The Ministry of the Body of Christ

THE FIRST section of the Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths relates to the importance of the Bible. It is as follows:

"The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired by God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21)."

Any church or individual who holds to this principle is on safe ground. Whenever there is a deviation from it, the result is failure. While everyone should regard the Scriptures as an authoritative rule of faith and conduct, it is especially important that revival movements hold unswervingly to God's Word.

In times of revival God often reminds the Church of neglected truths. When this happens, it is easy for extremes to develop. Some will reject the revival of a doctrine, while others in their zeal will go beyond the teaching of Scripture. Both extremes are harmful and bring reproach on the cause of Christ.

One of the truths which has been emphasized as a result of revival is sometimes referred to as "Body ministry." Where efforts have been made to follow Scripture closely, blessing has come to the Church. Unfortunately there have also been misapplications of this truth as well as excesses which hinder the work of the Lord.

Truth concerning Body ministry is Biblical in origin. In a number of Scripture passages the Church is compared to a human body. This illustrates the living and intimate relationship believers have with the Lord and fellow members. "For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones" (Ephesians 5:30).

Scripture teaches that the headship of the Body centers in Christ (Ephesians 4:15; 5:23, 32; Colossians 1:18). The Body is one; it should have no division (Ephesians 2:16; 4:4; 1 Corinthians 12:25). While the Body is one, however, it has many members (1 Corinthians 12:14) who care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25, 26). They minister to the edification of the Church (Ephesians 4:15, 16) and seek to serve and preserve it.

Even though members of the Body differ and have different offices, ministries, and functions (Romans 12:4), they are still part of the Body. They are set there by God's pleasure (1 Corinthians 12:18). When we speak of Body ministry, we think of' the total ministry of the Church to itself. This includes the ministry of those whom Christ has given to the Church for the purpose of helping it become a ministering entity; namely, "he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers" (see Ephesians 4:7-16). It also includes all believers, each of whom is endowed of God with gifts of the Spirit or other forms of spiritual ministry.

While reference is not made to the Body relationship in some passages, it is clear that Body ministry would include the following interpersonal functions: to comfort and encourage (2 Corinthians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11), to exhort (Hebrews 3:13; 10:25), to pray (Ephesians 6:18), to love (1 John 3:23), to be hospitable (1 Peter 4:9), to minister God-given gifts (1 Peter 4:10), and to admonish (Colossians 3:16; Romans 15:14).

It also includes esteeming others better than self (Philippians 2:3) and being at peace among ourselves (1 Thessalonians 5:13). Even though God's Word provides ample teaching concerning the body of Christ, a double polarization of concept, emphasis, and practice seems to develop from time to time. One extreme tends to limit expression and participation by members of the Body, while the other extreme tends to develop a synthetic participation which depends more on human personality and direction than the true moving of God's Spirit.

One of the dangers against which the Church must be on guard is an effort to restrict the ministry of believers. There is a tendency in some areas to neglect encouragement of expression and service from all members of Christ's body. Some, even among those who claim to believe in the manifestations of the Spirit, forbid the operation of the gifts in public services. This can be carried to the extreme until members are completely denied a useful function.

In some churches too much energy is spent just to maintain the machinery. Pastors do all the ministering, and most of the members are passive. The promotional emphases do not meet the spiritual needs of the members. Too much of the activity is geared to the carnal mind. At times there is a tendency for self-continuity to become reason-for-being. Conformity to a master program replaces individual creativity. Orthodoxy becomes a substitute for reality.

This is a day when the winds of the Spirit are blowing freely. God in His sovereignty is doing marvelous things. This has given new life to many churches and many church members.

Some people, as they look back upon pre-revival conditions, blame organization for spiritual lifelessness. In their disillusionment with church organization, they are prone to throw it all aside and shun organized and/or denominational churches. In their eagerness to burn the chaff, they fail to save the wheat. Nothing of tradition is considered sacred.

At the same time it appears that some of these people are pursuing tangents of so-called Body ministry which depart from the mainstream of divine truth. It is not easy to describe all these irregularities because they vary from one part of the country to the other. For example, in certain quarters there are those who feel ministry to the Body develops from practicing waiting-type meetings as a substitute for careful preparation for structured services. Others believe every service must have the manifestation of the utterance gifts.

Still others believe all gifts of the Spirit must be in operation at each meeting even if the leader must call for them from individuals in the group. At times people are directed by the leader to give so-called "prophetic utterances" concerning individuals.

Another form of this type of Body ministry is to be extremely direct in interpersonal dealings by telling brethren of their faults for the purpose of getting them to share their experiences and confess their faults. There have been times when this has bordered on unscriptural sensitivity-training techniques.

Possibly one of the most regrettable departures from Scripture is the rejection of pastoral leadership, organization, and more structured services.

In rejecting the divinely provided ministry gifts (Ephesians 4:11), advocates of this emphasis are cutting themselves off from Biblical teaching and the influence of other believers which would help them to maintain a scriptural experience.

One of the difficulties in dealing with error is that it often results from an undue or overbalanced emphasis of some aspect of truth rather than an outright denial or departure from the truth. Under these circumstances leaders who try to help are often misjudged as opposing the working of God's Spirit.

Where problems exist, believers should manifest that attitude which is to be expected from true members of the body of Christ. Paul points out that lowliness, meekness, long-suffering, and forbearance in love are attributes of those who walk worthy of the vocation of the Spirit-filled child of God (Ephesians 4:1-3).

God has placed the ministry gifts in the Church by divine purpose (Ephesians 4:11-16). If sheep are to survive, they must go where they will be fed the full course of the whole counsel of God. Further, God's sheep must be protected from the unruly who act in rebellion, function independently, and sense no need of the shepherd. We must always exercise caution with respect to the pastor-teacher office. If the ministering role is extended to every believer as in the case of the small group concept, what is the role of the pastor? of the teacher?

The New Testament clearly teaches that these are to be leaders in the church. They are servants, not autocrats; but they are not to be disregarded or displaced. The Bible instructs believers to love and respect those who are over them in the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13; Hebrews 13:7, 17; 1 Timothy 5:17-19).

We must also be careful to avoid doctrinal deviation. Almost any genuine truth of God suffers abuse at times. Scripture must always be the authority for faith and conduct in every relationship. We recognize that Scripture teaches that each member of the Body has a role to fill in church growth, but this must be done in accordance with the teaching of God's Word.

When abuses exist, ministers should examine the church services they conduct to see if there is a lack which has encouraged these irregularities. They should provide adequate teaching from the Word of God and provide scriptural leadership to bring their services into line with the teaching of God's Word.

We accept the validity of ministry in the body of Christ by members of that Body, but at the same time we do not feel that the members should be encouraged to exercise this ministry over and beyond the divinely constituted leadership already placed in the Church. Scripture indicates that unity does not always come easily. There must be an earnest effort on the part of all to "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace... 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 fulness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:3, 13).

Only as members of the body of Christ live and function in accordance with God's Word will God be glorified and His work accomplished. Let us therefore as a Movement commit ourselves afresh to the Biblical function of the ministry of the body of Christ.

POSITION PAPERS of The GENERAL COUNCIL of the ASSEMBLIES of GOD (USA) For more information, send email to , or visit our website at http://www.ag.org


	Rohnerville Assembly of God \| home Pastor \| About Us \| History of the Assemblies of God Movement \| Who is Jesus \| Calender \| Contact Info \| Service Schedule \| The Ministry of the Body of Christ \| About Us \| Guest Book The Ministry of the Body of Christ POSITION PAPERS of The GENERAL COUNCIL of the ASSEMBLIES of GOD (USA) 1445 Boonville Avenue Springfield, Missouri 65802-1894 http://www.ag.org/ email: info@ag.org phone: (417) 862-2781 fax:(417) 866-1157 This statement on the ministry of the body of Christ was adopted by the Assemblies of God General Presbytery, August 21, 1974. THE MINISTRY OF THE BODY OF CHRIST THE FIRST section of the Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths relates to the importance of the Bible. It is as follows: "The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired by God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21)." Any church or individual who holds to this principle is on safe ground. Whenever there is a deviation from it, the result is failure. While everyone should regard the Scriptures as an authoritative rule of faith and conduct, it is especially important that revival movements hold unswervingly to God's Word. In times of revival God often reminds the Church of neglected truths. When this happens, it is easy for extremes to develop. Some will reject the revival of a doctrine, while others in their zeal will go beyond the teaching of Scripture. Both extremes are harmful and bring reproach on the cause of Christ. One of the truths which has been emphasized as a result of revival is sometimes referred to as "Body ministry." Where efforts have been made to follow Scripture closely, blessing has come to the Church. Unfortunately there have also been misapplications of this truth as well as excesses which hinder the work of the Lord. THE VALIDITY OF BODY MINISTRY Truth concerning Body ministry is Biblical in origin. In a number of Scripture passages the Church is compared to a human body. This illustrates the living and intimate relationship believers have with the Lord and fellow members. "For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones" (Ephesians 5:30). Scripture teaches that the headship of the Body centers in Christ (Ephesians 4:15; 5:23, 32; Colossians 1:18). The Body is one; it should have no division (Ephesians 2:16; 4:4; 1 Corinthians 12:25). While the Body is one, however, it has many members (1 Corinthians 12:14) who care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25, 26). They minister to the edification of the Church (Ephesians 4:15, 16) and seek to serve and preserve it. Even though members of the Body differ and have different offices, ministries, and functions (Romans 12:4), they are still part of the Body. They are set there by God's pleasure (1 Corinthians 12:18). When we speak of Body ministry, we think of' the total ministry of the Church to itself. This includes the ministry of those whom Christ has given to the Church for the purpose of helping it become a ministering entity; namely, "he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers" (see Ephesians 4:7-16). It also includes all believers, each of whom is endowed of God with gifts of the Spirit or other forms of spiritual ministry. While reference is not made to the Body relationship in some passages, it is clear that Body ministry would include the following interpersonal functions: to comfort and encourage (2 Corinthians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11), to exhort (Hebrews 3:13; 10:25), to pray (Ephesians 6:18), to love (1 John 3:23), to be hospitable (1 Peter 4:9), to minister God-given gifts (1 Peter 4:10), and to admonish (Colossians 3:16; Romans 15:14). It also includes esteeming others better than self (Philippians 2:3) and being at peace among ourselves (1 Thessalonians 5:13). Even though God's Word provides ample teaching concerning the body of Christ, a double polarization of concept, emphasis, and practice seems to develop from time to time. One extreme tends to limit expression and participation by members of the Body, while the other extreme tends to develop a synthetic participation which depends more on human personality and direction than the true moving of God's Spirit. THE DANGER OF LIMITING BODY MINISTRY One of the dangers against which the Church must be on guard is an effort to restrict the ministry of believers. There is a tendency in some areas to neglect encouragement of expression and service from all members of Christ's body. Some, even among those who claim to believe in the manifestations of the Spirit, forbid the operation of the gifts in public services. This can be carried to the extreme until members are completely denied a useful function. In some churches too much energy is spent just to maintain the machinery. Pastors do all the ministering, and most of the members are passive. The promotional emphases do not meet the spiritual needs of the members. Too much of the activity is geared to the carnal mind. At times there is a tendency for self-continuity to become reason-for-being. Conformity to a master program replaces individual creativity. Orthodoxy becomes a substitute for reality. THE DANGER OF ABUSING BODY MINISTRY This is a day when the winds of the Spirit are blowing freely. God in His sovereignty is doing marvelous things. This has given new life to many churches and many church members. Some people, as they look back upon pre-revival conditions, blame organization for spiritual lifelessness. In their disillusionment with church organization, they are prone to throw it all aside and shun organized and/or denominational churches. In their eagerness to burn the chaff, they fail to save the wheat. Nothing of tradition is considered sacred. At the same time it appears that some of these people are pursuing tangents of so-called Body ministry which depart from the mainstream of divine truth. It is not easy to describe all these irregularities because they vary from one part of the country to the other. For example, in certain quarters there are those who feel ministry to the Body develops from practicing waiting-type meetings as a substitute for careful preparation for structured services. Others believe every service must have the manifestation of the utterance gifts. Still others believe all gifts of the Spirit must be in operation at each meeting even if the leader must call for them from individuals in the group. At times people are directed by the leader to give so-called "prophetic utterances" concerning individuals. Another form of this type of Body ministry is to be extremely direct in interpersonal dealings by telling brethren of their faults for the purpose of getting them to share their experiences and confess their faults. There have been times when this has bordered on unscriptural sensitivity-training techniques. Possibly one of the most regrettable departures from Scripture is the rejection of pastoral leadership, organization, and more structured services. In rejecting the divinely provided ministry gifts (Ephesians 4:11), advocates of this emphasis are cutting themselves off from Biblical teaching and the influence of other believers which would help them to maintain a scriptural experience. THE NEED OF BALANCE IN BODY MINISTRY One of the difficulties in dealing with error is that it often results from an undue or overbalanced emphasis of some aspect of truth rather than an outright denial or departure from the truth. Under these circumstances leaders who try to help are often misjudged as opposing the working of God's Spirit. Where problems exist, believers should manifest that attitude which is to be expected from true members of the body of Christ. Paul points out that lowliness, meekness, long-suffering, and forbearance in love are attributes of those who walk worthy of the vocation of the Spirit-filled child of God (Ephesians 4:1-3). God has placed the ministry gifts in the Church by divine purpose (Ephesians 4:11-16). If sheep are to survive, they must go where they will be fed the full course of the whole counsel of God. Further, God's sheep must be protected from the unruly who act in rebellion, function independently, and sense no need of the shepherd. We must always exercise caution with respect to the pastor-teacher office. If the ministering role is extended to every believer as in the case of the small group concept, what is the role of the pastor? of the teacher? The New Testament clearly teaches that these are to be leaders in the church. They are servants, not autocrats; but they are not to be disregarded or displaced. The Bible instructs believers to love and respect those who are over them in the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13; Hebrews 13:7, 17; 1 Timothy 5:17-19). We must also be careful to avoid doctrinal deviation. Almost any genuine truth of God suffers abuse at times. Scripture must always be the authority for faith and conduct in every relationship. We recognize that Scripture teaches that each member of the Body has a role to fill in church growth, but this must be done in accordance with the teaching of God's Word. When abuses exist, ministers should examine the church services they conduct to see if there is a lack which has encouraged these irregularities. They should provide adequate teaching from the Word of God and provide scriptural leadership to bring their services into line with the teaching of God's Word. We accept the validity of ministry in the body of Christ by members of that Body, but at the same time we do not feel that the members should be encouraged to exercise this ministry over and beyond the divinely constituted leadership already placed in the Church. Scripture indicates that unity does not always come easily. There must be an earnest effort on the part of all to "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace... 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 fulness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:3, 13). Only as members of the body of Christ live and function in accordance with God's Word will God be glorified and His work accomplished. Let us therefore as a Movement commit ourselves afresh to the Biblical function of the ministry of the body of Christ. (c) Copyright 1976 by the Assemblies of God GOSPEL PUBLISHING HOUSE Springfield, Missouri 65802-1894 GPH catalog no: 34-4179 POSITION PAPERS of The GENERAL COUNCIL of the ASSEMBLIES of GOD (USA) For more information, send email to , or visit our website at http://www.ag.org Back