7.3 Biblical foundation

7.3.1 Old Testament references
From the perspective of the New Testament, the ministry—in the present-day
sense—was only established by Jesus Christ, however, there are already refer-
281

7 Ministry
ences to the ministry of the New Testament in the old covenant: in the king,
in the priest, and in the prophet. However, this does not mean to say that all
kings in Israel bore a spiritual ministry. Rather, the references to ministry can
be seen in the example of outstanding persons in the history of salvation:
(cid:129) David represents the chosen and anointed king—his significance for salva-
tion history also becomes evident in the fact that Jesus is described as the
“Son of David” (Matthew 21: 9).
(cid:129) Melchizedek represents the priest who imparts the blessing of God
(Genesis 14: 18–19).
(cid:129) Moses stands for the prophet (Deuteronomy 18: 15) who proclaims the
divine will by giving the law to the people at the instruction of God.
In the light of the New Testament, these ministries are understood as
references to the coming, “higher ministry” which Jesus Christ bears.
The central ministry in the Old Testament is that of the priest. The arche-
type of priestly service and of the high priestly ministry is Melchizedek. He
blessed Abraham and received offerings from him (Psalm 110: 4). As the one
who blesses He stands above the one being blessed—in his function, the priest
thus stands above the patriarch of faith.
All of Israel had been called by God as a “kingdom of priests” (Exodus
19: 6). Nevertheless, God only set aside one tribe—the tribe of Levi—for service
in the temple, and only a portion of the tribe of Levi—namely the Aaronic
priesthood—was assigned the sacrificial service.
Looking back on the priestly ministry from the perspective of the epistle
to the Hebrews, we read that one of the tasks of the priests consisted of pre-
paring the people for the arrival of the Messiah, the coming of Jesus Christ,
as the true High Priest (see 3.4.7.2).
282

7.3.2 Foundation of the ministry in the New Testament
The ministry of the Old Testament was already an allusion to Jesus Christ.
Everything that had been laid down in the ministry of the Old Testament is
reflected in Him: He is King, Priest, and Prophet.
By His divine authority, He, the Elect of God, elected twelve Apostles. He
authorised, blessed, and sanctified them for their service to the gospel. It was
to them that He entrusted the administration of the sacraments. In this man-
ner, His sacrifice of redemption can be made accessible to human beings
(Matthew 28: 19–20).
The great significance that Jesus Christ accorded His Apostles is demon-
strated by His conduct just before His suffering and death: He spoke to them,
gave them the promise of His return, and interceded for them in His interces-
sory prayer: “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the
world” (John 17: 18). The Risen One gave His Apostles the authority to for-
give sins and once again closely linked His sending with theirs: “As the Father
has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20: 21–23).
While the sending of Jesus Christ was aimed at effecting redemption
through His death and resurrection, the sending of the Apostles is intended
to make this merit of Christ and the fullness of salvation accessible to man-
kind.
As the ministry of the old covenant had been given to prepare the people
for the appearing of the promised Messiah, so it is the primary task of the
New Testament’s ministry to prepare believers for the return of their Lord.
SUMMARY
The spiritual ministry is based on the sending of Jesus Christ by the Father.
(7.2)
Through the calling and sending of the Apostles, Jesus instituted the ministry
for His church. (7.2)
283

7 Ministry
Holy Scripture provides abundant references to the content and nature of
ministry: in the old covenant there was the ministry of the king, the priest,
and the prophet. Everything that was already laid out in the Old Testament
ministry is reflected in Jesus Christ: He is King, Priest, and Prophet. (7.3.1)
By His divine authority Jesus elected the twelve Apostles and authorised,
blessed, and sanctified them for service to the gospel. The sending of the
Apostles makes the fullness of salvation in Jesus Christ accessible to mankind.
(7.3.2)