Are ministries mentioned in the Bible?
Before we look at specific verses dealing with ministries, it’s important to define the word ministry. It simply means “service.” We often hear of someone “going into the ministry” and it has come to be viewed as one “becoming a clergyman (minister) over a congregation.” You will not find one scripture in the entire New Testament that uses this language, for a “minister” is a “servant” and as we shall see it is a very broad term for there are indeed “many ministries.” Let me add that the thought of a clergyman is foreign to Scripture for we never read of one man leading a congregation of believers in worship and ministry. We learn in 1 Peter 2:5 that ALL BELIEVERS “are built up a spiritual house, a HOLY PRIESTHOOD, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” This teaches us that no one believer is to lead others in worship; the Spirit of God is our Divine Leader in worship (Philippians 3:3). In 1 Peter 2:9 we see that ALL BELIEVERS are “a ROYAL PRIESTHOOD” and we are to “proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” This teaches us that each believer is to be a witness for Christ to those who are still in spiritual darkness by proclaiming to them how we have become children of Light by God’s amazing grace (see Ephesians 5:8-14 and 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6).
In Ephesians 4:11-12 we read, “And He Himself gave some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists and some pastors and teachers, for the EQUIPPING OF THE SAINTS FOR THE WORK OF MINISTRY, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Here we learn that Christ gave special gifts to some that they may use their gifts to “equip (prepare) every saint for the MINISTRY.” Again, the word “ministry” means “service” so here we are taught that God’s purpose is for every believer to be a “servant” with a specific “service.” Here are a few of the “ministries” that believers are called to do:
“I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanus…that they have devoted themselves to the MINISTRY OF THE SAINTS” (1 Corinthians 16:15). These saints had a special SERVICE TO OTHER BELIEVERS, perhaps in their local church at Corinth. They were burdened to see them “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).
“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself…Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, BE RECONCILED TO GOD” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). Paul was called to SERVE THE WORLD by preaching the gospel to them and pleading with them to be “reconciled to God” through the Lord Jesus Christ. All believers have been reconciled (Colossians 1:19-22) and now we have the privilege of telling others how to be “reconciled to God.” I believe all believers should have this desire to have a part in this “MINISTRY of reconciliation” though some may be especially gifted (as an EVANGELIST) for this service. Paul had this in mind when he told Timothy, “…do the work of an evangelist, FULFILL YOUR MINISTRY” (2 Timothy 4:5).
“Let a man so account of us, as of the MINISTERS OF CHRIST, and stewards of the MYSTERIES OF GOD. Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2). The Apostle Paul has a very special MINISTRY, for it was given to him to teach the saints “the MYSTERIES of God.” A “mystery” was a special revelation from God that had never been revealed before. There are many mysteries that Paul revealed (see Romans 11:25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; Ephesians 3:1-13; Colossians 1:25-27; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-9; 1 Timothy 3:16). Now some of us have this same “ministry”; to teach these same truths to the saints to establish them in the faith.
In Romans 12:3-8 we read of a list of “spiritual gifts” given to various believers and in verse 7 it says, “Or MINISTRY, let us use it in our MINISTERING.” This means that some actually have the “gift of MINISTRY” which seems to imply that they are willing TO SERVE THE LORD in whatever way He wants them to. William MacDonald’s comments are this verse are noteworthy, “MINISTRY is a very broad term meaning service for the Lord. It does not mean the office, duties, or functions of a clergyman (as commonly used today). The person who has the gift of MINISTRY has a SERVANT-HEART. He sees opportunities to be of service and seizes them.”
I will close by saying no matter what ministry/service the Lord calls us to do, we are to “take heed to the MINISTRY which you have received from the Lord, that you may fulfill it” (Colossians 4:17). Let’s all have the attitude of Saul (who became the Apostle Paul), who after he was saved cried out to the Lord, “What will you have me to do?” (Acts 9:9). If we have that attitude the Lord will surely “give us something to do.” He will give us the MINISTRY that He has designed especially for us. (DO) (635.3)