11: The Ministry
Involvement in ministry in response to a divine call is scripturally ordained in the Bible. It is a provision of our Lord for the threefold purpose of leading the Church in: (1) evangelization of the world (Mark 16:15-20), (2) worship of God (John 4:23-24), and (3) building a body of believers conforming to the life of Christ (Ephesians 4:11, 16).

Importance of this doctrine: An important New Testament teaching is "the priesthood of all believers." All Spirit-filled believers in a local Pentecostal assembly should be prompted by the Spirit to minister or to edify the rest of the body in some way. But new believers must be discipled or trained to minister and serve. So God has provided that there be spiritual leaders who teach and lead the congregation to serve (minister to) spiritual and material needs both in and outside the local church. These specially ordained ministers today include pastors, evangelists, and teachers of the Word. They should be recognized as Christ's gifts to the Church (Ephesians 4:11) and given appropriate respect and appreciation. This doctrine is important because the success any assembly has in fulfilling its mission depends to a great degree on Holy Spirit anointed leadership.

 

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