5 Smooth Stones

There are other ways in which apostles and prophets complement one another and build up the church. Both apostles and prophets lay foundations and are builders. Apostles are master builders, architekton . It is more than simply the architect, but in addition like the chief constructor. 1 Corinthians 3:10 “According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid The foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.” An example of architekton is found in the Old Testament in the Septuagint, the Greek Old Testament. God speci fi cally called Bezalel to oversee and direct the building of the tabernacle of God, the fi rst prototype dwelling place of God on earth, and a type of the building the Lord now dwells in made up of His church. Exodus 35:30 “And Moses said to the children of Israel, "See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of The tribe of Judah; 31 and He has fi lled him with The Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship, 32 to design (architekton) artistic works (architekton), to work in gold and silver and bronze, 33 in cu tt ing jewels for se tt ing, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of artistic workmanship.” Bezalel was a master builder and stands as a type and shadow of the New Testament apostle fi lled with the Spirit of God, wisdom, understanding, knowledge and all manner of workmanship. Jesus himself is not only our greatest example of a master builder, His job as a carpenter was really that of a master craftsman or chief contractor. “Is this not the carpenter, (tekton) the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” Mark 6:3a I fi nd it interesting that even in the prototype seen with Bezalel that wisdom is a trait that is highlighted as well as coordination with knowledge and understanding. In 1 Corinthians 12:8 the apostle Paul wrote that the Spirit gave the gift of “word of wisdom and word of knowledge” through the Spirit. While these manifestations (1 Corinthians 12:7) of the gift of Holy Spirit are given to believers, not only to those with gift ministries, the apostle generally will have a long suit in wisdom, just as the prophet generally will have a long suit in word of knowledge. Jesus himself connected wisdom with the gift of apostle.

99