By John Scheda

In John 16, Jesus told his disciples that he must go away. The disciples were sad because they would see Jesus no longer, but He told them it would be to their benefit if He left them and sent the Holy Spirit in His place.  Jesus was in a natural body and was limited by it.  Though he could supernaturally walk on water and move instantly from the middle of the lake to the shore, He could not physically be with each of his disciples 24/ 7. 

During the three days Jesus’ body was in the tomb, He first descended into the lower parts of the earth and then, led away into heaven those who were held captive there. In Ephesians 4 it says He also gave gifts to men.  To some He gave apostles, to some prophets, to others He gave evangelists, to some pastors and teachers.  These ministry gifts were given for the purpose of building up and maturing the body of Christ, until we all come into the unity of the faith and into a maturity measured by the fullness of the stature of Christ.

The five fold ministry gifts are not only gifts of the Spirit given to the individual minister but they are gifts given to the church.  We receive the gift of God by receiving the teaching of His ministers. In a sense the five fold ministry, collectively, take the place of Jesus in the flesh.  All five working together fulfill the ministry of Jesus making disciples.  Each one has a part to play in the development of the church body. 

1 Corinthians 12 lists the supernatural, power gifts, some of which are: the word of wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, and tongues.  The gifts of the Spirit are multi layered in a sense.  A gifted teacher might also operate in a supernatural gift of the word of wisdom.  A gifted prophet will most likely minister through a word of knowledge.    These supernatural gifts are distributed to believers by the Spirit of God as He sees fit: they are not limited to those in a five fold office.  These signs shall follow those who believe: In Jesus name they shall cast out devils, they shall also speak with new tongues.  They shall also lay hands on the sick and the sick shall recover.  See Mark 16:17-18 

Though it would have been awesome to have lived and walked with Jesus in the flesh, we actually have a better relationship experience in that He is not only with us in spirit but dwells within us.  His supernatural ministry is accomplished today through those who believe.

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