THE GIFT OF THE MINISTRY

The ministry is not a human invention nor a mere profession—it is a divine gift bestowed by the victorious Christ upon His church. As proclaimed in Psalm 68:18 and confirmed in Ephesians 4:7-11, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Among these precious gifts were apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.

The gift of the ministry comprises two distinct yet inseparable aspects: divine ability and divine office. First and foremost, the ability to minister is a supernatural endowment from God Himself. Not all men possess this capacity to teach and shepherd God's flock, for as the Scripture declares, "For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?" (1 Corinthians 4:7). This truth is further established in Romans 12:4-6: "For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us."

God, in His infinite wisdom, bestows ministerial abilities according to His sovereign purpose. As illustrated in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the Lord distributes responsibilities commensurate with the abilities He has given. Some receive five talents, others two, and yet others one—"to every man according to his several ability." This divine distribution of gifts demonstrates God's orderly administration of His church.

The second aspect of this gift is the office itself. Just as the priestly office was given to the Levites as a gift—"I have given your priest's office unto you as a service of gift" (Numbers 18:7)—so too is the New Testament ministry a divine bestowal. The Apostle Paul himself acknowledged this truth, declaring in Romans 1:5, "By whom we have received grace and apostleship," and in Romans 15:15-16, "Because of the grace that is given to me of God, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles."

This dual gift—both ability and office—serves a greater purpose in God's economy. As Paul declares in 2 Corinthians 4:7, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." The gift of ministry demonstrates God's power working through human weakness, ensuring that all glory redounds to Him alone.

The conferral of this gift reaches its practical manifestation in ordination, as evidenced in Timothy's case. Paul reminded him, "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery" (1 Timothy 4:14). This ordination to office was both recognized and formalized through the laying on of hands, marking the official commencement of Timothy's ministry.

Let it be emphatically stated that no man may take this honor unto himself. As Hebrews 5:4 declares, "And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." The gift of ministry is not obtained through human ambition, academic achievement, or personal merit, but solely through divine appointment and enablement.

Those who possess this gift bear an awesome responsibility. They must exercise their gift with diligence, sobriety, and faithfulness, remembering that they are stewards of God's mysteries. As Peter admonishes, "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Peter 4:10).

The gift of ministry stands as a testament to Christ's victory and His continuing care for His church. Through this gift, He ensures that His flock is fed, guided, and protected by men whom He has both enabled and appointed. Let the church therefore recognize and receive this gift with reverence, knowing that it proceeds from the hand of our ascended Lord for the perfecting of the saints and the edification of His body.