Shared from Ps Peter Tan
petertan.org
The fivefold offices (Ephesians 4:11, 12).
1. Apostles:
These are individuals called and sent by God to a nation, tribe or
race to establish churches. Paul was called to the Gentiles whereas
Peter was called to the Jews (Galatians 2:8). They must exercise the
power gifts of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:19; 2 Corinthians 12:12)
and the revelation gifts of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:5).
2. Prophets:
Prophets complement the ministry of an apostle in establishing a
church (Acts 11:27-30; 15:32). They must exercise the revelation
gifts of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:5) and the vocal gifts of the
Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:31, 32; Acts 15:32). New Testament
prophets, unlike Old Testament prophets, do not direct or guide a
church but rather confirm direction or guidance already received by
the church or individual believer.
3. Evangelists:
Evangelists go to places especially where the gospel has never been
preached to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. They work
together with apostles to establish a church (Acts 8:4-25). They must
exercise the power gifts of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:6; 1 Corinthians
12:28, 29 – workers of miracles).
4. Pastors:
These are the shepherds of the local church. In the New Testament
they are known by the ministries of elders and bishops (Acts 14:23).
Bishops, as defined in the Bible, appear to be the leaders of a group
of elders but the words ‘bishop’ and ‘elder’ are used interchangeably
(Titus 1:5,7; 1 Timothy 3:1,2; 5:7; Acts 20:17,28). They need to
have the ability to administrate (1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Corinthians
12:28; 14:40), be spiritually mature persons (1 Timothy 3:5, 6), be
able to teach (1 Timothy 3:2), and know how to pray the prayer of
faith for the sick (James 5:14). As the vocal gifts are prominent at
grassroot level (1 Corinthians 14:26, 31, 39), they need to be skilful
in the vocal gifts of the Holy Spirit.
5. Teachers:
Teachers are those who stay and teach the whole counsel of God to
believers. Paul and Barnabas taught the Antioch church for one year
(Acts 11:26). Among the fivefold ministries to the church, their
ministry is so important that Paul places them third, after apostles
and prophets (1 Corinthians 12:28).
