Gifting

    One of the most important things said in Scripture about those who are gifted in the sharing their faith (evangelists--those who proclaim the good news), is that they play an important role (with other gifted people) in bringing the body of Christ to maturity.

Compare with: 

Eph 4: 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 

Eph 4:8 This is why it says:

  “When he ascended on high,

he led captives in his train

and gave gifts to men.”

Eph 4:9: What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?

Eph. 4:10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 

Eph. 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 

Eph. 4:12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

Eph. 4:13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 

Eph. 4:14  ¶ Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 

Eph. 4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 

(Emphasis ours.)

That is, it is implicit in this passage that gifted people (including evangelists) play a role in bringing the body of Christ, as it were, to “.....attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.....”  

Just exactly how evangelists by their role fulfill that is more open to discussion. One possible way is that people in the body of Christ who are gifted in evangelism can be role models for others who are not gifted and so equip and inspire those less gifted to play their part as evangelists in the Kingdom work. Compare that with Paul’s admonition to Timothy (a pastor teacher and most likely because of his youth a gifted pastor teacher--cf. I & II Timothy) in 2 Timothy 4:5:

“....But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” (emphasis ours)

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