Fivefold Ministry Notes

Outline

Definition of the Fivefold Ministry
Misconceptions About the Fivefold Ministry
1. Misunderstanding Positional Hierarchy
2. Claims of Cessation
Where did Paul get these specific ministries from?
The Church
1. Where did the modern church get its structure from?
  1. Early Church Structure
  2. Catholic Church Structure
  3. Eastern Orthodox Church Structure
  4. Protestant Church Structure
2. Community of Believers
3. Bride of Christ
Apostle
1. Definition
2. Role and Responsibility
3. Imperfections
Prophet
1. Definition
2. Role and Responsibility
3. Imperfections
Evangelist
1. Definition
2. Role and Responsibility
3. Imperfections
Shepherd
1. Definition
2. Role and Responsibility
3. Imperfections
Teacher
1. Definition
2. Role and Responsibility
3. Imperfections

Other Descriptions Of Offices

1 Cornithians 12:28 (NASB95) And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.

Descriptions Of Gifts

Romans 12:6-8 (NASB95) Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NASB95) Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

Where Did Paul Get These Specific Ministries From?

1 Corinthians 12:28-31 (NASB95) And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? But earnestly desire the greater gifts.

Ephesians is clearly not the only place that Paul talks about the divine appointment of ministries. Here he names apostles, prophets, teachers, miracle workers, healers, helpers, administrators, and speakers of tongues. It's hard to justify removing a few items out of a list, especially when the same items from the list are repeated in multiple places in the Bible, and the list includes well accepted appointments like teachers and administrators. In fact, of the eight appointments listed, some in the western protestant church would have you believe that only three of them are valid for today.

And he clearly points out that no one of these appointments is supposed to take on the roles and responsibilities of the others. Each one is, in fact, distinct from each other. You can't just wrap this whole list up into teachers, helpers, and administrators and expect to achieve the fullness of everything God designed these appointments for.

God did not stop being Himself and leave us with a mere shell of the richness of ministry that He imparted to us through the sacrificial death of Jesus, and the impartation of the Holy Spirit. God did not appoint us to control the church, but to grow it in love. To say that He appointed gifts over and over again, and then turn around and say that He immediately revoked that same appointment within a few years... Well, I don't know how that line of reasoning doesn't appear foolish to those who pass through academic Bible training...

Romans 12:6-8 (NASB95) Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

1 Peter 4:10-11 (NASB95) As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Acts 13:1 (NASB95) Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

1 Timothy 2:7 (NASB95) For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

2 Timothy 1:8-11 (NASB95) Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.

1 Corinthians 14:26 (NASB95) What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

1 Corinthians 3:5-9 (NASB95) What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (NASB95) But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

Hebrews 13:7 (NASB95) Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.

Jeremiah 3:15 (NASB95) Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding.

Matthew 28:19-20 (NASB95) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

John 20:21 (NASB95) So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

Acts 20:28 (NASB95) Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

1 Corinthians 9:14 (NASB95) So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.