We have many gifted people in the local Church today, and I personally believe there are many many more gifts and ministries within the local body then we realize but something is suppressing them… Ephesians 4:8 (King James Version) Says “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.”Matthew 28:19 – 20 (KJV) Says “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” The first time the word teach is used here “teach all nations” it’s the greek word Math-ayt-yoo’-o, Strongs reference number 3100 Which means: to become a pupil; to disciple, enroll as scholar (a student with a strong interest in learning) be disciple, instruct, teach. So Jesus is really saying here to go therefore, and “ to disciple” all nations. Notice: Jesus did not say go “rabbi” but “to disciple” or “be disciple” What’s the difference you may ask? There’s a huge difference and here’s why: Jesus was a rabbi, rabbi’s have what’s called disciples which according to webster’s dictionary means – “One who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another” which is exactly what Jesus told them (his disciples) to do - assists in spreading the doctrines of another (His doctrines) In other words not their own doctrine but His. If they were to “rabbi” this would imply that they themselves were each going to be a rabbi with their own disciples, which is clearly not what Jesus is saying here. This is further backed up by what Jesus said in Matthew 23:8 (KJV) “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren” Jesus is clearly saying your role is not one of rabbi but rather a disciple, following one master (rabbi) who is the Lord Jesus Christ!
That means each one of us has an equal opportunity to spread this doctrine (the word of God) to others. Yes Jesus Christ was truly the first equal opportunity employer. However it seems many pastors today see themselves as a rabbi rather than disciple and fellow brother in Christ. I’m not trying to be harsh, a rabbi does teach and instruct by definition however they carry with them a certain level of authority over disciples. Here’s an excerpt from an article titled what is a rabbi? Found on wikipedia: “Acceptance of rabbinic credentials involves both issues of practicality and principle.As a practical matter, communities and individuals typically tend to follow the authority of the rabbi they have chosen as their leader (called by some as the mara d'atra) on issues of Jewish law. They may recognize that other rabbis have the same authority elsewhere, but for decisions and opinions important to them they will work through their own rabbi.”Sound anything like the church today? Just change the word rabbi to pastor and Jewish law to word of God and you have a perfect fit. That’s scary. I know of one story where a pastor was coming against a church member for meeting with other believers in their own home. And another were a church was discussing what to do about a member who was holding midweek bible studies in their home. You don’t have to look far to hear many stories like these, and we wonder why more gifts arent being used in the church today, hmm could it be because someone keeps forbiding them?It seems many pastors today want you to have some type of credentials or okay through them before you minister or use your gifts, but Jesus gave us those credentials already when he said “Go ye” “be desciple” Did you know Jesus actually ran into this situation where his disciples came against a man for casting devels out in Jesus name because the man was not given the okay or credentialed through their group? Lets see how Jesus handled it. Mark 9:38 - 40 (Amplified Bible)“38John said to Him, Teacher, we saw a man who does not follow along with us driving out demons in Your name, and we forbade him to do it, because he [a]is not one of our band [of Your disciples].
39But Jesus said, Do not restrain or hinder or forbid him; for no one who does a mighty work in My name will soon afterward be able to speak evil of Me. 40For he who is not against us is for us.(C)” Jesus then went on to talk about living in peace and harmony in verse 50 “50Salt is good (beneficial), but if salt has lost its saltness, how will you restore [the saltness to] it? Have salt within yourselves, and be at peace and live in harmony with one another.” It’s as though Jesus is saying here, “you’re all on the same team don’t come against or forbid but live in peace and harmony, you’re all brothers” Every one of us from the pastor to pew sitter are disciples with unique gifts and talents and called to share this (doctrine) the word of God with others. But sadly the fact remains that countless others will be forbid to use their gifts within the church even before they can fully develop, all in the name of, pastoral authority? Who are we placing in our pulpits, a rabbi or disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ? But there’s coming a day that even now is, a turning in the church where God is calling brothers and sisters in Christ to rise up in true unity, laying aside foolish arguments and bonding on the bases that if you’re in Christ and I’m in Christ then we’re brothers and that’s all there is to it! May you rise up and be the person God has called you to be, through the thick and the thin. Stand firm and focus on that which is right no matter what others do or say because we’re all family, following one (rabbi) the Lord Jesus Christ and that’s all there is to it.
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