Acts 4:32
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.
Ephesians 4:11-13
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith, and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Reflection
When the church began after the day of Pentecost there was no institution. There were no church buildings and there was not a professional class of clergy. So, how did the church function? The people of God ministered to one another in the name of Jesus. The scripture from Acts says that the believers were one in heart and mind. It also says that they shared what they had with anyone who was in need. They ministered to one another. They didn’t look to a pastor or a staff member to do it for them. They ministered to one another and so the needs of the people were met.
In Ephesians 4 it says that special ministry roles are given to every Christian. Those roles are apostle, prophet, evangelism, pastor and teacher. Every Christian is called to discover what primary ministry role they possess and then they are to start living out that role in the church. As everyone ministers to each other then the body of Christ will function in a way that provides for ministry and the needs of people will be met.
As this happens the people in the church will grow and mature in Christ and then we will move toward becoming complete in Christ.
How is this model of the church living out of an apostolic environment (ministering to one another) different from the way most churches function today?
Why is it healthier for a church to have everyone who is a part of that group ministering to one another and fulfilling their ministry role (apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher)?
