Grounding Ministry in God's Sovereign Purpose
Grounding Ministry in God's Sovereign Purpose
The concept of grounding ministry in God's sovereign purpose is deeply rooted in biblical teachings and has been a cornerstone of Christian theology, particularly in Protestant, Nonconformist/Puritan, and Baptist/Reformed traditions. At its core, this concept emphasizes that the foundation of Christian ministry is Jesus Christ, and that all ministerial efforts should be directed towards building upon this foundation.
The Apostle Paul's writings provide a significant biblical anchor for this concept. In 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, Paul states, "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon" [2]. Here, Paul identifies himself as a masterbuilder who has laid the foundation, which is Jesus Christ [5, 8]. This foundation is not just any foundation but is specifically Jesus Christ, emphasizing the centrality of Christ in Christian ministry.
The purpose of ministry, according to Ephesians 3:10, is "that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places" [1]. This verse highlights that the ultimate goal of Christian ministry is not just the edification of the church but also the manifestation of God's wisdom to the spiritual realm. The manifold wisdom of God refers to the diverse and multifaceted nature of God's plan of salvation, which is revealed through the church.
In the view of Protestant academics, the goal of ministry is for the whole Christian community to mature in their understanding and experience of the Christian faith, gaining a deeper knowledge of God's Son [3]. This maturity is measured by the standard of Christ himself, with the Spirit's transforming work aimed at making believers fully like Christ. This perspective underscores that ministry is not just about individual salvation but about the corporate growth of the church towards Christlikeness.
John Gill, representing the Baptist/Reformed tradition, interprets 1 Corinthians 3:6 as indicating that while ministers like Paul and Apollos are instrumental in planting and watering, it is God who gives the increase [4]. This highlights the sovereign role of God in the success of ministry, emphasizing that human efforts are secondary to God's divine work. Gill further explains that the foundation laid by ministers is Jesus Christ, and that no other foundation can be laid that will be of any avail [5].
The role of ministers, therefore, is to build upon the foundation of Jesus Christ, with the aim of perfecting the saints and completing the body of Christ [7]. This involves not just the initial conversion of individuals but their ongoing growth and maturity in the faith. As Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist/Puritan commentator, notes, the doctrine of our Saviour and his mediation is the principal doctrine of Christianity, lying at the bottom of all Christian hope and practice [8].
The historical development of this doctrine can be seen in the early Christian church's emphasis on Christ as the cornerstone of the church (Ephesians 2:20) [6]. The understanding that ministry must be grounded in God's sovereign purpose has been a consistent theme throughout Christian history, particularly sharpened during the Reformation era.
Sources
- Ephesians “to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places, -- Ephesians 3:10”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Corinthians 3:10 — According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:13: 4:13 The goal of ministry is for the whole Christian community to understand and experience the Christian faith more deeply and gain a deeper knowledge of God’s Son. In this way, believers will be mature in the Lord (see 1 Cor 2:6; 14:20; Phil 3:15; Col 1:28; 4:12; cp. Heb 5:14; Jas 1:4; 3:2). The standard of maturity is Christ himself; the Spirit’s transforming work is to make people fully like Christ (Rom 8:29).”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 3:6: I have planted,.... That is, ministerially; otherwise the planting of souls in Christ, and the implanting of grace in them, are things purely divine, and peculiar to God, and the power of his grace; but his meaning is, that he was at Corinth, as in other places, the first that preached the Gospel to them; and was an instrument of the conversion of many souls, and of laying the foundation, and of raising and forming a Gospel church state, and of planting them in it; Apollos watered; he followed after, and his ministry was blessed for edification; he was a means”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 3:11: For other foundation can no man lay,.... Men may attempt to lay other foundations than Christ, and build upon them, but to no purpose; they will be of no avail; all besides him are sandy foundations; such as fleshly privileges, a carnal descent, a religious education, an external profession of religion, a man's own righteousness, and the absolute mercy of God; but men ought to lay no other, nor can they, that will be of any advantage to themselves or others: than that which is laid; by Jehovah the Father, both in his eternal counsels and covenant, when he set”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 2:20: And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,.... The prophets of the Old Testament, and the apostles of the New, who agree in laying ministerially the one and only foundation, Jesus Christ; for not the persons of the apostles and prophets, nor their doctrines merely, are here meant; but Christ who is contained in them, and who is the foundation on which the church, and all true believers are built: he is the foundation of the covenant of grace, of all the blessings and promises of it, of faith and hope, of peace, joy, and comfort, of salvation an”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 4:12: For the perfecting of the saints, The chosen ones, whom God has sanctified or set apart for himself in eternal election: the ministry of the word is designed for the completing the number of these in the effectual calling; and for the perfecting of the whole body of the church, by gathering in all that belong to it, and of every particular saint, who is regenerated and sanctified by the Spirit of God: for the best of saints are imperfect; for though there is a perfection in them, as that designs sincerity, in opposition to hypocrisy, and as it may be taken comparat”
- 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 3:11: Here the apostle informs us what foundation he had laid at the bottom of all his labours among them - even Jesus Christ, the chief corner-stone, Eph 2:20. Upon this foundation all the faithful ministers of Christ build. Upon this rock all the Christians found their hopes. Those that build their hopes of heaven on any other foundation build upon the sand. Other foundation can no man lay besides what is laid - even Jesus Christ. Note, The doctrine of our Saviour and his mediation is the principal doctrine of Christianity. It lies at the bottom, and is the fou”