Cessation of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds, Teachers after The body of Christ/ EKKLESIA was built up, reached maturity
As a former Christian Teacher, the following passage would be sited at my yearly ordination. It was used to proclaim modern day Christian teachers being“gifted” by The Holy Spirit to teach and build up the Body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:11-14 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, FOR BUILDING UP THE BODY OF CHRIST, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
In one sense, it is through The Holy Spirit that man moves and breaths and has his being. Today there are many capable skilled Christ believing and non-believing teachers, speakers, preachers… It is good that there are Christian teachers and preachers but this passage does not support these modern day offices. Just think, would the Holy Spirit have tons of His people teaching contradicting doctrine? Is The Holy Spirit, The God of confusion? This is exactly what we see in the supposed Christian world, diametrically opposed views (tongues/ no tongues, prophesy/ no prophesy, miraculous healers/ no healers….).
In another sense, this is NOT correct because The Body of Christ, The Temple of God, The House of God was under construction during the writing of Scripture up until 70A.D. when God destroyed the old physical temple and made His home in His New Temple, His People Israel. Remember, Scripture was NOT written TO or FOR us in 21stcentury. There were certain specific historic events taking place in the writing of each letter. The audience relevance pertains to whom the letter was written TO and that was people like Timothy, Titus, the church in Rome, Galatia, Corinth, Ephesus...
My point is that the offices of apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers were for that specific transitional time between covenants (30-70AD) and ended at the maturity and completion of bringing the church (EKKLESIA - called out assembly or congregation of believers). What was Ekklesia being called out from?
1. Colossians 1:28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
2. Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
3. Hebrews 6:1-2 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands,the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
4. Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you (The Philippian church) will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (that day was in 70 A.D. when Christ returned).
5. Acts 9:31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and WAS BEING BUILT UP.And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
6. 1 Corinthians 12:27-29 NOW YOU ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?
7. 1 Corinthians 14:5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
8. 1 Corinthians 11:2 For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
The ekklesia/ church was built up and reached maturity by 70AD. She was marred to Christ and taken to the father’s mansion! Therefore, there is NO MORE CHURCH ON EARTH!!!Thus, no more Christians or Holy Spirit. Ekklesia means called out ones. Israel was scattered into the nations. The Gospel called the elect back!
Ephesians 4:11-14 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, FOR BUILDING UP THE BODY OF CHRIST, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
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