Ephesians 4:13 reads,
“…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,”
These gifts of gifted men would continue until a certain definite state of things is attained. That state is described with four phrases, which we will examine in the next blogs.
After stating the purpose of these gifts, Paul writes,
“…till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a full-grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error” (Ephesians 4:13-14).
The order in this list is apostles, prophets,evangelists, and pastors/teaches. This order indicates the order of each one’s introduction of work, not the ending of one and start of another in succession. In addition, their work overlapped and they shared the common element of teaching. The difference appears to be the choice of the Holy Spirit to use the whole body in the most effective way to equip all the saints for the new kingdom age. Men of age and experience would, naturally, be advantageous to a leadership role (Hebrews 5:13-14). The Jewish elders were placed in that position for the same reason.
Even though the example of Paul and Barnabas set a precedent for the selection of these spiritual shepherds (Acts 14:23). Paul seems to have handed that work to the evangelists, who would not only continue the teaching of the apostles and set examples for brethren, but appoint elders in the cities to which they were sent. The qualifications given to the evangelists, Timothy and Titus, indicate that these men were family men. They had proven their leadership in the home by nurturing and admonishing their children in the teaching of the Lord (cf. Ephesians 6:2). The care and oversight of souls is not all that different from the daily care of the apostle Paul (2 Cor. 11:28). Herein, may also describe the differences — the target or focus of work. Because the elders were chosen men living among saints in a city, it only stands to reason that these men would be overseeing souls “among them.” This is not to suggest that they were overseers of local church organizations, and limited their work to members of local churches where they were members. Their work was merely among saints in their proximity, particularly, where they lived. the examples of Titus 1 and Acts 14:23 suggests the selection of men living in a particular city. Any location attached to any of these gifts of men would suggest their care in their city. Notice the language of the texts. Shepherds lived among saints living in these cities, not congregations (cf. Acts 20:17).. Those commissioned to appoint them (evangelists) were told to “ordain elders in every city” (Tit. 1: 5). Given the domestic qualifications and possible age, these men were not noted for travelling from city to city as the apostle Paul and his travelling companions. That they may have relocated is certainly within the realm of possibility. Still, these family men had responsibilities to shepherd the flock “among them.”
The differences that exist between the practice of the first century patterned after the apostles’ tradition and that of today’s churches today are perplexing. First, these gifts are listed together as being given to the called out people for a purpose and for a limited period of time. It is not stated that only the apostles and prophets were given as gifts til we attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, etc. All four or five stand together as accomplishing the stated purpose and for the same duration. Therefore, if we have men who are evangelists, pastors and teachers as gifts today, we also should expect to have men who are also apostles and prophets, today. They stand or fall, together. They were given in the same era, for the same purpose and duration of time.