The Five Fold Ministry
          Apostles - Prophets - Evangelists - Pastors and Teachers

The Bible Says:
7. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10. He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13. 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 fullness of Christ:
14. 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
                                                                                       Ephesians 4:7-14

In the mainstream denominational churches the five-fold ministry is not at all recognized. The man behind the pulpit is just a "clergy". Some call him Reverend, to Roman Catholics and some protestants he is father. To others he's a Bishop, a Cardinal, an Elder or a Pastor. They all call their clergy by different titles, but the vast majority are totally ignorant of the Biblical "five-fold ministry" as mentioned in the above Scripture reference.

Each of the ministries mentioned in Scripture play a vital role in the "perfecting" of the Saints - that's what the Bible teaches. The Bible clearly states that the five-fold ministry, working together are ordained to accomplish the following work of Grace in the individual believers life:

1. The perfecting of the saints to fulfill their part in the Body of Christ - edifying and strengthening the Body:
2. Bring all the true sons and daughters of God into 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 fullness of Christ:
3. Bringing the sons and daughters of God to maturity that they may know where they're standing doctrinally and not tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of non-Scriptural doctrines.

Most clergy fail in these responsibilities. They teach the people to be good church members and believe their creed. They dedicate and/or baptize the babies, marry the young and bury the deceased. Few indeed, bear the real burdens of the office of a servant of God.

God's servant and prophet, Brother William Branham, stated:

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON THE SEALS - 63-0324M
494-4 {232} 22. Would the Bride of Christ have a ministry before the rapture?
Sure. That's what's going on right now. See? The Bride of Christ... Certainly. It is the Message of the hour (See?), the Bride of Christ. Sure, She's consist of apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, and pastors. Is that right? That's the Bride of Christ. Sure, She's got a ministry, great ministry; it's the ministry of the hour; it'll be so humble...

He did not say that all the five-fold ministry was in him alone. he clearly stated that THEY are in the Bride of Christ, preaching the Message of the Forerunner, declaring the revelation of the Second Coming of Christ.

To Be Continued.........................