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

Previously mentioned at the beginning of this chapter, each of the common English versions of the New Testament has only one use of the word pastors in its plural form. This is found in the very significant verse containing the ascension gifts ministries. Ephesians 4:11 “ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evan- gelists, and some pastors and teachers .” It is unfortunate that the one place in scripture where the five ascension gift ministries are clearly listed is also the only place where the Greek word for shepherd, poimen, is translated as the word “pastors.” This word is more commonly and culturally (not biblically) meant to signify a position in a Church, than as a gifted individual serving people through that gift of God through their service. If we are going to see reformation in the way we function in the Church, then we must first have a restoration of the basic biblical truths concerning the positions of leadership, and the gifts of anointed grace. The gifts to the Church should be raised up and released by the leadership in the Church, and yet not limited in their function to leadership within the Church. To do this we must reform our thinking concerning what a biblical gift of Shepherd is, and not limit the Church offices to this gift, nor limit the gift to the leadership offices in the Church. Breaking this one stronghold is key to releasing a flood of grace and gifts. The results of release through the saints will be nothing short of dramatic, and the release to the kingdom will be nothing short of revolutionary. (See Appendix B and C). ENDNOTES: 14 I have found no copy of the New Testament which has the word pastor in it. Each of the common versions of the New Testament has one use of the plural word pastors in it.

15 Refer to Chapter Five, Understanding the Shepherd's gift for review of the difference between gifts and positions.

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