“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things). And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—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.”
Ephesians 4:7-16 NKJV
The scripture above speaks about the Spiritual gifts in human form that Jesus ascended on high to give us, after defeating satan, hell and death.
The five-fold ministry must be in operation in any local assembly where the saints of God are gathered, as The Body of Christ cannot attain full functionality outside this ministry.
It is important to note that Our Saviour lovingly made provision in different ages for the saints, in these gifts of men, to alert and prepare us in the midst of the tricky, cunning, crafty and devilish attacks from satan and his cohorts against the Church.
Our Beloved Master Himself served in this capacity and even more as Our Prophet, Apostle, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher. Matthew 4:17; 8:18; John chapters 1,3&4; 6:14; 7:16; 10:11; 20:21b; Hebrews 3:1-5. Therefore, as children of God, we must locate God’s calling upon our lives.
That you are a child of God, called to preach the gospel does not necessarily mean, you are operating in the 5-fold ministry and must start a church!
Please note: Your home, your office, shop or school is your parish and you do not really need a pulpit.
In the same vein, that you are a child of God, called into the 5-fold ministry does not mean you must only minister in your local assembly. God’s gifts are for equipping The Body of Christ – The Bride of Christ – The Church Universal and not just a denomination.
Please note: The whole world could be your parish except God gives you specific instructions.
If every genuine child of God understood this, there would be no rancour, fight, envy or jealousy over who is ordained and recognized or who is not. Rather, all men would strive hard to please The Father by doing the work of the ministry.
Beloved, the harvest is truly ripe but the labourers are few. The work to done both within and outside the four walls of the building called Church requires the full time ministry of the 5- fold ministry taking the lead, preparing the saints for their manifestation as the whole earth is earnestly waiting. Romans 8:19-26.
Even The Lord of The Harvest Himself also eagerly awaits those willing to be mightily used of Him.
When the Prophet, Apostle, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher obey The Word of God and are faithful to their callings, the Church of Christ will be well taught and be able to stand firmly against satan, hell and death thus working in the victory, Jesus gave us.
* Are you convinced by The Holy Spirit that you have a calling into the 5-fold ministry upon your life?
* It is time to labour in prayer and seek God’s Face more, that you might fulfill your responsibility as stated in Ephesians 4:11-16.
* Or are you a genuine child of God, not sure of your calling but you love God with all your heart, mind and strength?
* It is time for you to stand in the gap for those with callings as you heed the word of God brought to you by them and pray that God will use them for the benefit of the Body of Christ which includes you; that the saints may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—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.
Remember the great commission in Matthew 28:16-20 does not exclude you.
Shalom!
