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Ephesians 4:7-11 – Jesus Gave Gifts To The Church
Jesus gave gifts to the church (Ephesians 4:7-11). No one person is a gift on their own by virtue of their personality (although some might have formed personality cults). Biblically though, there are roles people fill that are “gifts” via grace.
One role is an apostle. Sadly Paul had to continually defend his role even as others went after him personally (2 Corinthians). Preachers (evangelists) and elders (pastors) are two other gifts to the church. Whoever fills these roles, and local churches wherein they work, need to see how the Holy Spirit contextually shows their importance. When we all see what they do and why (4:12-16), and see how they are gospel oriented; we then see what our attitudes should be.
The Holy Spirit says apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors (also called teachers) are gifts of grace (4:7). People who fill the roles have received favor in order to serve. In showing this the Holy Spirit connects these roles to Jesus descending and ascending because that also served the needs of the Body. Descending could refer to both descending from heaven becoming incarnated, and into the burial cave. Ascending likewise could encapsulate both the resurrection, and ascension back to the Father. That’s a powerful foundation which shows what we preachers and elders need to see, as well as congregations need to understand. Maybe then more men will desire the eldership seeing its connection; and more congregations will pray towards this end to find leaders. Maybe more preachers will stop acting like hirelings; and more congregations will respect them as servants of Jesus for the Body and not their employees.
Notice how the Holy Spirit through Paul arranges this discussion by grouping these roles as bookends around the inner gospel story: Ephesians 4:7-11:
A – CHRIST GIVES GIFTS – “But to every one of us is given favor, according to the measure of the gift of Christ;
B – CHRIST ASCENDED – (Wherefore he says, Having ascended on high, he captivated captivity, and gave gifts to men. Now, this-Having ascended, what is it, unless, indeed,
C – CHRIST DESCENDED – he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth! He who descended,
B’ – CHRIST ASCENDED – is the same who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
A’ CHRIST GAVE GIFTS – And he gave some, indeed, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;”
Jesus gave gifts to the church by becoming a gift.
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