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Deep Waters 'Deep Calleth Unto Deep ' -The place to go for Ministry discussions. Please keep it civil. Remember to discuss the issues, not each other. |
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08-26-2010, 10:15 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Lexington KY
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Where is the five fold ministry?
Ephesians 4 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 fulness of Christ:
Many churches recognize pastors, evangelists, teachers, and of course the select are known as prophets in apostolic ranks. However that is only four. Where is the office of the apostle? Has it ceased? Can anyone be called to that office today? If so, do you know anyone who you would truly consider an apostle?
How many church confuse the office with the 9 spiritual gifts today?
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08-26-2010, 10:23 AM
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Still Figuring It Out.
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,858
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Re: Where is the five fold ministry?
Quote:
Originally Posted by onefaith2
Ephesians 4 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 fulness of Christ:
Many churches recognize pastors, evangelists, teachers, and of course the select are known as prophets in apostolic ranks. However that is only four. Where is the office of the apostle? Has it ceased? Can anyone be called to that office today? If so, do you know anyone who you would truly consider an apostle?
How many church confuse the office with the 9 spiritual gifts today?
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Indeed.
Not only this... but, while we do have evangelists, an evangelist is considered to a be a short term & traveling position and teachers are generally used on an off and on basis as well.
The only steady ministry of these 5 in a church is that of pastor. The rest are gone, temporary or only used occasionally.
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08-26-2010, 10:27 AM
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Re: Where is the five fold ministry?
Which leads me to question whether a church should deem through the direction of the Holy ghost and through the calling of the life of the saint, an office that the person may fulfill in the local church. This could also go abroad as well.
I have heard of churches deeming evangelists and prophets.
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08-26-2010, 10:37 AM
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Jesus is the only Lord God
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,565
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Re: Where is the five fold ministry?
First, what is the definition of "Apostle"? Maybe that will give us more insight to the apostolic office.
__________________
...Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ...(Acts 20:21)
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08-26-2010, 10:39 AM
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Still Figuring It Out.
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,858
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Re: Where is the five fold ministry?
Quote:
Originally Posted by TGBTG
First, what is the definition of "Apostle"? Maybe that will give us more insight to the apostolic office.
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My definition drawing from what I see in the Bible (and I welcome correction on this) is one who goes about starting and then nurturing & mentoring various works in various places.
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08-26-2010, 10:49 AM
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Jesus is the only Lord God
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,565
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Re: Where is the five fold ministry?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Digging4Truth
My definition drawing from what I see in the Bible (and I welcome correction on this) is one who goes about starting and then nurturing & mentoring various works in various places.
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Indeed, I have heard that line of thought before. I also believe an apostle is called to set order in local churches, which would fall into nurturing and mentoring you mentioned.
But what do you think, if someone came out today claiming to be an apostle, wouldn't 95% of christendom brand such a false prophet/false apostle...?
__________________
...Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ...(Acts 20:21)
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08-26-2010, 10:57 AM
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Still Figuring It Out.
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,858
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Re: Where is the five fold ministry?
Quote:
Originally Posted by TGBTG
But what do you think, if someone came out today claiming to be an apostle, wouldn't 95% of christendom brand such a false prophet/false apostle...?
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I think most would brand them as such. It would depend a lot on how that "apostle" defined what an apostle is.
Most that would call themselves an apostle tend to have very widely defined powers & authorities in peoples lives. If he felt that he was God's gift to the world... yeah... that won't turn out well.
If he operated with humility and only referred to himself as such because of the work he was doing then I would think he would be more widely received.
That is the thing with the five fold ministries. Too many people view these things as what the ARE. I AM a pastor... I AM an apostle... and this, per their view, demands certain respect etc.
If I do the work of an apostle. Call me an apostle.
If I do the work of a shepherd. Call me a shepherd or a pastor.
Etc
But people takes these things on as labels of who they are rather than definitions of what they do.
Often the way in which people profess their calling has much to do with the level of acceptance they experience.
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08-26-2010, 11:01 AM
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Registered Member
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Lexington KY
Posts: 4,343
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Re: Where is the five fold ministry?
Quote:
Originally Posted by TGBTG
Indeed, I have heard that line of thought before. I also believe an apostle is called to set order in local churches, which would fall into nurturing and mentoring you mentioned.
But what do you think, if someone came out today claiming to be an apostle, wouldn't 95% of christendom brand such a false prophet/false apostle...?
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Yes indeed I believe so. With the above thought would you think we incorrectly name some evangelists or missionaries who may really be filling the office of an apostle?
Note Paul's words
For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
Am I am not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
Revelation 21:14
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb
There seems to be a difference between the office of an apostle and the office of the original 13 apostles (counting Paul)
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08-26-2010, 11:35 AM
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Jesus' Name Pentecostal
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: near Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 17,805
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Re: Where is the five fold ministry?
Where is the five fold ministry?
In my opinion it is alive and well and operating all around us.
We just don't always recognize some of those involved because they do not agree with us on everything doctrinally and in practice.
__________________
Sam also known as Jim Ellis
Apostolic in doctrine
Pentecostal in experience
Charismatic in practice
Non-denominational in affiliation
Inter-denominational in fellowship
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08-26-2010, 11:39 AM
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Jesus is the only Lord God
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,565
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Re: Where is the five fold ministry?
Quote:
Originally Posted by onefaith2
Yes indeed I believe so. With the above thought would you think we incorrectly name some evangelists or missionaries who may really be filling the office of an apostle?
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I personally think so. However, it should not even matter what we address them as long as they are filling their role scripturally. This brings in the point that D4T mentioned about " people taking these things on as labels of who they are rather than definitions of what they do."
When a pastor gets angry because you called him Brother James instead of Pastor James or Apostle James as the case may be, there is definitely a problem...IMO
__________________
...Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ...(Acts 20:21)
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