jeremiah1five
Active Member
In Scripture, the Hand of God represents "service [rendered.]" Each digit of the hand represents one of the Five Gift Ministries of the Body of Christ as revealed in Ephesians 4:11-12.
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Ephesians 4:11–12.
These are all five spiritual offices. The thumb represents the apostle; the index or pointing finger represent the prophet; the middle or long finger represents the evangelist; the ring finger represents the pastor, and the little or pinky finger represents the teacher.
Without the [opposable] thumb (apostle) the rest of the fingers or ministries of the hand cannot operate/function correctly. Many understand the "apostle" as "someone who preaches the gospel" but that is an over-simplification of this ministry. The Greek word for "apostle" ("apostolos") means "commissioned." But "commissioned" to do what? That depends. We all are in some ways are commissioned by God to "do" something in the body of Christ. It does not always mean "to preach the gospel." Being a doorman or "usher" is a ministry before the Lord. This is a "commission." Or, to serve in the food pantry (for larger fellowships) is a "commission." No work for the Lord is too small or insignificant.
The prophet or pointing finger points the way to God. They do two things. They fore-tell and they forth-tell.
The middle or long finger is the evangelist. They "reach" out to others in the body of Christ and, for lack of a better word at this time, "excite" brethren to "do" for their Lord. They are not always focused on "preaching the gospel."
The ring finger is the pastor for he/she is married to the flock.
The little or pinky finger is the teacher for he brings balance to the hand of the other four ministries.
These five ministries are given to and for the body of Christ. They are not meant for the world of unsaved, unbelieving people. As verse twelve states:
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Ephesians 4:12.
We are commanded to not give that which is holy to dogs; nor to cast our pearls to swine.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Matthew 5:15.
Those in the "house" are the household of God [believers.]
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Ephesians 4:11–12.
These are all five spiritual offices. The thumb represents the apostle; the index or pointing finger represent the prophet; the middle or long finger represents the evangelist; the ring finger represents the pastor, and the little or pinky finger represents the teacher.
Without the [opposable] thumb (apostle) the rest of the fingers or ministries of the hand cannot operate/function correctly. Many understand the "apostle" as "someone who preaches the gospel" but that is an over-simplification of this ministry. The Greek word for "apostle" ("apostolos") means "commissioned." But "commissioned" to do what? That depends. We all are in some ways are commissioned by God to "do" something in the body of Christ. It does not always mean "to preach the gospel." Being a doorman or "usher" is a ministry before the Lord. This is a "commission." Or, to serve in the food pantry (for larger fellowships) is a "commission." No work for the Lord is too small or insignificant.
The prophet or pointing finger points the way to God. They do two things. They fore-tell and they forth-tell.
The middle or long finger is the evangelist. They "reach" out to others in the body of Christ and, for lack of a better word at this time, "excite" brethren to "do" for their Lord. They are not always focused on "preaching the gospel."
The ring finger is the pastor for he/she is married to the flock.
The little or pinky finger is the teacher for he brings balance to the hand of the other four ministries.
These five ministries are given to and for the body of Christ. They are not meant for the world of unsaved, unbelieving people. As verse twelve states:
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Ephesians 4:12.
We are commanded to not give that which is holy to dogs; nor to cast our pearls to swine.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Matthew 5:15.
Those in the "house" are the household of God [believers.]
