"And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Mashiach; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of Elohim" (Ephesians 4:11-13).

Contact larryv

The
Letters:

# 1. Faith,
Discipleship &
Spiritual
Warfare.

# 2. Prayer,
Judgmentalism
& Forgiveness.

# 3. The
Ekklesia
(Church) -vs-
Religion.

# 4. Elohim,
His Love &
His Discipline.

# 5. Spiritual
Gifts, Humility
& Elohim's
Power.

# 6. The
Ruach ha Qodesh
and Elohim's
Word.

# 7.
Reconciliation
& Sin - The
curse and our
need.

# 8.
Reconciliation
& Sin - The
consequence
of the curse.

# 9.
Reconciliation
& Sin - Sin's
cure.

#10.
Reconciliation
& Sin - Our
Choice.

#11.
Discipleship.

#12.
Works of Faith.

#13. The
Gifts of the
Ruach ha Qodesh
- and a Test.

#14.
The Sign Gifts.

#15. The
Support Gifts.

#16. The
Service Gifts.

#17. Living
as Disciples.

#18.
The Snatching
(Rapture) &
Tribulation.

#19.
Prophesy & a
Closing.

#20.
Beware the
false prophets
and teachers.

#21.
The Signs
of Messiah's
Return.

#22. Oneness
& The Trinity,
and the Names
of Elohim!

#23.
Understanding
Righteousness,
While
Acknowledging
The enemy.

#24.
The Matter of
the Sabbath.

Simple Poems.

About the
Author.

Support.

Letter 15 - The Support Gifts.

Dear Mathetes;

I am not surprised that you find the sign gifts amazing. As in all things, the teacher learns in the preparation, and I was stunned - and grieved - in the realization of what we have been given, and what we have been missing. I designed the questionnaire I use, because everything else I have ever seen about the gifts concentrated on puny gifts, but what we have actually been given are marvelously powerful gifts. You have excited and motivated me with your zeal for your newfound talents, and your encouragement bolsters me. I hope you find the support and service gifts equally exciting, because they too have been diluted over the years. The fullness of God in the EKKLESIA shall be known once again to His children in these last days, however, and the gifts that He has given us are certainly part of that revelation.

The support gifts, once again, are apostleship, evangelism, pastor, prophecy and teacher. Seeing as we discussed the gift of prophecy in our last letter, we will not be discussing it here. As I have already said though, whether the prophet is visionary or expository, their message will always be a sign to the believers. That is why I included prophecy with the sign gifts. Don't forget though, Mathetes, to leave room for Ruach ha Qodesh in all of the gifts, because He gives as He wills. Do not judge and do not limit, but wait humbly on God.

APOSTLE [tc]:

Apostleship is one of the gifts declared "dead" by the religious institutions, but in the EKKLESIA, the gift remains amazingly alive. Perhaps we feel unworthy to wear the title of apostle, or perhaps we have in fact been unworthy to fulfill the assigned role. For whatever reason, a large aspect of the gift of Apostleship has been diluted and renamed. We must discover the truth of this matter though, Mathetes, because functioning apostles, working in the fullness of the gift, are going to be essential in the last days. If the EKKLESIA is going to perform our assigned task, we are going to need apostles on the front line, because their work is vital to the harvest.

The Greek word used throughout the New Testament for apostle, APOSTOLOS, means: One sent. An ambassador. A testifier.

It is currently taught in many of the institutions, that to be an apostle, one had to personally see Yahshuah. This is only partly true though, which makes this deception such an easy sell. Certainly there were the original twelve apostles, who in fact did walk with the Master. And when one of the original twelve fell (Judas), the other eleven, LED IN Ruach ha Qodesh, drew lots to determine his replacement. They presented Ruach ha Qodesh with two of those who had walked with them, from the baptism of Messiah to His resurrection, "And the lot fell to Matthias" (Acts 1:15-26).

There are detractors who would have you believe that the selection of Matthias was an error, and that Paul was God's true choice, but anyone teaching this fallacy, is not looking at the fullness of Scripture, because in Acts 1, Peter clearly delineates the requirements necessary to fulfill the position of "witness" along with the eleven; requirements that Paul was unable to meet. Matthias became a witnessing apostle, which spiritually, for whatever reason, was limited to twelve. While we may not understand the spiritual reasoning for this, it is important that we acknowledge not only the apostleship of Matthias, but recognize that others were, and still are, being sent out as ambassadors and testifiers, today.

Additionally, the twelve "witnessing" apostles were devoted, "to prayer and to the ministry of the word" (Acts 6:4). Paul, however, was called to minister to the gentiles (Ephesians 3). Their purpose and manner of ministry was totally different, yet Paul is as much an apostle as the twelve. So were others, as you will see.

In Romans 16:7, Junias and Andronicus are named as apostles, and in Philippians 2:25, Epaphroditus is called as well. These were not Jews, nor were they eyewitnesses of the walk, death or resurrection of Yahshuah. Nevertheless, they are rightly and fittingly called apostles.

In Acts 13:1-3, Barnabas is included amongst a group acknowledged to be prophets and teachers, but after he and Paul had been set apart and sent out by Ruach ha Qodesh, his "title" changed, and he was called an apostle (Acts 14:14).

Please begin to notice how the gifts are distributed within each of these individuals. Barnabas, for example, was gifted as a prophet and teacher, and then as an apostle. He had other gifts as well. And consider Paul, because as you learn about him, you will see incredible diversity and authority with regard to his gifts. We have bottled our abilities for so long, Mathetes, that we no longer believe God will do these things through us, but God has not changed - we have! We must repent of our faithlessness, however, and allow the Spirit to move in our midst once again.

The designation of all these disciples as apostles (and this gift is not restrictive by gender) should cause us to reconsider the gift, and ask, "Who and what is an apostle today?" If the gift extended beyond the original twelve "witnessing" apostles, and if the gift extended beyond the lines of Judaism - including Gentile disciples as well, then what is the true function of an apostle, and why haven't we seen any lately?

Today, apostles are what the institutions want to refer to as missionaries. Sadly though, the manner in which a missionary functions is entirely unrelated to the authoritative, God sent apostles of the first century.

Don't misunderstand, Mathetes, the calling and gift of God have not changed - we have. God is not puny - we are. Just like any other gift, it is either exercised to the fullest or it is diluted. Apostleship is not taught properly, therefore it is not understood properly, and therefore it is not exercised properly. If we send the brethren out into the world believing them to be missionaries, then that is what they will be. On the other hand, if we fully understand the call, mission and responsibility of the ones we are sending out, and we fully acknowledge the gift of God, then we send out apostles to glorify and magnify the name of Yahshuah. May God shed light!

Have you ever heard how they train elephants to remain tethered to a small stake pounded into the ground, stopping them from walking away? Considering the size and strength of an elephant, haven't you ever wondered why they don't just pull out the stake and go wherever they want? When an elephant is young, the trainers clamp a large steel bracelet around one of its hind legs and, connected by a very large steel chain, secure the baby elephant to a steel stake driven deeply into the ground. Try as it might, the baby elephant cannot break loose from this bondage. For days it will pull and pull, but with decreasing frequency. Eventually, the baby elephant will surrender in defeat. The baby elephant KNOWS that it cannot break free, so it stops trying. From that point onward, a simple leather strap replaces the steel bracelet. Whenever the elephants are to be tethered, the leather strap, connected by a small rope, is secured to a wooden peg driven a foot or so into the soil. The elephant will not pull the peg out of the ground though, because as soon as it feels the slightest tug on its rear leg, it surrenders. Although it is capable of pulling down the circus tent, if it desired, it will not pull a puny wooden peg out of the ground. It has been conditioned.

Thus we have been conditioned regarding the gifts. United in Yahshuah, we are capable of pulling down the Babylonian circus tent, but we have been told for so long that the gifts are dead, we actually believe it. Satan has deceived the EKKLESIA to believe we cannot be workers for God any longer, and in this belief we have surrendered our capacity to be used by God to glorify His Son. Satan has deceived the EKKLESIA to believe we are mere spectators of events in the world, instead of the active participants for whom the whole creation anxiously awaits revealing (Romans 8:22).

Compared to God, the power of Satan is like the little wooden peg tapped into the ground. Faith, the size of a mustard seed though (Matthew 17:20; Luke 17:6), will set us free from the bondage of doubt. Pray for faith, Mathetes!

I do not want to give the impression that all missionaries always fall short of the mark, because that is not true. The point I hope to make, however, is that we are all falling short in the exercise and utilization of our gifts. We simply must stop denying the gifts of God though, and proclaim His Son, in power, to the world.

A thorough inspection of the New Testament provides the signs which should accompany an apostle (Luke 9:1-5, 10:1-24; 2 Corinthians 12:12 for example), and this is where we are failing today in our comprehension of the gifts as a whole. The need to preach, make disciples, encourage and appoint true elders (as anointed by Ruach ha Qodesh, not mankind), in order to bring about the obedience of faith, has not left us. These matters simply are not taught today, because they are no longer believed. And in our disbelief, they do not happen. That is why we fall short.

Bluntly, the religious institutions do not want to see apostles functioning with authority - especially in our homeland. If authority is being rejected around the world, and probably nowhere more than in the industrialized nations, what makes us think this rejection will not overflow into the ranks of a faithless church? How can we be so naive to believe the EKKLESIA will not be attacked, while the rest of the world (especially Babylon) is rotting and decaying? Satan went right into the Garden of Eden before the fall, when the world was in perfect order, and deceived Eve. What makes us think he will not come into the Ekklesia and attempt to deceive us today? God told us he would!

An apostle, therefore, is one who is set apart and sent out by Ruach ha Qodesh, to preach the Gospel, make disciples, encourage the brethren and appoint elders (Acts 13:1-3, 14:21-23), in order, "To bring about the obedience of faith among the Gentiles and the Jews (Romans 1:1-7; Galatians 2:8). Apostles are evangelists, and/or prophets, and/or teachers, and/or anything else God wants them to be, who are also set apart and sent out as ambassadors. They are miracle workers - even today, because the message today is the same as it was two thousand years ago, and our God does not change. People are lost today just as they were then, so why do we suppose He would favor the EKKLESIA of that era with powerful and dynamic gifts, in order to convince and convict the lost of that age, and not show the same mercy to the lost of our age?

We are rapidly approaching the end of the Ekklesiastic age, Mathetes, and a primary event that is prophesied to occur immediately before the return of our Messiah, is the greatest harvest of souls ever. The crop is ripening before our eyes today. Why do we think that God will treat the greatest harvest of all with less significance than the original harvest following the resurrection of Yahshuah? God HAS NOT CHANGED! HIS DESIRE IS FOR ALL TO BE SAVED! Satan has deceived the EKKLESIA though, but it is time to pull out the peg.

Fortunately, the function of an apostle is clearly taught to us through Paul and Barnabas, and by their witness we know that apostleship is an itinerant lifestyle - search God's word. Although Peter and James, and many other apostles, abided in Jerusalem, they performed fieldwork as well (Acts 10; Galatians 2:11). Today, however, missionaries move to an area and never leave. Missionaries today move to an area, convert some souls and preach on Sunday mornings just like hirelings in the institutions. And, many missionaries deny the gifts of God, refuse to make true disciples and destroy the spiritual life they seemingly work so hard to save in the process. This is wrong! And this is also why souls are not being touched for Yahshuah the way Paul, Barnabas and the other apostles were able to touch. If you do not use the full gift, you are not using the gift at all. If you deny the working of Ruach ha Qodesh, how can you expect your work to be productive? I suggest that if an individual is called to work and remain in a foreign area, the individual is a pastor, prophet or teacher, or any combination of those gifts, but they are not apostles - and there is no such thing as a "missionary" in the Word of God!

My heart is with those who sincerely desire to go out and preach the Gospel of Yahshuah - and many do. My heart is with those who humbly walk in the power and authority of God - and some do. My heart and prayers are with those who understand their calling, imitate the apostles of the first century, and truly make disciples - and allow those disciples to assemble and worship as they are meant. Thank God, a few do. But there are also false apostles, and we are to be aware of their presence as well (2Corinthians 11:13; Revelation 2:2).

An apostle, like Paul, Barnabas, John, Peter, Andronicus, Junias and Epaphroditus, is one willing to surrender everything in their quest to administer the mysteries of God; willing to go wherever and whenever the Master directs them and willing to leave again when their work is complete. An apostle desires to utilize every tool, every gift at their disposal, in order to promote the Gospel of Yahshuah. The gift has never died, Mathetes, and it will be witnessed around the world once again by faithful servants and disciples of Yahshuah our Messiah and Master.

We need to pray that the children of God, who have been deceived, will repent and humble themselves before their King. We need to pray that God will anoint His children with power again, so they will fulfill their life purpose, and bring home the abundant harvest of God. And we need to pray that the children born to the family of God through the work of His apostles, will themselves also be anointed, discipled, empowered and permitted to worship and work properly.

This gift is not dead, Mathetes. Praise God!

EVANGELIST [tc]:

In the sequential placement of the Books of the New Testament, we find the first person referred to as an evangelist in Acts 21:8, where Paul and Luke spent time with, "Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven." Thank God for His inclusion of this verse, because Philip is a perfect example of an evangelist, and from Philip's life we are going to learn a great deal.

In the Greek, the word used in Acts 21:8 for evangelist is, EUAGGELIZO, and it means: An announcer of glad tidings; a proclaimer of good news. The plural form of the word is in Ephesians 4:11 where Paul tells us that God gave some "as evangelists", and it means the same thing. So then, by definition, evangelists are: "Announcers of glad tidings. Proclaimers of good news."

Let's take a look at Philip, therefore, and understand what an announcer of glad tidings is really like. We first find Philip mentioned in Acts 6 as, "One of the Seven".

Here's the set-up: The apostles were being distracted from prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:2,4), because the Greek speaking Jewish widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food (Acts 6:1). The Twelve summoned the congregation, with a charge that they select from among themselves, seven brethren, "men of good reputation, full of Ruach ha Qodesh and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task" (Acts 6:2-3). Stephen, who became the first martyr, and Philip, who is recognized by Paul as an evangelist, were among the seven chosen. [Philip the evangelist was also an administrator and a server - a deacon]. He certainly was a disciple (Acts 6:1). See how the gifts are assorted and varied?

After Stephen's martyrdom, we again pick up Philip in Acts 8, where we are told, "Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Mashiach to them" (v 8:5). An interesting twist is added to this evangelism stuff in the following verses though, (v 8:6-7), because there we are told, "The multitude with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing. For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed". Remember the battle cry, power and proclamation? Here it is again! Philip the evangelist, the administrator-server, is also anointed with "effecting of miracles". WOW!

Acts 8:14-16 are interesting verses also, Mathetes, because even though Philip was proclaiming the Word, and people were believing and being baptized, the apostles Peter and John had to come to Samaria in order to pray, "that they might receive Ruach ha Qodesh". The entire body must function properly, each member doing their individual part, in order for the anointing of Ruach ha Qodesh to be complete. This passage offers evidence of this fact.

I have often wondered though, why Philip, obviously "full of Ruach ha Qodesh", did not lay hands upon these newborn converts so that they might receive Ruach ha Qodesh. My only conclusion is that: This was Samaria, land of the dreaded outcasts; home to the ones whom the Jews would not even speak. Peter had to go to Cornelius (Acts 10) in order for God to show that the "heathen nations" were to be among God's children, and he and John had to go to Samaria in order to be convinced that the Samaritans were to be included in the plan for salvation as well. I do not think Philip was unable to impart Ruach ha Qodesh; I think he was restricted, for Peter and John's sake, as well as for the sake of the Ekklesia as a whole.

Nevertheless, we pick up with Philip again in Acts 8:26-40, where, "An angel of the Master spoke to Philip saying, 'Arise and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza'... And he arose and went". As Philip went along the road, he came upon an Ethiopian eunuch reading from the Book of Isaiah the Prophet. After a short discourse, Philip convinced the Ethiopian that Yahshuah was the Messiah, of whom Isaiah had prophesied. The Ethiopian was converted and Philip baptized him.

In the accounting of Philip in Acts 8, God has given us a snapshot of an evangelist - And what an accounting it is. Whether proclaiming Yahshuah to cities or to individuals, the evangelist wins souls. It did not matter how large or how small the crowd was, the evangelist followed the guidance given him, and sought for the lost. Whether proclaiming to cities or individuals, the evangelist also followed the law of power and proclamation and used every gift Ruach ha Qodesh had given him to convince and convict an otherwise dying world.

Philip was an evangelist, but he used his other gifts to enhance his primary calling. Acknowledged as one being "full of Ruach ha Qodesh and wisdom", Philip wisely learned and wisely applied. The EKKLESIA needs to follow his example.

The gift of the evangelist, while exceptionally burdened for the unsaved, is actually a gift of communication to the children of God. The evangelist will proclaim and announce the good news, the Gospel of Yahshuah, in such a way that the listeners will be convicted of their sin and their spiritual need for God. (The children will hear). The evangelist will preach Yahshuah in such a way that all of the doubt, confusion and deceit that has been cast regarding the Messiah, will be removed. Through the words of an evangelist, many people will see Yahshuah in His glory. Evangelist's are more itinerant than apostle's though, because the apostle remains long enough to train and disciple, whereas the evangelist proclaims and departs - leaving the discipleship process to other brethren who are gifted for such things.

Souls are panting for God throughout the world (Psalms 42), Mathetes, and there is a famine for hearing the Full and True Word of YAHUAH (Amos 8:11). The faithful envoy of Yahshuah will bring restoration and healing to these souls though (Proverbs 13:17), but just like the prophet who does not proclaim the message given to him, the evangelist who does not proclaim the message of the Gospel will be burdened in sorrow (Psalms 39), and they will be accountable for the blood of the lost (Ezekiel 3:17-21).

While many evangelists around the world have done some tremendous work, there remains the fact that the gift has been tremendously diluted. The huge rallies taking place today are touching lives, to be certain, but the example given to us by Yahshuah, by the apostles and by the evangelists of the first century, present a panorama of both large and small gatherings, where the power of God accompanies the proclamation of His Word. If you consider Yahshuah, (Mark 2:15-17 for instance), you can recognize His evangelistic efforts in intimate settings, while The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), and the two occasions where he fed the masses (Matthew 14:13-21, 15:32-39), are indicative of His larger endeavors.

The large evangelistic associations that have propagated throughout the world, have distracted the EKKLESIA'S attention from the smaller gatherings, and from the independent evangelist standing on the street corner proclaiming the message of salvation. We tend to think in the hundreds of thousands, where, "there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:10). Because so much attention, and money, is focused on the large organizations though, many of the individual evangelists are impoverished. We must get past the "bigger is better" mentality, however, and concentrate on the individual again.

The truth to this is where Yahshuah directed the disciples to "Gather up the leftover fragments that nothing may be lost" (John 6:12). I believe Yahshuah was speaking literally and spiritually here - speaking of stewardship, but also speaking of the importance of each soul. As we approach the last days we must seek for every fragment; each and every lost soul. Every evangelist is needed, now! And, every worker is needed to teach, heal, pastor, disciple and prepare those who are going to be touched by the grace of God, through His evangelists.

"How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" (Isaiah 52:7). While this passage speaks to the evangelist, it also speaks to each and every Child of God, who in their own way, proclaim Yahshuah as Master and Messiah to a dying world. God determines who hears (Acts 16:13-14), our responsibility is, "to be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15-16). We do not peddle the Word of God. We proclaim Yahshuah in love, peace, gentleness and mercy.

The verse from Isaiah 52 declares a loveliness in God's sight toward every child who proclaims Him, and the passage from 1 Peter 3 tells us that we are all to be prepared to give an account. The primary difference between an Evangelist and those not blessed with this gift, however, is the speed in which an evangelist can convict a sinner, the determination with which an evangelist will proclaim his message, and the length to which an evangelist will travel - as moved by Ruach ha Qodesh - to announce the glad tidings. Where those who do not possess this gift may take a lifetime of testimony to touch another soul, an Evangelist can sit with a person for a very short time, and by the grace of God, know exactly what that person needs to hear - in order to convict and convince.

What a wonder and joy it will be to see the children of God working in accordance with the law of power and proclamation again. If you are gifted as an evangelist, let your EKKLESIA know. Their support of your gift is of monumental importance. Every gift will have to be utilized to tend the wounds of society, and every talent of the surgical team must be in place before the fat is cut away. Otherwise the patient, mankind, will die.

PASTOR [tc]:

It never occurred to me, when I was telling you what the Master had shown me about Jacob - the deceiving church, and Israel - the EKKLESIA, that the fullness and truth of the matter was going to come together under the gift of the pastor. I realize that much has been said about the errors in the EKKLESIA, and how the children of God must "come out" of the religious institutions; come out from Babylon, but I did not know how God was going to lead me in pulling this together. As I have given thought to the gift of a pastor though, and as I have been taught the fullness of this gift, it all began to make tremendous sense. Without a shepherd, the flock scatters (Matthew 26:31) and becomes distressed and downcast (Matthew 9:36). The prophesies of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, regarding faithless Israel and deceiving Jacob, all come together here under the gift of the pastor, because it is the pastor who is entrusted with leading the flock. It is the pastor who determines the stripes of deception and faithfulness, or the purity and faithfulness, of the flock (Genesis 30:25-43) and this truth has been ignored for too long!

The Greek word used by Paul in Ephesians 4:11, where the gift of pastor is introduced, is POIMEN, and POIMEN speaks of: a shepherd, one who generally cares for the flock. Some other Greek words of interest are: POIMAINO, which means, to shepherd or tend; and POIMNE and POIMNION which refer to, a flock and the flock.

There is an interesting note about POIMNE and POIMNION in the New Testament though, because the word FLOCK is only used in the singular. In the Old Testament, there were flocks everywhere (Check out Abraham and Lot in Genesis 13, for example), but the New Testament speaks only about "a flock", or "the flock", and the reference is usually to Yahshuah's flock - the EKKLESIA. Regardless of how many shepherds there are, there is only one flock, and that flock belongs to Yahshuah. This is fundamental to understanding the role of a faithful pastor, Mathetes, because the pastor anointed by God will always be faithful to Yahshuah (John 10:1-3), and will always direct the sheep back to the Great Shepherd, Himself. Faithful pastors know that they are actually " under shepherds".

Let me explain how I see the John 10:1-3 passage applying to pastors:
Yahshuah said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out." Then, in John 10:7, Yahshuah said, "I am the door."
    First He said, "He who does not enter by the door...Is a thief and a robber" (John 10:1). Then He added, "I am the door" (John 10:7).
        Paraphrased: "He who does not come, in Me, is a thief and a robber."
    He said, "He who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep" (John 10:2). Then He added, "I am the door" (John 10:7).
        Paraphrased: "He who enters, in Me, (if they know Me, love Me, follow the example I gave as the Great Shepherd; if they pass the test, because we are always testing the spirits), then they are sent by Me, and are My " under shepherds" of MY sheep."

Let's look further: In Luke 2:8-20 we find a photograph of what a true shepherd really is, because here we are told that shepherds constantly keep watch over their flock (v 2:8), they seek and follow the Master (v 2:15-16), they proclaim the good news (v 2:17-18), they glorify and praise God (v 2:20) and if they see or hear anything of and from the Master, they teach it and proclaim it (v 2:20). The true under shepherd, anointed by God with this gift, has immense responsibilities, and the accompanying gifts that support this primary calling are magnificent. The under shepherd's responsibility to the flock includes: feeding (Exodus 3:1), leading (Numbers 27:17; 1 Chronicles 11:2) and guarding (1 Peter 2:25), which necessitate that a pastor be gifted as a teacher, administrator, leader, and discerner of spirits.

An under shepherd, called by God, must be able to teach about God (Mark 6:34; 2 Timothy 4:1-4), but God never said that every pastor would be a great expositor. What God did say though, is that an under shepherd in the EKKLESIA must be able to teach Yahshuah to the lost sheep, because lost sheep are the wayward children of God. The lost sheep are wandering souls who are lost in sin and error, and the true under shepherd seeks for the lost, in order to bring them back to God's fold. Therefore, a pastor must have the ability to reach the prodigal children of God, and have a desire to teach the fullness of Yahshuah to these children. Where a hireling seeks to make converts, an under shepherd makes disciples. Where a hireling seeks the tithe of the convert, an under shepherd seeks gain to the lamb's account.

A faithful pastor is able to lead the flock under the Headship of Yahshuah, but there is not very much true leading happening today. When we look at the service gifts, you will understand true spiritual leadership and authority. For now though, permit me to simply say that the hirelings overseeing the religious institutions, are more interested in lording their position over the flock than in truly leading and feeding the flock. A true leader makes certain that each lamb is fed and protected, and this is not happening within Babylon today.

Applied spiritually, feeding and protecting the flock means that a true leader will impart knowledge, in order to prepare the flock for spiritual battle. A true leader does not perform every function, but delegates authority to those able. A true leader teaches those under him in such a way that they grow and excel. A hireling, on the other hand, is more interested in programs and preaching. A hireling wants the dirty work to be done by servers, so he is free to do "more important tasks". While the under shepherd goes down into the pit to find a lost sheep, the hireling neglects the feeding and leading of the sheep already in his charge, and seeks only for the monetary or status gains to be realized through growth....

The man called to tend the flock guards over his flock, and is even prepared to die for those entrusted to him. A hireling will run away at the first signs of danger (John 10:11-13). Spiritually, this guarding of the flock is an amazing role, too. In Matthew 25:32, Yahshuah said the shepherd separates the sheep (PROBOTON), from the goats. PROBOTON is the Greek word from which we get, probation, and probation means, " to be under the care of". The flock is supposed to be under the care of the under shepherd. On the other hand, a goat represents the wicked.

What Yahshuah was telling us in Matthew 25, was that His under shepherd's must be able to distinguish between the spirits in order to separate the chosen ones from the wicked. A hireling in today's institutions will promote mass mailings and telemarketing schemes in order to grow his congregation (part of manipulation - which I will discuss momentarily), without regard to sheep or goats. The true under shepherd, however, will carefully watch over the flock, to make certain that no evil, no wicked, get in.

Additionally, the hireling will count, register and dominate, while the true under shepherd will have no claim of ownership, and will display genuine concern for those entrusted in his care. The under shepherd of God knows his sheep, and his sheep know him (John 10:14), but the hireling knows those who tithe, recognizes those who surrender their time to him, and acknowledges everybody else on Sunday mornings with a perfunctory handshake.

Where the hireling does not encourage use of the gifts, because their full use would distract from his show, the true under shepherd knows his sheep personally, cares about them and for them, and knows which gifts are possessed by each member of the flock. A responsible under shepherd treasures and cares for those under his watch, knowing and appreciating their value, and wisely directs those in need to those so blessed.

The under shepherds of God's flock oversee, "according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock" (1 Peter 5:2-3). The hireling does just the opposite. Jacob, representative of the deceiving church, was a hireling, and the entire accounting of Jacob in Genesis 29-31, is one of a hireling, albeit sanctioned and supported by God. He worked a total of fourteen years for possession of his wives, and another six years for the possession of his flocks (Genesis 31:41). The last six years are the focus of our attention at this time:

In Genesis 30:25-43, we are given an accounting of how Jacob manipulated the flocks for his own advantage. While some say this proved Jacob to be a shrewd administrator, I propose we view the entire passage spiritually, and recognize it instead for the self-serving device it was. The New Testament teaching regarding the master and slave, employer and employee, all dictate honesty, integrity and sincerity - even when the slaves are treated harshly (Colossians 3:22-4:1). Jacob did not work, "as unto YAHUAH" in his dealings with Laban, and whether Laban changed the wages ten times or a hundred times, Jacob worked, "as unto self". Jude 12-16 speaks to the hireling as well, and pointedly implies that the rebellious ones (the sin of Korah, who spoke against Moses, the anointed one of God), "speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage."

While Isaiah 48 and 58 speak directly to Jacob, Ezekiel 34 is a prophecy against the deceiving shepherds of Israel; the false shepherds who have crept in to destroy. Listen to the Word of God:

"Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock?" (Ezekiel 34:2). "Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and with severity you have dominated them" (Ezekiel 34:4). "'As I live,' declares YAHUAH God, 'Surely because My flock has become a prey, My flock has even become food for all the beasts of the field for lack of a shepherd, and My shepherds did not search for My flock, but rather the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock; therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of YAHUAH: 'Thus says YAHUAH God, "Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I shall demand My sheep from them and make them cease from feeding sheep. So the shepherds will not feed themselves anymore, but I shall deliver My flock from their mouth, that they may not be food for them" ' ' " (Ezekiel 34:8-10).

The prophecies of Ezekiel speak to the Nicolaitans of Revelation 2, who suppress, neglect and dominate the flock of Yahshuah. And the prophecies address those hirelings who are more concerned with their personal well-being, gain and satisfaction, than with the well-being of the flock of Yahshuah. The prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel speak directly to "treacherous Judah", "faithless Israel" (Jeremiah 3) and "deceptive, lying and manipulative Jacob" (Genesis 27,28 and 30). We must heed the messages and warnings of God.

In Acts 20:17-35, the role of an under shepherd is tied directly to the office of an overseer, and in Titus 1:5-9 we learn that an overseer must be an elder. The word elder, PRESBUTEROS, as presented throughout the New Testament, and acknowledged in both Jewish and 'Christian' tradition, is a title of dignity and respect. PRESBUTEROS itself means, an old man, a senior. It is important that you remember though, that spiritually, an elder is one who is mature in faith, and has nothing to do with age (Timothy is a perfect example).

The overseer, EPISKOPOS, therefore, is an officer in the local assembly with authority and duties. The presbyter, elder, denotes dignity; the EPISKOPOS, overseer, denotes the authority, duties and responsibilities of the office. The words speak about the same person - one referring to the title, the other speaking of performance.

The duties of an overseer, then, as we have already seen, include administrations, leading, authority, evangelism, discernment and teaching, to varying degrees, and in light of what we have been told about overseers, the position is restricted to men (1 Timothy 2:12-15, 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). If the under shepherd / pastor gift is tied directly to the office of an overseer, and an overseer must be a man, the gift of pastor can only be given to men.

The series of letters on reconciliation covered much ground in the area of gender. My sisters in the EKKLESIA, and women in general, must recognize, however, that many restrictions are in place because we chose to submit to Satan's kingdom. We chose to sin. The duties of the helpmate are monumental, but pastor, teacher and overseer, with authority over adult men, are not among those duties (1 Timothy 2:12). In Acts 20:29 the EKKLESIA is warned about the wolves who will, "come in among you," and the false teachings in the religious institutions today, which include ordination of female pastors, are a direct link to those wolves and to the warnings of God. Spiritual laws exist, and we must faithfully bow to the authority of God. Once again, Mathetes, the key word to a submissive, understanding and faithful walk with Yahshuah is, humility, and I pray that The Letters on reconciliation will shed light upon the magnificent call given to women in the EKKLESIA.

The EKKLESIA needs under shepherds who will be faithful to the commands of God, and the flock must provide for their under shepherd (1 Corinthians 9:7). I personally know of pastors of large congregations, however, who earn salaries that are three or four times greater than the average salaries of their flock. I do not believe that this is proper! The worker is worthy of his wage, but fleecing the flock for personal gain is oppressive and self-serving. In our letter about the Assembly of the Ekklesia I spoke of multi-million dollar pastoral staff budgets. The under shepherd of God's flock will earn a fair and reasonable wage, but the excesses evidenced within Babylon today cannot be tolerated within the EKKLESIA. We are responsible for the care of the shepherd, as well as the care of the apostles, evangelists, and any others whom we determine, in Ruach ha Qodesh, are to be set apart and sent out.

The pastor of the flock, who is dedicated to Yahshuah, will prepare, promote and protect the lambs of God. He will teach the fullness of the good news in Yahshuah, and make certain every lamb is prepared, spiritually, for the battle that is raging about us. He will teach every lamb in the proper use of their spiritual gifts, so that the entire flock, the entire body, is growing and fruitful. He will make certain that the wicked stay outside, bringing only the faithful into the fold; protecting each lamb from being attacked - even at the expense of his own life. The pastor of the flock who comes "In Yahshuah" will represent Yahshuah, as Yahshuah represented the Father. He will disciple, and send them out two by two. God bless the faithful under shepherd's!

TEACHER [tc]:

"Let not many become teachers, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment" (James 3:1). While the truth of Psalm 39 speaks to the sorrow of misuse and non-use of every gift, no other gift carries a warning like the one issued in James 3 to the teachers. The prophet, evangelist and apostle will certainly have increased sorrow if they do not speak, and the false prophet certainly is doomed, indeed, but James 3:1 speaks specifically to the teachers - both good and evil. For this reason, I advise anyone who believes they are gifted as a teacher, to solemnly pray and fast over their calling. I also suggest that they confirm this gift with their pastor and other teachers, and then, if they are convinced that God has anointed their calling, I advise them to TEACH!

In the Greek, the word for teach is DIDASKO, and a DIDASKALOS, teacher, is a mind bender, a mind shaper.

Imagine being so gifted that one can shape the mind of another! Imagine the responsibility! Imagine the opportunity for abuse! This is an exciting gift, Mathetes, but this gift, above all the spirits, should be tested most by disciples. While failings in some of the other gifts are obvious, especially after a short period of exposure, the teacher is different. A mind shaper can become a mind manipulator in subtle, insidious, shifts. One word or phrase can change the entire meaning of a teaching, and the disciple must be alert, testing every spirit.

I recently had occasion to write yet another letter to a pastor regarding his teaching on, of all things, "The Lord's Supper". (By the way, we should eliminate that phrase completely from our vocabulary, and we should refer to this most wonderful act in the fullness of what it really is, "Partaking of the Body and the Blood of Yahshuah our Messiah")...

Nevertheless, some time ago, we were attending a Thanksgiving Eve worship service, where "The Lord's Supper" was to be served. Everything moved along smoothly until the pastor began to pray over the bread, the symbolic body of Yahshuah. As he prayed, he quoted Isaiah 53:5, which says, "By His scourging we are healed", and then he said, "As you partake of this bread, claim whatever physical healing is needed for your bodies today, because, 'By His scourging we are healed,' and this is for us to claim today."

I was livid! For the first time in my walk with the Master, I was unable to partake of the Body and the Blood of Yahshuah our Messiah, because a false teaching had been introduced. This is like eating meat sacrificed to idols. The logic of this man's (and denomination's) teaching is permeating the institutions, and the promise of Isaiah 53:12 that, "He will divide the booty with the strong" falls right in line with these false concepts. God is denouncing these false teachings, however, and the teachers shall indeed incur a stricter judgment.

The partaking of the Body and the Blood of Yahshuah our Messiah is just that - a remembrance partaking of the symbols of His Body and His Blood; a remembrance of His sacrifice on our behalf! In partaking of the Body and Blood of Yahshuah our Messiah, we are to be offering the highest act of thanks for the greatest gift received. This is food for our souls, beloved, and to imply that physical healing and prosperity are to be appropriated by the "believing partakers", is to distract from the true meaning of the act itself. Instead of joyful, repentant thankfulness, the partakers are left petitioning for a healing - questioning their faith when no healing happens. What garbage!

The man involved was "astonished by such an astute theological presentation", but he never recanted his teaching. What is astonishing to me though, is that hundreds of thousands of professing 'Christians' are listening to teachings like this, and sucking up the hype without batting an eye, or cracking open a Bible.

The teacher anointed by God, will follow the instructions and leading of God with regard to what they teach (1 Timothy 6:1-2,17-19; Titus 2:1-15). Everything taught will be based on Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17), making it verifiable by the brethren. My first letter to you stressed the verification process, Mathetes, and I have repeatedly pointed you back to that teaching. And, I sincerely pray you are abiding by our agreement. When I have offered you a speculative thought, I have given you the passages that support the thought. I have not only insisted that you check me out, but have provided everything I could to show you how I arrived at my conclusions - so you can check me out. The false teachers will manipulate the Word of God to their advantage, however, such as was done in using the Isaiah 53:5 verse, and will deny those passages which refute their conclusions. Whether in reproving or exhortation, therefore, the teacher will truthfully speak forth the Word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31).

The teacher gifted by God is to be appreciated, esteemed (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13), and upheld financially by the EKKLESIA. The financial support of a teacher usually occurs when the gift is such that a full-time ministry is developed or developing. The EKKLESIA can do whatever it is led to, however, within the boundaries of good stewardship, and we should not restrict the moving of Ruach ha Qodesh. Elders and overseers can often be blessed with this gift, but this is not meant to restrict other brethren from teaching as well.

The teacher is an exhorter and reprover (Titus 2:9-13), who is to attend to and pay close attention to others within the flock (1 Timothy 4:13-16). And a teacher will maintain his principles without bias (1 Timothy 5:21). These passages affirm the potential duplicity of the pastor/teacher gifts, without distracting from the duties of either gift. Teachers will fully use the gifts bestowed on them while maintaining a constant focus on the Mastership of Yahshuah. The teachings offered by the DIDASKALOS though, will always be centered in the Word of God, and will always seek the glory of the One who sent them (John 7:17-18).

While women are permitted to teach other women, young girls and young boys, they are not permitted to teach adult men (1 Timothy 2:12-15). The responsibility of older women to teach younger women is vital within the EKKLESIA though (Titus 2:3-5). Direction for children can come from teens and young adults, while teens are taught by those in their twenties, and by newlyweds. The progression proceeds upward throughout the body, because the gifts of Ruach ha Qodesh are not restricted by age. We must permit every member of the body to exercise their gifts, but this truth not withstanding - God's spiritual law prohibits women from teaching spiritual matters to adult men. We must abide within the confines of that law.

The breakup of the family in society, and the transitory nature of people today, have caused a monumental tear in the fabric of education. Senior members of families are no longer available to teach the children, and tremendous wisdom is being lost. The EKKLESIA must insure that this wisdom and knowledge is imparted, and the teachers, both men and women, will mostly be burdened with this task. We must listen to them as they speak out.

Inasmuch as God is The Teacher, a formal degree should never be a qualification to teach the Word of God. Peter and John were unschooled, ordinary men, (Acts 4:13), yet their knowledge, wisdom, understanding and insight transcended worldly training. God works the same today as He did two thousand years ago, and we must acknowledge that His ability to enable His children to teach remains constant.

There is a famine in the world for the Word of God, Mathetes, and that famine will worsen until the EKKLESIA begins to function as a complete unit. The harvest is coming though, and so is the glorious return of Yahshuah. In preparation of these things, therefore, it is imperative that we begin to work in the fullness of God's power once again. Yahshuah deserves much, much more from His disciples than He has been receiving, and this word of repentance must be proclaimed.

Regardless of the gift, or the proportion of our faith, Yahshuah desires the obedient application of our effort on His behalf. Our Creator, Messiah and Master loves us, Mathetes, and His thoughts of us are more numerous than the sand. Works have been prepared beforehand for each and every one of us, and it is of monumental importance that those works be completed. But, the use of our gifts, and the works themselves, must never replace or confuse our relationship with Yahshuah. Search your heart, my friend, and recognize the indwelling Ruach ha Qodesh. Upon discovery of His presence, realize that He has gifted you with talents and abilities which are intended to glorify our Master, Messiah and King. While our focus must never be on the gifts themselves, because our focus must remain on the person of Yahshuah, we have been given these gifts in order to glorify Him.

Ruach ha Qodesh, in bestowing gifts, comes as a gift and messenger Himself. He comes as our comforter from God, and does not desire any attention for Himself. He seeks only for the glory of God through Yahshuah - period! If a miracle or sign occurs without a proclamation of Yahshuah as Master and Messiah, beware! Beware of the message and the messenger. Beware of those who proclaim that only their selection of gifts remain, and beware of those who would abuse the name of Yahshuah. The gifts of Ruach ha Qodesh are to be used for the glory of God; the indwelling Ruach ha Qodesh will command that recognition from the child of God. Satan has no such requirement.

Rejoice in the knowledge that Yahshuah loves you. Rejoice in the knowledge that Yahshuah actually wants your involvement in His plan of salvation. As Paul, Peter, John, Philip, Barnabas, Stephen and the rest of the first century saints were used by God to take His Word to the world, in power, God desires to use us in this day and age for the same purpose, and in the same way. Rejoice in the company of witnesses that go before us, who now prayerfully support our work for the glory of the same Master and God, and rejoice in your tribulation on behalf of The One who loves you. Our day of rest shall come, but until that day, we must do the work prepared for us. Rejoice in your labor, and toil in faith, Mathetes, because therein lies untold joy and peace.

I remain faithfully your brother in Yahshuah our Messiah and Master,

larry vosen

Topical concordance:

Apostleship:
New Testament: Luke 9:1-5, 10:1-24, 11:45-52; Acts 1:15-25, 10(all), 13:1-3, 14:14,21-23, 15:1-29; Romans 1:1-7, 16:7; 1 Corinthians 9:1-2, 12:28-31, 15:9; 2 Corinthians 8:16-24, 11:13, 12:12; Galatians 2:8, 2:11; Ephesians 2:20, 4:11-16; Philippians 2:25, 4:18; 1 Thessalonians 2:5-7; 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11; Hebrews 3:1; Revelation 2:2.

Evangelist:
Old Testament: Exodus 3:4; Psalms 39(all), 42(all), 43(all), 67(all), 107(all); Proverbs 13:17; Isaiah 52:7; Ezekiel 3:17-21; Amos 8:11.

New Testament: Matthew 5-7(all), 12:30, 13:3-9, 13:18-23, 14:13-21, 15:32-39, 18:12-14, 28:18-20; Mark 2:15-17; Luke 10:2; John 4:34-38, 6:1-14, 9:4-5, 21:10; Acts 4:31, 6:1-4, 8(all), 13:2-3, 16:13-14, 17:17, 18:24-26, 21:8, 24:12; Romans 1:5, 10:14-15; Colossians 1:28-29, 2:28-29, 4:5-6; 1 Thessalonians 2:3-8; 2 Timothy 1:8-11, 4:5; Hebrews 12:15; 1 Peter 3:15-16; 1 John 4:4-6; Revelation 7:1-8, 11(all), 14:6-8.

Pastor:
Old Testament: Genesis 4:2, 30:31-36; Exodus 3:1; Numbers 27:17; 2 Samuel 5:2; 1 Chronicles 11:2; Isaiah (all), 17:4-6, 48(all), 58(all); Jeremiah (all) 3:6-19; Ezekiel (all) 34(all); Micah 7:14.

New Testament: Matthew 9:36, 24:24-51, 25:32, 26:31; Mark 6:34; Luke 2:8-20, 12:32; John 10:2-16, 21:15-17; Acts 14:23, 20:17-35; 1 Corinthians 9:7; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Timothy 2:12-15, 3:1-7, 4:14, 5:17-20; 2 Timothy 4:1-4; Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 13:20; James 5:14-16; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Jude 1:12-16; Revelation 2:27, 7:17, 12:5, 19:15.

Teacher:
Old Testament: Psalms 39; Amos 8:11.

New Testament: Matthew 24:45-51; John 7:17-18; Acts 4:13,31, 8:30-31, 18:24-26; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:6-8; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 1 Timothy 2:12-15, 4:13-16, 5:17,21, 6:1-2,17-19; 2 Timothy 2:2, 3:16-17; Titus 2:1-15, 3:8; James 3:1.