In scripture, there are two primary illustrations of training for men and women in ministry...really three when you consider Jesus, which of course, we always should. In the Old Testament, the Bible relates a spiritually significant story of the elder Prophet Elijah , whose mantle of authority and anointing was passed on to his servant, Elisha (2 Kings 2). The mantle was old and worn. It had served Elijah well. It was with him, enduring the cold lonely nights in the wilderness. He had used it to wrap himself when he prayed. The mantle was with Elijah on Mt. Carmel as he confronted a wicked king and backslidden Israel and called down fire from heaven.For years, Elisha shadowed Elijah. They ate together. They traveled together. They prayed together. Elisha witnessed the mighty manifestation of God's power as Elijah ministered in supernatural power and authority.Years later, when he and Elisha stood at the Jordan River, Elijah took the mantle in his hands and struck the river. The waters parted, and they walked together across the river on dry ground. When Elijah's ministry ended and the time came for him to go to the Father, he looked down upon Elisha from the fiery chariot and, in that final fleeting moment, the mantle fell from his shoulders and landed at Elisha's feet. Elisha, with one final glimpse and a heartfelt cry, "My father, my father - the chariots and horsemen of Israel," was parted from his beloved father in the faith.In great anguish, Elisha tore his clothes, ran to where Elijah's mantle had fallen on the ground, and picked it up. He held it in his hands, this symbol of the prophetic anointing of God's Spirit that had rested upon Elijah. When Elisha took up that mantle, it was based upon the prophetic word that he indeed would receive from Elisha a double-portion of his dynamic ministry.From the day that mantle passed into his hands, Elisha ministered in a double-portion anointing.Elisha wrapped the mantle together as he had seen Elijah do and walked to the banks of the Jordan River. The mantle was only a symbol. He knew that his title as Elijah's successor, and the mantle he wore and all it symbolized would be in vain unless the same power and anointing of God's Spirit that was upon Elijah rested upon him. As Elisha struck the mantle upon the waters, he cried out, "Where is the Lord God of Elijah?" and God responded in a demonstration of his power by parting the Jordan River just as he had done for Elijah. In the distance, fifty sons of the prophets saw the demonstration of God's power and declared, "The Spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha!"How many of us have prayed for a double portion. Perhaps you have been prayed for by someone guaranteeing you would receive it, only to be disappointed. Well, we must remember that only Elisha received a double portion. No other incident like this is seen or repeated in scripture, as there was only one parting of the Red Sea, one donkey speaking to a prophet, one Daniel in the lion's den, etc. You may never receive a double portion of another man or woman of God's anointing or gifting, but you can grow and mature in your own, just as Timothy did under Paul's tutelage. The Jesus ModelAs previously mentioned, who can (or should) forget Jesus? Jesus had two primary goals for his ministry; the cross and discipling the next generation once they were empowered by Holy Spirit. In Mark 3: 13-15 we read; "And he went up to the mountain and summoned those whom he himself wanted, and they came to ....
