THE CHURCH MINISTERS

In a study of the church we touch on a theme that shows up in a number of places. When we study spiritual gifts we hear Paul say that the gifts the Holy Spirit gives to believers are to be used specifically for building up one another. These gifts are to be exercised in connection with the gifts of other people for the benefit of the whole body of Christ. In other words, gifts are given to people so they can minister to one another. We discover this same thing in a study of the church at worship. When we gather for worship it is not “all about me;” it is about joining together with the rest of the believers for the purpose of lifting a concert of voices to God in worship. Ministering together! In Ephesians 4:11 Paul says that Jesus Christ is the one who gave to the church some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and some teachers. Then in verse twelve he reveals the reason God gave these people to the church; “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…” There it is again; service, ministry. The two words mean the same thing. We can’t escape this theme! The church of Jesus Christ, the body of Christ, is designed by God to minister to one another for the mutual benefit.

So the church ministers. It serves. How are we supposed to serve each other?
Thanks be to God, in his letters Paul makes a number of statements about how we are to
treat one another.