Abstract This paper discusses the ministry gifts listed in Ephesians 4:11-16, analyzing the text closely in the context of the entire epistle. The writer describes the historical background and context of the letter to the Ephesians, and the evidence proving Paul to be its author. Definitions are provided for the five gifts, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, and different interpretations of the passage are discussed as well. The writer discusses how the passage applies to the church today, and concludes that Paul's teaching would make an excellent church growth seminar with the three points, position, train, and act, in mind.
From the Paper "A very convincing discovery leads one to believe Ephesians is of Pauline authorship: the discovery of "Papyrus 46" or P46. It is one of the oldest New Testament manuscripts known to exist. P46 probably originally was discovered in the ruins of an early Christian Church or Monastery. It contains the last eight chapters of Romans, all of Hebrews, most of 1 and 2 Corinthians, all of Ephesians, all of Galatians, all of Philippians, all of Colossians, and two chapters of 1Thessalonians. It is thought to be of one author. In an article written for Biblica, Y.K. Kim, dates this papyrus at C 80."
