This week we are continuing our study of the equipping ministries listed in Ephesians 4:1, and will take a brief look at the ministry of the evangelist.

In the New Testament, there are over twenty people referred to as apostles, only a few who are referred to as prophets, and only one who is called an evangelist—Philip (see Acts 21:8). Timothy was instructed by Paul to “do the work of an evangelist” (II Timothy 4:5), but was never called an evangelist.

The Greek word that is translated in these verses “evangelist,” is...

Last week we began our study of the equipping ministries listed in Ephesians 4 with a brief overview of the apostolic ministry. This week we will continue with the next ministry that is mentioned—the prophets. Of course, the best we can do in such a short format is very superficial, but we will highlight some of each of these ministries.

As we discussed in relation to the apostle, we may perform all the functions of the apostolic ministry at times, but that does not make us an apostle. Likewise, we may be used to prophesy, but that does not...

This Word for the Week ministry is a way that we are seeking to methodically sink our roots deeper into sound biblical truth, as well as the important spiritual issues of our times. For this reason we want to delve a little deeper into the text that we studied last week, Ephesians 4:11-13, which is one of the most succinct declarations of the purpose of the church in Scripture.

This week’s text has become one of the most quoted, and to some the most controversial, scriptures in recent times, Ephesians 4:11-13:

This week’s text, Ephesians 4:9-10, ties together even more firmly the message of the verses that we have studied the last two weeks.