Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7900 The life of the church » 7939 ministry » 7944 ministry, qualifications for God, who calls his people to minister, also equips his people. The chief qualifications are a response to God's call, faithfulness, godliness and Christlikeness. God calls people to minister Qualification is by call, not gifting or achievement Deuteronomy 7:7-8 See also Deuteronomy 9:4-5 God calls those who the world regards as weak or foolish Feelings of inadequacy to God's call are common Exodus 3:11 Moses; Judges 6:15 Gideon; 1 Samuel 9:21 Saul; 1 Samuel 18:18 David; 1 Kings 3:7 Solomon; Isaiah 6:5 Isaiah; Jeremiah 1:6 Jeremiah Responding to God's call to minister Readiness and availability Faith, rather than natural talent or moral perfection, is required Hebrews 11:1-2 See also Genesis 27:19-24 Jacob was a deceiver; Numbers 27:12-14 Moses and Aaron disobeyed God. David committed adultery and murder: 2 Samuel 11:4,14-15 1 Kings 11:9-13 Solomon disobeyed God's command. NT ministers are recognised by call rather than their achievement The Twelve Matthew 10:1-4 pp Mark 3:14-19 pp Luke 6:12-16 The Twelve, including Peter and Judas, failed Jesus Christ at critical times. Paul Acts 9:15; Acts 26:6; 2 Corinthians 4:7-12; Corinthians 12:7 Though greatly gifted, Paul was kept humble by his sense of unworthiness, difficulties and disappointments and his “thorn in the flesh”; 1 Timothy 1:16 Ministry in the NT is described as service Serving God Serving Jesus Christ Romans 1:1; Jude 1; Revelation 1:1 Serving the gospel Ephesians 3:7; Colossians 1:23 Serving the church Romans 15:31; Romans 16:1; 1 Corinthians 16:15; 2 Corinthians 9:1; Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 1:7,25 Ministry is described in terms of its source, content or nature Its source It is of the Spirit: 2 Corinthians 3:6,8 2 Corinthians 4:1 It is from God. Its content Acts 6:2-4 the word of God; 2 Corinthians 5:18 reconciliation Its nature Apostolic: Acts 1:25; Galatians 2:8 Romans 15:16 priestly Various ministries are equally linked by qualifications of character Acts 1:21 the replacement for Judas; Acts 6:3 the Seven Overseers: 1 Timothy 3:2-7; Titus 1:7-9 1 Timothy 3:8-13 deacons; 1 Timothy 6:11 Timothy The personal qualifications for ministry Faithfulness 1 Timothy 6:11-14 Timothy; 2 Timothy 4:7 Paul's claim for his own ministry “faithful” is the sole description of the ministries of Epaphras and Tychicus: Colossians 1:7; Colossians 4:7 Godliness Acts 8:21 Simon was not right with God. Timothy: 1 Timothy 6:11,20-21 Christlikeness Acts 1:21-22 The replacement apostle for Judas had to have been with Jesus Christ from the beginning. See also
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