#1.What is the gift of the father to us according to John 3:16? Romans 12 :1-8 are also called the distinct gifts of the father.

#2.What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit according to I Corint.12:7-11?

#3.What are the gifts from Jesus to the Church according to Eph.4:11?

#4. What is the purpose of the gifts? (Eph. 4:12-16, 1 Cor.12:7)

1. perfecting the Saints for the work of the Ministry, 2. edifying the body of Christ, 3. unity of faith, 4. Knowledge of the son of God, 6. a perfect man(greek;teleios which means being fulfilled or reaching maturity), 7. not deceived like children(verse 14),          8. Speaking the truth in love (verse 15).

#5.  Five kinds of ministers. Apostles (not church hoppers), Prophets (not divinators), Evangelists (not free spirits), Pastors (not dictators), Teachers (not know it all).

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**The word gift in Eph. 4 (Donation) appears in connection with spiritual service while in 1 cor.12, Rom.12, the word charismata is a specific manifestation of grace.

A. Apostles (Apostolos), A delegate or one sent by another with full power of attorney. 78 times translated apostle, 2 times translated messenger (2 Cor.12:23, Phil.2:25), 1 time its translated "He that is sent"(John 13:16).

·        The first exponents of the Gospel were the Apostles that were chosen by Jesus Himself; "AND WHEN IT WAS DAY, HE CALLED UNTO HIM HIS DISCIPLES: AND OF THEM HE CHOSE TWELVE, WHOME HE NAMED APOSTLES", (Luke 6:13).

·         "AND AS THEY WHENT THROUGH THE CITIES, THEY DELIVERED THEM THE DECREES FOR TO KEEP, THAT WERE ORDAINED OF THE APOSTLES AND ELDERS WHICH WERE AT JERUSALEM", (Acts 16:14).

·         "YE ARE BUILT UPON THE FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, JESUS CHRIST BEING THE CHIEF CORNER STONE", (Eph.2:19-20).

• The original Apostles were those whom Jesus chose to be with Him. He personally commissioned them and sent them forth, (Mt.10:2.).

Simon(Peter) and Andrew his brother, James(the son of Zebedee) and John his brother, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Mathew(the tax collector), James(the son of Alpheus), Lebbeus(called Thaddeus), Simon(the cannanite) and Judas Iscariot.

• When Judas betrayed the Lord another was chosen in his place, (Acts 1:15-26).

Matthias.

• The names of the twelve Apostles are written in the twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem, (Rev.21:14)."And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb".

• The requirements for Apostleship were; 1.To have been with the Lord, (Acts 1:21-22). 2.To have been a witness of the resurrection, (Acts 1:22). 3.To have seen the Lord, (1 Cor.9:1). 4.To have wrought signs, wonders and mighty deeds, (2 cor.12:12).

• Others who are called Apostles;

Paul, an Apostle to the gentiles (Rom.11:13, 1 Cor.9:1).

James, the brother of Jesus (1 Cor.15:7)

Barnabas (Acts 14:14).

Some that were family of Paul (Rom.16:7).

 B. Prophets (The mouthpiece of God). They receive direct revelation from God to

      Give to the Church; they speak the word of God;

* "But he that prophesies speaketh unto men for edification, exhortation and comfort"..he that prophesieth edifies the church"(1 cor.14:3-4).

 * "And Judas and silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them" (Acts 15:32).

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  C. Evangelist, One who has been divinely equipped to take the "good news" to

      Unbelievers, (Acts 21:8).

1. God gives them a special ability to answer objections and to encourage decisions for Christ through the word of God. Then they lead the new converts to a church where they can be fed.

2.  Philip who started churches was called an evangelist. Timothy was encouraged by Paul to do the work of an evangelist, (2 tim. 4:5).

D. Pastors, Under-shepherds of Christ. Guide and feed the flock of God, Give Godly

      Counsel, encourage and consol. The word Shepherd is mostly used of Christ in the New Testament.

   Other titles that were used in the new testament for pastor;

1. Elder (Acts 14:23). The Elder was the equivalent of the Pastor and was the most common title for a person that was left in charge of a local Church (Acts 20:17,28; Titus 1:5, 1 Peter 5:1-14). The Elders were supported materially by their congregations, which were exhorted by the Apostle Paul to grant double honor to the Elders who ruled their Churches well preaching and teaching (1 Tim.5:17-19).

2. Bishop, means Elder or Overseer (Titus 1:5-6, Acts 20:17,18). In 1 Tim. 3:1-9 there is a list of the qualifications of an Overseer (Pastor, Elder).

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4. Teachers. Have a special gift to teach the word with clarity. Some believe that

      Pastors Teachers is really one office since the Greek text reads Pastors-Teachers.

In the great commission a great emphasis is given to the preaching and teaching of the word;

Matthew 28:19 says, "Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit".

Mark 16:15 says, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature".

There may be teachers that are not Pastors but every Pastor has to be a teacher. Look at Acts 20:28; "Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which He has purchased with His own blood".

1 Timothy 5:17 also says; "Let the Elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, specially those who labor in the word and doctrine".

Teaching the word is definitely a gift from God Romans 12: 6-8. It also talks of other gifts that God gives to the Church.