May 12, 2013
When He Ascended...
Paul tells us in Ephesians 4 that the ascended Christ gave gifts to establish and build up His church. In this study, we look closely at one of those gifts: the pastor who leads and cares for his flock.
7But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8Therefore it says,
“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men.”1
9(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?2 10He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds3 and teachers,4 12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
