Romans922
Puritan Board Professor
I found this interesting, tell me what you think.
As it has to do with the the gifts Christ has given in Ephesians 4:11, Paul says they are "Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers"
1- Apostles
2- Prophets
3- Evangelists
4- Pastors/teachers
In our modern times, commentaries believe the first two have ceased (apostles, prophets), the latter two are continuing (evangelists, pastors/teachers).
But reading the old dead guys, you find people like Matthew Henry say, that apostles, prophets, and evangelists are extraordinary gifts; pastors/teachers are ordinary.
John Gill says the same thing. Both say that evangelists were assistants of the apostles.
John Calvin says in his commentary, "Apostles, Evangelists, and Prophets were bestowed on the church for a limited time only..."
Seemingly they imply that the first 3 gifts have ceased, contrary to modern theologians.
So is the gift of 'evangelist' ceased? I'm not talking about missionaries, I'm talking about the gift given by Christ through the Holy Spirit.
And was 'evangelist' a gift just given to men? Or women too? If Paul is talking about the whole body of Christ, why are all the gifts he refers to here given to men only??? (if that is indeed the case) Where are the gifts for the women?
As it has to do with the the gifts Christ has given in Ephesians 4:11, Paul says they are "Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers"
1- Apostles
2- Prophets
3- Evangelists
4- Pastors/teachers
In our modern times, commentaries believe the first two have ceased (apostles, prophets), the latter two are continuing (evangelists, pastors/teachers).
But reading the old dead guys, you find people like Matthew Henry say, that apostles, prophets, and evangelists are extraordinary gifts; pastors/teachers are ordinary.
John Gill says the same thing. Both say that evangelists were assistants of the apostles.
John Calvin says in his commentary, "Apostles, Evangelists, and Prophets were bestowed on the church for a limited time only..."
Seemingly they imply that the first 3 gifts have ceased, contrary to modern theologians.
So is the gift of 'evangelist' ceased? I'm not talking about missionaries, I'm talking about the gift given by Christ through the Holy Spirit.
And was 'evangelist' a gift just given to men? Or women too? If Paul is talking about the whole body of Christ, why are all the gifts he refers to here given to men only??? (if that is indeed the case) Where are the gifts for the women?