Topical Bible: Perfection: Ministers Appointed to Lead Saints To

◄ Perfection: Ministers Appointed to Lead Saints To ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the Christian faith, the concept of perfection is often understood as spiritual maturity and completeness in Christ. This journey towards perfection is not one that believers undertake alone; rather, it is facilitated by ministers appointed by God to guide and nurture the saints. The role of these ministers is crucial in equipping the church for growth and maturity in faith.

Biblical Foundation

The New Testament provides a clear mandate for ministers to lead believers towards perfection. In Ephesians 4:11-13 , the Apostle Paul writes, "And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ." This passage underscores the divine appointment of various ministerial roles with the purpose of guiding believers towards spiritual maturity.

Role of Ministers

Ministers are tasked with teaching, exhorting, and shepherding the flock, ensuring that believers are grounded in sound doctrine and equipped for every good work. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 , Paul emphasizes the importance of Scripture in this process: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work." Ministers utilize the Word of God as the primary tool for leading believers towards perfection.

Spiritual Growth and Maturity

The journey to perfection involves growing in the knowledge and likeness of Christ. Colossians 1:28 states, "We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ." Here, the goal of ministerial work is to present believers as mature and complete in their faith. This maturity is characterized by a deep understanding of the gospel, a life that reflects Christ's character, and an unwavering commitment to God's will.

Challenges and Responsibilities

Ministers face the challenge of addressing diverse needs within the body of Christ, as believers are at different stages in their spiritual journey. They must be discerning and patient, providing guidance that is both compassionate and firm. James 3:1 warns, "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." This highlights the weighty responsibility borne by those who lead others in the faith.

The Ultimate Goal

The ultimate goal of leading saints to perfection is to glorify God through a unified and mature body of believers. Philippians 3:12-14 captures the essence of this pursuit: "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been perfected, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus."

In summary, ministers are divinely appointed to lead the saints towards spiritual perfection, equipping them through the teaching of Scripture and the example of Christ. This process is integral to the life of the church, fostering unity, maturity, and a deeper relationship with God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 4:12
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Colossians 1:28
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Concerning Perfection.
... And if for effectuating this perfection in the saints the ministry be appointed
and disposed ... If so be these ministers assure us that we need never expect ...
/.../proposition viii concerning perfection.htm

A Preservative against Unsettled Notions, and Want of Principles ...
... convert him, and all those erring ministers, who have ... intimate union with Christ,
the perfection of righteousness ... the clergy, whom Christ has appointed to teach ...
/.../a preservative against unsettled notions.htm

The Work of Our Sanctification.
... to one single practice, fidelity to the duties appointed by God ... soul must take in
the work of its perfection. ... to God that kings, and their ministers, princes of ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/section iii the work of our.htm

Introduction.
... churches may be built; new ministers appointed to preach ... which will flow for its
appointed season, and ... perfect and positive truth, that perfection of Christ's ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnold/the christian life/introduction.htm

The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
... Again, two of their much-loved ministers were seized and ... nakedness of his people,
and with the perfection of which ... for there it was that God appointed that the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the saints privilege and profit.htm

Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ...
... Old Law, various places, called synagogues, appointed for the ... and those which, with
greater perfection of mind ... and for the upkeep of the ministers who served ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sufficient reason can be.htm

Of Civil Government.
... devilish pride, arrogating to themselves a perfection of which ... the reason, "that
we may lead a quiet ... who know that they have been appointed ministers of the ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

National Sorrows and National Lessons
... bringing, alas, very little fruit to perfection, the old ... Sovereign was to them the
divinely appointed symbol of ... if it shall awaken the ministers of religion to ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxiv national sorrows and.htm

Heresies
... became convinced that the way to spiritual perfection lay through ... except in the case
of the ministers, it was ... while a number of bishops were appointed, and all ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter xii heresies.htm

Beauty for Ashes
... and Master of apostles and prophets, and ministers, even by ... upon me; because the
Lord hath appointed me to ... a remote conception of what true perfection must be. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/beauty for ashes.htm