Ascension Gifts - Part 1

Before considering the 'ascension gifts' of verse 11, we will begin by examining the context in which they are found; i.e. verses 1-16. I suspect, that in doing so we will be want to 'de-emphasise' the 'ascension gifts', as we come to understand the main thrust of this passage.

Ephesians 4:1-16

1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the calling with which you are called, 2 with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in you all. 7 But to every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Therefore He says, "When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive and gave gifts to men." 9 (Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is the same also as He who ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.) 11 And truly He gave some to be apostles, and some to be prophets, and some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. 13 And this until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full-grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 so that we no longer may be infants, tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine, in the dishonesty of men, in cunning craftiness, to the wiles of deceit. 15 But that you, speaking the truth in love, may in all things grow up to Him who is the Head, even Christ; 16 from whom the whole body, fitted together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of each part, producing the growth of the body to the edifying of itself in love.

Ascension Gifts - Part 2

Ascension Gifts

In our last post, we undertook a preliminary examination of Ephesians 4:1-16. In this post, I intend to continue to explore the concept of 'unity', in order to understand the full intent of the passage under review.

Most contemporary bible scholars would agree that the main emphasis of verses 1-6 is that of Unity. However, when considering verses 7-16, most then seem to focus almost exclusively on the 'gifted' individuals of verse 11 and the [implied] early church leadership structure. Let's now examine these passages a little more closely.

We note that in verse 3 the reader is implored to: 'keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace'. This is clearly a Pauline concept, reminiscent of much of Pauls writings. [Cf Ephesians 2]. This also implies that such unity has already been achieved, since we are implored to 'keep' or 'maintain' such unity!

Yet, in verse 13; we find Paul, introducing a new 'influence' with regard to the topic of 'unity'; the so-called 'ascension gifts'; here, Paul implies that such 'unity' is something into which we grow?!

Such 'gifts' according to Paul are given in order to: "perfect the saints for the work of the ministry ... edify of the body of Christ ... until we all 'come into' the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full-grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ".

Paul has now taken us from 'unity', in verses 3 - 6; to the diversity of 'giftedness' in verses 7 - 11.

Ascension Gifts - Part 3

In our last post, we undertook a further examination of Ephesians 4:1-16. On that occasion we continued to explore the concept of 'unity'; [the primary theme or 'focus' of the passage] in more detail.

In this post, I want to consider the term: 'Ascension Gifts' and its [many] implications. For example:

(1) If the term implies that the gifts which Christ bestowed upon the Church only occured at the time of his 'Ascension' then what must we conclude from that?

(2) If however the term 'Ascension Gifts' is meant to be inclusive of the period bounded by the 'resurrection' and the 'ascension', as Paul seems to argue when quoting Psalm 68:19 and expanding upon its implications; then we are forced to view the intent of this term quite differently.

(3) Another possible interpretation exists. Christ's 'Ascension' could refer to the culmination of his ascension - his arrival in Heaven. A possibility that Christ himself perhaps alluded to in John 16:7.

'... But I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you. But if I depart, I will send Him to you.

This particular interpretation would open a whole new panorama of possibilities.

Ascension Gifts - Part 4

In this post we will begin to examine the 'gifts' of Ephesians 4:11 in greater detail.

Verse 11

11 And truly He gave some to be apostles, and some to be prophets, and some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

'He gave ... ' Note: 'He', is emphatic. It is 'He' that gave. Compare Ephesians 4:7.

Note also, the word 'some'. 'Some' (churches or places), need one gift, i.e. an evangelist; 'some' (churches or places) need rather a pastor or teacher. Absolutely nothing in Christ's service is left to mere human judgment or self-choosing. Even an apostle was not permitted to choose his place of service. (Acts 16:7; Acts 16:8).

• 'Apostles...' Christ's ministers [servants] are gifts to His people. Compare 1 Corinthians 3:5, "ministers as the Lord gave;" also 1 Corinthians 3:21, 1 Corinthians 3:22. The distinguishing features of an apostle were, a commission directly from Christ: being a witness of the resurrection: special inspiration: supreme authority: accrediting by miracles: unlimited commission to preach and to found churches.

• 'Prophets...' Preachers and expounders ... under the immediate influence of the Spirit, and thus distinguished from teachers. (1 Corinthians 12:10).

• 'Evangelists...' perhaps best seen as: Travelling missionaries.

• 'Pastors and teachers...' Pastors or shepherds. The verb 'ποιμαίνω' to tend as a shepherd, is often used in this sense. See 1 Peter 5:2; see Matthew 2:6. The omission of the article from teachers seems to indicate that pastors and teachers are included under one class. The two belong together. [No man is fit to be a pastor who cannot also teach, and the teacher needs the knowledge which pastoral experience gives].

We'll begin by examining the function of an apostle in more detail. Firstly, the question of the criterion for inclusion in this group needs to be examined.

We have already noted (verse 11 above) that the distinguishing features of an apostle were, a commission directly from Christ: being a witness of the resurrection: special inspiration: supreme authority: accrediting by miracles: unlimited commission to preach and to found churches.

Ascension Gifts - Part 5

The Gifts of Christ and Unity - A Summary

We have seen, that the passage under review, focuses not so much on the existence of the 'ascension gifts' as such; but rather on the contribution that those who are 'gifted' by Christ [inclusive of 'the saints', not just the 'ascension gifts'] make toward strengthening the ties between all believers in the community towards 'true' Christian unity thus ensuring that the message of Christ remains true.

We have also looked at some of these gifts, and how they benefit the unity of the church. The NIV does a better job than the AV in getting us to feel the emphasis which Paul lays on the subject of the opening statement of v. 11. The Greek uses the emphatic autos. "It was he who gave some to be apostles…"etc. He, the descender and ascender. He who "led captives in his train." He is the Giver. Here Paul does not mention all of the gifts the exalted Christ bestows on his church.

For a more complete catalog see chapter 12 of Romans and First Corinthians. Here he points only to those gifts which have a direct bearing on the unity of the church. "Some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers."

Apostles

The apostles were called personally by Christ. From the account of the election of Matthias to take the place of Judas (Acts 1:21-22) we have also seen what other qualifications they had to have. They had to be eye-and ear-witnesses of the public ministry of Jesus from the baptism of John until the ascension. These apostles had the gift of inspiration.

Prophets

That there were many prophets in the early church is evident from the many warnings against false prophets and from the special gift of discerning spirits which Christ bestowed on His church. Jesus warned against false prophets (Matthew 7:15) and foretold their feverish activity as Judgment Day drew closer (Matthew 24:11). John repeats the warning and urges his readers to "test the spirits" (1 John 4:1).