A Note from our Pastor:

“Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.”

Ephesians 3:7

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

As we stated in a previous essay on this chapter, the Apostle in the third chapter of Ephesians is establishing his authority and place as a minister of the gospel.  Keep in mind, this is the same man that only a short while before was persecuting the church and putting the saints of God to death.  It is important that the people of God clearly see the calling of any minister, but it was especially important with one who had been an enemy of the church.

A key point that the Apostle establishes in this verse is that he was made a minister by the effectual power of Jesus Christ.  In other words, the same power by which we are given spiritual life is the same power by which a man is made a minister.  This is a vital point to understand.

The ordination of a minister is a beautiful thing to observe.  Often times multiple church bodies are represented, ministers come from across a region or even across a country, and the Spirit fills the room.  The questioning reminds us of our basic doctrines, the charge reminds ministers in the room all over again of their duty, and the laying on of hands is a beautiful picture of what being fellow ministers should look like.

However, despite how beautiful the ordination service is, we should be careful to not fall into the trap of saying that a man is made a minister at that point.  The man was made a minister when the effectual power of Jesus Christ worked upon him and called him to the ministry.  The ordination service, the work of the Presbytery, is merely a recognition of that work being done on that man.

Ultimately, that is the point the Apostle is making in this chapter.  He was not a minister because of the workings of men, but because of the calling of God.  His authority as an Apostle to the Gentiles did not come from some body of men, but from God’s calling and revelation.  This was his authority, this explained his conversion, and this was his answer to the church.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah