Blogs by Pastor Boggs

“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 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.” ~ Ephesians 4:11-13

   There is often an overlooked and rarely talked about truth found in this example of scripture that clearly distinguishes a difference between those that are “Gifted” in The Body of Christ and those that they themselves are “The Gift.”

For example, if we were to layout all “The Gifts of The Spirit” that are found and listed in Romans 12:6-8 or 1st Corinthians 12:8-10, we can easily study each one of these gifts and surely find individuals among us who may identify with or desire to have any one or more of these amazing abilities and enablings of God’s grace.

   I mean who doesn’t want to have “The Gift of Healing” or “The Gift of Faith?” “The Gift of Wisdom” or “The Working of Miraculous Power?” These are just to name a few of The Gifts of The Holy Spirit (taken from the lists above) that will be much needed for any of us to walk in this life as Christ did and still does…

The Gifts needed to carry out the great commission to “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons.” ~ Matthew 10:8

Yes, this is obviously going to take some “Gifting” from God.

   But now concerning those who are “The Gift” given to us by Christ for the purpose of equipping others for these kinds of works of service, so that The Body of Christ may be built up and edified. The Gift of The Apostles, The Prophets, The Evangelists, the Pastors and The Teachers. According to Paul in  Ephesians 4:11 they themselves are considered “The Gift” that have been given to The Church by Christ himself.

Fathers, Seers, Gatherers, Shepards and those that Admonish until we all reach Unity in The Faith and in The Knowledge of the Son and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of The Fullness of Christ.

   According to The Apostle Paul, this fivefold ministry of grace is a model that (until we all come into The Unity of The Faith) should still be taught and adhered to and to deny that role of The Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor or Teacher in The Church is as misleading as those who would deny or teach others to refuse The Empowering Gifts of The Holy Spirit that enable us to walk and be more like Christ himself…

                                                                                         ~ In His Love, Pastor Scott