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

Acts 15:41: “ And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming [episterizo] the Churches. ”

Acts 18:23: “ And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went through the country of Galatia and Phrygia, in order, confirming [episterizo] all the disciples. ” [Douay -Rheims Bible] One more Greek word needed in the process is associated with the ministry of the teacher. This is the Greek word stereos. This means to strengthen and in association with the established work with has been confirmed, it makes the Church and its members strong enough to accomplish the task before them and stand firm. When the Church is only provided the milk of the Word, it cannot be strong enough to stand through all tests and situations it will face, but with the true gift of a teacher the people and Church will be strong because they will not only be provided the milk of preaching, but also the strong meat of scriptural apostolic and prophetic teaching. Hebrews 5:12: “ For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food [stereos - other translations strong meat.] 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food [stereos] belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. ” The ascension gift level of a teacher will strengthen and mature the Church on the foundations of what is laid by the apostles and prophets. I like the way Paul worded this in 1 Corinthians: 1 Corinthians 12:28: “ And God has appointed these in the Church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles.. .” [emphasis mine] I like to read this verse with the view that when we accept the order that the Lord has provided for the Church we can expect the power, the miracles and the healings to follow. The Lord has provided the biblical pattern and the apostolic architects are needed to see that we

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