles (this office is not entirely filled).
Helpers (this office is not entirely filled).
Leaders (this office is not entirely filled).
Linguists (this office is not entirely filled).
Figure 1 Clear Christcentric Communication for God’s Glory
The reader may wish to peruse this outline as an introduction: The Twelve Apostles. Technically, an apostle is (appointed as) a messenger. But more than that, an apostle is a messenger that is “sent” in the broader sense of the appointment. In the context of the New Testament the message is, specifically, the Gospel, and the first apostles were given (taught) this message over the course of a three-year period by the Teacher, the incarnate Jesus, He, the very Focal Point of the Gospel. By and by, when the Teacher imbued them with Power from on high (Jhn 14:26), He sent them to proclaim the Gospel message to the world (Mat 28:16-20). By their labors the Church was planted. The men Jesus appointed to this office were, uniquely, primary source witnesses to His life and Gospel-ministry—please note that this is the defining attribute of an apostle, as opposed to the technical specification of his office related just above, which specifies his appointment and function and role. The technical term and the definition should probably be appreciated in their own right yet allowed to come together in consideration of a given appointee. From the perspective of the definition, in the case of Paul, we get a very different primary source witness to the life and Gospel-ministry of Jesus Christ—that of an antagonist no less (this puts it mildly), and one outside the inner circle of twelve. Paul was an astute theologian of the Judaism of his day, and he witnessed the life and Gospel-ministry of our Savior from a completely different vantage point than did the original twelve apostles—the elegant thoroughness of our God is borne out by this appointment over against the protagonist vantage point witness of the original twelve (excepting Judas Iscariot). Our risen Lord appeared to this antagonist and eventually commissioned him and in turn sent him to proclaim the good news of the Gospel to the Gentile world of his day, and so he too would be considered an apostle having witnessed Jesus personally (Act 9:1ff). What then, with the demise of Judas Iscariot, one of the original twelve, and his replacement by Matthias (13th appointee, Act 1:21-26), and counting Paul (14th appointee, Act 9:1ff, 1Cr 4:9), is this office filled by twelve (Luk 6:13, Mat 19:27-28, Rev 21:14), thirteen, or fourteen men—what is the upper number? One certainly cannot count Judas here (Luk 22:3, Jhn 6:70), thus in keeping with the definition and the technicalities and one other important criterion uttered by the Commissioner Jesus—endurance—the answer we think is: the original twelve minus Judas Iscariot plus Matthias plus Paul equal thirteen appointees that may legitimately lay claim to and indeed actually do fill the office, not simply by force of their divine appointment, but also by enduring to the end for the One that appointed them (cf. Jesus in a different context-Mat 24:13). But, in keeping with the thrust of the scenario, our main goal here by way of this counting exercise is to show that this, the first office of the Church, is entirely filled. Notwithstanding, what is the gift here? The apostles were church-planters, and their gifts were commensurate to this weighty task. As we know, they were miracle workers and prophets for example, but was such as these their greatest gift? No way. The apostles knew firsthand, knew up close and personally, the incarnate God Yeshua, even Jesus the eternal Word of God. That is the greatest gift that they were blessed with—and, passed along in the course of their missionary activities. The churches they planted were built on this foundational knowledge. In this way they (the Holy Spirit) blessed us by sharing this surpassing knowledge (gift) as it came down to us through the Church infrastructure the apostles established. The Church is unique in this regard in that it can reach back some two millennia by today’s reckoning to the first principles given to the apostles by the One who owns the Church, by the One who purchased the Church with His precious blood, Jesus Christ. This continuity across such a great span of time, this maintenance of core principles by a still functioning body tightly tethered to its foundational principles, is unprecedented in the world…and why? (You know the answer Christian friend—it has to do with the main Character of this scenario!).
Books of the Bible: the prophetic books are shown. Technically, a prophet is one who speaks on behalf of another as an advocate or intermediary. By definition in the context of Scripture, a prophet is one whom Jehovah God (1) contacts with (2) a given message who then in turn (3) speaks that message on behalf of God (note for example the burning coal cleansing the lips of Isaiah the prophet as he is prepared to enter his lifelong prophetic office-Isa 6:5-10, “Isaiah Chapter Six Commentary”, cf. Jer 1:5). The prophetic pattern of Scripture indicates that Jehovah God reveals to His people what lies before them, both in the near term and the long term, and this by way of the Spirit of God at work in the prophetic office. As a theological aside, one might wonder, why does God do this? We think the answer is that in His love for His people (usually but a remnant) He in this way secures their common good through the lips of a few. Sure, it goes without saying that fulfilled prophecy proves God, but deity we think does not seek such proof. God is complete in Himself—such seeking would indicate a measure of insecurity, which is inconsistent with the character and notion of deity. Rather, God is surely more interested in His people, who are not complete in themselves (insecure), and need His prophetic interventions that defy naturalistic conceptions of space and time. Coming back to the main thought, an important question surfaces here: is this office filled to capacity at present? Given that biblical prophecy turns on Jesus Christ (“The Alpha and the Omega”), it could quite reasonably be argued that indeed it is filled, certainly with respect to the prophets of one phase of biblical prophecy, in that with our Lord’s first advent—His life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension into heaven—an important thrust of Old Testament biblical prophecy has been realized. But, very prophecy indicates we have not reached the End of which it speaks, itself brought in with the second advent of Jesus. We reckon therefore that there will be men and women who, in the last days as the second advent of Jesus approaches, and the End draws nigh, will be contacted by God in the mold of the prophets that went before them, and what they speak on behalf of God will be for the common good of God’s people in those tumultuous days and will facilitate the accomplishment of God’s purposes in the universe as the age of fallen humankind ends (Joe 2:28-32-note that the verses just before twenty-eight are in the context of Israel but then the text abruptly telescopes outward with all of humankind in view; with verse thirty-two ends the chapter). We conclude that this office is not filled to capacity awaiting God’s latter day prophets.
Technically, a teacher is someone who facilitates education. In Judaism, this is by definition the role of the rabbi, one versed in the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings (Books of the Bible-the groups are shown); one who utilizes Scripture to promote (in others) the education of Jehovah God. Thus the roles of rabbi and priest are distinct in Judaism. In Christianity, these (rabbi | teacher, priest) come together in the person of Jesus Christ, who is quintessentially Rabbi | Teacher and (High) Priest (Psa 110:4, Mat 23:8, Hbr 4:14-16, 7:11, 21-25). And so it is He, Jesus Christ, as Rabbi, by way of the Holy Spirit in His people, who educates in the knowledge of God (Jhn 14:26, “Be Holy”). This revelation of God was one of Jesus’ primary missions when He physically ministered on earth as the incarnate God Jehovah (blessed Salvation [life eternal in the presence of Jehovah God] being the other “A Letter of Invitation”), and it is now the Holy Spirit that continues this education in Jesus’ physical absence—through the office of teacher. The Holy Spirit may effect this teaching formally in the classroom, or in the Bible study, or from the pulpit, or less formally by the walk and talk of the Christian “teacher” in the world. It is sure that all Christians have opportunity to teach in the knowledge of God more often than not. Clearly, this office is not filled to capacity, and you and I Christian friend are called to fill it daily according to the capacity given to us in our generation and places wherein God has planted us.
Technically, a miracle is that which defies naturalistic explanation; that is, it cannot be explained exactly by the laws of contemporary science; at best, it might loosely be explained philosophically and | or statistically. By definition, a miracle worker is one who works miracles. In the context of Scripture Jehovah God is, by definition, and by evidence of Scripture, a miracle worker. Continuing in the context of Scripture, Satan, Jehovah’s antagonist, is not a miracle worker to the extent that Jehovah God is. Why? Because Scripture shows Satan to be a clever imitator of Jehovah God (Gen 3:4-5, Isa 14:12-14, catch this sowing imitation-Mat 13:24-25, 2Cr 11:3, 14-15, catch this one-Rev 7:3 over against Rev 20:4, on it goes). Real miracle power and intelligence originates with Jehovah. So how does one know when a given miracle worker is enabled by precisely the Holy Spirit? Jehovah God’s miracle worker works in accord with the Spirit of Jehovah God as revealed on the pages of Scripture, which understanding He gives by way of His teachers: ‘…you will know them by their fruits…’ So the next question is what is God’s purpose for allowing miracles (healings for example) in the lives of His people? It is always for the common good of the Church (1Cr 12:7, 27-31). That almost goes without saying given the big picture of Scripture (that would be Salvation: is not this Linchpin both personal and for the common good?). Beyond that, the reasons are as numerous as the plenteous good purposes of God in the lives of His people. Does God have to work through an agent here, a human miracle worker? Of course the answer is no, for God can move in directly when necessary. In that respect however, we think that the qualifying characteristic of the modern-day miracle worker is servanthood, because a servant is apt to intercede for God’s interests; is apt to intercede for people, for peoples’ need/s, with their own needs genuinely of a lower priority. This would be consistent, then, with the thesis that God is motivated to raise one up to the office of miracle worker precisely for the common good of the Church. One last thought—as the time of Jesus’ second advent nears, the times will become ever more tumultuous and it is likely that we will see this office become more populated in the Church (=an increase in Spirit-driven miracles as God acts by way of the Church, here specifically in the interest of His Church [this is a positive feedback loop]).
Christian friend, who is the greatest helper you know personally? Surely it is He who abides with you and ever helps you: thus we need give no technicalities nor definitions, for the Abiding One guides our understanding aright here. If you wish, close your eyes Christian friend, and in an attitude of prayer, let us have a quiet moment together—you and I and our gracious Helper. Let us clear our thoughts, and reach back a bit, and remember how our blessed God Jehovah has helped us over the years—can you recall a few of these treasures? Let us praise Him and thank Him from the depths of our souls just now. We praise you and thank you abiding Helper! Okay, in the ambiance of this holy moment, allow us now to relate a scenario of need whereby we hope the salient elements of help and anti-help will come together such that we might appreciate this blessed office, indeed, appreciate all those precious nameless ones who, over the centuries since Pentecost, have been called by our Savior to labor in this exceedingly Christlike office:
Xreia is a little lamb, a little lamb with short little legs. Come feeding time, Xreia cannot reach the feeding trough, and to make matters worse, the other sheep push little Xreia out of their way in their frenzied haste to feed themselves. Now Xreia is an orphan, and there are no other sheep in the bloodline to take an interest in Xreia. Xreia is alone, and battered and bruised owing to the selfish and otherwise sorts of abuse exacted by the other sheep. Little Xreia is wasting away from battery and hunger. Bohqew shepherds the flock to which Xreia belongs. Bohqew is a good shepherd. Bohqew soon noticed Xreia’s plight, and straightaway rolled up their sleeves and administered a program of help to save Xreia, along these lines: (1) Bohqew labored to make themselves familiar to Xreia, and gently won Xreia’s trust and friendship. (2) Bohqew hand-fed Xreia three times a day, sometimes more often, and Xreia was strengthened by this, not only because of the very special nourishment that Bohqew provided, but also because of the “personable” tenderness that Bohqew showed Xreia in that patient feeding. (3) Bohqew protected Xreia from those that sought to do Xreia harm, harm motivated by selfishness, or jealousy, or contempt, or self-occupied indifference… (4) After Xreia strengthened some, Bohqew made time every day to frolic a bit with Xreia, slinging Xreia over their shoulders sometimes and heading for the pasture, just the two of them, where there was plenty of fun and games. Xreia is a healthy, vibrant sheep these days, thanks to their helper Bohqew (Jas 2:15-16, “Feed My Sheep”, “Scenario 33” point four).
What is the gift that motivates this office? What could possibly be the helper’s gift? Surely we find it in 1 Corinthians 13; and surely that which we find in 1 Corinthians 13 is Paul’s more excellent way (1Cr 12:31)—the very essence of God, even that of the Helper (1Jo 4:8)…
The secular sources we checked (one popular encyclopedia, one popular dictionary) could not come to a consensus on the definition of a leader; they showed varied opinion across academia, industry, even from one continent to another it differed. Their causal matrix consisted of things like compulsion, courage, education, intellect, mettle, persona, sundry savvy | skill, toughness, and so on. The likes of these would not be considered to be gifts from God in the secular camp of course, rather, the individual’s DNA more or less came together in such a way that they were more apt to be a leader than the next person. Thus “luck,” (we greatly disdain that word by the way!), “chance,” or, putting it a bit more sophisticatedly(!), “statistics,” and the like, were at work up front, but, then the individual got busy and “made something of themselves” leaning on this good fortune, and were therefore understood to be the very cause of their leadership character from first to last. This is the same secular pattern that is repeated ad nauseam in other contexts and themes. Bottom line: God, gifts from Him, have nothing to do with leadership, the whole program, from the “lucky” beginning to the self-made individual at the end, lies entirely with the individual, and has nothing whatsoever to do with an external ordering force like, especially, God. So the Godless secularist.
There are so many great leader-brethren gracing the pages of Scripture (Old and New Testaments), and great Church-father leaders, pastors, missionaries, administrators, and so on, that one feels bad focusing on any one or two groups or individuals as a vehicle for discussion, in light of the discourtesy of leaving out the rest, so we are not going to go about things that way. Better to defer to God and let Him guide to the appropriate verses of Scripture, and then let the discussion unfold from there. Out of the many possibilities, allow us to go with these verses: Titus 1:7-9, which nudge the discussion in the direction of a Church office in keeping with the scenario. Titus 1:7-9 is a veritable Church-leader standard (it is more than that, it is a directive). If you would, take a look at Galatians 5:22-23, which shows us how this standard is realized—it is the Holy Spirit of God that effects this in, specifically, a Christian leader. In the Christian Church, a proven leader is so because of the leadership gifts they received from, precisely, Jehovah God (not “luck,” “chance,” or “statistics” combined with some shifting requisite of “sweat equity”). But maybe you are not a Christian and are reading this, and you say here—that’s just idealistic talk, church leaders in fact slip up and fall short of said standard as is well documented, so how can this be a divine gift with all the said dynamic attributes—shouldn’t such a gift preclude failure? Yes! God does not give gifts so as to automate, robotic-like, His leaders. The Church-leader , like any other saint, is a free moral agent from first to last. Yes, some of these leaders fell, fall, and will fall, but many flat do not, while others of these show a stalwart pattern of repentance, and by God’s grace recovery, unto fruitful God-given service for God in a new office/s (updated 11/15/2015, A.s). And it is such as these that lead the Church forward, holy, which is the overarching concern of He who purchased the Church and sieves and sets Her leaders. Well, this office is certainly not filled to capacity, for going forward the Church needs people who, gifted by God for a given task/s, will in fact walk, in their office, the talk of Titus 1:7-9, for the common good of the Church, to God the Benefactor’s glory. Jehovah God only ever needs but one gifted leader to accomplish His purposes, O but may He bless us with many.
Linguists. This office was one of the first (Act 2:1-6), and yet, by and by, a source of debilitating pride in the Church (1Cr 14:1ff [it never fails—when the gifts get to be a little more “heady,” pride and jealousy seem to always slither in and cause disharmony; other gifts can be like that too; we must prayerfully be on guard here-compare the “leaders” discussion above]). By way of this office, some very gifted people play a key role in the spread of the Gospel worldwide. The gift here is linguistics to the end that the biblical texts may be translated into foreign languages (by foreign is meant other than ancient Greek and Hebrew). A linguist may or may not be a preacher of the Word, but either way, Church linguists and the office of preacher are intimately connected, the latter oftentimes leaning on the former for clarity in the technical aspects of the underlying biblical Greek and Hebrew texts, or, maybe, for technical clarity in both directions—the underlying Greek and Hebrew as well as the target language of the hearers. Certainly righteous preachers are guided by the Holy Spirit per se, but still, He may utilize a Church linguist (whom He gifted and trained) to uncover meaning, again, in either direction, meaning that only the linguist sees aright. Here is a good example where humility, and harmony between the offices, bless the Church and glorify God: the efficiency and elegance and excellence inherent in God’s holy Word cannot help but surface when the Word is preached with clarity (the efficiency and elegance and excellence of God’s Word are intrinsic properties of the Word that cannot be augmented by the preacher; simple clarity of preaching naturally brings these to the attention of the hearer, and in-and-of-themselves as animated by the Holy Spirit in the heart and mind of the hearer attract the hearer to the Word [to God the Author]). So the office of linguist is maybe one of support, but it is certainly vital to the sustained growth of the Church, for growth comes by people “hearing” the Word of God. How does this work? God’s Word is tantamount to God speaking—thus people hear Him speak when the preaching of His Word is clear and unadulterated (Fig. 1-added after publication 11/03/2015, A.s.). And speaking, He “coos and woos” and draws people to Himself, which love-embrace is Salvation—and Salvation is what distinguishes, is what identifies one as a believing member of the Church (such a one’s name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life [Rev 3:5 et al.]). Here then is growth (“A Letter of Invitation”). Linguist, Word, Author, God speaking, preaching—notice how nicely these words fit together… Finally, this office is not filled to capacity as evidenced particularly by the great need for linguists on the mission fields, where are found so many foreign languages and seemingly myriad dialects thereof.
Christ bless you dearest Christian friend.
Praised be your Name gracious Jehovah God, Benefactor of so much Good. Amen.