In surveying the New Testament Scriptures for a description of the first century ecclesia (the modern Bible erroneously utilizes the word "church") one would have to wonder how the Body of Christ evolved into what it is today. As with most things entrusted to man's management, he has determined the Yahweh's original order and design could be improved and systematically changed it to accommodate a modern "church". Regardless that these changes have gutted the organic and dynamic nature of the Holy Spirit-led ecclesia whose purpose is to equip the Body of Christ to rule and reign in the earth as Yahweh and His Son, Yahshua, presently reign in the heavens.

Today’s religious and institutionalized “church” has forgotten that the very purpose for the redemption of man is to rule and reign over the earth. Furthermore, the ecclesia is tasked with introducing the saving power of the Christ anointing and equipping that person for their Yahweh-ordained purpose as Christ’s change-agents in the earth today. The organized and institutionalized “church” has inaccurately interpreted the Kingdom of Heaven to only be expressed in heaven-one day-futuristically. Yahshua, the Christ, establishes very plainly that the Kingdom of Heaven is here and is to be established and expanded in the earth now.

Consequently, The Rock of Northwest Arkansas was founded and exists today for the purpose of establishing, expressing, and expanding the Kingdom of Christ in the earth here and now! The Rock is dedicated to Yahweh’s original purpose of creating the earth for His glory while also redeeming man’s creative purpose to manage over the land through generational stewardship. (Genesis 1:26-28)

According to Yahshua, the Christ, and the early apostles, this is best accomplished through the ecclesia. An ecclesia differs from a church in that the original word that Yahshua introduced, “ecclesia”, emphasizes the legislative nature of conducting Kingdom business by judging righteous judgment according to Yahweh’s law and order. Since man has altered Yahweh’s original design, a standard of His right order had to be established to judge accurately in the earth what the Father has ordained in the heavens. Thus the reason for Yahshua coming to the earth as a man to show us how a righteous “son” of Yahweh operates. This is further emphasized through the establishment of the five-fold ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for the purpose of bringing the ecclesia to a dimension of maturity and effectiveness. (Ephesians 4:11-16) Ultimately, the entire economy of the Kingdom in the earth is transmitted through the righteous order of family which, when gathered with other Kingdom families, constitutes the local body of an ecclesia.

The Rock of NWA is such an ecclesia-a 21st century version of the first century ecclesia of Christ. The scope and scale of this ministry is designed for those desiring an organic and dynamic spiritual relationship with Yahweh that is available through the finished work of His Son, Yahshua, and the ongoing ministry of the Holy Spirit in the earth today.

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, tutor
Reward: 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

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, and awareness and love for people and their purpose.

Firstfruits Series

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Day 1