K Neill Foster -The Third View of Tongues

In Ephesians 4 and 1 Corinthians 11 still other gifts are mentioned.

Evangelist

First for our consideration is the gift of evangelism. It is not mentioned frequently in the Bible, but many of the dominant and more influential figures of church history were evangelists: Wesley, Whitefield, Finney, Moody, Torrey, Sunday, to name a few.

Biblically, Phillip was an evangelist, and his four daughters prophesied. Timothy evidently was not an evangelist but was told to do the work of an evangelist.

The job description of the evangelist is found in Ephesians 4:11,12, Amplified New Testament, "And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us,] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers. His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church)."

I have known many evangelists, and no two (including myself) are the same; all have distinct varying ministries except for one common bond - they communicate the good news.

They are given "to the church." An evangelist who is so independent as to be unrelated to any visible church has forgotten the motivation of his gift. A denomination, on the other hand, which prohibits its evangelists from wider ministry has forgotten that its" administration" is but part of the transdenominational and worldwide body of Christ.

Pastor-teacher

Next come "pastor-teachers." These ministers are also given to the church, and the ministry is pastoral as well as pedagogical. (The words pastor-teacher are linked in the original language.) I should note in passing that churches, speaking biblically, may have more than one pastor at a time, and some of the most effective ministries today are "team ministries." One shall chase a thousand, two put ten thousand to flight.

Also I must interject here that a pastor may be no preacher at all. In my mind I am thinking of a wholesome, radiant, good man of God who pastors a growing, loving church. But his preaching is nondescript. He has a pastor's heart and communicates warmth. And that is what carries him. (Probably he should have his elders preach!)

The pastor (in keeping with the meaning of the word) has a shepherd's heart. He guards the church, and sometimes those of us who are in inter-church ministries think he guards it too well. But that is his function and ministry.

His teaching ministry should not be judged by its adherence to orthodox pedagogy, but rather by its effectiveness.

His control of, and guardianship over, a local congregation directly relates to his teaching and persuasive ability. Peter summarizes the duties of a pastor-teacher: "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight there-of, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind [being ensamples to the flock]" (1 Pet. 5:2, 3).

Apostleship

First, let us observe that the meaning of the word is "special messenger." I think that few would argue this definition since God still gives the church special messengers.

There is of course some reluctance to say that there are apostles today lest a direct lineage from Peter may be assumed. But in 1 Corinthians 15:5-7 the twelve apostles are distinguished from "all the apostles." And Revelation 21:14 makes it clear that the "twelve" are to have their names inscribed on the twelve foundations of the heavenly city. So in my opinion, there is no scriptural need for saying there should be twelve apostles today, but plenty of scriptural warrant for the continued ministry of apostles, thinking of them particularly as special messengers, or sent ones.

Though Paul possibly was not a member of the twelve (some would disagree), he claimed the signs of apostleship in signs, wonders, and mighty deeds (2 Cor. 12:12).

There were other apostles as well, e.g., Barnabas (Acts 14:14). And a comparison of 1 Thessalonians 1:1 and 2:6 also makes it clear that Paul, Timothy, and Silvanus were apostles.

Known to nearly every Christian are those of God's servants who are indeed "special messengers." Some have evangelistic gifts as well, fulfilling a specific ministry.

Probably they would reject the term apostleship in describing their ministry. The point, however, is that there are special messengers to the church. And until Christ comes there will be special messengers.

Teaching

Teaching is mentioned twice. The pastor-teacher is also mentioned in the lists. Thus we may be sure that teaching is one of the Holy Spirit's most important gifts. It is, I am sure, the Spirit-given ability to communicate effectively and impart spiritual truths. It is a solemn responsibility, and we should "be not many, teachers" (James 3:1).

Helps

And what shall I say of the gift of helps? Its meaning and usefulness are apparent. It is not a gift of leadership but of loving support. One of the blights upon Christ's church is that "we have too many chiefs and not enough Indians." I think of two men. One I will call Hank and the other Reg. Hank is a missionary. Probably he would agree that he is not at his strongest when seeking to raise up a native church among his people. But he was well nigh indispensable when we gathered for a short-term Bible school. He didn't teach but he was behind the scenes helping things go smoothly. He is that kind of a man, a helper.

Reg is another man who shuns publicity, but he makes a great head usher. He often has a breath mint for the speaker before he greets the people after a message. At our summer convention he is profoundly useful when it comes time to erect the large tent.

Probably every pastor could list the persons he has appreciated most and among them would be many with God's wondrous and most practical gift of helps. It is one we ought to "covet earnestly."

Administration

Before we move on to the gifts of inference, a word about "administration." The very presence of this gift implies that God's work is to be carefully organized, though not necessarily according to the principles and charts of the business world. Its position in the list in 1 Corinthians 12:28 would indicate that the gift of administration is of less importance than some of the gifts that have to do with the direct ministry of the Word. I am not suggesting we should honor our administrators less, but we should certainly count those who labor in the Word as worthy of double honor.

Celibacy

Further, in 1 Corinthians 7 there is scriptural warrant for suggesting that celibacy is a spiritual gift as well, and significantly Paul uses the word charismata in this context.

Mr. Siegfried Crossman has some interesting and worthwhile comments here. While I do not necessarily agree with all he says, I find his views helpful.

Paul specifically mentions marriage and celibacy as gifts:

"I wish everyone could get along without marrying, just as I do. But we are not all the same. God gives some the gift of a husband or wife, and others he gives the gift of being able to stay happily unmarried" (1 Corinthians 7:7). Obviously, Paul put more value on celibacy than on marriage, for marriage seemed necessary to him only because of human passion. Today the general attitude is just the opposite - not to be married is only explainable by lack of opportunity. But whatever the changing opinion of the day, marriage and celibacy are both presented as a gift of God in 1 Corinthians.¹

Seeking such a gift earnestly in God's will could certainly resolve the inner conflicts of unmarried or widowed Christian workers and others.

Yes, there are many charismatic abilities which are not at all spectacular. They are not necessarily supernatural so far as the uninitiated observer is concerned. But they are charismata, and they are so very much needed in the church of our Lord.

The Third View of Tongues

On to Ephesus and Corinth

CHAPTER 9