4 MINISTERS and their CORE DUTIES.

In the previous post I mentioned that there are various offices of the ministry but did not go into detail about them. Let us examine the scripture to find out what they are and what are their core duties. There are four (4) types of ministers with three (3) core duties:

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:" Ephesians 4:11-13

The four offices are:

1. Apostle: delegate, messenger, a person sent forth with orders from God.
2. Prophet: a person who is moved by the Holy Spirit to instruct, comfort, encourage, rebuke, convict, especially regarding hidden things of God.
3. Evangelist: one who brings good news of the Gospel of Christ.
4. Pastor and Teacher: shepherd and instructor operating by the Holy Spirit.

The three (3) core duties of these offices are:

1. To perfect the saints;
2. The work of the ministry; and
3. The edifying of the body of Christ until:
a. All are unified in the faith
b. All are unified in the knowledge of Christ
c. All are perfected in Christ
d. All gain the measure of the stature of Christ's fulness

Many persons teach that verse 11 outlines five offices. That teaching ignores the context in the Greek text. Both words 'and' at the beginning of the verse and between pastors and teachers, are KAI in the Greek text. This 'and' is translated as 'also, even, likewise, both' and 'indeed' in other scriptures. The usage here clearly shows that these two are one office because this word 'and' is different from the three other words 'and' in the same verse, which derive from the Greek DE.

While we work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, let us endeavour to perfect the saints and edify the body of Christ until He returns. Let us also perform the work of the ministry in LOVE without adding to or taking away from the Word of God.

Be blessed.