After Paul teaches us about the Unity of the Spirit that every true Christian has with every other true Christian (Ephesians 4:1-6), he shows how this unity works itself out in the diversity of spiritual gifts in the body, especially those of its leaders (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastor-teachers). This passage of Scripture is also known for giving rise to the idea that after Jesus died on the cross, His spirit descended into hell to preach to the spirits there. Let’s examine that doctrine, to see if these things are so.
Teaching Notes:
Gifts From Our Ascended Lord
Ephesians 4:7-11
Intro: Paul has been discussing the Unity of the Spirit in 4:1-6. He has called us to Unity. Then he taught us the Way to Unity (humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance, love). Finally, he gave us the Basis for our Unity (1 body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, God). However, it is very important to note that Paul doesn’t equate unity with uniformity. In Ephesians 4:1-6, Ppaul says that the body must be diligent to preserve the Unity of the Spirit. In Ephesians 4:7-11 he says that the body is full of diversity. Unity and diversity are not at odds with one another. They are close friends. In other words, God is not trying to get every Christian to look, act, and speak like every other Christian, as though we are were a page of identical stamps, or assembly line pencils. Just like God’s world, there is rich diversity, but at the same time wonderful unity. Each created thing fits into the whole world in a particular way with a particular function. In Ephesians 4:7-11, Paul is going to show us how this diversity is seen in God’s bestowal of gifts to His church.
Now, notice verse 6: “one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” Over all – that’s His supremacy. Through all – that’s His providence. In all – that’s His indwelling. But in verse 7, Paul shifts gears by beginning his sentence with But. That clues us that a contrast is coming. He changes from speaking of all to each one. “But to each one of us grace was given…” Paul is moving from the Unity of believers, to the Uniqueness of believers.
The theme of this passage is Gifts Of Christ. Note given, gift, gave: 4:7,8,11.
1. Christ Bestows Spiritual Gifts On His People:
A. What Kind Of Grace Is This? 4:7 “But to each one of us grace was given.” God’s grace simply means His undeserved favor or kindness. There are many kinds of favors or kindnesses that God bestows upon us – saving, sanctifying, regenerating, justifying, and preserving grace to mention a few. Clearly, the grace that Paul is mentioning here can’t be saving grace. He has already dealt with God’s saving grace in 1:3-7 and 2:4-5,8. God’s saving grace is doled out equally to all His children. In order to find out what kind of grace Paul is thinking of in this passage, we need to look back to the immediately preceding context. In 3:3,7,8 what kind of grace is Paul speaking of? This is grace to minister or serve others. Did you know that God has given you grace to minister? The word “Minister” is not speaking of a full-time salaried professional pastor, evangelist, or “reverend.” The word “Minister” simply means “Servant.” If you are a servant of Jesus Christ and His church, you are a Minister! Therefore, you need Ministering Grace!
B. Who Is This Grace Given To? The text says “each one.” Every Christian has been given grace to minister! That is exactly the same thing that Peter tells us in 1 Peter 4:10 “As each one has received a special gift…” Or Paul says in 1 Cor. 12:7 “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” By the way, this verse solves the question as to who is a “charismatic” Christian. The Greek word for grace is charis, from which we get “charismatic.” A “charismatic” is someone who has received a gift of grace. Well, who is that? Every true child of God! Every born again child of God in this entire world is a charismatic, according to the true meaning of that word, because every child of God has been given a gift of grace. You are a charismatic, whether you like it or not. There is no such thing as a Christian who is not a charismatic in the true Biblical sense!
C. On What Basis Is This Grace Given? ”according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” Jesus Christ “measures out” our gifts according to His sovereign will. Each believer’s gift is unique. Christ has measured out the exact proportion to each one. In Romans 12:3 Paul says, “God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” We don’t have our gifts because they are our preference, or our natural abilities, or because we deserve them. We are gifted according to His plan, purpose, and measure. We have no more to do with determining our gift than the color of our eyes, skin or hair. Our function in the body is determined by the Head of the Church. We must learn to be content where God has placed us. Further, we are not to be proud of our gift. We had nothing to do with these gifts. Paul says, “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” (1Cor.4:7).
D. Why Does Jesus Have The Right To Give This Grace? We find the answer to 4:8-10. Paul quotes from Ps.68:18 to prove that Jesus is the giver of spiritual gifts. There was a custom in ancient wars of a Victory Parade. When one army had conquered another, the defeated kings, general and princes were made to walk in a procession in chains. The conqueror was leading captive a host of captives. The victors had taken their enemies captive and were now making a public display of them. The conquering General would ride in a chariot throwing the spoils of victory to his own people. This imagery is used here to teach a great spiritual truth. When Jesus Christ rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, He did so as a Great Conqueror! He had defeated His enemies. He defeated Satan (Col.2:15); Sin (Dan.9:24); Death and Hell (Rev.1:17-18). He rose triumphant over all His foes. He bound them all in chains and then sped to heaven in His chariot to the Father’s glory. That’s why Christ has a right to be the giver of these gifts. He acquired them by His obedience unto death. Now His reward is to be the dispenser of them to whom He will. Ps.68:18 says He “received gifts” whereas Eph.4:8 says He “gave gifts.” Is there a contradiction? No, the one implies the other. He received gifts from His Father because of His finished work in order to give them to men. Acts 2:33 says “Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear.” Jesus pours out on us the Holy Spirit, who then portions out our spiritual gifts. Isaiah 53:12 says “Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the booty with the strong.” The spiritual gifts that we receive from Him are the booty. He is dividing it with the strong. He divides the spoils He acquired from His triumph with us.
E. In Order To Bestow This Grace Did Jesus Have To Descend Into Hell?
1) The Apostle’s Creed: The Apostle’s Creed says “He was crucified, dead, and buried, He descended into hell.” This creed gradually took shape from 200 to 750 A.D. The words about descending into hell did not appear unto 390 A.D., and probably meant “descended into the grave”. Hades can mean grave. Early on, this phrase only occurred in 1 version of the Apostle’s Creed. Later, in 650 A.D. it appears again and is incorporated into the Creed.
2) Limbo: This is the doctrine of the Roman Catholic monks. They believed the righteous dead were kept in a compartment (Abraham’s Bosom) next to hell (the unrighteous dead) and had to wait there until Christ died and rescued them. When He ascended, He took their spirits with Him. Is this true?
3) Led Captive a Host of Captives: the problem with the above interpretation is that “captives” does not refer to the righteous dead. It refers to Christ’s enemies that He defeated (sin, Satan, death, hell).
4) Descended Into The Lower Parts Of The Earth: Does that refer to hell? Notice, that it is contrasted with His ascension. Eph. 4:10 says that “He ascended far above all the heavens.” This is a Superlative, meaning He was exalted to the highest conceivable place. Jesus can’t literally ascend above all the heavens because heaven is the highest place. Likewise, “He descended into the lower parts of the earth” doesn’t speak of a physical location, but of His great condescension. Just as He has been exalted to the supreme place in the universe, He must first condescend to the lowest place. Christ’s ascent is contrasted with His descent, not with His lowering into hell. This passage is speaking of Him lowering Himself to become man in the incarnation. What does “lower parts of the earth” refer to? In Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament, it points out that this is a genitive of apposition, which means “lower parts which are the earth.” It is like saying “the city of Sacramento.” We man “the city which is Sacramento.” The NIV brings this out, “What does ‘He ascended’ mean except that He also descended to the lower, earthly regions?”
5) Where Did The Righteous Dead Go Then? To heaven!
Luke 23:43,46 “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise”; “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.”
Gen.5:24 “Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”
2 Kings 2:11 “Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” He didn’t go to a place on the border of hell. Later he appears with Moses to talk with Jesus.
Ps.23:6 “I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
They went immediately into the presence of God the same way we do today.
2. Christ Bestows Ministry Gifts On His Church: Paul now switches gears. He’s not talking here about gifts given to each one, but special ministry gifts given to some for the church.
A. Apostles: These people had church-wide and life-long authority. They were handpicked and commissioned by Christ. They were witnesses of the resurrected Christ. They were given supernatural power to do miracles and confirm the Word. Their job was to plant, direct, and oversee the spiritual development of the churches. There were later apostles (Timothy, Barnabus, Andronicus and Junia) who were in a different class. The 12 and Paul were in a class by themselves. They were sent by Jesus Christ, with His authority. Later apostles were sent by the Spirit. They also were sent ones, but not with the very authority of Christ with church-wide authority. I don’t think we have apostles with a Capital A anymore, although we do have small “a” apostles like Barnabus and Timothy.
B. Prophets: these were the mouthpieces of God. They received direct revelation from the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Try to imagine church life without the New Testament. All they had was the Old Testament. They were dependent on the Holy Spirit to speak through gifted men to bring God’s inspired revelation. However, now that the New Testament canon is closed, there is no more need for prophets with a capital “P” who give new Scripture-authority revelation. They laid the foundation (Eph.2:20), but now that the foundation has been laid, we build on it. We don’t go back, and keep digging up the foundation, and relaying another one.
A young Mormon elder came to Harry Ironside and said, “What church do you belong to? Ironside knew at once what he had in mind, and so replied, “I belong to the 1 true Church that has apostles and prophets in it.” The Mormon replied, “Oh, then, you must be a latter-day saint.” Ironside replied, “No, I’m former-day saint.” The Mormon said, “But ours is the only church that has apostles and prophets.” Ironside replied, “I don’t think so. The Church that I belong to is building upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and although they themselves have passed off the scene long ago, they are still members of this Church, for it does not exist on earth.” The Mormon replied, “But we have apostles and prophets in our own day.” Ironside said, “Well, if I understand God’s Word aright, this blessed temple of the Church of God has been in the building stages for 1,9000 years, and it’s just about completed. You don’t put a foundation on the roof. It’s way down there, 1,900 stories below, and the temple has been rising on that foundation all through the years.”
C. Evangelists: Some believe that “evangelists” were assistants to the apostles like Timothy, Titus, Erasmus, but this can’t be proven. The only person in the Bible that is called an evangelist was Philip (Acts 21:8). The word means “One who proclaims the glad tidings of the gospel.” The evangelist has a ministry to the lost – the world. He brings the lost sheep into the fold.
D. Pastors and Teachers: These minister to the sheep once they are in the fold. This should be one word that is hyphenated. Notice that Paul leaves out the word “some” before “teachers.” Every pastor must be able to teach. But some pastors will give their lives to shepherding by teaching, and they are the ones who are meant here. This is how they lead, guide and protect the flock.
Application:
1. Employ Your Gifts To Serve The Church: That’s why Jesus gave them to you. No one is exempt from service. No one should be a spectator – we are all on the field! What’s your gift? You may not realize what it is, until you step out and try to serve the church in many different ways.
2. Appreciate the Evangelists and Pastors in the Church: They are gifts from our ascended Lord. You’ve heard someone say, “That guy thinks he’s God’s gift to women!” Well, evangelists and pastors are God’s gift to His church. That may sound strange, but it is exactly what Paul is saying. God has given these men to the Church for its growth, equipping, edification, and maturing. Listen to them and learn from them. Attend on their ministry of the Word. God has given them to you for your spiritual profit!
3. Rejoice in Christ’s Victory Over His Enemies: You have nothing to fear from your sin, death, Satan, or hell! All have been defeated on your behalf. 1 Cor.15:55-57. Don’t fear your sin. It’s dealt with. Don’t fear Satan. He can’t destroy you. Don’t fear death. It can only strip your body from your soul. Don’t fear hell. You will never go there!
__________________________________________
© Stone Bridge Ministries
Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is preferred. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by Stone Bridge Ministries.
Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: By Brian Anderson. © Stone Bridge Ministries. Website: www.StoneBridgeMinistries.net
Follow Us!