Where have all the 5 fold gone?
Apostle's Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
16th Tevet 5765. This time of year, the Jewish people in their synagogues recite the family geneologies from the scriptures. That's similar to what we've been doing. We've just completed Genesis, the book of beginnings. The next time on the Jewish Calendar is Tu B'shevat, the 15th of Shevat, which falls on January 25th, 2005. This the new year for trees, when fruit tithes should be brought. The month Tishri contains the actual Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanna. It usually falls in September.
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: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4:11-16
And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers. His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church), [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [[a]full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ's own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him. So then, we may no longer be children, tossed [like ships] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, [the prey of] the cunning and cleverness of [b]unscrupulous men, [gamblers engaged] in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead. Rather, let our lives lovingly [c]express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love. Amplified Bible
GOD is over all things.
The Pastor leads a congregation after the Apostle passes headship onto him and is appointed by GOD and the Apostle. The pastor is leader and protector of one particular church body, very friendly, practical, very diplomatic, the most common office of the ministry, and they are easier for people to accept.
The Apostle is directed by GOD to establish and oversee ministries. They have a Pastor of their own and sometimes answer to the Prophet. The apostles are those who build and establish churches.
The Teacher is directed by the Pastor to teach the congregation. The teachers are generally serious, have a passion for conveying truth and facts to individuals, and are most comfortable remaining in one particular church.
The Evangelist is directed by GOD to deliver messages to various churches and to unsaved people. Answer to the Pastor. The evangelist is a man that travels, encourages several different church bodies, and has a ministry of calling people to repentance.
The Prophets hear directly from GOD and speak what they see, know, and what is revealed to them as they feel released to share. Answer to GOD and the Pastor. The prophets are extremist, harsh, bold, dogmatic, and sometimes overly sensitive. Not only are they sensitive around people but they are very sensitive to God. If anything causes prophets to stand out, it is their spiritual connection to God. They are like a spiritual antenna tuned into the frequency of God and sometimes act as the very voice of God.
Where do we fit in? Where does a missionary fit into the 5 fold ministry? Do we have to retain one of the 5 titles or their generalized description to be officially called of God? No.
I've described tonight the 5 offices of ministry of The New Testament because not everyone accepts the 5 fold ministry in their church. It isn't taught and it in many cases is denied.
Another thing that is denied in churches is the operation of the 9 gifts. I do not mean love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control. Though these things lack in many churches and are missing much of the time in each of our everyday lives.
I speak of the 9 Holy Spirit gifts: word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues.
Can you name 10 or 15 people who you know personally that actually show forth 4 of the 9 fruit continually?
Can you name 10 or 15 who operate in the 9 spiritual gifts? (pause)
It's just that. There is a lack of the 5 offices of ministry in the church today. We fail to have God in the churches because we've failed to follow His first instructions. We've allowed fears to cause us to throw aside the scriptural foundation. We've allowed fear to stop the flow of the 5 offices. It's the missing link in 21st century Christianity.
If the 5 offices were to be accepted again then it would open wide a door for the operation of God's 9 gifts.
We have worshipped intensely. We have worshipped in such a manner that we almost feel worn out in a way. But isn't a good type of worn out?
Here's what it is... "Fulfilled."
(pray) - And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
- Jeremy Brown 2004 (sermon outline)