Many do not believe that the Five-fold Ministry exists today. Tradition has taught them that Apostles and Prophets are gifts that ended with the early church. The five-ministry gifts are known as the Ascension Gifts. 1Corinthians 12:28 identifies and validates it purposes:
“And God hath set some in the church first apostles, secondarily prophets,
thirdly teachers,after that miracles, then gifts of healings,
helps, governments, diversities of tongues."
The Five-Fold Ministries serve a three-fold purpose: to perfect the saints, equip the saints for the work of the ministry, and to edify the body of Christ. The following are also true pertaining to the Five-Fold:
- Given by Christ to men to further His ministry here on earth.
- Grace (Gk. Charis: measure of influence) is given to empower the born-again believer to carry out the assignment of the office (Cor. 15:10)
- An individual can operate in more than one gift but there is one dominant flowing through them.
Ephesians 4:8-13 identifies and validates the purpose of the Five-Fold. The scriptures describe the functions and not the titles.
Apostle
- Greek, Apostolos: one sent forth, a messenger of God sent with miraculous powers.
- Graced to build churches.
- Graced to build people. (train, equip, mentor)
- Multi-faceted, strong in administration.
- Evangelism
- Imparts gifts
- Stirs up the gifts of God
- Discipleship
- Team ministry
- Sterwardship
- Economic development
- It takes many years to mature and become equipped. Often times, Apostles are the last ones to enter into ministry.
- Manifests God’s power to stir up gifts and to encourage.
- Visionary and globally minded, patient, & longsuffering.
- Wise mastersbuilder (Gk. Aarchiteckton, architect).
- I. Cor. 3:10 Apostles are builders and are given a limited grace to build something. After the foundation is laid, His assignment is over. He must move on to lay another foundation. Jesus was a carpenter, an Architekton, in the natural and the Spirit.
Prophet
- Greek, Prophetes: proclaimed of a divine message, speaks the oracles of God.
- Reveals a fragment of the mind of God to a person or group regarding past, present and future times.
- Carries a mantle of intercession.
- Life as a prophetic message or model of what is to come.
- Imparts, motivates, and stirs up the gifts of God.
- Submits to the Apostle.
- Declares life in dead situations.
- Speaks with conviction, causing hearts to return to God and fathers/son relationship restored.
- Spontaneous, quick, zealous
Evangelist
- Greek, Euangelistes; a messenger of good, preacher of the gospel.
- Gathers the sheep together, many of whom are not presently of the fold.
- Has a burning desire to reach the lost.
- Evangelism, inreach and outreach
- Loves travel and rather be outside of the local church.
- Stirs up gifts, encourages, and want to be part of the revival.
- Often misunderstood as a Prophet because of prophetic gifting that operates through him.
- Make disciples and witnesses.
Pastor
- Greek, Poimen; a shepherd, one who tends hends or flocks.
- Feed, lead, and nurture the flock.
- Has a heart of compassion and is long suffering.
- Man (woman) after God’s heart who knows how to properly interact with people.
- Loves fellowship and invests individual time with the flock.
- Has an anointing that draws the distressed, abused, rejected, neglected, and the unlovable.
- Gathers the flock together in unity.
Teacher
- Greek, Didaskalos, an instructor, doctor or master teacher.
- Expound the scriptures, dissecting word for word.
- Usually explains everything in daily conversations.
- Is grounded in the Word.
- Teaches the fundamentals of the Word and makes it plain so that even the youngest of hearers may learn.
- Loves to go beneath the page to find hidden treasures of the Word.
