Should Christians follow servants of God or simply follow God directly? Is it biblically right for Christians to pattern themselves after servants of God?
The Holy Scriptures have the answers to all questions, including this one. Apostle Paul described himself as a Father in Christ to the Corinthian Church.
1Co 4:15 (AMPC) After all, though you should have ten thousand teachers (guides to direct you) in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the glad tidings (the Gospel).
And as their Father in Christ, he encouraged them to do the following:
1Co 4:16 (AMPC) So I urge and implore you, be imitators of me.
1Co 11:1 (AMPC) PATTERN YOURSELVES after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah).
He gave similar advice to those in Thessalonica and Philippi.
1Th 1:6 (AMPC) And you [set yourselves to] become imitators of us and [through us] of the Lord Himself, for you welcomed our message in [spite of] much persecution, with joy [inspired] by the Holy Spirit;
Php 3:17 (AMPC) Brethren, together follow my example and observe those who live after the pattern we have set for you.
We see from these verses that it is indeed biblical to pattern ourselves after the servants of God or to imitate their lifestyle as they follow Christ.
Christ Jesus is the ultimate pattern, but He has chosen to give men as Gifts to the His church. These men are given for “the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints” (Eph 4:12, AMPC). One way this happens is for the saints to follow them as they follow Christ or to pattern themselves after these gifts of men or fivefold ministry gifts.
Eph 4:8-11 (AMPC)
8 Therefore it is said, When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive [He led a train of vanquished foes] and He bestowed gifts on men. [Psa 68:18]
11 And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers.
Verse 8 tells you that when Christ ascended, “He bestowed gifts on men”. What were these gifts He bestowed? The answer is in verse 11, “And His gifts were….”
- Apostles (special messengers),
- Prophets (inspired preachers and expounders),
- Evangelists (preachers of the gospel, traveling missionaries),
- Pastors (shepherds of his flock)
- Teachers
Why did he give men these gifts of other men?
The reasons are varied, but generally, “His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church)” (Eph 4:12, AMPC).
How? All the verses above show us how.
Imitate, follow or pattern yourself after God-ordained inspired Gifts of Jesus our Lord.
