Dictionary of Bible Themes: 7944 ministry, qualifications for

7944 ministry, qualifications for

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

1 Corinthians 1:27-29

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

1 Samuel 3:10; Isaiah 6:8

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

Romans 1:9; James 1:1

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: