Our Redemption “in Christ” Detailed to the Ephesians Volume 36

Paul declares some of the Spiritual Gifts given to Believers by our Lord Jesus Christ Part 2

Ephesians 4:9-11 (Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; KJV

Here begins one of the most, if not the most difficult passage of Scripture penned by this great Apostle Paul to be interpreted. There are many men and women living today (and in the past) that use this verse to declare that our Lord Jesus Christ’s Spirit descended down into the center of the earth (where many suppose Hell or Hades is located) and He waged war with the fallen angels and there defeated them. I do not by any means consider myself to be anything, but I only desire to declare what I find in the totality of all of Paul’s writings and all the Scripture, therefore, it appears to me that this assessment or this exposition or expounding of the Scripture is not accurate based solely on what was written for us in the following passages of Scripture, beginning with what Paul declared to the Colossian believers that we have already documented in one of the last two studies when he said, “[God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display {and} public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him {and} in it [the Cross].” (Colossians 2:15). We see then that it was Christ death on the Cross that defeated Satan and his principalities and powers, not His Spirit descending down into Hell to fight against them there.

Next we must remember, recall, and recollect what our Lord Jesus Christ said as He died on Calvary, “And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into Your Hands I commit My Spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last.” (Luke 23:46). This shows us clearly that our Lord Jesus Christ’s Spirit did not go down into Hell or Hades. Also we see this being Prophesied by King David long before our Lord Jesus was upon the earth when he said, “For You will not abandon Me to Sheol (the place of the dead), neither will You suffer Your holy one [Holy One] to see corruption.” (Psalm 16:10). It is clear and certain (according to the first part of this Scripture) that our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ did not wage war against principalities and powers in Hell or Hades and also we see the Prophesy of His Bodily Resurrection from the last part of this Psalm because every human body that dies begins its decay, disintegration, and decomposition after the third day and we know that our Lord Jesus rose from the grave on the third day fulfilling this Prophesy of King David’s here.

Well then what is it that the Apostle Paul means by “He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?” (Ephesians 4:9). This I believe the Apostle refers to our Lord Jesus Christ humbling Himself while He was sitting on His Throne in Heaven and submitting Himself to the Father’s plan of redemption and descending into the earth to become a human being (a Man), His Incarnation as we can clearly see from the following passages of Scripture documented for us by the Apostle John, “No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man.” (John 3:13), and “He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.” (John 3:31) and “For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.” (John 6:33) and “And He was saying to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world.’” (John 8:23). Could it not be any clearer now to us that the Apostle Paul declares Christ descending to mean His becoming essentially what He Himself had created which is mind boggling and incredible, but it was necessary for our redemption as Paul declared with these words to the Hebrews, “Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.” (Hebrews 2:14-15).

Christ while “in Heaven” was just as the Father and the Spirit invisible, but when He descended into the earth (at His Incarnation, putting on or clothing Himself in a human body) He forever became the visible representation of the God-Head or Triune God, then after allowing His physical body to be crucified and die, His Body then was placed into a tomb for three days and three nights as our Lord Jesus Himself would declare as documented for us by the Apostle Matthew, “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:40). Jonas body was three days and nights in the whale’s belly just as our Lord Jesus’ Body was three days and nights in the tomb, not in Hell or Hades. Then He returned into His Human Body that is now been transformed into an Eternal Glorified Body (as He is now in Heaven and will forever be), then after 40 days He then ascended back to Heaven where He had left except now in a Glorified Human Body. He is God, but now uniquely (only Him, not the Father or the Spirit) in a Glorified Human Body and thus He can be anywhere and everywhere in His created universes as He pleases and His Eternal Glorified Body does not prohibit this.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the One who ordains offices and the men who fill said offices in His True Church. No man that has not been supernaturally ordained of our Lord Jesus Christ belongs in any office in any Church bearing Christ Name. The list that the Apostle Paul gives us here “He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;” (Ephesians 4:11) is but a partial list of the vast gifts to redeemed men and women in His Body (the Church). The English word apostle Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word apostolos meaning a delegate; specifically an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (apostle), (with miraculous powers): - apostle, messenger, he that is sent. There are no Apostle’s today that are equal to these first ones ordained by our Lord Jesus Christ because none today have seen the risen Christ, even these first Apostle’s did not see the Glorified Lord Jesus except the Apostle John who when he saw Him fell at His feet as dead (Revelation 1:17). However, everyone “born of the Holy Spirit” is an Apostle or sent one because we are also ambassadors for Christ in the world in every generation.

The English word prophet Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word prophetes meaning a foreteller (prophet); by analogy an inspired speaker; by extension a poet: - prophet. At the beginning of the Church of God, there was no New Testament Scripture put together yet, so our Lord Jesus ordained some men to this office in order that He would speak to them (John 16:12) and document for Him what we now have today in our hands the New Testament Scripture forever settled in Heaven. There is no prophet today as it was then at the beginning of the Church foretelling future revelations from God, but there are prophets or inspired speakers that today exegete and expound the entire Old and New Testament to other believers. The English word evangelist Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word euaggelistes meaning to announce good news (evangelize) especially the Gospel: - declare good tidings, preach (the Gospel); usually a person who travels from place to place to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. This office today is exactly as it was in the beginning of the Church.

The English word pastor Paul uses is translated by the Greek word poimen meaning a shepherd (literally or figuratively): - shepherd, pastor. Just as a literal shepherd of sheep would tend, take care of, or look after his sheep to keep them from being injured or killed by wolves or bears or any other wild animal, in the same manner, the pastor takes care of the sheep of our Lord Jesus Christ protecting them from spiritual wolves that would ruin or shipwreck their faith “in Christ” as the Apostle Peter exhorted the pastors to do with these words, “Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” (1 Peter 5:1-4). The pastor is the under shepherd to Christ Jesus our Lord who is the Chief Shepherd. The English word teacher Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word didaskalos meaning an instructor (generally or specifically): (to learn); to teach (in the same broad application): - teach. The teacher then and now was ordained by our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ (who was and is the Master Teacher) to exposit, elaborate, and expound the Word of God. In other words, to clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing as we find the Apostle Paul continually and constantly doing in all of his letters to the believers correcting them, instructing them, and making clear to them what the “will of God” truly is in every matter as our Lord Jesus did on every occasion Mark 4:1; Mark 6:2, Mark 8:31, etc..

My own Personal Note: “The Lord Jesus Christ knew that many people (primarily religious people) had misinterpreted the Messiah’s coming, which was clearly prophesied by the prophets and in the Psalms. Their religious zeal had so blinded them that many households were divided because of the numerous sects that had arisen over the years from the false teachings of men. Two of the largest sects in Jesus’ day, for instance, were the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the body whereas the Sadducees said there was no such thing as the resurrection of the body. As you might imagine, this issue split many a household and caused much venomous discord to flow throughout the land. Therefore, God appointed one man, John the Baptist, to stand in the gap and introduce this dramatic new way. John pointed members of every sect to the One who was coming to restore all things to Him.” Excerpt from my Book entitled, “Silent Assassins of the Soul: Finding Freedom from Sexual Impurity through the Lord Jesus Christ, A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs”

“Apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, are the gifts of the risen Christ to His Church. There should be no rivalry among them. Each has his own work to do, as each wheel in a watch has its special function. None can do the work of another, and none should try to do it. The Apostles laid the foundations of the City of God, and the work of each is represented by a different stone. The pastor prepares the ground and sows the seed for the harvest which the evangelist reaps; but God will proportion the reward between them. The teacher is as much needed as the evangelist, but neither is so essential as God, who giveth the increase. Without that all labor would be in vain.” F. B. Meyer

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…