Introduction

While every believer is a priest (1 Pet 2:5,9; Rev 1:6, 5:10, 20:6) to those they come in contact with during their normal lives (that is, you are a priest to

(1) intercede to God on their behalf,
(2) make up the hedge of protection to keep the devil and destruction away from them, and
(3) minister / speak to the people on behalf of God), and

while every believer has the ministry of reconciliation as an ambassador of Christ (2 Cor 5:18-20), there is a special grace of ministry that the Lord Jesus Christ gives to some believers (not all believers), specifically the five offices or works of

(1) an apostle,
(2) prophet,
(3) evangelist,
(4) pastor, and
(5) teacher.  

Eph 4:11
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

This is what we call the "five fold" ministry.  They are Jesus' spiritual administration of the company.  The purpose of this ministry is to train the rest of the Body of Christ to go do the work of the ministry.

Eph 4:12-13
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:

In the original greek, there are no punctuation marks.  While the King James translated it with punctuation as above, it should be a purpose state saying "he gave some... for the perfecting (maturing) of the saints for the work of the ministry (of reconciliation) for the edifying (building up) of the body of Christ".

Most people think that the five fold is the only ministry, call them "ministers", and expect them to do all the work, while they "lay" around doing nothing (and are unhappy and frustrated doing it).  That is wrong.

Quit expecting your pastor or "minister" to do everything, and get in the battle yourself, and fulfill the calling of God on your life.  Heal the sick, raise the dead, get people born-again, and baptized with the Holy Spirit, empowered and activated for their priesthood, in Jesus' name.  So be it. 


MAIN SCRIPTURES:

I Cor     12:28
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers,
after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues

Eph        4:11-16
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.

"SET" AND "GAVE":
Notice that God set (i.e., ordain), called, or gave the ministry thru certain persons.  Men do not call, nor set in the church, nor give the offices of the five fold.  Men do confirm the anointing of a person, after having seen the fruit of it, by laying on of hands to recognize and confirm what God is already doing thru the person.

Sometimes a person sees a need and wishes to meet it (maybe moved by the love of God); however, this do not mean they are "called", merely they have chosen to "go ye".


TITLES:
Don't get taken up with titles or names!  Receiving one of these five fold gifts is a calling and anointing to perform a certain type of work.  The important thing is performing that work.  Some people seek the title for the praise of men (pride of life), and some people stumble over the titles that others use (little faith and understanding of God's Word or work).  We should be concerned with doing the work, and producing the proof, and not with the title.  If you are an apostle or bishop, it should be self-evident by the anointings, revelation, and work.  Putting the name Apostle or Bishop before your name will neither make you more anointed nor produce the work.  Judge spiritual things, in that, does the one bearing a name or title bear fruit of that work?

There are several areas of heart matter that I will believe it is vital to understand:

• Using a title or being called by others by a title does not, by itself, put a person in sin (i.e., pride).  It is a heart matter, but it is wise to avoid temptation.

• If a minister insists on being called by a title, there is probably a heart matter issue.  Did Jesus demand to be call Christ Jesus, or Paul by Apostle Paul?  I don't see the names of the offices ever used as titles in the New Testament.
  

• If you are under a person's authority, such as a pastor or bishop, and you have trouble calling them by their title, you have a heart matter issue that you need to address.

• While the Word says give honor unto who honor is due, even double honor, it mostly refers to compensation and respect.  But respect must be done in a way that does not give a path to build up pride.  Pride is an easy thing to let slip in.  For example, while it is all right to celebration of what God has done in your midst, a yearly pastor's appreciation opens doors to a building of pride, year after year after year.  I have see even the people preferring the pastor to God, and spending far more time giving the pastor praise than God.  Give honor back to God for what He has done, even thru earthly vessels.  I don't remember what that verse was where they had the Apostle John appreciation day?  Do you? 

FAITH:
Any gift or work of God is manifested at God's will, but God is moved by faith in His Word (which is His will).  What I mean is this, don't judge a minister by lack of anointing or miracles where he is in a group of people who have no faith in God's Word.  Remember Jesus could do little in nazareth because of their unbelief (Mark 6:5-6).


DIFFERENCES:
Each minister will be different, because of:

• different set of "ministering gifts" (i.e., motivation, five fold, and charismatic)
• different background, experience, and expertise
• different revealed knowledge in different areas.

For example, one apostle will not minister exactly like another apostle.  One teacher will not teach exactly like another teacher.  One minister may have great rhema (revealed knowledge) on love, and another minister on faith.


SIMILARITIES:
There will be some similarities between ministers in the same office, because there is usually some similar gifts operating in a specific office.  Also, the office has its own anointing that is recognizable.


JUDGE:
Discern if what is being preached, taught, or prophesied is truth (1 Cor 14:29):

1. does it line up with the Word of God  (Isa 28:9-10).
2. does it bear witness in your spirit ( (1 John 2:20,27, Rom 8:14).
3. is it in love, the character of God, to edify, exhort, and comfort  (Jam 3:17).
4. is it for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16-17).

If it does not, then put it on a shelf (that is to put aside), and leave it alone.  Judge spiritual things (1 Cor 2:15), not people as individuals.  Seek for two or more witnesses or confirmation that it is truth (Deut 19:15, 2 Cor 13:1).

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