FIVE SMOOTH STONES - The Five Ascension Gifts in the Heavenly Shepherds Bag

FIVE SMOOTH STONES — The Five Ascension Gifts in the Heavenly Shepherd’s Bag

In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul named the ministries to the Church in another order than to the Church of Ephesus. 1 Corinthians 12:28 “ And God has appointed these in the Church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. ” While miracles and gifts of healings can be separate callings (as op- posed to simple manifestations listed in 1 Corinthians 12 7- 10), together miracles and healings in this verse represents the evangelist gift, just as helps and administrations (steering) represents the shepherd gift. As demonstrated by Philip in Samaria, the gift of evangelist was seen to function through miracles and gifts of healings among the people to which he was ministering. Another attribute we see from the preaching of Philip in Samaria, which we often miss in our preaching today, is the effect it had on the ruling class in Samaria. While Jesus said He had come to preach the gospel to the poor, he by no means ignored the influential people in the areas where he went. He ministered to leaders such as Zacchaeus, Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, the Centurion, priests, elders and rulers. He instructed his disciples to do the same. Matthew 10:11 " Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. ” Luke 10:5 “But whatever house you enter, first say, ' Peace to this house.' 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you .” In the case of Samaria at the time that Philip preached to the people of the city they were “ from the least to the greatest ” under the influence of a sorcerer named Simon, thinking he was “ the great power of God .” (Acts 8:10). This had gone on for a very long time. Simon himself believed the preaching of Philip and also was baptized, which had great influence on the conversion of many in the city. This was no small thing. When those who lead cultural matters in society turn to the Lord it can have a far- reaching, lasting and multiplying effect on society.

In the Great Awakenings, people from all levels of society were saved and discipled. What follows is an example from the second Great

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