The word of God from the prophet Haggai proclaimed, “from the day that the foundation of the LORD’s temple was laid—consider it: Is the seed still in the barn? As yet the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yielded fruit. But from this day I will bless” (Haggai 2:18-19). The foundation is the LORD, His apostles and His prophets, “for no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:10). “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord” (Ephesians 2:19-21). The LORD Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone and the apostles and prophets the foundation of the temple in the LORD.

That revelation gives new meaning to the writings of Paul on the subject of ministries that Jesus gave to the Church. “And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:28 NIV). The foundation is laid first. “And truly He gave some to be apostles, and some to be prophets, and some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12 MKJV). The foundation is laid and then the building begins. We are now in a time not unlike the days of Haggai the prophet; a new temple is being built but not with the hands of mankind. The LORD is building a temple of true believers.

Are the lists of ministries an order of government in the Church? “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’ Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever” (1 Peter 4:8-11).

I exhort the elders who are among you, I being also an elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed. Feed the flock of God among you, taking the oversight, not by compulsion, but willingly; nor for base gain, but readily; nor as lording it over those allotted to you by God, but becoming examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a never-fading crown of glory. Likewise, younger ones, be subject to older ones, and all being subject to one another. Put on humility. For God resists proud ones, but He gives grace to the humble. Therefore be humbled under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your anxiety onto Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:1-7 MKJV).

If by order of government one is talking about the order of God, to be a leader is to be a servant, then the listing of ministries is an order of government. If by order of government one is talking about the order of mankind, to be a leader is to lord (as a man defines lord) it over one another, then listing of ministries is NOT an order of government. “Jesus said, ‘You know that the rulers of the nations exercise lordship over them, and the great ones exercise authority over them. But it will not be so among you. But whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant'” (Matthew 20:25-26 LITV).

Let’s look again at the writing of Paul, “And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:28 NIV). In the building of the temple, God is establishing first the foundation (apostles and prophets). In that Paul wrote apostles as first, he is not referring to the prophets of the old covenant, but the prophets that are applied to the foundation with the apostles in th new covenant. God is building a new covenant temple.

In the letter to Corinth Paul then wrote, “third teachers,” starting to build upon the foundation. Is that in contradiction to, “He gave some to be apostles, and some to be prophets, and some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12 MKJV). NO! Paul includes evangelists and pastors in the category of teachers being built (and/or workers building) on the foundation. Does that mean that we no longer need apostles and prophets? What would happen to a building if you removed the foundation? But once the foundation is laid, does it need to be built again? But if a building is to be expanded, a foundation is needed for the new portion of the building.

“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Gentile)” (Romans 1:16 MKJV). The new temple of God is not reserved for only the Israelite, but is a dwelling place for all believers. Would it not stand to reason that God is preparing a place for every believer? Is not the new temple a work in process? “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands (Revelation 7:9). “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14).

God, by the voice of Haggai, proclaimed, “from the day that the foundation of the LORD’s temple was laid—consider it: Is the seed still in the barn? As yet the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yielded fruit. But from this day I will bless” (Haggai 2:18-19). From the day the building of the foundation begins, God will begin (has begun) blessing. The seed is still in the barn – the apostle has not yet been sent and evangelist has not yet gone out to sow the seed. The vine has not yet yielded its fruit – the Church has not yet fully accepted Jesus into its heart. The fig tree has not yet yielded fruit – the Church is not yet matured. The pomegranate has not yet yielded fruit – the bride of Christ (the Church) has not yet put on her ornaments (the number of the members of the Body has not yet been fulfilled). “‘As I live,’ says the LORD, ‘You shall surely clothe yourselves with them all as an ornament, and bind them on you as a bride does'” (Isaiah 49:18). The olive tree has not yet yielded its fruit – the Church is not yet moving in the full power of the Holy Spirit. But from the day we take up to build God’s house, to lay the foundation of apostles and prophets (with Jesus as the Chief Cornerstone), God will bless.

© 2006, Tim D. Coulter Sr.