Ministry of the Evangelist

The Enduring Relevance of the Five-Fold Ministry: Ephesians 4:9-13

The Gospel

At the core of Reach NZ Evangelism Network’s mission lies a profound commitment to understanding and embodying the timeless truths found in the Scriptures. One such foundational passage that resonates with our vision is Ephesians 4:9-13. In these verses, the apostle Paul articulates the enduring relevance of the five-fold ministry—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—and why this divine blueprint is not merely a relic of the past but a living, breathing framework for today’s Church.

Unpacking the Foundation: Ephesians 4:9-10

To appreciate the contemporary significance of the five-fold ministry, we must first delve into the foundational verses of Ephesians 4:9-10:

[9] (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? [10] He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)

These verses establish a profound connection between Christ’s descent and ascent, highlighting His comprehensive lordship over all creation. The scope of Christ’s authority and presence extends far beyond the confines of earthly limitations, filling all things with His divine sovereignty.

The Five-Fold Ministry: A Divine Design

In the subsequent verses, Ephesians 4:11-13, Paul unveils the divine design of the five-fold ministry:

[11] And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers, [12] for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ; [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers

These diverse roles within the Church are not arbitrary or outdated. Instead, they are intentionally crafted components of Christ’s plan for the holistic growth and unity of the body of believers.

Purpose: Equipping, Building, Maturing

The multifaceted purpose of the five-fold ministry unfolds in Ephesians 4:12-13:

  • Equipping of the Saints: Each ministry role plays a vital part in equipping believers for the work of ministry. The apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers serve as channels through which God imparts spiritual gifts, knowledge, and skills to empower every believer.
  • Building Up of the Body of Christ: The collective impact of the five-fold ministry is the edification and strengthening of the Church. Through these ministries, the body of Christ grows in unity, resilience, and spiritual maturity.

End Goal: Unity, Knowledge, Maturity

Ephesians 4:13 outlines the ultimate aim of the five-fold ministry:

[13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

The journey orchestrated by the five-fold ministry leads the Church toward unity in faith, a deepening knowledge of Christ, and the attainment of spiritual maturity—a maturity that mirrors the fullness of Christ Himself.

Application Today: Why It Matters

As Reach NZ Evangelism Network embraces the truth of Ephesians 4:9-13, we recognize that this divine blueprint is not a relic of the past but a living reality for today’s Church.

Relevance in Diversity

The diverse roles within the five-fold ministry reflect the multifaceted nature of God’s work in the world. Each ministry function brings a unique contribution, catering to the varied needs and challenges faced by believers.

Equipping for Effective Ministry

In a world hungry for hope and purpose, the five-fold ministry equips believers to engage effectively in God’s redemptive work. Apostles pioneer, prophets discern, evangelists proclaim, pastors shepherd, and teachers instruct—all working together to fulfill the Great Commission.

Building a Resilient Body of Believers

The challenges of the present age demand a resilient and united body of believers. The five-fold ministry, as outlined in Ephesians 4, becomes a cornerstone for building such resilience. Through equipping and edification, the Church emerges stronger, capable of withstanding the storms of cultural shifts and societal pressures.

Pursuing Christlikeness

The end goal of the five-fold ministry—the attainment of the stature that belongs to the fullness of Christ—remains a timeless pursuit. Today, as we navigate a world in flux, the call to spiritual maturity and conformity to the image of Christ echoes with undiminished significance.

In conclusion, the five-fold ministry articulated in Ephesians 4:9-13 is not a relic confined to the pages of history; it is a dynamic framework designed by God for the contemporary Church. At Reach NZ Evangelism Network, we embrace this divine

What We Can’t Do In Heaven

  • There won’t be any teachers in heaven.  All knowledge is there, and we will have access to all of it.  No one will need to be equipped for the service of teaching. Until then, we need teachers!
  • There won’t be any pastors in heaven — only the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ.  There won’t be any wolves to look out for or problems to solve either. Pastoral ministry will be a thing of the past. Until then, we need pastors!
  • There won’t be any evangelists in heaven.  Everyone will already be saved!  Why would we need anyone to equip God’s people to evangelize? Until then, we need evangelists!
  • There won’t be any prophets in heaven.  Everyone will be able to communicate with God face-to-face.  That’s why Paul said “prophecy will cease.” Until then, we need prophets!
  • And there won’t be any apostles in heaven.  Everyone will already be full-blown representatives of the Kingdom, and there won’t be any new trails to blaze or cultures to transform. Until then, we need apostles!

The role of every fivefold minister is to work himself or herself out of a job.  It’s not an eternal calling.  But until we reach this fulfillment of the mission, these roles are vital gifts to the Church.

The Purpose of Fivefold Ministry

All of us are to “do the work” of all five ministries.  But some of us are given to the church to “be” apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, or teachers.    

Such people have a knack for one of those ministries, a passion for training others to do the same, and proven fruitfulness in multiplying their ministry to others. They serve diligently and sacrificially.  They are less interested in people seeing their own ministry and more interested in people doing “greater works” than they do.  They are more excited when God works through someone they trained than they are when God works through them directly. They live for the glorification and multiplication of Jesus Christ throughout the Church (and ultimately the world).

Without the five-fold Ministry oporating effectively, the Church will be divided, spiritually imaturity and unconformed to the image of Christ. It will also be weak and stagnated in number.