The Fullness of Christ: J.H. Yoder – Part III
Posted by Radical Resurgence | Posted in Uncategorized | Posted on 16-01-2012
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4. The Meaning of Ministry In the N.T.
The most striking general trait is what we may call the multiplicity of the ministry. Under this label we gather three distinguishable observations:
– The diversity of distinct ministries; that there are many, and the listing vary.
– Plurality. The fact that in some roles, notably the oversight of some congregations, several brethren together carried the same office.
– The universality of ministry: that “everyone has a gift” is said explicitly in 1 Cor. 7:7. 12:7; Eph. 4:7, and 1 Pet. 4:10, and implicitly in Rom.12:1. Does this multiplicity have a theological meaning? The multiplicity of gifts assigned by the one Lord who fills all is thus itself an aspect of Christ’s saving work and of His rule from on high.
The “fullness of Christ” in Eph.4:13, or the “whole body working properly” of 4:16 is precisely the interrelation of the ministries of 4:11,12 in line with the divine unity of 4:3-6. ”Unity of the faith”, “mature humanity”, and “measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” are not descriptions of a well-rounded Christian personality but of the divinely co-ordinated multiple ministry.