The variance in one’s understanding of this one subject matter has led to the emergence of heterogeneous movements within Christendom. This chasm of doctrinal disparity—not only made many professing disciples uncouple from the established domain, but it also continued to rouse such animosity and faction within the believing fold, thus engendering the spirit of fraternity to wane out.
So, in order to efficiently dissect this topic, it is crucial that we understand the context of the synoptic gospels.
First off, we must not forget the fact that the dispensation that they lived in, and the current dispensation differs greatly; not to mention, the gospels (the gospel of the kingdom—to the Jews; and now the gospel of Christ).
Unless we make a clear distinction between these two periods, we are sure to puddle around in our perception of spiritual matters.
Know that they were under the Old Testament and the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing (Heb 9:8); besides, the Holy Ghost was not yet been given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified (John 7:39). And the one purpose Jesus had come, was to seek and to find the lost sheep of the house of Israel – Matt 15:24/10:6. Remember the stock phrase: “to the Jew first”! To whom pertains the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises.
We cannot even think about Gentiles getting grafted in, at this point in time. Three things would have to take place before the Gentiles would be grafted in: Firstly, due to the blindness of their heart, the Jews must deny the Holy One and the Just – Acts 3:13-15; secondly, they must put off the word of God from among them – Acts 13:46; and thirdly, due to their unbelief, SOME of the branches – Rom 11:17 – must be broken off from the good olive tree – Rom 11:11, which would culminate in the grafting in of the Gentiles.
The gospels very clearly depict that the Kingdom of God has already come (in its spiritual form)—whose effect was the dispersal of “the gifts of the Spirit.”
The gifts of the Spirit were also evidence of the promise of the Spirit being poured upon all who believed – Acts 2:4,17/4:30,31/Gal 3:5. One of the reasons why Barnabas and Paul were endowed with unique grace and apostleship was to make the Gentiles obedient (Romans 15:18)— Miracles and wonders were wrought among the Gentiles – to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed—through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God (Romans 15:18,19). To simply put, it was the inauguration of the Church of God.
Just as God brought Israel out of the land of bondage with great signs and wonders—the Bible is clear in this, that, He brought them out, AFTER that he had shown wonders and sign (Acts 7:36); so the gifts of the Spirit that were endowed on the first century Church and the display of such signs and wonders stood as a parallel to Israel’s redemption.
The holy apostles and prophets of the Lamb were distinct, and they were handpicked by the Master himself to carry out an exclusive order. They were the chosen foundation stones upon which the Church would be built. By laying down their lives for the word of God and for the body of Christ, they’d come to inherit cardinal positions in Christ, as well.
And God hath set SOME in the Church: 1Cor 12:28
First, Apostles,
Secondarily, Prophets,
Thirdly, Teachers (the Apostolic and earlier Church Fathers; not to mention, the church teachers who persevered defending the truth during the 2nd and 3rd century when the Gnostic and Monarchian heresies were rife).
After that (what is built upon), miracles, gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues – This verse clearly indicates that the first three offices had been laid as the foundation.
(After Jesus ascended above) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love (Ephesians 4:11-16).
- Paul said, and whether we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation (2 Corinthians 1:6).
- Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church (Colossians 1:24).
- Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God (Colossians 1:25); – ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us (2 Corinthians 3:3).
- The Lord spoke to Ananias: Paul is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake (Acts 9:15,16).
- Paul said, my tribulations for you, which is your glory (Ephesians 3:13).
- Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us (1 Corinthians 4:8).
- As a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation (1 Corinthians 3:10) – I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2).
- Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ—Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit (Ephesians 3:4,5). Do you see the uniqueness?
Now we know how unconscionable it is to compare ourselves with the holy Apostles and Prophets of Christ, as those offices held supreme status and function; not to mention, the power sanctioned to carry out their duties was flawless.
What we are left with is, the gift of prophecy (not the office of a Prophet); instructors (to instruct in righteousness – 2Tim 3:16 – in meekness instructing – 2Tim 2:25/1Cor 4:15), gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues, for the sole purpose of edifying the body of Christ, and also to convince an unbeliever – 1 Cor 14:4,24,25.
Apostle John said, the anointing which ye have received of him abides in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you (1 John 2:27). If the office of a ‘Teacher’ is required in this dispensation* (Paul was a teacher of the Gentiles – 1Tim 2:7/2Tim 1:11 – they were appointed by Christ himself; Jesus of Nazareth was a teacher come from God – John 3:2), *precious Holy Ghost would not have brought to our attention how equipped a believer now is in Christ—especially with the formation of the complete canon of Scripture. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. (Hebrews 5:12).
Unlike us, they received instruction from the Spirit of God, which later came to be known as the canon of Scripture. Today those that are endowed with the gift of teaching–instruct others from what they have learned. That’s the difference. The holy Apostles, Prophets, Teachers of the Lamb gave us the engrafted word – James 1:21 – but we instruct others from that source. They have seen with their own eyes, and have looked upon, and their hands have handled, the Word of life – 1John 1:1,2. They were the primary vessels into which the life was poured (1 Cor 14:37); and they bore witness to it – Acts 20:24. They were eyewitnesses of his majesty – 2 Pet 1:16/1John 1:2. They gave us commands, epistles, gospels to follow. A dispensation of the gospel was committed unto them – 1 Cor 9:17. In contrast, we don’t give commands, do we? 1Thess 4:11/2Thess 3:4,6,10/1John 2:8/2Tim 2:8/1Tim 1:11/Rom 2:16/16:25
The office of an Apostle, Prophet, and Teacher was requisite to build them up as they did not have the complete canon of Scripture. Unlike them, we are furnished with the word of God and an ocean of literature to feed on. Jesus said, The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things (John 14:26).
The Lord, through the holy Apostles and Prophets, hath furnished the body of Christ with the requisite instructions, which have the potential to edify and perfect the saints of God. We have firsthand authoritative teachings from the Lord.
All things considered, the offices of the Apostles, the Prophets, and the Teachers have ended with the First Century Church, as their offices held a unique purpose; and unlike us, the grace that was bestowed upon them was also distinct. Such offices had to be there for the sole purpose of establishing the word of God; to assist the commencement of the Kingdom of God; to lay the foundation of the Church of God.
