Fivefold Ministry
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up… - Ephesians 4:11
What do those gifts look like?
Apostles
The word comes from two Greek words meaning “away” and “sent”: sent away from! So an Apostle is a diplomatic emissary, an ambassador, from one nation or kingdom to another. In our case that means from the Kingdom of Heaven to the nations - the world - around us.
Prophets
Prophets don’t always predict the future. Sometimes they reveal things that are already happening but hidden. They speak under the direct leading of the Holy Spirit and may not remember what has been given to them after it’s proclaimed. In some sense, a prophet is a preacher without a Bible. A teacher, we’ll see shortly, is a preacher with a Bible.
Evangelists
Every one of us is called in some way to be an evangelist. We are those called of God to carry the message of the gospel to the unconverted world. The word is from the same root word as gospel, meaning “good news” or “glad tidings.” And the Great Commission, in Matthew 28, applies to us all: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit!"
Pastors
A pastor does more than speak forth from behind a pulpit. A pastor is truly a shepherd, feeding and tending the flocks entrusted to them. When a sheep strays or gets lost, the shepherd must bring it back. And since a pastor may be more visible than other ministry gifts, they bear more of a public burden to be perceived as blameless and respectable.
Teachers
Finally, the teacher is called and gifted to bring the Word into the lives of others. Not just in a Wednesday night Bible study or Sunday School, but in our actions and our words and our entire lives. Let us be God’s lampstands reflecting His light into a world of darkness.
The Body of Christ
All these gifts are part of the church as the body of Christ. Some individuals are more comfortable and powerful in one than another, some may be gifted in more than one of those areas. But all are part of the Kingdom here on earth as it is in Heaven. Move with us and Apostle Charlotte as we make our way toward the Kingdom, and bring others around us along as well.
… and while we don’t claim it as Biblical revelation, here is an interesting little quiz you can take that might offer clues as to what your own gifts look like: fivefoldministry.com
Whatever the case, let us be found working in the vineyard, making full use of the gifts our Lord has given each of us.
… until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. – Ephesians 4:13
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! ...Revelation 22:20
Divine Direction International & Lure Church of Atlanta
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