Spiritual Fathers
by Dale Yerton
There is a principle which says the first thing lost is the last thing restored. When we speak of the ministry gifts we are talking about the gifts listed in Ephesians 4:11: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. The first two mentioned, (apostles and prophets,) have not been officially recognized by the church for many centuries.
The ministry gifts are not titles but rather job descriptions of the call of God. The ministry gifts are purpose driven. They are specific functions to be carried out for the purpose of achieving distinct results in the church.
Many people believe there are no contemporary apostles or prophets today, but I Corinthians 12:28 says, “God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers.” If there are no apostles and prophets, how can there be teachers, since each are named in this verse? We cannot limit the cessation of gifts only to apostles and prophets.
Apostles and Prophets are Foundation Ministries. “Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.” Ephesians 2:20
MINISTRY GIFTS:
APOSTLE – Governing the church.
PROPHETS – Guiding the church.
EVANGELISTS – Gathering the harvest.
PASTORS – Guarding the church.
TEACHERS – Grounding the saints.
In each Scripture where apostles and prophets are mentioned together, apostles are listed first. This shows God placed governmental authority in apostolic ministry. The New Testament apostle operates similar to the Old Testament prophet. The apostle is a revealer of the purposes of God.
CONCEPTS OF THE CHURCH
1. THE CHURCH IS NOT A FACTORY.
Churches which function like factories have managers for leaders.
- Managers want spiritual activity which they can control.
- Denominations tend to prefer “clones” instead of charismatic leadership.
- Managers have a tendency to become CEO’s.
2. THE CHURCH IS NOT AN ORPHANGE.
Churches which function like orphanages have nurses for leaders.
- It takes maturity to bring others to maturity.
- Many churches are filled with crying babies.
- Their great need is spiritual fathers not nurses.
3. THE CHURCH IS NOT A POLITICAL PARTY.
Churches which function like democracies have politicians for leaders.
- Churches which become democracies reduce authority to the lowest common denominator.
- You can elect presidents, but you cannot elect fathers.
4. THE CHURCH IS NOT A MILITARY ACADEMY.
Churches functioning like military academies have generals for leaders.
- Generals are not good at equipping people for ministry.
- Generals love giving orders rather than training sons.
- Generals are more like dictators than fathers.
5. THE CHURCH IS A SPIRITUAL FAMILY.
Churches which function as families have spiritual fathers for leaders.
- Spiritual fathers are able to bring sons and daughters to maturity.
- Not every spiritual leader will become an apostle.
- Apostles are spiritual fathers to other ministers.
A minister does not “graduate” into apostolic authority. This is a call of God which no one takes upon himself. Hebrews 5:4, Galatians 1:1
RECOGNIZING APOSTOLIC GIFTS
Apostles are not recognized by titles or positions but by their fruitfulness. You are not a spiritual father unless someone calls you, “Daddy.” “You are the seal of my apostleship.” I Corinthians 9:2 “For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers.” I Corinthians 4:15
Malachi 4:5,6 The relationship of spiritual fathers and sons is clearly illustrated by Elijah and Elisha. When Elijah was being carried to heaven Elisha cried, “My father, my father.” II Kings 2:12 Spiritual fathers should recognize and “receive” their spiritual sons. Spiritual sons should recognize and “run after” their spiritual fathers. I Kings 19:19-21
WE MUST RECOGNIZE THE EMERGING SPIRITUAL FATHERS WHICH GOD IS RAISING UP AMONG US.
|
