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Introduction
145
When Jesus ascended to heaven in the sight of his disciples, it was
declared most explicitly by the angels that this same Jesus should so
come in like manner as they had seen him go into heaven. Hence
Jesus, in predicting the work of the false prophets of the last days,
says, “If they shall say unto you, behold, he is in the desert; go not
forth: Behold, he is in the secret chambers, believe it not.” All true
prophesying on that point must recognize his visible coming from
heaven. Why did not Jesus say, reject all prophesying at that time;
for there will be no true prophets then?
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of
the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body
of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the
knowledge of the son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure
of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:11-13
.
We learn from a previous verse that when Christ ascended up
on high, he gave gifts unto men. Among these gifts are enumerated
apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. The object
for which they were given was the perfecting of the saints in unity
and knowledge. Some who profess to be pastors and teachers at
the present day hold that these gifts fully accomplished their object
some eighteen hundred years ago,
[140]
and consequently ceased. Why not then throw aside their titles
of pastors and teachers? If the office of prophet is by this text limited
to the Primitive Church, so is that of the evangelist—and all the rest;
for no distinction is made
.
Now let us reason a moment upon this point. All these gifts were
given for the perfecting of the saints in unity, knowledge, and spirit.
Under their influence the Primitive Church for a time enjoyed that
unity: “The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of
one soul.” And it seems a natural consequence of this state of unity,
that “With
Great power
gave the apostles witness of the resurrection
of the Lord Jesus: And great grace was upon them all.”
Acts 4:31-
33
. How desirable such a state of things now! But apostasy with
its dividing and blighting influence marred the beauty of the Fair
Church and clothed her in sackcloth. Division and disorder have
been the result. Never was there so great a diversity of faith in
Christendom as at the present day. If the gifts were necessary to