The heresy of the comma

During my seminary days I remember my favorite professor, Dr. Findley Edge, talk about what he called "the heresy of the comma" in reference to the King James version of Ephesians 4:12. In the KJV the passage reads that God instituted the roles of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor/teacher in the church For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: This makes it appear that it was the job of the pastor et al to "perfect the saints, do the work of the ministry, and edify the body."

Fortunately, more recent translations help us see that the real meaning of this passage is that the role of the pastor/teacher is to prepare God's people for the work of the ministry, or to equip the saints to do ministry.

As we heard in this morning's message, every true believer is gifted by the Spirit for ministry. And, as our interim pastor, Ron, pointed out, we can read in 1Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and in 1Peter, a list of many of these "ministry gifts." It is our responsibility, as growing saints, to discover, refine, and utilize our unique gifts (or gift mix) in order that the body of Christ may grow to full maturity.

For example, the hosts of our Tuesday evening Bible study, Peter and Carolyn, have the gift of hospitality. They love to open their home to others, and they're not hesitant to use their home as a means of pointing others to Christ.

Here's the bottom line: You are gifted by God and it is His intention that you use your giftedness as a means to bless (edify) others. So open your gift and use what God has given you.