Dictionary of Bible Themes: 7942 ministry, nature of

7942 ministry, nature of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7900 The life of the church » 7939 ministry » 7942 ministry, nature of

All creatures owe their Creator a ministry of service to him and to humanity. The example and teaching of Jesus Christ illustrate this.

All human beings owe a ministry of service to God

The debt owed by the creature to the Creator

Romans 1:25

The service of the nations and their rulers

Psalm 148:7-11 See also Jeremiah 3:17; Joel 3:1-2; Revelation 15:4

Examples of the service of rulers

Ezra 1:1-2 Cyrus of Persia

Nebuchadnezzar:

Jeremiah 25:9; Jeremiah 27:6; Jeremiah 43:10

The Roman emperor and other authorities:

Romans 13:4,6; 1 Peter 2:13-14

The ministry of the people of God

In the OT

Exodus 19:6 See also Isaiah 61:6

In the NT

1 Peter 2:5,9 See also Revelation 1:6; Revelation 20:6 resurrected martyrs

The ministry of priests, kings and prophets in the OT

The priests

Aaron:

Exodus 28:35; Numbers 18:2 Deuteronomy 17:12

The Levites:

1 Chronicles 15:2; Jeremiah 33:22 Ezra 2:63; Hebrews 9:6; Hebrews 13:10

The rulers

David:

2 Samuel 3:18; Psalm 78:70; Luke 1:69; Acts 4:25 Haggai 2:23 Zerubbabel, governor of Judah

The prophets

Moses:

Numbers 12:7-8; Joshua 12:6; 2 Corinthians 3:7; Hebrews 3:5 1 Samuel 2:18 the young Samuel

Elijah:

2 Kings 9:36; Kings 10:10 1 Chronicles 25:1; Isaiah 20:3 Isaiah; Isaiah 42:1-4; Jeremiah 7:25; Jeremiah 25:4; 1 Peter 1:12; Revelation 10:7; Revelation 11:18

The ministry of those specially set aside by the church

1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Timothy 3:10 Deacons; Titus 1:5 Elders; 1 Peter 5:2 Overseers; Ephesians 4:11

Jesus Christ fulfils the OT understanding of ministry

His ministry as servant

Matthew 12:18 See also Isaiah 42:1; Matthew 20:28 pp Mark 10:45; Acts 3:13,26; Acts 4:27,30

His ministry as shepherd, teacher and prophet

John 10:11; John 13:13; Acts 3:22

His ministry as priest

Hebrews 6:20 See also Hebrews 8:6

His ministry as king

John 18:37

NT ministry follows the pattern of Jesus Christ

In servanthood

Matthew 20:26-28 pp Mark 10:43-45 pp Luke 22:26-27 See also Matthew 23:11 pp Mark 10:43

In teaching

Matthew 28:20

In shepherding

John 21:15-17

In priesthood by self-sacrifice and intercession in prayer

Philippians 2:17; 1 Timothy 2:1 See also 1 Peter 2:5

Jesus Christ's servants can expect the same response that he received

John 15:20

The ministry of angels

Angels are both ministers to God's people and fellow-servants with them:

Hebrews 1:7,14; Revelation 19:10; Revelation 22:9