The Five Fold Plan In Ministry

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 
Eph 4:13 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 fulness of Christ:

There are five ministries, these ministries are not positions of power or rank but are positions of servant hood. In the same way that Jesus came to be a servant so these ministries are for the holders to be servants to the body of Christ. These ministries are not intended to be full time positions but to be used as and when they are needed. They are open to all children of God and should be used at the right opportunities.

The Apostle. – the burnt offering.

The job of the apostle is to tell others about God, who He is and what He has available for each one.

Paul was always declaring the fullness of God.

Act_17:23  For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

The Prophet – the meal offering

The job of the prophet is to uplift man

1Co_14:3  But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

The prophet should never be confused with a seer of the future, that is a fortune teller.

The Evangelist – the sin offering.

The job of the evangelist is to make people aware of their sin of not believing God, and to offer them forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Some times this may include a ministry of healing for as the sinner accepts forgiveness the stress in his life, caused by sin, falls away  and the sickness caused by the stress is cured.

Mar 2:4  And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

Mar 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 
Mar 2:6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 
Mar 2:7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? 
Mar 2:8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? 
Mar 2:9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 
Mar 2:10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 
Mar 2:11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house
Mar 2:12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

The Pastor – the trespass offering.

The job of the pastor is to be as a shepherd and to help the saved to follow Jesus and not to follow the things of the world. As the shepherd leads the sheep to good pasture so the pastor should be leading the people to abundant life.

The Teacher – the peace offering

The job of the teacher is to show through scripture that the children of God can go onto perfection.

Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 
Heb 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 
Heb 6:3 And this will we do, if God permit.

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