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......................... |