REFLECTION & RESPONSE FOR CHAPTER FIVE TO SIX

Good Joined: 02 Oct 2006 Posts: 90 Location: CALABAR

NEW COVENANT MINSTRIES
CHAPTER FIVE
DIFFERENT ADMINISTRATIONS
FIVE MAJOR ADMINISTRATIONS
REFLECTION
In chapter five, the author focuses on five major administrations in the church. Within the administration section, there are major types of administrations (I Cor.12:28) with one of the three having two sub-specialist as follows:
1. Apostles, Bishops (Overseers) Elders
2. Prophets
3. Teachers/deacons
4. Evangelist / Deacons
5. Pastor / Deacons
According to the scriptures, the administration, manifestation of the Spirit and operations are not to be used for selfish purposes but are to be focus on aiding and helping the Body of Christ.
The first scripture that validates this promise is found in I Corinthians 12. The King James Version has the words â€œTo profit withalâ€ which implies â€œfor the common goodâ€ (NIV). This is a divine concept central to LOVE. The Spirit moves within the Body of Christ to benefit the entire Body not just one member or for selfish or canal purposes (I Cor.12:5-11). The administration, like the nine manifestation gifts and operations are also designed to perfect, edify, exhort and comfort the Body of Christ (Eph.4:11,13).
YHVH intended that the administrations conjoin with the nine major manifestation gifts of the Spirit and the operations of the Spirit to adorn, beautify, perfect, and purify the church that self-prepares for that great day, the marriage supper of the lamb (Eph.5:25-27; Rev.19:7; I Cor.12:4-6).
Apostle Paul delineated three major differing administrations with two subspecialties totaling five specialties. Often, these five specialties are called five fold ministries. Among these three division of administrations, there are other synonymous terms intermixed (I Cor.12:5; 12:27-30; Eph.4:11-12; Acts 1:20-26; I Tim.3:1; Titus 1:7; Acts 20:28).
It can be seen from the above scriptures that Apostle is synonymous with the office of a Bishop (Overseer), Elders. It is in the letter written to Titus that Elders and Bishops are clearly shown to be synonymous (Titus 1:5-7).
Teachers and Deacons though they appear to be two sections are however, basically synonymous to each other (Phil.1:1; Acts 6:1-6; 8-10). What is less visible in the scripture is the actual applied role of pastors.
Peter seems to reveal at the minimum the multiple offices one kingdom priest can exercise within the Messianic kingdom like that of the Chief Shepherd, Yeshua Christ.
According to the author, what is often called a pastor in many denominational churches would be more properly titled Bishop/Elder/Overseer/Apostle.
A healthy strong body (Church), a body filled with and exercising LOVE etc are some of the expected outcomes resulting from active usage of administration.
The author went further to mention some of the qualifications and ministerial live-styles for administrations in the church (I Tim.3:2-13; Acts 20:28-35; I Pet.5:2-3; II Tim 2:1-18).

RESPONSE
Through this study, I realize that the second major section of ministries within the church is called administrations and that within the administration section, there are three major types of administrations (I Cor.12:28), with one of the three major having two subspecialties namely:
1. Apostles, Bishops (Overseers) Elders.
2. Prophets
3. Teachers/ Deacons
Evangelists/Deacons
Pastors/Deacons
I realize through this study that the administrations, manifestations of the Spirit and operations are not to be used for selfish purposes but are to focus on aiding and helping the entire Body of Christ, for the common good of all (I Cor.12:5-11).
That the administrations, like the nine manifestation gifts and the operations are also designed to edify, exhort, comfort, adorn, perfect and purify the Body of Christ (The church) that self prepared for that great day, the marriage supper of the Lamb (Eph.4:11-13; 5:25-27; Rev.19:7).
I learn that the three major administrations are to work in concert with the manifestations and operations sections of the church since the spirit intent of each is essentially the same (I Cor.12:4-6).
I now understand that Apostle is synonymous with the office of a Bishop (Overseer/Elders) (Acts 1:20-26; I Tim.3:1; Titus 1:7; I Peter 5:2-4; Acts 20:28; Titus 1:5-7).
I also learn that kingdom Priest can exercise multiple offices within the Messianic Kingdom like that of the Chief Shepherd and Bishop, Yeshua Christ.
This study has help me to understand that what is often called a pastor in many denominational churches would be more properly titled Bishop/Elder/Overseer/Apostle while Assistance pastors and similar individuals would be better identified as pastors/deacons, still others should be identified as teachers/deacons or evangelists/deacons and who work under the guidance of a Bishop (Overseer)/ Elder/Apostle.
I now realize the expected outcome resulting from the active usage of the administrations and the qualifications for the administrations in the church as well as ministerial lifestyle and teaching subjects every kingdom Priest should study and be apt to teach (Acts 20:28-35; I Peter 5:2-3; II Tim.2:1-18; I Tim.5:17-25; Titus 1:1-16; Titus 2:1-15; 3:1-15).
It is beneficial for every kingdom Priest to be cognizant of this truth and be ready and encourage others to do the same.

NEW COVENANT MINISTRIES
CHAPTER SIX â€“ DIFFERENT OPERATIONS
UNLIMITED OPERATIONS
REFLECTION
In this chapter, the author focuses on different operations in the church. One of the main purposes of the â€œfive-fold ministryâ€ is to prepare YHVHâ€™s people for works of service (operations) (Eph.4:11-16) as YHVH wants every member engaged in some kind of â€œwork of serviceâ€ (I Cor.12:6,28).
The operations section of the church has a breadth and depth that is nearly unlimited and more often than not is directly interrelated with â€˜alms givingâ€™, especially one that impacts fellow brothers and sisters (the Body of Christ). Often, these programs are funded/sponsored by alms giving and volunteer participants. It is only limited by the number of people willing to engage in â€œwords of serviceâ€, and those willing to fund it. YHVH never intended the church to limit its functions to just preaching the gospel and conducting weekly Sunday service. YHVH wants every member to actively engage in work of service (II Cor.9:6-13; II Pet.1:5-11; I Pet.4:7-11).
Remember that pure hearted alms giving truly catches the attention of YHVH (Acts 10:2-3), for it is this kind of behavior that is closest to the core of YHVHâ€™s essence â€“ LOVE (I Tim.1:5).
According to the scriptures, the administrations, manifestations of the Spirit and operations are not to be used for selfish purposes but are to focus on aiding and helping the Body of Christ.
The operations are designed to co-work with the nine manifestation gifts and the administrations (five-fold ministry) to edify, exhort, comfort and build up the Body of Christ, not just for one member or for selfish or carnal purposes (I Cor.12:5-11; 12:27; 13:3) and to adorn, Beautify, perfect and purify the Body of Christ (Eph.5:25-27; Rev.19:7) to make her ready for that great day, the marriage supper of the Lamb.
Also, the operations (Work of service) are to work in harmony with the three major administrations (five-fold ministry) and nine major manifestations sections is essentially the same. YHVH is the facilitator of all three sections of the church. He is the author and finisher of this thrilling real life saga of salvation, perfection of eternal life as YHVHâ€™s wife (Heb.5:8-14; 12:2).
As a result of active usage of operations, the expected outcomes are the same as the active usage of other Kingdom Ministries hosted in chapter five.
The minimum qualifications to exercise one or more of the works of service (operations) are the same as any role within the church, whether manifestation gifts, administrations or operations.

RESPONSE
Through this study, I realize that although there are different operations, one of the main purposes of the five-fold ministry is to prepare YHVHâ€™s people for the work of service (operations) (Eph.4:11-16; I Cor.12:6,28; Rev.2:19).
I understand through this study that the operations section of the church has a breadth and depth that is nearly unlimited and more often than not is directly interrelated with alms giving. I learn that YHVH never intended the church to limit its functions to just preaching the gospel and conducting weekly services, but YHVH wants every member actively engaged in works of service (II Cor.9:6-13).
According Apostle Paul, works of service (Charitable behaviours) is indicative of whether or not an individual is purged from their â€œOld sinsâ€. Though this may be faked, YHVH sees the intent of the heart, as pure hearted alms giving truly catches the attention of YHVH (II Pet.1:5-11; I Pet.4:7-11; Acts 10:2-31; I Tim.1:5).
I also realize that the purpose of different operations are not to be used for selfish or carnal purposes but are designed to co-work with the nine manifestation gifts and the administration (five-fold ministry) for the common good of edifying, exhorting, comforting, adorning, beautifying, perfecting and purifying the entire Body of Christ (I Cor.12:5-11,27; 13:3; Eph.5:25-27; Rev.19:7) to prepare the Body of Christ for that great day, the marriage supper of the Lamb.
The Apostles established a minimum standard for the operations in the church. The minimum qualifications to exercise one or more of the works of service (Operations) are as follows:
An individual must be:
â€¢ Water baptized in Yeshuaâ€™s name
â€¢ Spirit baptized by the self same Spirit
â€¢ Actively engaged with the Body of Christ and know how to do works of service in harmony with the other two major gifts
This study is scriptural, I receive it, I will teach and encourage others to do the same.