Supererogation

The encounter with the woman at the well in John 4 provides a profound image of this process. Jesus tells her, "Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:14). This moment foreshadows the outpouring of the Spirit into vessels deep enough to contain its abundance. The depth of these vessels is not accidental; it is the result of the principle of supererogation—going beyond what is required to prepare for the Spirit’s dwelling. The five-fold ministry—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—plays a critical role in this process, serving to deepen the wells of spiritual maturity and readiness. These offices do not merely fulfill their basic duties but labor beyond the ordinary, ensuring that the church becomes a vessel vast and robust enough to hold the weight of the Spirit’s movement. This ensures that the church is not shallow or unstable but a suitable vessel for the magnitude of God’s Spirit. In this way, the ministry forms the foundation upon which the eternal spring can flow freely, bringing life and transformation to all who draw near.