You must be in fellowship prior to your Bible study, so that the spiritual information you receive can become a source, of blessing to your soul and produce spiritual growth.
11
Whereunto [eis][hos] I [ego] am appointed [tithemi] a
preacher, [kerux] and [kai] an apostle, [apostolos] and
[kai] a teacher [didaskalos] of the Gentiles. [ethnos] KJV-Interlinear
11 for
which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. NASB
Paul received his appointment directly from Christ during his Damascus road trip, Acts 9:15.
And throughout his writings he often times mentions as a reminder, this status which he did not place himself in, but was placed in by none other than Christ Himself.
Apostle, defines his authority credentials, and preacher and teacher defines his function in communicating the word of God to others.
The function of the preacher is that of being a herald who proclaims the topics of doctrine. Teacher is the function of instruction of the details of those doctrines.
And since all of the apostles have long since passed away, and since the Bible in its written form has been completed, then we are left with the teaching of the word, as all proclamations of doctrine have already been stated within the written word.
It remains for us now to learn the details of the spiritual life, in order to grow up in our spiritual life.
Paul had a former name of Saul. As Saul, he was the chief persecutor of all Christians, and he persecuted with enthusiasm.
But once he saw Christ and believed, then he received his appointment at that moment. He still had to learn and grow up, but he did and was thus prepared for his ministry.
Every person receives an appointment from God, when they believe in Christ. We all have gifts, which means that we all have responsibilities.
We do not pursue our self appointed duties since as new believers none of us could possibly know what our gift is. No baby knows their talent until they grow up.
But with study and learning, and the understanding we receive from that, which is our very first obligation as new believers, then and only then can we begin to pursue that which God expects of us. And then more often than not, our lives will naturally follow a path in which our talents are utilized.
For some the gift may be in law, or engineering, or sports, or rocket science. With others it may be more domestic such as in cooking or child rearing. No matter who you are or what you do, you have a gift, be it blue collar, white collar, domestic, private, or public, and God expects you to function in your gift with enthusiasm and dedication to the best of your ability. Your life then becomes a testimony of His grace and will.
Your life is no reflection on who or what you are, but on the grace and sovereign will of God who knows what is best for you and for everyone, during this life. And, your earthly gift or talent has no bearing whatsoever on your opportunity to achieve spiritual maturity, and the phenomenal completion of your life.
Only arrogance and evil make a distinction regarding the differences in earthly attributes.
What God does not expect from you, is for you to pursue some self defined path which conveniently allows you to be irresponsible with regard to your normal daily obligations in life.
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End Of Lesson
Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth.
