Ephesians 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

Christ’s descension and then ascension into heaven mirror Moses’ ascension and descension, but in a contrasting manner. Whereas Moses began his journey at the bottom of the mount, to the top, and then back down again, the Son of God began His descent with coming to the earth, to ascending to heaven, and then in His appointed time, He will return in the full glory and majesty of the Father.^[1] Whereas Moses also went up into the mount for only a brief time and interaction with the Lord,^[2] Jesus came down from heaven after eternally being in God’s presence.^[3] This is also why the Son of God’s ministry is so much greater than God’s servant Moses’ ministry. Though Moses brought a portion of God’s Word to man, only God’s only begotten Son^[4] has been eternally in the intimate and everlasting presence of the Father, and as such, has not only revealed more of God’s Word and will to man but also God’s person.^[5] Whereas Moses could reveal God’s law only to Israel, God’s Son, Jesus Christ, has far exceeded this revelation and revealed the Lord’s disposition,^[6] person, and holy character.^[7] Ultimately it could not be one merely born of the flesh who could divulge true sight of God, but only He Who possesses inseparable^[8] and continued relationship with Him.^[9] Through Christ doing so, believers may now honor, cherish, and love the Lord, just as all holy creatures do.^[10] As the only begotten of God, Who is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him. No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him (John 1:18).

The Greek word for bosom is #2859 kolpos. Strong’s Lexicon reveals the usage of the word as “In the New Testament, ‘kolpos’ is used to describe the bosom or chest area, often symbolizing intimacy, closeness, or a place of honor.”

Concerning the historical background of the word, the Strong’s also states, “In ancient Jewish culture, reclining at a meal was a common practice, and the position of lying close to the host’s bosom was one of honor and intimacy. This cultural practice is reflected in the New Testament, where being in someone’s bosom signifies a special relationship or favor.”

Man’s inability to see God resides in the great gulf of separation that lies between him and God. This distance of understanding is enough that the world by all its wisdom—its advances in science, technology, mathematics, space, and so on, and any other form of gaining insight into the present universe—still cannot know or could ever come to truly know God, apart from God revealing Himself to man. Without Christ’s revelation of the Father, the very best that men can do in trying to search Him out is based upon speculation, imagination, and religious conjecture. Ultimately, without the Son of God revealing God to man, God could never fully be known. This is why those who lack either knowledge of or faith in Jesus Christ actually possess no true perception of God at all. For it is only through the Son that the Father can be accurately seen, known, and believed in.^[11]

It is worth noting that just as Moses’ face shone after briefly being in the presence of God,^[12] and some believed this transformation continued throughout His entire ministry,^[13] then what shall be the glorious radiance of the Son of God^[14] when Jesus returns from continually being in God’s holy celestial presence, and in His appropriate time to judge the world in righteousness?^[15] This triumphant return, when Christ descends in the full glory of the Father,^[16] will be significantly greater and far more astonishing than even what Jesus’ close disciples Peter, James, and John observed of Jesus’ glory on the Mount of Transfiguration.^[17] What the disciples saw in part the world will observe, see, and behold in full. Peter, James, and John’s interaction of seeing the Lord Jesus in His glory also prepared them for their Christian callings. What can be gathered by this is that to boldly and enthusiastically preach Him Whom God has sent into the world to save man, there must occur first an element of seeing Him in His glorified state―since it is seeing the Lord Jesus as He truly is, glorified, that prompts His messengers to deem as their most important mission and purpose in life to reveal to the world the One they have believed upon. This process of preparing men for ministerial service, through permitting sight of the Lord Jesus in glory, was evidenced early after Jesus’ resurrection when He revealed Himself to above five hundred brethren.^[18] To perceive Christ as He truly is―this the greatest motivator in priming and prompting those called to God through His Son, to heartfully and with energized religious fervor engage in the work of the great commission.^[19] For nothing will spark, ignite, and fuel a spiritual heart more—consequently producing a burning desire to spread the gospel—than clearly seeing the Son of God, as He truly is. Ultimately it is perceiving the Lord Jesus, after He has been raised and ascended to God, that will transform a man from merely performing religious duty, to inspire him for sincere spiritual evangelism. For once the Son of God is truly seen, then those who have received sight of Him will count themselves as spiritually bound to announce, declare, and herald the Lord Jesus’ present glorified and authoritative state^[20] to the world.

It is also through saints beholding the glory of the Lord that they are transformed to reflect God’s glory in their own lives. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord (II Cor. 3:18).

(Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers, II Cor. 3:18) We see God mirrored in Christ, who is “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15^[21]), and as we gaze, with our face unveiled, on that mirror, a change comes over us.

It is as men behold the glory of the Lord that they are both changed and reflect back through their heart and lives the very image of the One they have beheld. What was true of Moses externally, when his face shone after being in God’s presence, is similarly true of saints internally. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (II Cor. 4:6). Albert Barnes’ notes are extensive on this verse, but they aptly reveal the true essence of both the reality and the experience that every true Christian will undergo, through the Spirit of God providing light, to spiritually perceive the glory of God through the person and face of Jesus Christ.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, II Cor. 4:6) For God, who commanded …—The design of this verse seems to be, to give a reason why Paul and his fellow-apostles did not preach themselves, but Jesus Christ the Lord, 2 Corinthians 4:5.^[22] That reason was, that their minds had been so illuminated by that God who had commanded the light to shine out of darkness, that they had discerned the glory of the divine perfections shining in and through the Redeemer, and they therefore gave themselves, to the work of making him known among people. The doctrines which they preached they had not derived from people in any form. They had not been elaborated by human reasoning or science, nor had they been imparted by tradition. They had been communicated directly by the source of all light—the true God—who had shined into the hearts that were once benighted by sin. Having been thus illuminated, they had felt themselves bound to go and make known to others the truths which God had imparted to them. … this verse teaches the fact, that the minds of Christians are illuminated. They are enabled to see things as they are. This fact is often taught in the Scriptures; see 1 John 2:20; 1 Corinthians 2:12–15.^[23] They have different views of things from their fellow-men, and different from what they once had. They perceive a beauty in religion which others do not see, and a glory in truth, and in the Saviour, and in the promises of the gospel, which they did not see before they were converted. … this verse teaches, that it is the “same God” who enlightens the mind of the Christian that commanded the light at first to shine. He is the source of all light. He formed the light in the natural world; he gives all light and truth on all subjects to the understanding; and he imparts all correct views of truth to the heart. Light is not originated by man; and man on the subject of religion no more creates the light which beams upon his benighted mind than he created the light of the sun when it first shed its beams over the darkened earth. “All truth is from the sempiternal source of light divine;” and it is no more the work of man to enlighten the mind, and dissipate the darkness from the soul of a benighted sinner, than it was of man to scatter the darkness that brooded over the creation, or than he can now turn the shades of midnight to noonday. All this work lies beyond the proper province of man; and is all to be traced to the agency of God—the great fountain of light.

The means by which supernatural transformation is accomplished is through the Spirit of the Lord abiding in the believer’s heart.^[24] Thus, when someone gains through the presence of the Holy Spirit Christ within him^[25] and has been born of God,^[26] then sets his eyes upon the Savior, first spiritual illumination enters the heart, and then spiritual transformation begins to take place within it. This transformation is accomplished by the power of God’s Spirit so that when men’s eyes become unveiled^[27] and they are able to have true sight of Christ and perceive Him as He presently is, then the Spirit of the Lord begins a spiritual change within them, which will ultimately augment and expand throughout their entire physical being. This supernatural process begins internally and then progressively extends itself outward^[28] so that ultimately what the Spirit of God has accomplished in the heart will become visible to the world throughout the person’s life.

(Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges, II Cor. 3:18) The change that takes place in us is a spiritual change (see 1 Corinthians 2, and notes on 2 Corinthians 3:6^[29]). It is not affected by formal enactments, which at best can but condemn, but it is the work of a Lord Who works within, Who sends forth the beams of His light that they may transform, not the outer surface, but the heart, that so the man may reflect back undimmed thence the glorious Light that has shined on him. And so the man into whose heart the Light of Christ has entered progresses from one stage of spiritual glory to another, until at last (Romans 8:29^[30]) he becomes fully conformed to the image of the Son of God.

Ephesians 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

From Christ’s descension came Christ’s ascension so that He might fill all things. Because the Lord descended and then ascended, He now through His own spiritual fullness fills all things. From Christ’s heavenly fullness the Holy Spirit is given, gifts of grace are imparted,^[31] and believers are fully redeemed. It is the Lord Jesus’ full journey—from heaven to earth to die for sin and be resurrected and ascend to God—that allows for those who believe upon the Savior to be accounted as complete in Him. Ultimately it is the journey of Christ and all that He accomplished in coming from heaven, and ascending back to heaven, that spiritually accomplishes for the believer eternal fellowship, union, and peace with God.^[32]

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Eph. 4:10) Far above all heavens—see the notes on Ephesians 1:20–23;^[33] compare Hebrews 7:26.^[34] He is gone above the visible heavens, and has ascended into the highest abodes of bliss; see the notes on 2 Corinthians 12:2.^[35]

That he might fill all things—Margin, “fulfil.” The meaning is, “that he might fill all things by his influence, and direct and overrule all by his wisdom and power.” Doddridge.

It is through Jesus’ descent from heaven, to die on the cross for man’s sin, then to be raised from the dead after the punishment for sin had been fully completed, that is the genesis of the believer’s completeness in Him. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power (Col. 2:10).

The Greek word for complete is #4137 pléroó. Strong’s Lexicon defines the word pléroó, “From the Greek word πλήρης (plérēs) [#4134], meaning ‘full’ or ‘complete.’”

The Strong’s also describes the usage of the word: “The verb ‘pléroó’ primarily conveys the idea of filling something to its full capacity or bringing something to completion. In the New Testament, it is often used to describe the fulfillment of prophecies, the completion of joy, or the filling of individuals with the Holy Spirit. It can also refer to the fulfillment of the law or commandments, indicating a bringing to full expression or realization.”

HELPS Word-studies defines pléroó, “(from plērēs, ‘be full,’ see 4130 /plḗthō)—properly, fill to individual capacity, i.e. to the extent it is ‘meet’ (appropriate).”

From these definitions we observe that through Jesus’ journey, coming from heaven to the earth and then ascending back into heaven, the believer has been made full and complete in all that was lacking and would prevent eternal communion with God. Because of the completeness given to saints through Christ, all shame, disgrace, humiliation, and chagrin for past sin have been removed. Hence, where fallen and sinful man is deficient and incomplete on his own and unworthy of heaven, now through the Son of God and His redemptive ministry Christ’s own fullness makes him complete. Because of this, the sinner’s salvation need not rest on himself, neither upon his own personal works or worth, but rather on the finished work of Him Who has been given the full authority by God to save man.^[36] For the true saint it is not himself or personal holiness that makes him fit for heaven―but rather the journey of his Savior.

(Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers, Col. 2:10) Ye are complete.—Literally, ye have been filled up in His fulness, as in John 1:16.^[37] So St. Paul had prayed for the Ephesians that they might be “filled with (or rather, up to) all the fulness of God,” and “grow into the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians 3:19; Ephesians 4:13^[38]). To partake of the divine pleroma [4138] is not the special privilege of the initiated; it belongs to all who are united to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Just as Jesus imparted to all believers a measure of various gifts of grace,^[39] so has He also given as a gift to these same believers divinely placed gift ministries to assist them in growing up in their own personal ministries. Where false teachers and preachers will seek to lead men to themselves,^[40] these heavenly sent ministries will first perfect the saints, preparing them for the work of the ministry. Their purpose and reason for living is for the perfecting of the saints, with a view to the work of the ministry, with a further view of the edifying of the body of Christ, with the final result of producing greater unity in the church and its members arriving at a greater knowledge of the Son of God. Though believers have been saved by Christ, there is still much lacking in many of them regarding both their faith and walk. Because of this, spiritual restoration is needed before they can be fully equipped to fulfill their own specific call to Christ. It is thus the purpose of these spiritually gifted ministries to perfect that which is lacking in the saints, preparing them for the work of the ministry and ultimately growing them up to possess both a knowledge of and faith in Christ Himself. These gift ministries are essential for the Christian’s growth and development. Through Christ’s power working within them, they help restore that which is broken in the saved so that they may carry out Christ’s purpose for their own lives. Without these divinely appointed ministries, the body of Christ would be tossed to and fro and carried about with every deceptive and devilish wind of doctrine, purposed to deceive.^[41] To foolishly reject these spiritual servants, given to the church by the Son, is to ultimately reject their Sender.^[42] For none can truly reject those sent by the Son of God for the church’s advancement and growth and not also reject Him Who has placed them in His body. He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me (Luke 10:16). This is not to say that all those who merely in word claim relationship with the Son of God and claim to come in Christ’s name should immediately and without careful spiritual inspection be accounted as having been sent by Christ. Absolutely not. This is because the world is filled with an abundance of false teachers and pseudo-prophets never appointed by the Lord Jesus.^[43] For this reason the scripture cautions all believers to try the spirits, to spiritually determine if God is truly the source of those who claim to be speaking by it. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world (I John 4:1). The genuine prophet Jeremiah spoke of spiritual counterfeits in his time, who came in God’s name but were not sent by God. The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? (Jer. 5:31). Sadly, as this verse reveals, false prophets have abounded through the millenniums, and still today many merely professing believers love to embrace their false, deceptive, and harmful doctrines. Indeed, many who only profess to follow Christ in word regularly gather to themselves false teachers^[44] in the place of true ministries that Christ has set in His church. As the verse states, my people love to have it so. That is, there are many in religion who will embrace false prophets and their false prophecies far above the real truth of God’s Word.

(Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers, Jer. 5:31) My people love to have it …—The words imply more than an acquiescence in evil, and describe an ethical condition like that of Romans 1:32 [Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.].

Undoubtedly many in various positions of Christian government have gained religious influence and authority, whom Christ has not placed there, much less ordained for ministry. Thus, just because a man labels himself as a prophet or an evangelist does not mean that he is who he claims to be. Moreover, no man also has the right to take such an honor, thinking himself either an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, or teacher, through personal will or selfish desire. As with priests in the Old Testament, none could assume through merely human desire the title, honor, and position of a priest. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron (Heb. 5:4). To be called to such an office, an individual must first be divinely called and appointed by God for it, as Aaron was.^[45] Though some will disagree with this principle being applied to ministers today, one only needs to look at the spiritual immaturity and lack of deep biblical instruction in the body of Christ to conclude that divinely sent spiritual leadership is severely lacking. Consequently, if saints are not being perfected in their faith and the work of the ministry is not successfully being undertaken by them and spiritual edification is not being evidenced in Christ’s body, then undoubtedly those leading God’s people have not themselves been equipped by the Lord Jesus for the positions they hold. Ultimately, all positions in Christ’s body must be according to divine will and cannot be entered into merely through human desire. This is why though a person may attend either Bible college or seminary, this itself does not equip him or her for church pastorship. Undoubtedly the appointments of the ministries of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are no exception to this rule―so that if a man only needs religious education to claim himself fit to lead God’s people, then Christ, and His divine appointments apparently are not even necessary to conduct Christian ministry. In regard to the true ministries in the church, Jesus said, Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you (John 15:16). Jesus’ words reveal that not only did He choose the disciples for salvation, but also He even more specifically ordained them for ministry. Ultimately it is solely the Lord Jesus Who chooses and then appoints for ministry those purposed to function as true ministers in His church. This is why if a man does not have spiritual power or heavenly wisdom in his ministry, then you can be certain that he has no divine appointment by Christ, nor will he ever be able, because of his lack of ability to demonstrate the Spirit,^[46] to effectively witness or testify for Christ.^[47]

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, John 15:16) I have chosen you—To be apostles. Yet all whom he now addressed were true disciples. Judas had left them; and when Jesus says he had chosen them to bear fruit, it may mean, also, that he had “chosen them to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth,” 2 Thessalonians 2:13.^[48]

Ordained you—Literally, I have placed you, appointed you, set you apart. It does not mean that he had done this by any formal public act of the imposition of hands, as we now use the word, but that he had designated or appointed them to this work, Luke 6:13–16; Matthew 10:2–5.^[49]

Bring forth fruit—That you should be rich in good works; faithful and successful in spreading my gospel. This was the great business to which they were set apart, and this they faithfully accomplished. It may be added that this is the great end for which Christians are chosen.

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him (I Cor. 12:18). Because it is true that God has set the members in the body, as it hath pleased Him, then it must be equally true that the gift ministries that Christ has ordained to strengthen these members in their spiritual walk must also be according to divine will. To foolishly think, then, that the members of Christ’s church and how they are purposed to function in it must be in accordance to divine will―while rejecting the idea that those heavenly sent ministries, ordained by Christ, need not be appointed by Him for ministry―is spiritual nonsense. For none can truly be effective in any spiritual calling unless he has been divinely equipped for it by the Savior. It is therefore only the Lord Jesus Who has placed true gift ministries in His church, and only He Who imparts the necessary spiritual gifts and abilities that will make them effective in it.^[50]

(Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges, I Cor. 12:18) as it hath pleased him] Literally, as He willed. See last note. St Paul would have us draw the inference that our own peculiar disposition and talents are appointed us by God, that we may perform the special work in the world for which we were designed. We are not therefore to repine because we do not possess the qualifications which we see possessed by others, but to endeavour to make the best possible use of the gifts we have.

What is also true is that those sent to labor for the Lord and spiritually reap the harvest of God are to a certain degree, largely rare.^[51] And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest (Matthew 9:35–38).

The harvest that Jesus spoke of are those souls who, though hungry and desiring greater fellowship with God, were instead spiritually starving and wandering as sheep without a shepherd. Hence, though the quantity of those searching for the truth was great, what was lacking, and of whom existed very few, were those divinely sent laborers of God to reap His harvest. It is for this specific reason that Jesus instructed the church to Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. The reason that prayer is important in this matter is that only God can send and equip with spiritual power those who are able to draw people to Him. Ultimately only the Lord has the ability to both send and equip for ministry laborers for His harvest. Since the harvest is God’s, only those ordained by Him can properly reap it. What was true in Jesus’ time is also true today. For though there are many who desire God and seek to know the way of salvation, there remain very few who have been sufficiently spiritually gifted to help them in their journey. Because so many in the professed church are spiritually unfit for the offices they hold and lack the spiritual power and ability for their religious positions, a great amount of God’s chosen, even today, are left to wander as sheep with no shepherd.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Matt. 9:36) But when he saw the multitudes—That followed him from place to place. When he saw their anxiety to be instructed and saved.

He was moved with compassion on them—He pitied them.

Because they fainted—The word used here refers to the weariness and fatigue which results from labor and being burdened. He saw the people burdened with the rites of religion and the doctrines of the Pharisees; sinking down under their ignorance and the weight of their traditions; neglected by those who ought to have been enlightened teachers; and scattered and driven out without care and attention.

Apostles. The Greek word for apostle is #652 apostolos. HELPS Word-studies defines the word, “apóstolos (from 649 /apostéllō, ‘to commission, send forth’)—properly, someone sent (commissioned), focusing back on the authority (commissioning) of the sender (note the prefix, apo); apostle.” To properly be called an apostle of Jesus Christ demanded a special commission to go forth and spread the gospel. For the apostle Paul this commission was to the Gentiles^[52] so that they might hear the truth and be saved.

Strong’s Lexicon states that the usage of the term apostolos “refers to one who is sent forth with a specific mission or commission. In the New Testament, it primarily denotes the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus Christ, who were sent out to preach the gospel and establish the early Church.”

HELPS Word-studies reveals the term to mean, according to the cultural and historical background: “In the Greco-Roman world, the term ‘apostolos’ was used to describe a messenger or envoy sent with authority to represent someone else. In the context of the New Testament, apostles were seen as authoritative representatives of Jesus Christ, entrusted with spreading His teachings and establishing His Church. The role of an apostle was foundational in the early Church, as they were responsible for teaching, guiding, and maintaining the doctrinal purity of the Christian faith.”

Some of the rarest of Christ’s unique gifts to the church are those chief ministries that the Lord Jesus personally ordained as apostles for Himself. To accurately be labeled a special messenger of the Lord Jesus, which is what the word apostle means, there needed to be personal contact with the Savior. Examples include Paul,^[53] Jesus’ twelve disciples, Judas and Silas, and others.^[54] Ultimately no angel could give legitimacy for such a ministry, nor could any man carelessly assume this title through personal will. Needless to say, no angel can call a man to true religious office, though many false prophets have attributed angels and false visions as the sources of their calling. Examples of this heresy include Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon church,^[55] and the angel Moroni,^[56] whom Smith claimed came and spoke to him. Mohammed could also be included, who claimed being visited by the angel Gabriel in a cave.^[57] These are but two examples of very many through the centuries who were false prophets claiming to gain their ordination for ministry through a visitation from an angel. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind (Col. 2:18).

We can also say with spiritual confidence that no such ministries as apostles exist today, though we do hold much of their divinely received doctrine in the Canon.^[58] Ultimately apostles were gifted with extraordinary spiritual powers.^[59] This was necessary for their planting the gospel throughout the world, providing credible witness that the Lord Jesus had personally ordained them for ministry. As with the prophets of old, the Lord would not let the apostles’ words fall to the ground.^[60] Understandably, there are none who have ever held higher rank in the body of Christ than those directly and personally called by the Son of God for the ministry of an apostle. Since apostles in the early church held the highest rank, as such they were entrusted with the greatest responsibility to testify for the Savior and fulfill the great commission in leading others to be baptized by Him.^[61]

The next ministry, and perhaps even in spiritual rank and authority, is the ministry of prophets. The Strong’s defines the word #4396 prophétés, “a prophet, poet; a person gifted at expositing divine truth.”

Its word origin of prophet according to Strong’s Lexicon is “derived from the Greek word ‘pro’ (before) and ‘phēmi’ (to speak), meaning ‘one who speaks forth’ or ‘advocate.’”

Regarding the usage of the word, “In the New Testament, ‘prophétés’ refers to a person who is divinely inspired to communicate God’s will and message to others. Prophets are often seen as God’s spokespersons, delivering messages of warning, guidance, or revelation. They may foretell future events or provide insight into God’s plans and purposes.”

Practically speaking, if the church is exposed to a true prophet of the Lord, then this will easily be evidenced by the accurate, truthful, and spiritually beneficial prophecy which is brought forth.^[62] This prophecy will not only awaken people to the Lord’s presence, but also the revelation brought forth will often lay bare the secrets of men’s hearts. This is seen in I Corinthians 14 when we observe what true prophetic utterances will produce, of which God’s prophets are their main source. But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: and thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth (I Cor. 14:24–25). It is also prophets and the prophetic messages they bring forth that are most effective at touching and influencing those who believeth not and/or are unlearned.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, I Cor. 14:25) And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest—Made manifest to himself in a surprising and remarkable manner. He shall be led to see the “real” designs and motives of his heart. His conscience would be awakened; he would recall his former course of life; he would see that it was evil; and the present state of his heart would be made known to himself. It is possible that he would suppose that the speaker was aiming directly at him, and “revealing” his feelings to others; for such an effect is often produced. The convicted sinner often supposes that the preacher particularly intends “him,” and wonders that he has such an acquaintance with his feelings and his life; and often supposes that he is designing to disclose his feelings to the congregation. It is possible that Paul here may mean that the prophets, by inspiration, would be able to reveal some secret facts in regard to the stranger; or to state the ill design which he might have had in coming into the assembly; or to state some things in regard to him which could be known only to himself; as was the case with Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1,^[63] seq.)…

***

(Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible, I Cor. 14:25) and so falling down on his face: either publicly before the whole congregation; or when retired, as one ashamed of his sins and errors, and not able to look either God, or good men, in the face; and being in an adoration posture; or however, being truly humbled before God under a sense of his iniquities,

he will worship God; pray unto him, and earnestly entreat he would be merciful to him a sinner, and blot out all his transgressions, and forgive him all his sins; and will ever after acknowledge him to be the true God, embrace his Gospel, submit to his ordinances, and attend his service:

and report: or “declare,” freely and openly to the church, to all men, to the world, and to his company from whence he came, and to whom he belonged,

that God is in you of a truth: that the Spirit of God, who is truly God, and searches the deep things of God, and reveals them, and the deep things of men, and makes them manifest, is in the prophets and preachers, otherwise they would never be able to make manifest the secrets of the heart as they do; and that the presence of God is in the church, and the power of God goes along with the ministration of the word: hereby, now many valuable ends are answered, a sinner is converted, God is worshipped and glorified, credit is brought to religion, the church of Christ is spoken well of, and prophets or preachers are honoured.

What is seen here is the direct correlation to bringing the unsaved and/or unbelieving man to recognize God and be humbled in His presence, which includes either the ministry of a prophet or the special gift of prophecy. Generally speaking it takes the ministry of a prophet to open the eyes of those spiritually blind to both God and their own sinful state. Fear, reverence, and respect for the Lord are good things, and none are more suitable to producing this in the unsaved and those ignorant of God than those called to speak for God. This is also why though other ministries can be highly effective in ministering to the saved, it will often take the gift ministry of a prophet to reach those deep in sin and far away from God. Outside of the gift ministry of an apostle, there is no greater ministry purposed to bring people back to the Lord than those prophets sent by Him.^[64] To therefore discover the will of God, especially in areas where scripture is silent or not known, the prophet’s ministry is indispensable. Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer (I Sam. 9:9). There are many more scriptures that speak of the Lord’s prophets.^[65]

Evangelists. The Greek word for evangelist is #2099 euaggelistés. Strongs’ Lexicon reveals the word origin as “Derived from the Greek word εὐαγγέλιον (euaggelion), meaning ‘good news’ or ‘gospel.’”

As to the usage of the word—“The term ‘euaggelisté’ refers to a proclaimer of the gospel, one who announces the good news of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, an evangelist is someone who is specifically gifted and called to spread the message of salvation through Christ. This role is distinct from that of apostles, prophets, pastors, and teachers, though it shares the common goal of edifying the body of Christ and expanding the Kingdom of God.”

In regard to the cultural and historical background of the word, the Strong’s states, “In the early Christian church, evangelists played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity beyond the Jewish communities into the Gentile world. The term reflects the itinerant nature of their ministry, as they traveled to various regions to preach the gospel. The role of an evangelist was vital in the context of the Roman Empire, where diverse cultures and languages presented both challenges and opportunities for the dissemination of Christian teachings.”

HELPS Word-studies defines euaggelion as “properly, an ‘evangelist’ (L & N, 1, 53.76); someone with a vocational calling from God to announce the good news of the Gospel.” One of the few evangelists listed in Scripture is Philip the evangelist. And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him (Acts 21:8).

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Acts 21:8) The evangelist—This word properly means one who announces good news. In the New Testament it is applied to a preacher of the gospel, or one who declares the glad tidings of salvation. It occurs only in two other places, Ephesians 4:11; 2 Timothy 4:5.^[66] What was the precise rank of those who bore this title in the early Christian church cannot perhaps be determined. It is evident, however, that it is used to denote the office of preaching the gospel; and as this title is applied to Philip, and not to any other of the seven deacons, it would seem probable that he had been entrusted with a special commission to preach, and that preaching did not pertain to him as a deacon, and does not properly belong to that office. The business of a deacon was to take care of the poor members of the church, Acts 6:1–6.^[67] The office of preaching was distinct from this, though, as in this case, it might be conferred on the same individual.

***

(Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges, Acts 21:8) evangelists] The word occurs thrice in N.T.; here, Acts 21:8, and 2 Timothy 4:5. It seems, like our word “missionary,” to indicate not a defined ecclesiastical order (for Timothy “does the work of an evangelist,” while also an authoritative superintendent of pastors and churches), but rather a special kind of personal function in the ministry; the work of one called and devoted to direct proclamation of the Gospel message. It was thus an elastic word, like “missionary,” sometimes and oftenest denoting a minister’s special function, sometimes one only of his functions. “This passage,” our present passage, “would lead us to think of the evangelists as standing between the two groups,” (apostles and prophets, pastors and teachers,) “sent forth, as missionary preachers of the Gospel, by the first, and as such preparing the way for the labours of the second” (Smith’s Dict. of the Bible, under the word Evangelist).

There is little more that we can add to the word beyond the sources we have cited. Its limited use in the Scripture cannot help us to gain any deeper meaning. But it is worthy to note that the word evangelists is directly tied to the gospel of Jesus Christ and its good news. This is undoubtedly why the Greek word has no Hebrew equivalent. Because Jesus brought forth a new covenant for man (Matt. 26:28, Heb. 9:15, Heb. 8:6, Heb. 12:24) ^[68] and completely new revelation from God on a need for a Savior, then naturally the good news of the gospel could not be revealed until Christ’s physical appearance on the earth. Thus, the ministry of an evangelist seems to be that of proclaiming the message of the Savior and His redemptive accomplishments to the world. A recent well-known example of an evangelist is the Reverend Billy Graham, whereby through his lengthy travels he boldly proclaimed the path to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. (Rom. 10:9, Rom. 1:16, John 14:6, Tit. 3:5-7) ^[69] In this sense we can see the very unique and important position that evangelists maintained in the early church, when knowledge of the Savior in the world was in its infancy. Evangelists are also unique in their role of spreading the gospel in that unlike the ministry of apostles, they did not seem to have to be personally commissioned by Christ. And though an evangelist may differ from an apostle in this respect, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, without physical sight, can be as equally transformative to a man’s heart as seeing the Lord Jesus Christ in person. In fact, just as there would have been a tremendous blessing and spiritual privilege to physically observe the Lord Jesus in His glorified state, it is equally true that having faith in the Son of God without seeing Him in person also holds hope of being blessed. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed (John 20:29).

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, John 20:29) That have not seen …—Those who should be convinced by the testimony of the apostles, and by the influences of the Spirit. They would evince stronger faith. All faith is of things not seen; and God blesses those most who most implicitly rely on his word.

To have physically seen the Lord Jesus Christ after His resurrection must have been an astonishing sight.(Luke 24:36-39, Matt. 28:8-9, Acts 9:3-7)^[70] Yet to have not actually had sight of the Lord Jesus in His resurrected body and still believe could be viewed as even more an act of faith. For this reason saints today should not bemoan their personally not seeing Jesus raised, simply because all genuine and sincere faith in the Savior will yield exactly the same result, as if He has been personally seen and believed upon. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you (Matt. 9:29).

Pastors and teachers. Once churches were established in the early first century, it was necessary to establish some form of spiritual leadership, and/or Christian authority. New members had been birthed into the body of Christ, and as such, these new converts needed both shepherded and instructed in the way of God’s will for their lives. It is here that pastors and teachers assume their primary role, which is to care for and instruct believers in the gospel message. Some commentaries link pastors and teachers together as one ministry, while others separate them, but one thing is certain—the primary role of both ministries is to care for those saved by Christ. In regard to the offices of apostles, prophets, and evangelists, Benson states that their offices were “extraordinary.” “All these [apostles, prophets, and evangelists] were extraordinary officers: the ordinary were some, pastors (called επισκοπους, bishops, Acts 20:28^[71]) watching over and feeding their several flocks. . . And teachers—Whether of the same or a lower order, to assist them as occasion might require. It is probable the peculiar office of those here termed teachers, as distinguished from those called pastors, was to instruct the young and ignorant in the first principles of the Christian religion.”^[72]

Pastors is #4166 poimén. Strong’s Lexicon defines the word as “a shepherd; hence met: of the feeder, protector, and ruler of a flock of men. . . . H7463—רֹעֶה (ro’eh): Shepherd, herdsman.”

The Strong’s states of the usage of the word, “‘poimén’ primarily refers to a shepherd, one who tends, leads, and cares for a flock of sheep. In the New Testament, it is used both literally and metaphorically. Literally, it describes those who care for sheep, while metaphorically, it refers to leaders or pastors who guide and nurture a community of believers, akin to a shepherd with his flock.”

Concerning the cultural and historical background of the word—“In ancient Near Eastern cultures, shepherds held a vital role in society, responsible for the welfare and guidance of sheep, which were crucial for economic and subsistence purposes. The image of a shepherd was deeply embedded in the cultural and religious consciousness of the Israelites, often symbolizing leadership, provision, and protection. This imagery is prevalent throughout the Bible, where God is depicted as the ultimate Shepherd of His people, and leaders are often called to emulate this role.”

HELPS Word-studies defines #4166 poimén as “properly, a shepherd (‘pastor’ in Latin); (figuratively) someone who the Lord raises up to care for the total well-being of His flock (the people of the Lord). [4166 (poimḗn) is closely associated with 1066 /Gedeṓn (‘to feed the flock’), see Jn 21:15–17.^[73]]”

The ministry of a pastor is that of primarily caring for the safety and well-being of God’s people. There is no doubt that there are a great many more pastors in the church, as we know them to be today, than apostles, prophets, evangelists, and teachers. Practically, shepherding the Lord’s people requires a different spiritually inspired ministry than exercising strong spiritual religious authority in the church.^[74] An example of this is that you will rarely see those called to shepherd the flock, pen a letter like the apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthians and/or Galatians, which contained strong reproof and correction for their continued walk in the flesh,^[75] and ultimate lack of any deep spiritual understanding.^[76] Neither would those primarily called to shepherd the flock (those who have already believed in the Savior through making Him Lord of their life) (Rom 10:9-10, 13, Acts 16:31)^[77] speak as Isaiah and Jeremiah did in regard to Israel and their sin.(Isa. 1:20, Isa. 59:1-2, Isa. 22:14, Isa. 30:12-13, Jer. 11:11, Jer. 14:10, Jer. 5:14-15)^[78] Perhaps a current-day comparison of the separation of these gift ministries can be observed in today’s medical field, in which one doctor’s specialty is surgery, whose sharp scalpel must be used to assist patients with their internal broken bones, diseases, and cancerous tumors, while another doctor’s main responsibility—like that of a family practitioner—is diagnosing illness, continuing checkups and administering immunizations, which carries a completely different mindset for their particular function. Ultimately every gift ministry has its role, regardless of its function, and each ministry should seek to strive to fulfill its own divine calling. For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise (II Cor. 10:12).

Teachers. In practice, all the gift ministries need an element of teaching ability,^[79] though the gift ministry of a teacher can easily be discerned through his spiritual ability to reveal deeper truths contained in the Word of God. So much of the biblical truth available today is because of the successive ministries of men with the gift ministry of teaching, who have illuminated the Scriptures throughout the centuries. There is much to know of God’s Word, and no individual minister, regardless of his skill, could teach all that is necessary to fully understand God and His will for man. For this reason, teaching ministries have successively built upon one another and filled in the gaps of what previous ministries either could not see or lacked sufficient time to reveal. Much like the ministries of the prophets, where it is stated, Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge (I Cor. 14:29), so should teachers show the same deference to other divinely sent ministers revealing what they have come to know of the truth. It is also worth noting that those involved in true ministries rarely have conflict among themselves, as each is spiritually mature and cares enough for the body of Christ to be aware of the great importance and necessity of Christ’s other inspired ministries and their divine purpose in the gospel. For true ministers, spiritual unity is as essential in the body of Christ as any other gift ministry operating within it.^[80] It is surely not those truly sent by Christ who incite division and schism within God’s people^[81] but rather those carnal and often even unsaved individuals who have been masquerading as Christians, whose main aim is spiritual disruption.^[82] The reason that Christ has given these various gifts to the church is that no individual on his own could accomplish raising up God’s people in the faith without other divinely appointed ministries’ helping in the work. In reality, no one man regardless of his divine appointment and the strength of his individual ministry could successfully supply all the needs of the Lord’s people. This is why all solely individual ministries should be questioned as to having their source in God, simply because no one man, has ever been purposed by God to have a religion formed around him. This is especially true if people believe that any one man is the source for all truth since the Lord did not place simply one gift ministry in the church to be built upon but rather a collective body of ministries, like the twelve apostles and similar ministries coming after them.

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^[1]  John 16:28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

^[2]  Exod. 24:18 And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.

^[3]  John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

^[4]  John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

I John 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

^[5]  John 1:14–18 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. ¹⁵John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. ¹⁶And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. ¹⁷For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. ¹⁸No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

^[6]  I John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

John 16:27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

^[7]  John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Matt. 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

^[8]  John 10:30 I and my Father are one.

^[9]  John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

^[10]  Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Neh. 9:6 Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.

Rev. 7:11–12 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, ¹²Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Job 38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

^[11]  John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?

^[12]  Exod. 34:29–30 And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses’ hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. ³⁰And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.

Exod. 34:34–35 But when Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded. ³⁵And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

^[13]  Talmudic Interpretations – Some Rabbinic sources suggest that Moses retained a divine radiance throughout his life. The Talmud (Bava Batra 75a) mentions that Moses had a supernatural glow, possibly referring to this concept.

Midrashic Literature – Midrash Tanchuma and other commentaries often depict Moses as maintaining a supernatural quality, even at death (Deuteronomy 34:7 notes that his vigor was undiminished). Some interpretations extend this to mean his radiance persisted.

^[14]  Mark 13:26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

Luke 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Matt. 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

^[15]  Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

^[16]  Matt. 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Luke 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.

^[17]  Matt. 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

^[18]  I Cor. 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

Matt. 28:10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

^[19]  Matt. 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

^[20]  Matt. 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Phil. 2:10–2:11 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; ¹¹And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

John 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

^[21]  Col. 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

^[22]  II Cor. 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.

^[23]  I John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

I Cor. 2:12–15 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. ¹³Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. ¹⁴But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. ¹⁵But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

^[24]  II Cor. 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

^[25]  Gal. 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Col. 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Rom. 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

^[26]  John 3:1–7 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: ²The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. ³Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. ⁴Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? ⁵Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. ⁶That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

I Pet. 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Tit. 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

I Pet. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

I John 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

I John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

John 1:12–13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: ¹³Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

^[27]  II Cor. 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

^[28]  Matt. 5:14–16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. ¹⁵Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. ¹⁶Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Phil. 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

I Thess. 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

^[29]  II Cor. 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

^[30]  Rom. 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

^[31]  John 7:36-39 What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come? ³⁷In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. ³⁸He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. ³⁹(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Eph. 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

^[32]  Rom. 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

^[33]  Eph. 1:20–23 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

²¹Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: ²²And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, ²³Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

^[34]  Heb. 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

^[35]  II Cor. 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

^[36]  John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

II Cor. 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

^[37]  John 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

^[38]  Eph. 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Eph. 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

^[39]  Eph. 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

^[40]  Acts 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

II Cor. 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

II Pet. 2:1–2 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. ²And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

Matt. 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Matt. 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

^[41]  Eph. 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

^[42]  II Chrn. 36:12 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the Lord.

^[43]  Ezek. 13:9 And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord God.

Jer. 14:14 Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

Jer. 23:16 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord.

Matt. 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

II Tim. 4:3–4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; ⁴And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

^[44]  II Tim. 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

^[45]  Exod. 28:1 And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons.

Exod. 29:1–8 And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest’s office: Take one young bullock, and two rams without blemish, ²And unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened tempered with oil, and wafers unleavened anointed with oil: of wheaten flour shalt thou make them. ³And thou shalt put them into one basket, and bring them in the basket, with the bullock and the two rams. ⁴And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water. ⁵And thou shalt take the garments, and put upon Aaron the coat, and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod: ⁶And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head, and put the holy crown upon the mitre. ⁷Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him. ⁸And thou shalt bring his sons, and put coats upon them.

^[46]  I Cor. 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

^[47]  Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

^[48]  II Thess. 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

^[49]  Luke 6:13–16 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; ¹⁴Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, ¹⁵Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, ¹⁶And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.

Matt. 10:2–5 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; ³Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; ⁴Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. ⁵These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

^[50]  Luke 9:1–2 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. ²And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

^[51]  I Kgs. 18:21–22 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. ²²Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

I Kgs. 22:6–36 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king. ⁷And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord besides, that we might enquire of him? ⁸And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so. ⁹Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah. ¹⁰And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them. ¹¹And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the Lord, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them. ¹²And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the Lord shall deliver it into the king’s hand. ¹³And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good. ¹⁴And Micaiah said, As the Lord liveth, what the Lord saith unto me, that will I speak. ¹⁵So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king. ¹⁶And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the Lord? ¹⁷And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the Lord said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace. ¹⁸And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil? ¹⁹And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. ²⁰And the Lord said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. ²¹And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will persuade him. ²²And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. ²³Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil concerning thee. ²⁴But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak unto thee? ²⁵And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself. ²⁶And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son; ²⁷And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace. ²⁸And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the Lord hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you. ²⁹So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead. ³⁰And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle. ³¹But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel. ³²And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out. ³³And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him. ³⁴And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded. ³⁵And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot. ³⁶And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country.

^[52]  Gal. 2:7–8 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; ⁸(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

^[53]  Acts 9:15–16 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: ¹⁶For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

^[54]  Acts 15:32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

^[55]  Bushman, Richard L. “Joseph Smith.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., www.britannica.com/biography/Joseph-Smith-American-religious-leader-1805-1844.

^[56]  Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “Moroni.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., www.britannica.com/topic/Moroni-religious-figure.

^[57]  Montgomery Watt, William, and Nicolai Sinai. “Muhammad.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 25 Feb. 2025, www.britannica.com/biography/Muhammad.

^[58]  Gal. 1:11–12 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. ¹²For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

II Pet. 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

II Tim. 3:16–17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

^[59]  Acts 19:11–12 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: ¹²So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

Acts 2:1–7 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ²And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. ³And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. ⁴And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. ⁵And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. ⁶Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. ⁷And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

Acts 5:12–16 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. ¹³And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. ¹⁴And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) ¹⁵Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. ¹⁶There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

Acts 16: 16–18 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: ¹⁷The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. ¹⁸And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

Acts 28:7–9 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously. ⁸And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. ⁹So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

^[60]  I Sam. 3:19 And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

^[61]  Matt. 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

^[62]  I Cor. 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

^[63]  Acts 5:1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

^[64]  II Chrn. 24:19 Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the Lord; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.

Jer. 3:22 Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God.

Isa. 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Joel 2:12 Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

^[65]  Heb. 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

II Kgs. 21:10 And the Lord spake by his servants the prophets, saying,

Num. 12:6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

Deut. 34:10–11 And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, ¹¹In all the signs and the wonders, which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land,

I Sam. 3:19–20 And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. ²⁰And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.

I Kigs. 16:12 Thus did Zimri destroy all the house of Baasha, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake against Baasha by Jehu the prophet.

II Kgs. 3:11 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord, that we may enquire of the Lord by him? And one of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.

Jer. 7:25 Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them:

Jer. 29:19 Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the Lord, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the Lord.

Jer. 25:4 And the Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear.

Isa. 38:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.

Jer. 46:13 The word that the Lord spake to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon should come and smite the land of Egypt.

II Chrn. 24:19 Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the Lord; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear. some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

^[66]  Eph. 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

II Tim. 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

^[67]  Acts 6:1–6 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. ²Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. ³Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. ⁴But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. ⁵And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: ⁶Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

^[68]  Matt. 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Heb. 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Heb. 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

Heb. 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

^[69]  Rom. 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Rom. 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Tit. 3:5–7 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; ⁶Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; ⁷That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

^[70]  Luke 24:36–39 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. ³⁷But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. ³⁸And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? ³⁹Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

Matt. 28:8–9 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. ⁹And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

Acts 9:3–7 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: ⁴And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? ⁵And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. ⁶And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. ⁷And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

^[71]  Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

^[72]  Benson Commentary

^[73]  John 21:15–17 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. ¹⁶He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. ¹⁷He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

^[74]  II Tim. 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

^[75]  I Cor. 3:1–3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. ²I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. ³For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

I Cor. 4:21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

^[76]  I Cor. 6:5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

I Cor. 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

^[77]  Rom. 10:9–10, 13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ¹⁰For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. … ¹³For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

^[78]  Isa. 1:20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Isa. 59:1–2 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: ²But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Isa. 22:14 And it was revealed in mine ears by the Lord of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord God of hosts.

Isa. 30:12–13 Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon: ¹³Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.

Jer. 11:11 Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.

Jer. 5:14–15 Wherefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them. ¹⁵Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the Lord: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.

^[79]  I Tim. 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

^[80]  Eph. 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

^[81]  Acts 20:25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

^[82]  II Cor. 11:13–15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. ¹⁴And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. ¹⁵Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Matt. 7:15–16 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. ¹⁶Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Gal. 2:13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

Isa. 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

I John 2:9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

Tit.1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Ephesians 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

Christ’s descension and then ascension into heaven mirror Moses’ ascension and descension, but in a contrasting manner. Whereas Moses began his journey at the bottom of the mount, to the top, and then back down again, the Son of God began His descent with coming to the earth, to ascending to heaven, and then in His appointed time, He will return in the full glory and majesty of the Father.^[1] Whereas Moses also went up into the mount for only a brief time and interaction with the Lord,^[2] Jesus came down from heaven after eternally being in God’s presence.^[3] This is also why the Son of God’s ministry is so much greater than God’s servant Moses’ ministry. Though Moses brought a portion of God’s Word to man, only God’s only begotten Son^[4] has been eternally in the intimate and everlasting presence of the Father, and as such, has not only revealed more of God’s Word and will to man but also God’s person.^[5] Whereas Moses could reveal God’s law only to Israel, God’s Son, Jesus Christ, has far exceeded this revelation and revealed the Lord’s disposition,^[6] person, and holy character.^[7] Ultimately it could not be one merely born of the flesh who could divulge true sight of God, but only He Who possesses inseparable^[8] and continued relationship with Him.^[9] Through Christ doing so, believers may now honor, cherish, and love the Lord, just as all holy creatures do.^[10] As the only begotten of God, Who is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him. No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him (John 1:18).

The Greek word for bosom is #2859 kolpos. Strong’s Lexicon reveals the usage of the word as “In the New Testament, ‘kolpos’ is used to describe the bosom or chest area, often symbolizing intimacy, closeness, or a place of honor.”

Concerning the historical background of the word, the Strong’s also states, “In ancient Jewish culture, reclining at a meal was a common practice, and the position of lying close to the host’s bosom was one of honor and intimacy. This cultural practice is reflected in the New Testament, where being in someone’s bosom signifies a special relationship or favor.”

Man’s inability to see God resides in the great gulf of separation that lies between him and God. This distance of understanding is enough that the world by all its wisdom—its advances in science, technology, mathematics, space, and so on, and any other form of gaining insight into the present universe—still cannot know or could ever come to truly know God, apart from God revealing Himself to man. Without Christ’s revelation of the Father, the very best that men can do in trying to search Him out is based upon speculation, imagination, and religious conjecture. Ultimately, without the Son of God revealing God to man, God could never fully be known. This is why those who lack either knowledge of or faith in Jesus Christ actually possess no true perception of God at all. For it is only through the Son that the Father can be accurately seen, known, and believed in.^[11]

It is worth noting that just as Moses’ face shone after briefly being in the presence of God,^[12] and some believed this transformation continued throughout His entire ministry,^[13] then what shall be the glorious radiance of the Son of God^[14] when Jesus returns from continually being in God’s holy celestial presence, and in His appropriate time to judge the world in righteousness?^[15] This triumphant return, when Christ descends in the full glory of the Father,^[16] will be significantly greater and far more astonishing than even what Jesus’ close disciples Peter, James, and John observed of Jesus’ glory on the Mount of Transfiguration.^[17] What the disciples saw in part the world will observe, see, and behold in full. Peter, James, and John’s interaction of seeing the Lord Jesus in His glory also prepared them for their Christian callings. What can be gathered by this is that to boldly and enthusiastically preach Him Whom God has sent into the world to save man, there must occur first an element of seeing Him in His glorified state―since it is seeing the Lord Jesus as He truly is, glorified, that prompts His messengers to deem as their most important mission and purpose in life to reveal to the world the One they have believed upon. This process of preparing men for ministerial service, through permitting sight of the Lord Jesus in glory, was evidenced early after Jesus’ resurrection when He revealed Himself to above five hundred brethren.^[18] To perceive Christ as He truly is―this the greatest motivator in priming and prompting those called to God through His Son, to heartfully and with energized religious fervor engage in the work of the great commission.^[19] For nothing will spark, ignite, and fuel a spiritual heart more—consequently producing a burning desire to spread the gospel—than clearly seeing the Son of God, as He truly is. Ultimately it is perceiving the Lord Jesus, after He has been raised and ascended to God, that will transform a man from merely performing religious duty, to inspire him for sincere spiritual evangelism. For once the Son of God is truly seen, then those who have received sight of Him will count themselves as spiritually bound to announce, declare, and herald the Lord Jesus’ present glorified and authoritative state^[20] to the world.

It is also through saints beholding the glory of the Lord that they are transformed to reflect God’s glory in their own lives. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord (II Cor. 3:18).

(Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers, II Cor. 3:18) We see God mirrored in Christ, who is “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15^[21]), and as we gaze, with our face unveiled, on that mirror, a change comes over us.

It is as men behold the glory of the Lord that they are both changed and reflect back through their heart and lives the very image of the One they have beheld. What was true of Moses externally, when his face shone after being in God’s presence, is similarly true of saints internally. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (II Cor. 4:6). Albert Barnes’ notes are extensive on this verse, but they aptly reveal the true essence of both the reality and the experience that every true Christian will undergo, through the Spirit of God providing light, to spiritually perceive the glory of God through the person and face of Jesus Christ.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, II Cor. 4:6) For God, who commanded …—The design of this verse seems to be, to give a reason why Paul and his fellow-apostles did not preach themselves, but Jesus Christ the Lord, 2 Corinthians 4:5.^[22] That reason was, that their minds had been so illuminated by that God who had commanded the light to shine out of darkness, that they had discerned the glory of the divine perfections shining in and through the Redeemer, and they therefore gave themselves, to the work of making him known among people. The doctrines which they preached they had not derived from people in any form. They had not been elaborated by human reasoning or science, nor had they been imparted by tradition. They had been communicated directly by the source of all light—the true God—who had shined into the hearts that were once benighted by sin. Having been thus illuminated, they had felt themselves bound to go and make known to others the truths which God had imparted to them. … this verse teaches the fact, that the minds of Christians are illuminated. They are enabled to see things as they are. This fact is often taught in the Scriptures; see 1 John 2:20; 1 Corinthians 2:12–15.^[23] They have different views of things from their fellow-men, and different from what they once had. They perceive a beauty in religion which others do not see, and a glory in truth, and in the Saviour, and in the promises of the gospel, which they did not see before they were converted. … this verse teaches, that it is the “same God” who enlightens the mind of the Christian that commanded the light at first to shine. He is the source of all light. He formed the light in the natural world; he gives all light and truth on all subjects to the understanding; and he imparts all correct views of truth to the heart. Light is not originated by man; and man on the subject of religion no more creates the light which beams upon his benighted mind than he created the light of the sun when it first shed its beams over the darkened earth. “All truth is from the sempiternal source of light divine;” and it is no more the work of man to enlighten the mind, and dissipate the darkness from the soul of a benighted sinner, than it was of man to scatter the darkness that brooded over the creation, or than he can now turn the shades of midnight to noonday. All this work lies beyond the proper province of man; and is all to be traced to the agency of God—the great fountain of light.

The means by which supernatural transformation is accomplished is through the Spirit of the Lord abiding in the believer’s heart.^[24] Thus, when someone gains through the presence of the Holy Spirit Christ within him^[25] and has been born of God,^[26] then sets his eyes upon the Savior, first spiritual illumination enters the heart, and then spiritual transformation begins to take place within it. This transformation is accomplished by the power of God’s Spirit so that when men’s eyes become unveiled^[27] and they are able to have true sight of Christ and perceive Him as He presently is, then the Spirit of the Lord begins a spiritual change within them, which will ultimately augment and expand throughout their entire physical being. This supernatural process begins internally and then progressively extends itself outward^[28] so that ultimately what the Spirit of God has accomplished in the heart will become visible to the world throughout the person’s life.

(Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges, II Cor. 3:18) The change that takes place in us is a spiritual change (see 1 Corinthians 2, and notes on 2 Corinthians 3:6^[29]). It is not affected by formal enactments, which at best can but condemn, but it is the work of a Lord Who works within, Who sends forth the beams of His light that they may transform, not the outer surface, but the heart, that so the man may reflect back undimmed thence the glorious Light that has shined on him. And so the man into whose heart the Light of Christ has entered progresses from one stage of spiritual glory to another, until at last (Romans 8:29^[30]) he becomes fully conformed to the image of the Son of God.

Ephesians 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

From Christ’s descension came Christ’s ascension so that He might fill all things. Because the Lord descended and then ascended, He now through His own spiritual fullness fills all things. From Christ’s heavenly fullness the Holy Spirit is given, gifts of grace are imparted,^[31] and believers are fully redeemed. It is the Lord Jesus’ full journey—from heaven to earth to die for sin and be resurrected and ascend to God—that allows for those who believe upon the Savior to be accounted as complete in Him. Ultimately it is the journey of Christ and all that He accomplished in coming from heaven, and ascending back to heaven, that spiritually accomplishes for the believer eternal fellowship, union, and peace with God.^[32]

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Eph. 4:10) Far above all heavens—see the notes on Ephesians 1:20–23;^[33] compare Hebrews 7:26.^[34] He is gone above the visible heavens, and has ascended into the highest abodes of bliss; see the notes on 2 Corinthians 12:2.^[35]

That he might fill all things—Margin, “fulfil.” The meaning is, “that he might fill all things by his influence, and direct and overrule all by his wisdom and power.” Doddridge.

It is through Jesus’ descent from heaven, to die on the cross for man’s sin, then to be raised from the dead after the punishment for sin had been fully completed, that is the genesis of the believer’s completeness in Him. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power (Col. 2:10).

The Greek word for complete is #4137 pléroó. Strong’s Lexicon defines the word pléroó, “From the Greek word πλήρης (plérēs) [#4134], meaning ‘full’ or ‘complete.’”

The Strong’s also describes the usage of the word: “The verb ‘pléroó’ primarily conveys the idea of filling something to its full capacity or bringing something to completion. In the New Testament, it is often used to describe the fulfillment of prophecies, the completion of joy, or the filling of individuals with the Holy Spirit. It can also refer to the fulfillment of the law or commandments, indicating a bringing to full expression or realization.”

HELPS Word-studies defines pléroó, “(from plērēs, ‘be full,’ see 4130 /plḗthō)—properly, fill to individual capacity, i.e. to the extent it is ‘meet’ (appropriate).”

From these definitions we observe that through Jesus’ journey, coming from heaven to the earth and then ascending back into heaven, the believer has been made full and complete in all that was lacking and would prevent eternal communion with God. Because of the completeness given to saints through Christ, all shame, disgrace, humiliation, and chagrin for past sin have been removed. Hence, where fallen and sinful man is deficient and incomplete on his own and unworthy of heaven, now through the Son of God and His redemptive ministry Christ’s own fullness makes him complete. Because of this, the sinner’s salvation need not rest on himself, neither upon his own personal works or worth, but rather on the finished work of Him Who has been given the full authority by God to save man.^[36] For the true saint it is not himself or personal holiness that makes him fit for heaven―but rather the journey of his Savior.

(Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers, Col. 2:10) Ye are complete.—Literally, ye have been filled up in His fulness, as in John 1:16.^[37] So St. Paul had prayed for the Ephesians that they might be “filled with (or rather, up to) all the fulness of God,” and “grow into the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians 3:19; Ephesians 4:13^[38]). To partake of the divine pleroma [4138] is not the special privilege of the initiated; it belongs to all who are united to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Just as Jesus imparted to all believers a measure of various gifts of grace,^[39] so has He also given as a gift to these same believers divinely placed gift ministries to assist them in growing up in their own personal ministries. Where false teachers and preachers will seek to lead men to themselves,^[40] these heavenly sent ministries will first perfect the saints, preparing them for the work of the ministry. Their purpose and reason for living is for the perfecting of the saints, with a view to the work of the ministry, with a further view of the edifying of the body of Christ, with the final result of producing greater unity in the church and its members arriving at a greater knowledge of the Son of God. Though believers have been saved by Christ, there is still much lacking in many of them regarding both their faith and walk. Because of this, spiritual restoration is needed before they can be fully equipped to fulfill their own specific call to Christ. It is thus the purpose of these spiritually gifted ministries to perfect that which is lacking in the saints, preparing them for the work of the ministry and ultimately growing them up to possess both a knowledge of and faith in Christ Himself. These gift ministries are essential for the Christian’s growth and development. Through Christ’s power working within them, they help restore that which is broken in the saved so that they may carry out Christ’s purpose for their own lives. Without these divinely appointed ministries, the body of Christ would be tossed to and fro and carried about with every deceptive and devilish wind of doctrine, purposed to deceive.^[41] To foolishly reject these spiritual servants, given to the church by the Son, is to ultimately reject their Sender.^[42] For none can truly reject those sent by the Son of God for the church’s advancement and growth and not also reject Him Who has placed them in His body. He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me (Luke 10:16). This is not to say that all those who merely in word claim relationship with the Son of God and claim to come in Christ’s name should immediately and without careful spiritual inspection be accounted as having been sent by Christ. Absolutely not. This is because the world is filled with an abundance of false teachers and pseudo-prophets never appointed by the Lord Jesus.^[43] For this reason the scripture cautions all believers to try the spirits, to spiritually determine if God is truly the source of those who claim to be speaking by it. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world (I John 4:1). The genuine prophet Jeremiah spoke of spiritual counterfeits in his time, who came in God’s name but were not sent by God. The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? (Jer. 5:31). Sadly, as this verse reveals, false prophets have abounded through the millenniums, and still today many merely professing believers love to embrace their false, deceptive, and harmful doctrines. Indeed, many who only profess to follow Christ in word regularly gather to themselves false teachers^[44] in the place of true ministries that Christ has set in His church. As the verse states, my people love to have it so. That is, there are many in religion who will embrace false prophets and their false prophecies far above the real truth of God’s Word.

(Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers, Jer. 5:31) My people love to have it …—The words imply more than an acquiescence in evil, and describe an ethical condition like that of Romans 1:32 [Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.].

Undoubtedly many in various positions of Christian government have gained religious influence and authority, whom Christ has not placed there, much less ordained for ministry. Thus, just because a man labels himself as a prophet or an evangelist does not mean that he is who he claims to be. Moreover, no man also has the right to take such an honor, thinking himself either an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, or teacher, through personal will or selfish desire. As with priests in the Old Testament, none could assume through merely human desire the title, honor, and position of a priest. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron (Heb. 5:4). To be called to such an office, an individual must first be divinely called and appointed by God for it, as Aaron was.^[45] Though some will disagree with this principle being applied to ministers today, one only needs to look at the spiritual immaturity and lack of deep biblical instruction in the body of Christ to conclude that divinely sent spiritual leadership is severely lacking. Consequently, if saints are not being perfected in their faith and the work of the ministry is not successfully being undertaken by them and spiritual edification is not being evidenced in Christ’s body, then undoubtedly those leading God’s people have not themselves been equipped by the Lord Jesus for the positions they hold. Ultimately, all positions in Christ’s body must be according to divine will and cannot be entered into merely through human desire. This is why though a person may attend either Bible college or seminary, this itself does not equip him or her for church pastorship. Undoubtedly the appointments of the ministries of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are no exception to this rule―so that if a man only needs religious education to claim himself fit to lead God’s people, then Christ, and His divine appointments apparently are not even necessary to conduct Christian ministry. In regard to the true ministries in the church, Jesus said, Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you (John 15:16). Jesus’ words reveal that not only did He choose the disciples for salvation, but also He even more specifically ordained them for ministry. Ultimately it is solely the Lord Jesus Who chooses and then appoints for ministry those purposed to function as true ministers in His church. This is why if a man does not have spiritual power or heavenly wisdom in his ministry, then you can be certain that he has no divine appointment by Christ, nor will he ever be able, because of his lack of ability to demonstrate the Spirit,^[46] to effectively witness or testify for Christ.^[47]

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, John 15:16) I have chosen you—To be apostles. Yet all whom he now addressed were true disciples. Judas had left them; and when Jesus says he had chosen them to bear fruit, it may mean, also, that he had “chosen them to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth,” 2 Thessalonians 2:13.^[48]

Ordained you—Literally, I have placed you, appointed you, set you apart. It does not mean that he had done this by any formal public act of the imposition of hands, as we now use the word, but that he had designated or appointed them to this work, Luke 6:13–16; Matthew 10:2–5.^[49]

Bring forth fruit—That you should be rich in good works; faithful and successful in spreading my gospel. This was the great business to which they were set apart, and this they faithfully accomplished. It may be added that this is the great end for which Christians are chosen.

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him (I Cor. 12:18). Because it is true that God has set the members in the body, as it hath pleased Him, then it must be equally true that the gift ministries that Christ has ordained to strengthen these members in their spiritual walk must also be according to divine will. To foolishly think, then, that the members of Christ’s church and how they are purposed to function in it must be in accordance to divine will―while rejecting the idea that those heavenly sent ministries, ordained by Christ, need not be appointed by Him for ministry―is spiritual nonsense. For none can truly be effective in any spiritual calling unless he has been divinely equipped for it by the Savior. It is therefore only the Lord Jesus Who has placed true gift ministries in His church, and only He Who imparts the necessary spiritual gifts and abilities that will make them effective in it.^[50]

(Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges, I Cor. 12:18) as it hath pleased him] Literally, as He willed. See last note. St Paul would have us draw the inference that our own peculiar disposition and talents are appointed us by God, that we may perform the special work in the world for which we were designed. We are not therefore to repine because we do not possess the qualifications which we see possessed by others, but to endeavour to make the best possible use of the gifts we have.

What is also true is that those sent to labor for the Lord and spiritually reap the harvest of God are to a certain degree, largely rare.^[51] And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest (Matthew 9:35–38).

The harvest that Jesus spoke of are those souls who, though hungry and desiring greater fellowship with God, were instead spiritually starving and wandering as sheep without a shepherd. Hence, though the quantity of those searching for the truth was great, what was lacking, and of whom existed very few, were those divinely sent laborers of God to reap His harvest. It is for this specific reason that Jesus instructed the church to Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. The reason that prayer is important in this matter is that only God can send and equip with spiritual power those who are able to draw people to Him. Ultimately only the Lord has the ability to both send and equip for ministry laborers for His harvest. Since the harvest is God’s, only those ordained by Him can properly reap it. What was true in Jesus’ time is also true today. For though there are many who desire God and seek to know the way of salvation, there remain very few who have been sufficiently spiritually gifted to help them in their journey. Because so many in the professed church are spiritually unfit for the offices they hold and lack the spiritual power and ability for their religious positions, a great amount of God’s chosen, even today, are left to wander as sheep with no shepherd.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Matt. 9:36) But when he saw the multitudes—That followed him from place to place. When he saw their anxiety to be instructed and saved.

He was moved with compassion on them—He pitied them.

Because they fainted—The word used here refers to the weariness and fatigue which results from labor and being burdened. He saw the people burdened with the rites of religion and the doctrines of the Pharisees; sinking down under their ignorance and the weight of their traditions; neglected by those who ought to have been enlightened teachers; and scattered and driven out without care and attention.

Apostles. The Greek word for apostle is #652 apostolos. HELPS Word-studies defines the word, “apóstolos (from 649 /apostéllō, ‘to commission, send forth’)—properly, someone sent (commissioned), focusing back on the authority (commissioning) of the sender (note the prefix, apo); apostle.” To properly be called an apostle of Jesus Christ demanded a special commission to go forth and spread the gospel. For the apostle Paul this commission was to the Gentiles^[52] so that they might hear the truth and be saved.

Strong’s Lexicon states that the usage of the term apostolos “refers to one who is sent forth with a specific mission or commission. In the New Testament, it primarily denotes the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus Christ, who were sent out to preach the gospel and establish the early Church.”

HELPS Word-studies reveals the term to mean, according to the cultural and historical background: “In the Greco-Roman world, the term ‘apostolos’ was used to describe a messenger or envoy sent with authority to represent someone else. In the context of the New Testament, apostles were seen as authoritative representatives of Jesus Christ, entrusted with spreading His teachings and establishing His Church. The role of an apostle was foundational in the early Church, as they were responsible for teaching, guiding, and maintaining the doctrinal purity of the Christian faith.”

Some of the rarest of Christ’s unique gifts to the church are those chief ministries that the Lord Jesus personally ordained as apostles for Himself. To accurately be labeled a special messenger of the Lord Jesus, which is what the word apostle means, there needed to be personal contact with the Savior. Examples include Paul,^[53] Jesus’ twelve disciples, Judas and Silas, and others.^[54] Ultimately no angel could give legitimacy for such a ministry, nor could any man carelessly assume this title through personal will. Needless to say, no angel can call a man to true religious office, though many false prophets have attributed angels and false visions as the sources of their calling. Examples of this heresy include Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon church,^[55] and the angel Moroni,^[56] whom Smith claimed came and spoke to him. Mohammed could also be included, who claimed being visited by the angel Gabriel in a cave.^[57] These are but two examples of very many through the centuries who were false prophets claiming to gain their ordination for ministry through a visitation from an angel. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind (Col. 2:18).

We can also say with spiritual confidence that no such ministries as apostles exist today, though we do hold much of their divinely received doctrine in the Canon.^[58] Ultimately apostles were gifted with extraordinary spiritual powers.^[59] This was necessary for their planting the gospel throughout the world, providing credible witness that the Lord Jesus had personally ordained them for ministry. As with the prophets of old, the Lord would not let the apostles’ words fall to the ground.^[60] Understandably, there are none who have ever held higher rank in the body of Christ than those directly and personally called by the Son of God for the ministry of an apostle. Since apostles in the early church held the highest rank, as such they were entrusted with the greatest responsibility to testify for the Savior and fulfill the great commission in leading others to be baptized by Him.^[61]

The next ministry, and perhaps even in spiritual rank and authority, is the ministry of prophets. The Strong’s defines the word #4396 prophétés, “a prophet, poet; a person gifted at expositing divine truth.”

Its word origin of prophet according to Strong’s Lexicon is “derived from the Greek word ‘pro’ (before) and ‘phēmi’ (to speak), meaning ‘one who speaks forth’ or ‘advocate.’”

Regarding the usage of the word, “In the New Testament, ‘prophétés’ refers to a person who is divinely inspired to communicate God’s will and message to others. Prophets are often seen as God’s spokespersons, delivering messages of warning, guidance, or revelation. They may foretell future events or provide insight into God’s plans and purposes.”

Practically speaking, if the church is exposed to a true prophet of the Lord, then this will easily be evidenced by the accurate, truthful, and spiritually beneficial prophecy which is brought forth.^[62] This prophecy will not only awaken people to the Lord’s presence, but also the revelation brought forth will often lay bare the secrets of men’s hearts. This is seen in I Corinthians 14 when we observe what true prophetic utterances will produce, of which God’s prophets are their main source. But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: and thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth (I Cor. 14:24–25). It is also prophets and the prophetic messages they bring forth that are most effective at touching and influencing those who believeth not and/or are unlearned.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, I Cor. 14:25) And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest—Made manifest to himself in a surprising and remarkable manner. He shall be led to see the “real” designs and motives of his heart. His conscience would be awakened; he would recall his former course of life; he would see that it was evil; and the present state of his heart would be made known to himself. It is possible that he would suppose that the speaker was aiming directly at him, and “revealing” his feelings to others; for such an effect is often produced. The convicted sinner often supposes that the preacher particularly intends “him,” and wonders that he has such an acquaintance with his feelings and his life; and often supposes that he is designing to disclose his feelings to the congregation. It is possible that Paul here may mean that the prophets, by inspiration, would be able to reveal some secret facts in regard to the stranger; or to state the ill design which he might have had in coming into the assembly; or to state some things in regard to him which could be known only to himself; as was the case with Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1,^[63] seq.)…

***

(Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible, I Cor. 14:25) and so falling down on his face: either publicly before the whole congregation; or when retired, as one ashamed of his sins and errors, and not able to look either God, or good men, in the face; and being in an adoration posture; or however, being truly humbled before God under a sense of his iniquities,

he will worship God; pray unto him, and earnestly entreat he would be merciful to him a sinner, and blot out all his transgressions, and forgive him all his sins; and will ever after acknowledge him to be the true God, embrace his Gospel, submit to his ordinances, and attend his service:

and report: or “declare,” freely and openly to the church, to all men, to the world, and to his company from whence he came, and to whom he belonged,

that God is in you of a truth: that the Spirit of God, who is truly God, and searches the deep things of God, and reveals them, and the deep things of men, and makes them manifest, is in the prophets and preachers, otherwise they would never be able to make manifest the secrets of the heart as they do; and that the presence of God is in the church, and the power of God goes along with the ministration of the word: hereby, now many valuable ends are answered, a sinner is converted, God is worshipped and glorified, credit is brought to religion, the church of Christ is spoken well of, and prophets or preachers are honoured.

What is seen here is the direct correlation to bringing the unsaved and/or unbelieving man to recognize God and be humbled in His presence, which includes either the ministry of a prophet or the special gift of prophecy. Generally speaking it takes the ministry of a prophet to open the eyes of those spiritually blind to both God and their own sinful state. Fear, reverence, and respect for the Lord are good things, and none are more suitable to producing this in the unsaved and those ignorant of God than those called to speak for God. This is also why though other ministries can be highly effective in ministering to the saved, it will often take the gift ministry of a prophet to reach those deep in sin and far away from God. Outside of the gift ministry of an apostle, there is no greater ministry purposed to bring people back to the Lord than those prophets sent by Him.^[64] To therefore discover the will of God, especially in areas where scripture is silent or not known, the prophet’s ministry is indispensable. Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer (I Sam. 9:9). There are many more scriptures that speak of the Lord’s prophets.^[65]

Evangelists. The Greek word for evangelist is #2099 euaggelistés. Strongs’ Lexicon reveals the word origin as “Derived from the Greek word εὐαγγέλιον (euaggelion), meaning ‘good news’ or ‘gospel.’”

As to the usage of the word—“The term ‘euaggelisté’ refers to a proclaimer of the gospel, one who announces the good news of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, an evangelist is someone who is specifically gifted and called to spread the message of salvation through Christ. This role is distinct from that of apostles, prophets, pastors, and teachers, though it shares the common goal of edifying the body of Christ and expanding the Kingdom of God.”

In regard to the cultural and historical background of the word, the Strong’s states, “In the early Christian church, evangelists played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity beyond the Jewish communities into the Gentile world. The term reflects the itinerant nature of their ministry, as they traveled to various regions to preach the gospel. The role of an evangelist was vital in the context of the Roman Empire, where diverse cultures and languages presented both challenges and opportunities for the dissemination of Christian teachings.”

HELPS Word-studies defines euaggelion as “properly, an ‘evangelist’ (L & N, 1, 53.76); someone with a vocational calling from God to announce the good news of the Gospel.” One of the few evangelists listed in Scripture is Philip the evangelist. And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him (Acts 21:8).

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Acts 21:8) The evangelist—This word properly means one who announces good news. In the New Testament it is applied to a preacher of the gospel, or one who declares the glad tidings of salvation. It occurs only in two other places, Ephesians 4:11; 2 Timothy 4:5.^[66] What was the precise rank of those who bore this title in the early Christian church cannot perhaps be determined. It is evident, however, that it is used to denote the office of preaching the gospel; and as this title is applied to Philip, and not to any other of the seven deacons, it would seem probable that he had been entrusted with a special commission to preach, and that preaching did not pertain to him as a deacon, and does not properly belong to that office. The business of a deacon was to take care of the poor members of the church, Acts 6:1–6.^[67] The office of preaching was distinct from this, though, as in this case, it might be conferred on the same individual.

***

(Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges, Acts 21:8) evangelists] The word occurs thrice in N.T.; here, Acts 21:8, and 2 Timothy 4:5. It seems, like our word “missionary,” to indicate not a defined ecclesiastical order (for Timothy “does the work of an evangelist,” while also an authoritative superintendent of pastors and churches), but rather a special kind of personal function in the ministry; the work of one called and devoted to direct proclamation of the Gospel message. It was thus an elastic word, like “missionary,” sometimes and oftenest denoting a minister’s special function, sometimes one only of his functions. “This passage,” our present passage, “would lead us to think of the evangelists as standing between the two groups,” (apostles and prophets, pastors and teachers,) “sent forth, as missionary preachers of the Gospel, by the first, and as such preparing the way for the labours of the second” (Smith’s Dict. of the Bible, under the word Evangelist).

There is little more that we can add to the word beyond the sources we have cited. Its limited use in the Scripture cannot help us to gain any deeper meaning. But it is worthy to note that the word evangelists is directly tied to the gospel of Jesus Christ and its good news. This is undoubtedly why the Greek word has no Hebrew equivalent. Because Jesus brought forth a new covenant for man (Matt. 26:28, Heb. 9:15, Heb. 8:6, Heb. 12:24) ^[68] and completely new revelation from God on a need for a Savior, then naturally the good news of the gospel could not be revealed until Christ’s physical appearance on the earth. Thus, the ministry of an evangelist seems to be that of proclaiming the message of the Savior and His redemptive accomplishments to the world. A recent well-known example of an evangelist is the Reverend Billy Graham, whereby through his lengthy travels he boldly proclaimed the path to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. (Rom. 10:9, Rom. 1:16, John 14:6, Tit. 3:5-7) ^[69] In this sense we can see the very unique and important position that evangelists maintained in the early church, when knowledge of the Savior in the world was in its infancy. Evangelists are also unique in their role of spreading the gospel in that unlike the ministry of apostles, they did not seem to have to be personally commissioned by Christ. And though an evangelist may differ from an apostle in this respect, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, without physical sight, can be as equally transformative to a man’s heart as seeing the Lord Jesus Christ in person. In fact, just as there would have been a tremendous blessing and spiritual privilege to physically observe the Lord Jesus in His glorified state, it is equally true that having faith in the Son of God without seeing Him in person also holds hope of being blessed. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed (John 20:29).

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, John 20:29) That have not seen …—Those who should be convinced by the testimony of the apostles, and by the influences of the Spirit. They would evince stronger faith. All faith is of things not seen; and God blesses those most who most implicitly rely on his word.

To have physically seen the Lord Jesus Christ after His resurrection must have been an astonishing sight.(Luke 24:36-39, Matt. 28:8-9, Acts 9:3-7)^[70] Yet to have not actually had sight of the Lord Jesus in His resurrected body and still believe could be viewed as even more an act of faith. For this reason saints today should not bemoan their personally not seeing Jesus raised, simply because all genuine and sincere faith in the Savior will yield exactly the same result, as if He has been personally seen and believed upon. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you (Matt. 9:29).

Pastors and teachers. Once churches were established in the early first century, it was necessary to establish some form of spiritual leadership, and/or Christian authority. New members had been birthed into the body of Christ, and as such, these new converts needed both shepherded and instructed in the way of God’s will for their lives. It is here that pastors and teachers assume their primary role, which is to care for and instruct believers in the gospel message. Some commentaries link pastors and teachers together as one ministry, while others separate them, but one thing is certain—the primary role of both ministries is to care for those saved by Christ. In regard to the offices of apostles, prophets, and evangelists, Benson states that their offices were “extraordinary.” “All these [apostles, prophets, and evangelists] were extraordinary officers: the ordinary were some, pastors (called επισκοπους, bishops, Acts 20:28^[71]) watching over and feeding their several flocks. . . And teachers—Whether of the same or a lower order, to assist them as occasion might require. It is probable the peculiar office of those here termed teachers, as distinguished from those called pastors, was to instruct the young and ignorant in the first principles of the Christian religion.”^[72]

Pastors is #4166 poimén. Strong’s Lexicon defines the word as “a shepherd; hence met: of the feeder, protector, and ruler of a flock of men. . . . H7463—רֹעֶה (ro’eh): Shepherd, herdsman.”

The Strong’s states of the usage of the word, “‘poimén’ primarily refers to a shepherd, one who tends, leads, and cares for a flock of sheep. In the New Testament, it is used both literally and metaphorically. Literally, it describes those who care for sheep, while metaphorically, it refers to leaders or pastors who guide and nurture a community of believers, akin to a shepherd with his flock.”

Concerning the cultural and historical background of the word—“In ancient Near Eastern cultures, shepherds held a vital role in society, responsible for the welfare and guidance of sheep, which were crucial for economic and subsistence purposes. The image of a shepherd was deeply embedded in the cultural and religious consciousness of the Israelites, often symbolizing leadership, provision, and protection. This imagery is prevalent throughout the Bible, where God is depicted as the ultimate Shepherd of His people, and leaders are often called to emulate this role.”

HELPS Word-studies defines #4166 poimén as “properly, a shepherd (‘pastor’ in Latin); (figuratively) someone who the Lord raises up to care for the total well-being of His flock (the people of the Lord). [4166 (poimḗn) is closely associated with 1066 /Gedeṓn (‘to feed the flock’), see Jn 21:15–17.^[73]]”

The ministry of a pastor is that of primarily caring for the safety and well-being of God’s people. There is no doubt that there are a great many more pastors in the church, as we know them to be today, than apostles, prophets, evangelists, and teachers. Practically, shepherding the Lord’s people requires a different spiritually inspired ministry than exercising strong spiritual religious authority in the church.^[74] An example of this is that you will rarely see those called to shepherd the flock, pen a letter like the apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthians and/or Galatians, which contained strong reproof and correction for their continued walk in the flesh,^[75] and ultimate lack of any deep spiritual understanding.^[76] Neither would those primarily called to shepherd the flock (those who have already believed in the Savior through making Him Lord of their life) (Rom 10:9-10, 13, Acts 16:31)^[77] speak as Isaiah and Jeremiah did in regard to Israel and their sin.(Isa. 1:20, Isa. 59:1-2, Isa. 22:14, Isa. 30:12-13, Jer. 11:11, Jer. 14:10, Jer. 5:14-15)^[78] Perhaps a current-day comparison of the separation of these gift ministries can be observed in today’s medical field, in which one doctor’s specialty is surgery, whose sharp scalpel must be used to assist patients with their internal broken bones, diseases, and cancerous tumors, while another doctor’s main responsibility—like that of a family practitioner—is diagnosing illness, continuing checkups and administering immunizations, which carries a completely different mindset for their particular function. Ultimately every gift ministry has its role, regardless of its function, and each ministry should seek to strive to fulfill its own divine calling. For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise (II Cor. 10:12).

Teachers. In practice, all the gift ministries need an element of teaching ability,^[79] though the gift ministry of a teacher can easily be discerned through his spiritual ability to reveal deeper truths contained in the Word of God. So much of the biblical truth available today is because of the successive ministries of men with the gift ministry of teaching, who have illuminated the Scriptures throughout the centuries. There is much to know of God’s Word, and no individual minister, regardless of his skill, could teach all that is necessary to fully understand God and His will for man. For this reason, teaching ministries have successively built upon one another and filled in the gaps of what previous ministries either could not see or lacked sufficient time to reveal. Much like the ministries of the prophets, where it is stated, Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge (I Cor. 14:29), so should teachers show the same deference to other divinely sent ministers revealing what they have come to know of the truth. It is also worth noting that those involved in true ministries rarely have conflict among themselves, as each is spiritually mature and cares enough for the body of Christ to be aware of the great importance and necessity of Christ’s other inspired ministries and their divine purpose in the gospel. For true ministers, spiritual unity is as essential in the body of Christ as any other gift ministry operating within it.^[80] It is surely not those truly sent by Christ who incite division and schism within God’s people^[81] but rather those carnal and often even unsaved individuals who have been masquerading as Christians, whose main aim is spiritual disruption.^[82] The reason that Christ has given these various gifts to the church is that no individual on his own could accomplish raising up God’s people in the faith without other divinely appointed ministries’ helping in the work. In reality, no one man regardless of his divine appointment and the strength of his individual ministry could successfully supply all the needs of the Lord’s people. This is why all solely individual ministries should be questioned as to having their source in God, simply because no one man, has ever been purposed by God to have a religion formed around him. This is especially true if people believe that any one man is the source for all truth since the Lord did not place simply one gift ministry in the church to be built upon but rather a collective body of ministries, like the twelve apostles and similar ministries coming after them.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

^[1]  John 16:28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

^[2]  Exod. 24:18 And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.

^[3]  John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

^[4]  John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

I John 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

^[5]  John 1:14–18 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. ¹⁵John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. ¹⁶And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. ¹⁷For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. ¹⁸No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

^[6]  I John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

John 16:27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

^[7]  John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Matt. 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

^[8]  John 10:30 I and my Father are one.

^[9]  John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

^[10]  Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Neh. 9:6 Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.

Rev. 7:11–12 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, ¹²Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Job 38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

^[11]  John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?

^[12]  Exod. 34:29–30 And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses’ hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. ³⁰And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.

Exod. 34:34–35 But when Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded. ³⁵And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

^[13]  Talmudic Interpretations – Some Rabbinic sources suggest that Moses retained a divine radiance throughout his life. The Talmud (Bava Batra 75a) mentions that Moses had a supernatural glow, possibly referring to this concept.

Midrashic Literature – Midrash Tanchuma and other commentaries often depict Moses as maintaining a supernatural quality, even at death (Deuteronomy 34:7 notes that his vigor was undiminished). Some interpretations extend this to mean his radiance persisted.

^[14]  Mark 13:26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

Luke 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Matt. 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

^[15]  Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

^[16]  Matt. 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Luke 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.

^[17]  Matt. 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

^[18]  I Cor. 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

Matt. 28:10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

^[19]  Matt. 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

^[20]  Matt. 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Phil. 2:10–2:11 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; ¹¹And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

John 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

^[21]  Col. 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

^[22]  II Cor. 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.

^[23]  I John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

I Cor. 2:12–15 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. ¹³Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. ¹⁴But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. ¹⁵But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

^[24]  II Cor. 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

^[25]  Gal. 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Col. 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Rom. 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

^[26]  John 3:1–7 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: ²The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. ³Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. ⁴Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? ⁵Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. ⁶That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

I Pet. 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Tit. 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

I Pet. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

I John 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

I John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

John 1:12–13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: ¹³Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

^[27]  II Cor. 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

^[28]  Matt. 5:14–16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. ¹⁵Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. ¹⁶Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Phil. 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

I Thess. 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

^[29]  II Cor. 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

^[30]  Rom. 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

^[31]  John 7:36-39 What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come? ³⁷In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. ³⁸He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. ³⁹(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Eph. 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

^[32]  Rom. 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

^[33]  Eph. 1:20–23 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

²¹Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: ²²And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, ²³Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

^[34]  Heb. 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

^[35]  II Cor. 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

^[36]  John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

II Cor. 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

^[37]  John 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

^[38]  Eph. 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Eph. 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

^[39]  Eph. 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

^[40]  Acts 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

II Cor. 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

II Pet. 2:1–2 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. ²And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

Matt. 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Matt. 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

^[41]  Eph. 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

^[42]  II Chrn. 36:12 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the Lord.

^[43]  Ezek. 13:9 And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord God.

Jer. 14:14 Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

Jer. 23:16 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord.

Matt. 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

II Tim. 4:3–4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; ⁴And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

^[44]  II Tim. 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

^[45]  Exod. 28:1 And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons.

Exod. 29:1–8 And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest’s office: Take one young bullock, and two rams without blemish, ²And unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened tempered with oil, and wafers unleavened anointed with oil: of wheaten flour shalt thou make them. ³And thou shalt put them into one basket, and bring them in the basket, with the bullock and the two rams. ⁴And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water. ⁵And thou shalt take the garments, and put upon Aaron the coat, and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod: ⁶And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head, and put the holy crown upon the mitre. ⁷Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him. ⁸And thou shalt bring his sons, and put coats upon them.

^[46]  I Cor. 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

^[47]  Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

^[48]  II Thess. 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

^[49]  Luke 6:13–16 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; ¹⁴Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, ¹⁵Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, ¹⁶And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.

Matt. 10:2–5 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; ³Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; ⁴Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. ⁵These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

^[50]  Luke 9:1–2 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. ²And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

^[51]  I Kgs. 18:21–22 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. ²²Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

I Kgs. 22:6–36 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king. ⁷And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord besides, that we might enquire of him? ⁸And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so. ⁹Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah. ¹⁰And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them. ¹¹And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the Lord, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them. ¹²And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the Lord shall deliver it into the king’s hand. ¹³And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good. ¹⁴And Micaiah said, As the Lord liveth, what the Lord saith unto me, that will I speak. ¹⁵So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king. ¹⁶And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the Lord? ¹⁷And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the Lord said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace. ¹⁸And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil? ¹⁹And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. ²⁰And the Lord said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. ²¹And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will persuade him. ²²And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. ²³Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil concerning thee. ²⁴But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak unto thee? ²⁵And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself. ²⁶And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son; ²⁷And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace. ²⁸And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the Lord hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you. ²⁹So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead. ³⁰And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle. ³¹But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel. ³²And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out. ³³And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him. ³⁴And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded. ³⁵And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot. ³⁶And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country.

^[52]  Gal. 2:7–8 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; ⁸(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

^[53]  Acts 9:15–16 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: ¹⁶For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

^[54]  Acts 15:32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

^[55]  Bushman, Richard L. “Joseph Smith.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., www.britannica.com/biography/Joseph-Smith-American-religious-leader-1805-1844.

^[56]  Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “Moroni.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., www.britannica.com/topic/Moroni-religious-figure.

^[57]  Montgomery Watt, William, and Nicolai Sinai. “Muhammad.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 25 Feb. 2025, www.britannica.com/biography/Muhammad.

^[58]  Gal. 1:11–12 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. ¹²For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

II Pet. 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

II Tim. 3:16–17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

^[59]  Acts 19:11–12 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: ¹²So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

Acts 2:1–7 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ²And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. ³And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. ⁴And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. ⁵And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. ⁶Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. ⁷And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

Acts 5:12–16 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. ¹³And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. ¹⁴And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) ¹⁵Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. ¹⁶There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

Acts 16: 16–18 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: ¹⁷The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. ¹⁸And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

Acts 28:7–9 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously. ⁸And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. ⁹So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

^[60]  I Sam. 3:19 And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

^[61]  Matt. 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

^[62]  I Cor. 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

^[63]  Acts 5:1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

^[64]  II Chrn. 24:19 Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the Lord; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.

Jer. 3:22 Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God.

Isa. 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Joel 2:12 Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

^[65]  Heb. 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

II Kgs. 21:10 And the Lord spake by his servants the prophets, saying,

Num. 12:6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

Deut. 34:10–11 And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, ¹¹In all the signs and the wonders, which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land,

I Sam. 3:19–20 And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. ²⁰And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.

I Kigs. 16:12 Thus did Zimri destroy all the house of Baasha, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake against Baasha by Jehu the prophet.

II Kgs. 3:11 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord, that we may enquire of the Lord by him? And one of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.

Jer. 7:25 Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them:

Jer. 29:19 Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the Lord, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the Lord.

Jer. 25:4 And the Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear.

Isa. 38:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.

Jer. 46:13 The word that the Lord spake to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon should come and smite the land of Egypt.

II Chrn. 24:19 Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the Lord; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear. some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

^[66]  Eph. 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

II Tim. 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

^[67]  Acts 6:1–6 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. ²Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. ³Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. ⁴But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. ⁵And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: ⁶Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

^[68]  Matt. 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Heb. 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Heb. 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

Heb. 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

^[69]  Rom. 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Rom. 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Tit. 3:5–7 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; ⁶Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; ⁷That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

^[70]  Luke 24:36–39 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. ³⁷But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. ³⁸And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? ³⁹Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

Matt. 28:8–9 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. ⁹And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

Acts 9:3–7 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: ⁴And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? ⁵And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. ⁶And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. ⁷And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

^[71]  Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

^[72]  Benson Commentary

^[73]  John 21:15–17 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. ¹⁶He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. ¹⁷He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

^[74]  II Tim. 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

^[75]  I Cor. 3:1–3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. ²I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. ³For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

I Cor. 4:21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

^[76]  I Cor. 6:5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

I Cor. 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

^[77]  Rom. 10:9–10, 13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ¹⁰For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. … ¹³For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

^[78]  Isa. 1:20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Isa. 59:1–2 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: ²But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Isa. 22:14 And it was revealed in mine ears by the Lord of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord God of hosts.

Isa. 30:12–13 Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon: ¹³Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.

Jer. 11:11 Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.

Jer. 5:14–15 Wherefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them. ¹⁵Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the Lord: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.

^[79]  I Tim. 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

^[80]  Eph. 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

^[81]  Acts 20:25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

^[82]  II Cor. 11:13–15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. ¹⁴And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. ¹⁵Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Matt. 7:15–16 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. ¹⁶Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Gal. 2:13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

Isa. 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

I John 2:9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

Tit.1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.