Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  2024  Day 115

 April 24;       Ephesians 4:12;        172/260;        ‘Equipped to Work’

Ephesians 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

The five fold ministry gifts, as they are called, the apostle, the prophet, the evangelist, the pastor and the teacher are called into those offices by the Lord Jesus Christ (verse 11).  No man or woman can choose to minister in one of those offices.  That is not biblical. The role of the five fold ministers is to equip the saints to do the work of the ministry.  We are all called into the ministry, to share the gospel and to lead the lost to Jesus.  The five fold ministers are to teach the Word of God to the congregation, equipping and encouraging the believers to continue the ministry of Jesus.  The pastor is the only ministry gift called to a local church.  The other four ministry gifts travel.  The apostle is used by the Lord to start churches and then turn that church over to a local pastor.  The prophet is to share the revelation given to him or her with churches.  The revelation given to the prophet must line up with the Word of God.  Specific ‘guidance’ to an individual given by a prophet, must agree with what the Lord has already laid on the heart of that individual.  The evangelist travels from church to church preaching the gospel.  They are especially anointed to reach the unsaved and to flow in the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.  The teacher does just that, they are anointed to teach the Word of God to churches they visit.  Together the five fold ministry gifts are used by the Lord to train up and equip the congregation of local churches and then those equipped do the work of the ministry, wherever they go.