The World – The leading of the New Testament Church, April 2 2025

     During the 3 ½ years of Jesus’ ministry on earth, He was the “Teacher”. Those that chose followed Him and listened to His voice. Whether it was going to fetch a donkey, prepare a room for a feast or teaching them to pray. Even when the disciples were sent out to drive out demons, to heal every disease and sickness, raise the dead and preach the kingdom message it was with “These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions.”  (Matthew 10:5)

     During Jesus time in ministry, He was an apostle, prophet, evangelist, teacher and shepherd. An apostle is a messenger sent on a mission.

A-“He who receives you receives Me and he who receives Me receives the One who sent Me.” (Matthew 10:40)

P-“Only in his hometown a prophet is without honor.” (Matthew 13:57)

E-“I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns because that is why I was sent.” (Luke 4:43)

T-“You call Me Teacher and Lord and rightly so, for that is what I am.” (John 13:13)

S-“I am the good shepherd. The shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) 

    Jesus said: ‘All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:25-26)

    “It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s 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 Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13)

   During the time when Jesus was actively involved in ministry He was the “Teacher” for the church that He began. After He was risen, the responsibility for the teaching required to complete the mission was given by His Father to the person of the Holy Spirit.

    So as we journey through the scriptures regarding the new testament church beginning with the book of Acts, we try to find an understanding of the “leading” that God expects from us by studying Peter, John, Paul and the other leaders. Unfortunately, without accepting the offices that Jesus did without the need of anyone else and which now were appointed by the Holy Spirit to lead - it would not yield the truth. Neither would continuing on that journey of discovery by trying to understand the relationship between the apostle and the evangelist, or the teacher and the shepherd or how the prophet contributed to the over-all without recognizing the over-all “Teacher” who had been given that responsibility.

     It is as unfruitful as the brass section of an orchestra trying to work out their differences with the percussion section and the reed section trying to work out their differences with the string section – while all the time ignoring the conductor of the orchestra. Or you may imagine someone bringing their car into a shop for a repair that is equipped with all the parts and tools that are needed to complete the repair. Leave the car and come back the next day and not understand why the car has not been repaired. That is why it only works if there is a “mechanic” to over-see how the tools are to be used and giving them the power to fulfill the work.