Five-fold Ministry. . .
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
(Ephesians 4:11-12 KJV)
Meditating and praying this afternoon, about the five-fold ministry, and how to apply it, when it comes to me that I have been quite possibly looking at it upside down.
It has always seemed to me to be a pyramid, working from top down. Few apostles, a few more prophets, yet more evangelists, and pastors, with many teachers making the broad base.
But looking at the Greek definitions of the words:
Apostles; ἀπόστολος apostolos ap-os'-tol-os From G649; a delegate; specifically an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (“apostle”), (with miraculous powers): - apostle, messenger, he that is sent.
Prophets; προφήτης prophētēs prof-ay'-tace From a compound of G4253 and G5346; a foreteller (“prophet”); by analogy an inspired speaker; by extension a poet: - prophet.
Evangelists; εὐαγγελιστής euaggelistēs yoo-ang-ghel-is-tace' From G2097; a preacher of the gospel: - evangelist.
Pastors ποιμήν poimēn poy-mane' Of uncertain affinity; a shepherd (literally or figuratively): - shepherd, pastor.
Tteachers; διδάσκαλος didaskalos did-as'-kal-os From G1321; an instructor (generally or specifically): - doctor, master, teacher.
Apostle - ambassador, he that is sent
Prophet - foreteller, inspired speaker, poet
Evangelist - preacher of the gospel
Pastor - shepherd
Teacher - doctor, master
It comes to me that when looked at in another light, these roles mirror the growth and development of the disciples of Jesus. . .
First apostles. . . the called. Common men, from many walks of life. Not exceptional men, not the elite, not to be exalted for their own knowledge and abilities, but everyday plumbers, carpenters, day laborers, store clerks, waiters.
They sat at the feet of Jesus for more than three years, getting to know Him. Traveling with Him, eating, sleeping in His camp, watching Him, and the ways of His ministry to and love of others. Learning from and of Him, tending to his needs. . . ministering to Him.
After His crucifixion and resurrection the apostles were filled with His Spirit, and became prophets. . . inspired speakers. Peter’s inspired preaching on the day of Pentecost. . . inspiring, foretelling the future, making predictions of promises fulfilled and more promises to come. . .
From there they were dispersed, and carried the Gospel. . .the Good News to the world, thereby becoming evangelists. . . witnesses to Him throughout all the world. . .
And they planted churches. . . became shepherds. . . pastors of those churches. . . leading them in their first steps, feeding them, instructing them. . .
And finally, training up a new generation of leaders. . . instructing, teaching the next generation how to properly conduct themselves, structure their own ministries and to carry on in the Way. . .
They began their calling as apostles. . . they ended as teachers. . .
Much to ponder on and think about here. . . but I believe that my initial view was upside down.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
(Matthew 28:19-20 KJV)
Meditating on this, of all Jesus' various roles, I believe that He spent most of His time as a teacher. . . to be a great apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor. . . I believe that you must be a teacher. . . You must be able to cast your vision, convey your knowledge, your insight, your revelation, the basis of your passion for God, in an understandable and convincing manner.
The same Greek word translated here as 'Master', is translated 'teacher' in Ephesians 4:11
Ye call me Master [teacher] and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master [teacher], have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
(John 13:13-14 KJV)
What seemed at first to be the most humble of the five-fold ministry callings, appears to me to be the highest calling of ministry. . .
I love you my God. . .
Help me be a better teacher. . .
<3
Dave
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