Need Help. What's a 'five fold' ministry? (testimony, scripture, praying)
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of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Eph 4:11-13)
In the letter to the Ephesians the apostle Paul describes the kind of leaders God has provided for His church for it to attain maturity and Christ-likeness, becoming the spotless Bride of Jesus. In this passage Paul lists five offices that are referred to as the five-fold ministry: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers. Many Christian leaders have taken this verse out of context and elevated these five roles above their rightful place. They emphasize the importance of these offices in a local church – which is certainly true – but often serve their own interests, need for power and recognition, denying others – the “laity” – any kind of involvement in church government. Others discard the verse altogether, claiming that Paul is speaking in the apostolic age which has long passed, so that his words are not relevant to us at all any more.
It is therefore of uttermost importance to get a biblical understanding of the five-fold ministry, so that our churches will be healthy and functioning according to the will and plan of God. But while we will focus on these five, we must not forget that Paul is not giving us an exhaustive list. In 1.Corinthians 12:28, he is saying, in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Only three of the five in Ephesians are repeated here again, while Paul adds other kind of people and functions. Surely would we not equate an apostle with an administrator, yet both are in the same list, and there is no reason to assume a hierarchy, or that one function has more value than another. On the contrary, those who speak the Word of God, who preach and teach, which is all part of the five-fold ministry, are held to higher accountability, and their goal is not to serve themselves, but the flock of God, so that they would attain all the fullness in Christ (see Eph 4:12-13). With the visibility comes the responsibility, and with the responsibility the higher accountability. God has set His leaders in place for His church to function, and those truly called into these places will have been tested and proven, having gone through the fire of preparation, and they display true humility and Christ-likeness, not desiring a position, but wanting to serve their King any way He wants them to.
While there are many different ideas in the body of Christ today about each one of these five offices or functions, the remainder of this paper seeks to present a biblical viewpoint of each one of them.
2. Apostles Govern
“When it comes to a study of the five-fold ministry in the New Testament, prophets are mentioned a few times, the evangelist is specifically mentioned a couple of times, pastors and teachers are referred to occasionally, but apostles are mentioned often.”
(Scheidler 2001:97)
And yet, apostleship is the most misunderstood of all of them. How can that be? Over the centuries, the term “apostle” disappeared from word usage, until a recent new awakening of interest over the past two decades. That does not mean that apostles did not exist – they were often called “missionaries” or “pastors” – yet the dispensational belief that the Holy Spirit had stopped moving with the end of the apostolic age, also meant that all apostles had to have disappeared. Today, many are trying to get a biblical understanding of what an apostle is supposed to look like in our day, in the course of their pursuit to restore the church to the normative of the first century. Unfortunately the result has often been an unhealthy elevation of the office of an “apostle” which is feeding into people’s need for power and recognition, and an abuse that seems to justify dispensational concerns of apostleship being unscriptural today. However, their theological concern results from a lack of distinction between the first twelve apostles and the office of an apostle. They overlook the many other apostles listed in the book of Acts as well as the Epistles. And those in favor of apostleship yet abusing it seem to have overlooked that Paul calls himself a servant and a father, and that he paid a price none of them would be willing to pay:
Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. (2.Cor 11:23-28)
Jim Goll (2001:290) defines an apostle as “one called and sent by Christ to have the spiritual authority, character, gifts and abilities to reach and establish people in Kingdom truth and order, especially through founding and overseeing local churches.” An apostle has “a burden to build something that didn’t exist before” (Kim Terrell 2002:17). They lay the foundation of new local churches and see to it that they come into full maturity. That is the church that person will be the apostle to – which means he/she will not have any authority as an apostle in other churches, which is what many today claim. Paul himself wrote to the Corinthians, Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord (1.Corinthians 9:2).
Apostles have a burden to ground their church in solid biblical teaching, an example of which we can see in Acts 11, when Paul and Barnabas spent two years at Antioch, teaching and equipping them. Apostles have the desire to train and raise up church leaders who will come into full maturity in the church, to release them, and then move on to plant another church. Making themselves “redundant” is their greatest reward, as they father their spiritual children into adulthood.
Let us remove the mysticism from the term “apostle”, seeing it for what it really is. Dick Iverson (Scheidler 2001:205) states in an interview, “But no, you don't find “Apostle” written in large letters on my door. I would rather say that I do apostolic work. It isn’t just a title, it’s work, W-O-R-K.”
3. Prophets Guide
“A man or woman who represents the interests of God to the people. Having stood in the council of God, the prophet releases a clarion call to the people of what is in God's heart at the moment.” (Goll 2001:294)
Prophets reveal God's heart to His people, giving guidance to individuals and the body, giving revelation, as well as often interpretation, application and timing. We see several examples in the book of Acts, e.g. Philip’s daughters and Agabus. In Acts 21, Agabus is a good example of where prophecy can be rightly interpreted, yet applied wrongly, as Paul was urged not to go to Jerusalem, escaping the predictive prophecy of his fate. In this case, we see prophecy as fore-telling, yet it is also forth-telling which is often neglected by those who run after prophetic words. With the new acceptance and recognition of the office of a prophet over the past twenty years, believers turning them to them as fortune-tellers has become a real problem that has driven many to the total rejection of prophets. God has established prophets in His church, and we will not be complete if we reject their ministry out of fear. Many pastors live in fear of prophets, feeling threatened by what they might say to the church or to himself, and at times rightly so since too many prophetic people exalt themselves and the words they speak instead of being humble servants to the body, allowing leadership to weigh their words and judge them as commanded by Scripture.
4. Evangelists Gather
An evangelist carries a great burden for those who are not a part of the kingdom of God yet, and an anointing to preach the gospel to them that comes with great conviction and draws them to the Lord. They will often have signs and wonders following them to confirm their message.
The prime example of an evangelist in the New Testament is Philip. He was one of the men chosen to serve the widows in Acts 6, and he is the only one specifically called an evangelist (Acts 21:8). In Acts 8 he obeys the Holy Spirit and brings the Ethiopian eunuch to a believing knowledge of Christ.
“Evangelists create converts, while apostles create disciples” (Kim Terrell 2002:22). Their foremost desire is to see people come into the kingdom, then leaving the discipling to others. They love teaching others how to win people, and never feel like they are actually doing enough and accomplishing their task. While they are grieved to see believers’ indifference regarding the lost, they do have an anointing to impart God's broken heart to the body. Evangelists are absolutely crucial for numeric growth in the local church and the kingdom of God.
5. Pastors Guard
The pastor is the heart of the church. He is a shepherd who deeply cares for his sheep, ready to lie down everything for them. He wants them to be fed, to grow, to be equipped, to develop their giftings and step into the calling of God for them. In the local church they are the bridge between the different offices and functions, listening to all sides and restoring calm and order where necessary. Jesus, the supreme Shepherd, taught a lot about shepherding and the sheep, giving us a great example of what a pastor should look like. The pastor’s greatest concern is always the well-being of his sheep and his body, not only bringing training, but correction and protection where necessary.
The office of the pastor is the one most recognized today of all five. Because of a lack of understanding of the other four, those called by God to these other offices have often had to become pastors, therefore filling shoes that were not theirs, and creating tension in their churches because they could not meet their sheep’s need. It is time for the church to allow evangelists, teachers, apostles and prophets to be what they are called to be and take their rightful place in the church.
6. Teachers Ground
Teachers teach and edify the church, imparting divine life and anointing to their listeners who become more hungry for the Word of God, as the teacher illumines Scripture and brings forth truth never seen by their listeners before. While prophets reveal the heart of God, teachers reveal His mind. Prophets and teachers balance each other in the church, which can also create a tension. Prophets have revelation of hidden things in the future, while teachers of the hidden things in the Word. Teachers reveal the specifics of the revealed truth, while prophets reveal the spectrum. While prophets possess foresight, teachers have insight. While prophets are risk takers, teachers move by understanding and are planners.[1] And the list could go on. Teachers are very essential in the body of Christ, to give the sheep a good foundation of the word of God – something many charismatic churches seem to lack today. How come there are so many excellent teachers in non-charismatic churches, yet too many charismatic churches focus so much on the Spirit that they neglect the Scriptures?
7. Conclusion
The Lord has called some to be apostles, some as prophets, some evangelists, some teachers and some pastors. Today, He is restoring a biblical understanding of what these roles and callings mean, so that His bride can come into the fullness of what He has for her, getting ready for her Bridegroom’s glorious return. The church has come a long way over the past few decades, even though there is still a lot of wrong conceptions and rejection due to abuse prevalent in His body. However, apostles, prophets, evangelists and teachers start taking their rightful places, having been proven and tested, as humble servants to bring the body into maturity. Yet Conner (1982:137) gives us an important warning we must heed, “Churches who accept and recognize the fivefold ascension gift ministries need to beware that these fivefold ministries do not become a ‘priestcraft’ which rob the believer of his priestly worship, and responsibilities before God.” Having all five offices in place in a church does not mean the congregation is free from all work and responsibilities, on the contrary. They will find themselves in a place of growth and equipping that nobody had ever dreamed possibility. Only when the church on this earth becomes what its Head meant her to be, with all offices in place, will we truly come into full maturity and have the ability to fulfill the commission our Master gave us, to make disciples of all nations, doing the same works He did, and even greater.
8. References
Conner, Kevin J., The Church in the New Testament, City Bible Publishing: Portland, OR 1982
Goll, Jim, The Coming Prophetic Revolution, Chosen Books: Grand Rapids, MI 2001
Scheidler, Bill, with Dick Iverson, Apostles. The Fathering Servant, City Bible Publishing: Portland, OR 2001
Terrell, Kim, The Call of a Prophet, Class at the Forerunner School of Prayer in Kansas City, Fall Trimester 2002
[1] I’m indebted to Kim Terrell’s class for these comparisons.
Answer: The concept of the five-fold ministry comes from Ephesians 4:11, "It was he who gave some to be (1) apostles, some to be (2) prophets, some to be (3) evangelists, and some to be (4) pastors and (5) teachers." Primarily as a result of this verse, some believe God has restored, or is restoring, the offices of apostles and prophet in the church today. Ephesians 4:12-13 tells us that the purpose of the five-fold ministry is, "to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." So, since the body of Christ definitely is not built up to unity in the faith and has not attained to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ, the thinking goes, the offices of apostle and prophet must still be in effect.
However, Ephesians 2:20 informs us that the church is, "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone." If the apostles and prophets were the foundation of the church, are we still building the foundation? Hebrews 6:1-3 encourages us to move on from the foundation. Although Jesus Christ is most definitely active in the church today, His role as the cornerstone of the church was completed with His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. If the work of the cornerstone is, in that sense, complete, so must the work of the apostles and prophets, who were the foundation, be complete.
What was the role of the apostles and prophets? It was to proclaim God's revelation, to teach the new truth the church would need to grow and thrive. The apostles and prophets completed this mission. How? By giving us the Word of God. The Word of God is the completed revelation of God. The Bible contains everything the church needs to know to grow, thrive, and fulfill God's mission (2 Timothy 3:15-16). The cornerstone work of the apostles and prophets is complete. The ongoing work of the apostles and prophets is manifested in the Holy Spirit speaking through and teaching us God's Word. In that sense, the five-fold ministry is still active.
I think it's very dangerous when someone is in a position of authority but doesn't recognize that they also have someone that holds a position of authority over them.
I've been Baptist basically my whole life. I have a feeling, that's about to change. Not because I don't agree with most of the Baptist theology, but because there doesn't seem to be an adequate means to hold pastors accountable.
<Not going there....just stop Alpha!!>
I've heard pastors say "I don't care what the world says, the convention says, the pastor up the road say, this is the way it is and nothing's gonna change it" To the issue of not coming under anyone's authority they would say "I'm under God's authority and that's all the authority I need."
I think that's very dangerous.
I've seen too many Baptist churches that look like little dictatorships, ya know?
There's no process to rebuke or correct. And when it comes from the fellowship, you're divisive, a dissenter, and 'the devil in our midst', trust me, can't you see my horns?
Sounds like to peas in a pod!
When we do leave our church, we will go to another Baptist church...only because for what our options are here, the Baptist church in which I am speaking of is our best choice. I have been there a few times BY MYSELF over the last couple of months, and I absolutely LOVE IT! However, once we move from here and have more choices, I will probably look for a non-denominational church. I don't think Christ and/or His followers belonged to any denomination...why should we? As long as it is Bible based and the basic doctrine of Christ is the foundation, then that's good enough for me. I'm tired of the extra doctrine that some of the Baptists seem to push on people. However, I won't hold myself to ONLY a non-denominational church, I will go where I feel God leads.
However, Ephesians 2:20 informs us that the church is, "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone." If the apostles and prophets were the foundation of the church, are we still building the foundation? Hebrews 6:1-3 encourages us to move on from the foundation. Although Jesus Christ is most definitely active in the church today, His role as the cornerstone of the church was completed with His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. If the work of the cornerstone is, in that sense, complete, so must the work of the apostles and prophets, who were the foundation, be complete.
What was the role of the apostles and prophets? It was to proclaim God's revelation, to teach the new truth the church would need to grow and thrive. The apostles and prophets completed this mission. How? By giving us the Word of God. The Word of God is the completed revelation of God. The Bible contains everything the church needs to know to grow, thrive, and fulfill God's mission (2 Timothy 3:15-16). The cornerstone work of the apostles and prophets is complete. The ongoing work of the apostles and prophets is manifested in the Holy Spirit speaking through and teaching us God's Word. In that sense, the five-fold ministry is still active.
Good info, ywhw and kawg. I found these last paragraphs very interesting. The last sentences, IMO, pretty much sums it up.
I know there are folks who say things like the some of the charismatic beliefs are no longer in existence (tongues, healing, etc) and others that say they are.
I'm just really trying to figure out:
1-What a fivefold ministry is?
2-Is it biblical?
3-What does a fivefold church look like?
4-Where in the world does the Lord want me in church?
I want to find a true New Testament church, ya know?
I want to go to church where Paul would.....
Alpha, you really sound hungry spiritually and I feel as you keep searching and seeking you will find your answers!
God bless!
Jean
Good info, ywhw and kawg. I found these last paragraphs very interesting. The last sentences, IMO, pretty much sums it up.
I read over again the points I was referring to....
Quote:
Originally Posted by kawgpz550
However, Ephesians 2:20 informs us that the church is, "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone." If the apostles and prophets were the foundation of the church, are we still building the foundation? Hebrews 6:1-3 encourages us to move on from the foundation. Although Jesus Christ is most definitely active in the church today, His role as the cornerstone of the church was completed with His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. If the work of the cornerstone is, in that sense, complete, so must the work of the apostles and prophets, who were the foundation, be complete.
What was the role of the apostles and prophets? It was to proclaim God's revelation, to teach the new truth the church would need to grow and thrive. The apostles and prophets completed this mission. How? By giving us the Word of God. The Word of God is the completed revelation of God. The Bible contains everything the church needs to know to grow, thrive, and fulfill God's mission (2 Timothy 3:15-16). The cornerstone work of the apostles and prophets is complete. The ongoing work of the apostles and prophets is manifested in the Holy Spirit speaking through and teaching us God's Word. In that sense, the five-fold ministry is still active.
Maybe this gives too much the idea that there is no need for any "divine inspiration" other than the Bible?? Altho I agree that the cornerstone work is accomplished, yet I believe, as I mentioned earlier, in divine inspiration by the Holy Spirit through the Word AND through ... well... divine inspiration!!
Without making complicated assertions... the two of the five that seem to draw the most "definitions" are Apostles and Prophets.
As I stated in an earlier post... my belief is Apostles are no longer here. What has replaced Apostles are disciples. Jesus provided the corner stone and the "Church" is established. DONE....The Church is the Bride of Christ. DONE Denomination do fall under the Church/Bride of Christ theology... there were different churches that served different populations/areas in the early church (relevancy) but those that claim to be Apostles/prophets and have "new" information are false. The Cannon of scripture is closed. DONE Let me explain... Since Jesus established the Church and sent his apostles out to build/edify/guide the early church ... that work is finished. The Church is forever, an unblemished bride of Jesus. The Church can not be added to or changed from the original.... however it can grow based upon the new covenant. I do not want to get into deep dogmatic discussion... because that generally creates contention. Simply put... the cornerstone is set... and the church can only be built upon that cornerstone. We do not need to "change" or "add" anything to the cornerstone. This makes sense... because in order to have discernment we need "unchanging" knowledge to know what is true and false. This is so important to the five fold ministry.
Prophets and prophecy ..... different. I can be prophetic but I am not a prophet. Let me explain... if you are a Prophet you can not be wrong in your prophecy because it come from God, and God is incapable of error. However, I can be prophetic without God tell me "exactly" what to do/say based on my understanding of scripture or events. Example: prophecy today is done by local bodies about budgets, growth, needs, direction etc. They are not prophets... clearly... but they are allowing the Holy Spirit to guide them. Sometimes they get it wrong... as many of us do. This is modern prophecy.... used everyday. I know when I get home my sons room will be a mess . That's prophecy... it doesn't have to be deeply religious or even about God. That's why in Revelation, we are told there will be "false" prophets and "false" prophecy. Prophets need to be 100% right... prophecy does not, but only if your a prophet.
David Coresh claimed to be a prophet, and look what happened. Jesus claimed to be a prophet and look what happened. See the difference? Important stuff.
Without making complicated assertions... the two of the five that seem to draw the most "definitions" are Apostles and Prophets.
As I stated in an earlier post... my belief is Apostles are no longer here. What has replaced Apostles are disciples. Jesus provided the corner stone and the "Church" is established. DONE....The Church is the Bride of Christ. DONE Denomination do fall under the Church/Bride of Christ theology... there were different churches that served different populations/areas in the early church (relevancy) but those that claim to be Apostles/prophets and have "new" information are false. The Cannon of scripture is closed. DONE Let me explain... Since Jesus established the Church and sent his apostles out to build/edify/guide the early church ... that work is finished. The Church is forever, an unblemished bride of Jesus. The Church can not be added to or changed from the original.... however it can grow based upon the new covenant. I do not want to get into deep dogmatic discussion... because that generally creates contention. Simply put... the cornerstone is set... and the church can only be built upon that cornerstone. We do not need to "change" or "add" anything to the cornerstone. This makes sense... because in order to have discernment we need "unchanging" knowledge to know what is true and false. This is so important to the five fold ministry.
Prophets and prophecy ..... different. I can be prophetic but I am not a prophet. Let me explain... if you are a Prophet you can not be wrong in your prophecy because it come from God, and God is incapable of error. However, I can be prophetic without God tell me "exactly" what to do/say based on my understanding of scripture or events. Example: prophecy today is done by local bodies about budgets, growth, needs, direction etc. They are not prophets... clearly... but they are allowing the Holy Spirit to guide them. Sometimes they get it wrong... as many of us do. This is modern prophecy.... used everyday. I know when I get home my sons room will be a mess . That's prophecy... it doesn't have to be deeply religious or even about God. That's why in Revelation, we are told there will be "false" prophets and "false" prophecy. Prophets need to be 100% right... prophecy does not, but only if your a prophet.
David Coresh claimed to be a prophet, and look what happened. Jesus claimed to be a prophet and look what happened. See the difference? Important stuff.
Thank you Dave, much to ponder and search out here for me.
I'm convinced God is trying to show me something on this subject matter.
Can I ask you a question and, for the sake of offense and/or hurt feelings, if we need to take this discussion offline(DM), I'll submit to your discernment on that.
Having said that, are you of the opinion that when someone (prophet??) stands before a church and says something to the effect of 'seeing' someone with a leg injury that God wants him(the prophet) to pray for right then, that that person is not, in fact, speaking from God?
Everyone hear me, I'm not trying to stir a pot, I'm asking Dave for Dave's opinion, we're all entitled to them.
That's not being prophetic... that's being obedient. We are told how to pray in the Lord's prayer. Maybe I'm not getting it?
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Spiritual hunger
important stuff
... as many of us do. This is modern prophecy.... used everyday. I know when I get home my sons room will be a mess 
. That's prophecy... it doesn't have to be deeply religious or even about God. That's why in Revelation, we are told there will be "false" prophets and "false" prophecy. Prophets need to be 100% right... prophecy does not, but only if your a prophet. 
