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"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,
pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints."
The order of the apostles was not continued; no successors were appointed who were
called apostles. The evangelist succeeded the apostle, as the teacher succeeded the
prophet. By viewing the four orders of ministry mentioned in Eph. 4: 11 we find that
they are in two pairs, the first possessing miraculous gifts, the second not necessarily so.
A
| Apostles.
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Inspired.
B | Prophets.
/
A | Evangelists.
\
Uninspired.
B | Pastors and Teachers.
/
There is no mention in the Scriptures of any one being called an evangelist after this,
the only one of the four of Eph. 4: 11 that is spoken of as having continuance is that of
"teacher" (see II Tim. 2: 2).
The work of Timothy was closely allied to the work of the apostle. During Paul's
life-time he was entrusted with responsibility that approached that of the apostle, with the
exception of supernatural powers. Paul, not Timothy, delivers to Satan, but Timothy
exercises a fulness of uninspired powers in the church. At the apostle's death, Timothy
enters into another phase of his ministry, the work of an evangelist; that men are called
evangelists to-day, and that their work is very different from that indicated by Paul to
Timothy only shows that we have used the term loosely.
Preachers, teachers, and ministers to-day do not necessarily take Timothy as their
model. Qualifications are given in detail for the office of bishop (or overseer or elder)
and deacon. These qualifications make no difference whatever to the possession of any
"gift", although Timothy would lay his hands upon them in token of recognition.
It would appear then that we need to distinguish between the three uses to which the
laying on of hands is put, to distinguish between the special work of Timothy in the early
days of the transition, and that of the teachers who should succeed him, and to observe
that the gift of healing has no place whatever in the passages dealt with.
The enquiry into the exercise of healing powers by godly persons can only be safely
conducted upon first hand evidence, and should there be evidence that dead had been
raised, or blind made to see, poisons taken with immunity, and lepers cured by a touch, as
well as less defined sicknesses dispelled, it would approach nearer to the powers
exercised by the early church. We can only be guided by the teaching of the Word. That
binds us. If the Lord, in special circumstances, does go outside the limits of this
dispensation, that must be considered as exceptional and in no wise to be taken as a guide
for ourselves. We trust that you will consider the case of Timothy afresh, and that you
will continually and patiently seek to "try the things that differ".