Ephesians 4:11-16 says that there are five ministries that Jesus set in the churches which are to remain in the churches until the end of time. Why do some people say that apostles and prophets are no longer relevant or legitimate functions or ministries in churches today?
many do not understand the context of what is known as the five-fold ministers or the Gifts of Christ to the church called in the Greek
didōmi
Number 1.
apostolos: apostle = one sent forth with orders
The title is not as important as the job one does as an apostle. they are sent out to preach the Gospel and build churches
Number 2.
prophētēs : prophets= an interpreter of oracles or of other hidden things
In the context of the office of a prophet this is a gift not an office but, of men filled with the Spirit of God, who by God's authority and command in words of weight pleads the cause of God and urges salvation of men. In the religious assemblies of the Christians, they were moved by the Holy Spirit to speak, having power to instruct, comfort, encourage, rebuke, convict, and stimulate, their hearers
Number 3.
euangelistēs : Evangelist= a bringer of good tidings, an evangelist. Pretty strait forward to what they do.
Number 4.
poimēn : Pastor/Teacher = the presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly: so of Christ the Head of the church Teacher is also a Pastor. Therefore, they are one and the same. Jesus was called a Shepard, but he also taught.
All the Gifts of Christ(
didōmi ) are to do the following
verse 12
For
the perfecting of the saints, for
the work of the ministry, for
the edifying of the body of Christ:
If you claim to hold the gifting of one of the five and do not do these three, you don't have it.
All the gifts
are valid today until the following happens :
Verse 13 says :
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:
This is a process of sanctification and maturity as a Christian. Which is ongoing today.
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, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.