Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 326

November 22;      Ephesians 4:11;       172/260(III);        ‘The Five Fold’

Ephesians 4:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

This group of ministers, commonly called ‘the five fold’ were given by the Lord for a specific purpose.  Verse 12 teaches that the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher were given by the Lord to equip the church, by the Word and prayer, to do the work of the ministry.  These ministers called by the Lord are to build up the body of Christ spiritually.  Every Christian is called to do the work of the ministry and the five fold teach how to do this and show by example how to do this as well.  As they edify the church, the congregation is better prepared each day to successfully reach the lost. The Lord has no favorites, every believer plays a major role in sharing the gospel, praying for others and leading them to Jesus.  No one can call themselves into the five fold ministers.  There are pressures that come upon these individuals, that would prohibit anyone who is not called from functioning in one of these offices.  Verse 13 goes on to say that the work of the five fold equipping the church to do the work of the ministry and building the church up to do the work, will bring unity and a solid biblical foundation.  The entire church will be matured and the church will become ‘Jesus on this earth’.  In the Book of Acts the apostles had to choose seven Spirit filled men to care for the needs of the congregation.  They told the church their job was to teach the Word and pray. Both sides did their part, the church grew.  God know what He is doing.