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

from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it — lest you even be found to fight against God ." As already mentioned, perhaps the greatest example of the apostles and leaders of the Church coming together to judge doctrines, applications and situations concerning the early Church, was the council of Jerusalem recorded in Acts 15. Acts 15:1 “ And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." 2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question...” 6 “Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.” 19 “Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God” 22 “Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole Church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.” 25 “it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul” 28 “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell .” It is notable that in the examples where the Church called such important councils together, that scripture always notes that it was the “ apostles and elders ” who convened the meetings. (Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23, Acts 16:4). Certainly, among the elders were present members of any or all of the other five-fold ascension gifts (Acts 4:36, Acts 13:1, 1 Timothy 2:7, 2 Timothy 1:11). Yet it is only the apostle which is signified as a gift and the others by their position. Perhaps this is because of the wisdom which Jesus signified would be carried by the apostles that He said he would send, which is so needed for righteous judgment to once again be commonly available to the Church today. Matthew 23:34 “ Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes ...”

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