What is the Five Fold?
The term “five-fold ministry” is a reference originating from Ephesians 4:11-16. The five-fold offices: apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher, are the multi-faceted anointing of Christ distributed and presented to the body of Christ for the equipping of the saints for works of ministry.
How Do These Gifts Function?
In Matthew 10:40-42, Christ stated, “Whoever receives a prophet, will receive a prophet’s reward. Whoever receives a righteous man, receives a righteous man’s reward.” What reward does the saint receive for embracing the ministry and impartation of each of these offices?
The Characteristics and subsequent rewards for the Christ anointing expressed through the five-fold cannot be defined and exhausted in such limited space. The following descriptions are but a few of the vast benefits of receiving Christ through the gifts given to man.
Apostle – Apostles are spiritual fathers. They provide an environment for raising sons. One anointed to govern, correct, discern, and give oversight to the life and work of the ecclesia. Apostles see the big picture, the concept of the kingdom.
Keywords: Govern, father, pioneer, architect, revelation, discernment, foundation
Reward: a well-governed and disciplined life, divine order, identity, and a pioneering spirit
Prophet - Prophets give spiritual vision, direction, and interpretation. One who foretells. They are instrumental in showing a son what he can look like.
Keywords: Guide, seer, pointer, intercession, revelation
Reward: spiritual guidance, direction, and understanding, no wandering
Teacher – Teachers are anointed to instruct and ground you in sound doctrine. In light of the apostolic foundation and prophetic purpose, the teacher is responsible for providing an incremental progression to the process of maturation as a son.
Keywords: Ground, instruct, incremental, mature, tutorReward – well-grounded in truth; not tossed to and fro, encouraged to take the next step
Pastor – Pastors are anointed to shepherd the flock. One who nurtures, feeds, guides, and protects Yahweh’s people. Relative to the evolution of sonship, the pastor comes along side one for the purpose of encouragement, exhortation, and edifying through this transformation. Keywords: Guard, nurture, feed, comfort, protect, compassionate, exhort, encourage
Reward: well-fed and cared for, protected, encouraged, edified, built-up
Evangelist – Evangelists are anointed to reach-out and gather. One who heralds the good news message of the kingdom. They reach out to the lost and born again children introducing them to the revelation and possibility of sonship.
Keywords: Gather, herald, preach, proclaim
Reward: impartation of evangelism, an awareness and love for people and their purpose