The Holy Spirit: Gifts & Ministries
Included in this manual/handbook are many topics related to spiritual gifts and the fivefold ministries. See list of topics/chapters, followed by a CONDENSED portion of a SAMPLE CHAPTER below! (The formatting will probably get distorted in transmission; but you'll get the idea.) Every verse on each topic in a neat outline. For individual and group use. Great reference book for pastors, Sunday School teachers, home fellowship leaders, home school scripture study. Titles of chapters include:
The Person of the Holy Spirit • The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The Gifts of the Spirit • Laying on of Hands • Apostolic Ministry
Deliverance • Discernment • Pastoral Ministry
• Faith
Divine Healing • The Ministry of a Prophet • The Gift of Prophecy
Signs and Wonders • Speaking in Tongues • The Teaching Ministry
Visions and Dreams • The Ministry of Music • The Work of an Evangelist
Large format (8.5"x11"). NEW, in excellent condition. S/h $4.50. Following is a representative sample of the contents:
The
Teaching Ministry
"And He gave... teachers for the perfecting of the saints for the work
of the ministry
for the edifying of the body of Christ... That we henceforth
be no more children,
tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind
of doctrine..." Ephesians 4:12, 14
Copyright © 1977, 1998 by Diane S. Dew
I. Teaching was recognized by the early church as essential
to the
spiritual growth and development of the individual believer.
Acts 2:42 "And
they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine
and fellowship, and in breaking
of bread, and in prayers."
Acts 11:26 "..And it came to pass, that
a whole year they assembled
themselves with the church, and taught much
people. And the disciples
were called Christians first in Antioch."
A. Instruction from the scriptures immediately followed conversion.
Acts
2:41, 42 "Then they that gladly received his word were
baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about
three
thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles'
doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."
B. It was even made available on a daily basis.
Acts
5:42 "And daily in the temple, and in every house, they
ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."
Luke 19:47 "And he taught daily in the temple..."
C.
"From morning to evening" Paul taught those who came to him
– even where he was living.
Acts
28:23, 30, 31 "And when they had appointed him a day, there
came
many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and
testified... from morning till
evening. And Paul dwelt two whole years
in his own hired house,
and
received all that came in unto him,
Preaching the kingdom of God,
and
teaching...."
Luke
21:37, 38 "And in the day time he was teaching in the temple;
and
at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount
of
Olives. And all the people came early in the morning to him in the
temple, for to hear him."
D. "And it came to
pass that a whole year they assembled themselves with
the
church, and taught much people."
Acts 11:26
E. "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship ... "
Acts 2:42
II. The purpose of the teaching ministry is the preparation of believers
for ministry
to the body, that it may edify itself. (See the
diagram below, a breakdown of
Ephesians 4:11-13. The word for "perfecting" in
verse 12 may more correctly
be translated "maturing.")
"And
He gave ... teachers for the maturing of the saints (plural)
-->
--> for the work of the ministry --> for the
edification of the body
--> ... unto a perfect man (singular)."
A. A solid foundation in the Word brings a spiritual stability to each member.
Ephesians 4:14 "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."
B. The fundamental or elementary teachings are especially important.
Hebrews 5:12 "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."
III. Much responsibility is involved in the teaching ministry.
Matthew 5:19
"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least
commandments, and
shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the
kingdom of heaven:
but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be
called great in the
kingdom of heaven."
I Timothy 4:11-16
"These things command and teach. Let no man despise
thy youth; but be
thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation,
in charity, in spirit,
in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading,
to exhortation, to
doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given
thee by prophecy, with the
laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate
upon these things;
give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear
to all. Take heed
unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in
doing this thou shalt
both save thyself, and them that hear thee."
James 3:1 "My
brethren, be not many masters (or, teachers), knowing that
we shall receive the
greater condemnation."
A. Scripture says that one must
be "apt to teach" (I Timothy 3:2; II Timothy 2:24).
What are the
qualifications of a good teacher?
1. An
extensive knowledge of the scriptures and the ability to impart this
understanding to others are essential.
II Chronicles 17:7-9 "Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes... to teach in the cities of Judah. And with them he sent Levites... ; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests. And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people."
Nehemiah 8:7, 8 "[And they] ... caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading."
Luke 24:27, 32 "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?"
Acts 8:30-35 "And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? ...Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus."
Acts 18:24, 25, 28 "And a certain Jew named Apollos, ...mighty in the scriptures, came to Aphesis. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ."
Acts 28:23, 30, 31 "And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified ... from morning till evening. And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus...."
II Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
2. This involves an acquired skill and much preparation.
Ezra 8:10
Acts 18:24-28
Galatians 6:6 "Let him that is taught
in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things."
I Timothy 5:17, 18
II Timothy 2:2 "And the things that
thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful
men, who shall be able to teach others also."
II Timothy 4:2 "Preach the word;
be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all
longsuffering and doctrine."
3. However, more is involved in the training of a teacher than intellectual instruction. Effective teaching requires a divine authority and the anointing of God.
Matthew 7:29 "For he taught them
as one having authority, and not as the scribes."
Titus 2:15 "These things speak, and
exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee."
B. The best instructor is personal example. Our lives must back up what we say.
Matthew 5:19 "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
Acts 1:1 (1. Do; 2. Teach) "The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach."
Romans 2:21-23 "Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?"
Romans 12:7 "Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching"
I Timothy 3:2-13 "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus."
I Timothy 4:11, 12 "These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
C. Age is not a determinant in qualifying
for the ministry. Paul exhorted
Timothy, still a young
man, "teach. Let no man despise thy youth."
I Timothy 4:11, 12
IV. Who is responsible for the spiritual instruction of God's people?
A. In Old Testament times, the home was the center for basic spiritual instruction.
Genesis 18:19
Deuteronomy 4:9, 10; 6:6-9; 11:19; 32:46
Psalms 78:2-8
Proverbs 6:20; 22:6
Isaiah 38:19
B. But God also provided for spiritual
instruction through individuals
such as Moses
(Exodus 18:20; 24:12; Deuteronomy 4:14), etc.
C. The priests and Levites (Old
Testament counterpart of the New Testament
teaching ministry)
"caused the people to understand the law ... they read
in the book
in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused
them to understand
the reading."
Leviticus 10:10, 11
II Chronicles 15:3; 17:7-9
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 7, 8
Ezra 7:6, 10
Ezekiel 44:23
D. It is still primarily the
responsibility of parents to instruct and guide their
children in
the ways of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4; II Timothy 3:15), but
God has also
appointed specific ministries in the church for this particular
purpose.
Acts 13:1 "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch
certain prophets and teachers ..."
I Corinthians 12:28, 29 "And God hath set some in the church,
... teachers ... are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?"
Ephesians 4:11, 12 "And he gave some ... pastors and teachers;
for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for
the
edifying of the body of Christ:"
V. The teaching ministry is God-ordained: neither self-appointed nor chosen by man.
I Corinthians 12:28
Ephesians 4:11, 12
A. To a certain extent, teaching becomes a part of every ministry.
Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly
in all
wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
Hebrews 5:12 "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."
1. Apostles.
Acts 2:42; 6:2, 4; 15:35
I Corinthians 4:17
I Timothy 2:7
II Timothy 1:11
2. Pastors.
I Timothy 3:2
Titus 1:9
3. Evangelists.
Acts 8:29-35 with 21:8
B. However, "God hath set some" in the
body with that particular function,
or specialty (I
Corinthians 12:28-29 "some"; Ephesians 4:11, 12 "some").
In this sense, not
all are teachers (I Corinthians 12:28, 29 "are all teachers?"
verse 28).
VI. What should be taught?
Doctrinal instruction is essential and has its
place (Hebrews 5:12; 6:1-3; etc.),
but there is a realm of ministry that surpasses
intellectual instruction. God is
concerned that His people learn how to live and
walk with Him.
A. Respect for God.
Deuteronomy 31:12, 13
II Chronicles 17:10
Ezekiel 44:23
B. Obedience toward God.
Psalms 78:2-8
Matthew 28:20
C. Righteousness and holy living.
I Kings 8:36 "the good way"
Romans 2:18
Titus 2:4, 5, 12
VII. Where did teaching in the New Testament take place?
A. "From house to house."
Acts 5:42; 18:26; 20:20
Titus 2:3-4
B. By the seaside.
Matthew 5:1; 13:1, 2
Mark 2:13; 4:1
Luke 5:3
C. In a desert.
Mark 8:4
D. On a mountainside.
Matthew 5:1
E. In the temple.
Matthew 4:23; 21:23; 26:55
Mark 1:21, 22; 6:2; 12:35; 14:49
Luke 4:15; 6:6; 13:10; 20:1, 2; 21:37, 38
Acts 5:21, 42
F. On a cart.
Acts 8:27-35
VIII. A severe lack of teaching can be very dangerous.
II
Chronicles 15:3, 5, 6
Isaiah
5:13
Hosea
4:6
A. It is the personal responsibility of the individual believer to test doctrine.
Ephesians 4:14
1. Is it "the doctrine of the Lord"?
Acts 13:12
2. Is it "sound doctrine"?
I Timothy 1:10
II Timothy 4:3
Titus 1:9; 2:1
3. Is it "good doctrine"?
Proverbs 4:2
I Timothy 4:6
B. Scripture repeatedly warns of the coming of false teachers.
Deuteronomy 13:1-3
Matthew 5:19; 7:15; 15:2-20; 16:12; 23:2-33; 24:23-26
Mark 8:15; 13:21-23
Luke 11:38-52
Acts 15:11, 24; 20:28
Galatians 1:7
I Timothy 1:3-7; 6:3-5
II Timothy 3:13-14; 4:34
Titus 1:10, 11; 3:10, 11
Hebrews 13:9
II Peter 2:1
II John 7-10
Jude 1:4
Revelation 2:14, 15
1.
They teach the "doctrines of men" (Matthew 15:9; Mark 7:7;
Colossians 2:22) and devils (I Timothy 4:1), not the "doctrine
of Christ" (II John 9).
2.
If it is the "doctrine of God" (Titus 2:10), it will in every aspect
correspond with the written Word of God (Isaiah 8:20).
3.
Teachers of "divers and strange doctrines" (Hebrews 13:9), who
use the scriptures but twist their meaning (II Peter 3:16),
make
no distinction between right and wrong (Ezekiel 22:26). Often
their motive in ministry is one of monetary gain (Micah 3:11).
4.
Because people without a solid foundation in the Word can so
easily be led astray (Matthew 24:24), "handling the Word of
God
deceitfully" (II Corinthians 4:2) will be met with severe punishment
(James 3:1).
IX. Our attitude and objective in ministry must always be kept pure.
A. The purpose of all ministry should be for the benefit of God's people – not self.
Ephesians 4:11, 12
Colossians 1:28
1. Not monetary gain.
Micah 3:11
John 10:12
2. Not pride.
I Corinthians 3:6 (God causes spiritual growth)
3. Not striving for position or authority.
Matthew 20:21
B. We must minister in the spirit of meekness
(II Timothy 2:25), love
(I Corinthians
13; Ephesians 4:15), sincerity (II Corinthians 1:12, 13),
humility (I Corinthians
2:1-5, 13), and compassion (Matthew 9:36).
X. The greatest key to effective teaching is simplicity.
I Corinthians 2:1-5,
13
II Corinthians 1:12,
13
Titus 2:7, 8
A. We learn by repetition.
Philippians 3:1 "... To write the same things to you, to me indeed
is not grievous, but for you it is safe."
I Timothy 4:6 "If thou put the brethren in remembrance of
these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus
Christ..."
Hebrews 5:12 "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."
Jude 5, 17
B. Scripture speaks of the different levels of teaching.
I Corinthians 14:9
Hebrews 5:12-14
1. Milk, for the newly saved.
I Corinthians 3:1-3
Hebrews 5:12, 13
2. Meat (solid food), for the more mature.
Isaiah 28:9
John 16:12
I Corinthians 2:13, 14; 3:2
Hebrews 5:12, 14; 6:1, 2
Revelation 10:4
C. Jesus adjusted His message
to meet the needs of His audience
on their own level,
in their individual situations.
Mark 4:33 "... as they were able to hear it"
1. He spoke metaphorically, in parables.
Matthew 13:34, 35
Mark 4:2, 33, 34
Luke 13:34, 35
a. To fishermen He spoke of nets.
Luke 5:1-11
b. To farmers He spoke of the seed of the Word.
Mark 4:26-29
c. To the woman at the well He spoke of living waters.
John 4:6-14
2.
Scripture depicts Him in a sitting position when He taught.
This was the customary posture of the teacher (Luke 10:39;
Acts 22:3). It symbolizes His coming down to their level.
Matthew 5:1, 2; 13:2; 26:55
Mark 4:1
Luke 5:3
John 8:2
XI. Important principles about effective teaching can be learned from
the ministry
of Jesus Christ (who was Himself a Teacher: Matthew
4:23; 9:35; 11:1;
22:16; Mark 6:6, 34; 10:1; 11:17, 18; 12:14,
35; Luke 13:10; 19:47;
20:1-18, 21; John 3:2; 7:14; 8:2).
A. He spoke with authority (Matthew 7:28,
29; Mark 1:27; 6:2; Luke 4:32;
John 7:46) and boldness
(John 7:26, 28).
B. He based His teachings on the scriptures
(Luke 24:27) and read them
Himself regularly (Luke
4:16-21).
C. The atmosphere was informal.
Mark 4:1
D. He exercised wisdom, speaking
a "word in season" to the right people
at the right time
(John 16;12), "as they were able to hear it." (Mark 4;33)
Isaiah 50:4
Proverbs 15:23
Matthew 24:45
E. His teaching interested the
crowds, for He ministered under the anointing.
People were attracted
to hear the Word of the Lord.
1. "The people pressed upon Him to hear the word of God ..."
Luke 5:1
2. They "were very attentive" (literally, "hanged on Him").
Luke 19:47, 48
3. They were "astonished at His doctrine."
Matthew 7:28; 13:54; 22:33
Mark 1:22; 6:2; 10:24, 26
Luke 2:47; 4:32
4. His teachings "stirred up the people."
Luke 23:5
F. He did not speak of Himself
(John 7:16-18) but spoke only what
the Father
directed him to say (John 8:28; 12:49, 50; 14:10).
XII. No matter under whose ministry we sit – and there is an
over-abundance
of teachers (I Corinthians 4:15 "ye have
10,000 instructors in Christ") –
still the most important instruction we
receive will come directly from the
Holy Spirit Himself.
John 14:26
I John 2:27
A. Jesus imparted understanding of the scriptures to His disciples.
Luke 24:44, 45
B. Although some are given a greater
understanding of the scriptures for
ministry to
the body (Acts 18:24; Ephesians 4:11, 12; etc.), every
believer can
be individually instructed in the Word by direct revelation
from God.
Psalms 119:18
Proverbs 6:22
C. A priest or wise man is not needed to interpret for us the meaning of God's Word.
I Timothy 2:5
II Peter 1:20
I John 2:27
XIII. In the final analysis, the effectiveness of any ministry hinges
not so
much on the efforts of the minister
as on the heart preparation of the
Holy Spirit within the life of each
individual, and their desire to be
conformed (changed into) the image
of Jesus Christ..
I
Corinthians 3:6 "I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave
the
increase (growth)."
A. There will always be those
who refuse to receive the Truth, even if
they were
to hear it from the very mouth of Moses (Luke 16:31),
Paul (Acts
4:1, 2, 18; 5:28; 28:24), or Jesus Himself (Mark 11:17, 18).
Some
simply are not teachable (Jeremiah 32:33; Matthew 13:309, 18-23).
B. The fault lies not in
the seed (Word) or the sower (ministry), but the
ground
(heart) upon which the seed falls – whether it is stony, shallow,
thorny,
or fertile.
Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23
C. The individual himself
must "apply (active verb) thine heart unto instruction,
and
thine ears to the words of knowledge." No one can force it upon him.
Proverbs 23:12
Copyright © 1976, 1977, 1997 by Diane S. Dew. Used here by permission.