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Don Atkin

FIVEFOLD FUNCTIONS

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. - Ephesians 4:11.

The arrangement of these words could support a fourfold, rather than fivefold, concept - suggesting that pastor/teacher is one gift. While some function in both roles, it is normative for one gift to be dominant. I heard a man just yesterday say, "While I am your pastor, my stronger unction is in teaching."

There are excellent teachers who do not have any aptitude to shepherd. Some who are great at shepherding are not equally gifted to teach in detail and depth. Gift mixes are common. One gift being dominant is also common. It’s all about connecting with God’s grace.

Let’s consider some foundational matters before we attempt to outline some specific fivefold functions.

THE GRACE TO FUNCTION

People ought to be free to be what they are in Christ, and to function in the grace of God that has been supplied to them. Otherwise, they take upon themselves a yoke and burden that is neither easy nor light.

But, by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. - I Corinthians 15:10.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. - Matthew 11:28-30.

The one who comes to rob, kill and destroy insidiously ambushes us when we take on more than God has given us. We have only our flesh to rely upon in the absence of God’s grace, and the devil comes alongside to weigh us down and wear us out.

Furthermore, it is only by the grace of God that we may demonstrate Jesus’ gentleness and lowliness of heart. The flesh cannot please God, and the frustration that comes upon us because of the lack of His pleasure and favor causes us to become less than gentle. Our defensive hearts tend to rise up in self promotion and/or self defense.

We remain in perfect peace when our minds are stayed upon Him, and we are functioning in the power of His Spirit. We are most fruitful while our hearts and minds are being ruled by God’s peace Our souls are at rest 24/7, so long as we remain yoked with Jesus in what He has prepared for us to walk in.

Human initiation and effort produces "Ishmaels" at best. The trans-generational blessings of Abraham are ours, and ours to impart to others, when we simply move in the grace of sonship.

Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among the nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ. - Romans 1:5-6.

Paul was graced for apostleship. Perhaps you have received grace for another five fold function. The unction to function has everything to do with grace, measure, gift and sphere. We are left to our own devices when we attempt to minister beyond these boundaries.

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. - Ephesians 4:7.

We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us. - II Corinthians 10:13.

THE GRACE FOR FREEDOM

Specifically, the freedom to fully function in the Spirit, within our God-given limits, requires a measure of maturing that delivers us from self. There are three roots to self that must be severed.

All that is in the world – (1) the lust of the flesh (passions), (2) the lust of the eyes (possessions), and (3) the pride of life (position) – is not of the Father but is of the world. - I John 2:16.

They are severed at the Cross. Even Jesus learned obedience by the things which He suffered. He knows our temptation. He knows, by His own experience, the power of personal ambition. He knows the wilderness suffering, and the wilderness victory. He is a Great High Priest who can relate!

Beyond our deliverance from these three roots, there is the matter of developing perseverance. Tribulation produces perseverance. Short-cutting the process can bring us up short of God’s grace and its corresponding freedom.

Grace and freedom may be found in any context. That is, in the context of any circumstance. Paul and Silas were chained in the dungeon, singing praises to God at midnight. They were too blessed to be stressed! They were graced to express their freedom while imprisoned. Joseph found grace in the pit, the prison and the palace.

When we know that (1) we are called by God, (2) He will never leave or forsake us, (3) we are in His will, (4) He is causing all things to work together for our good, and (5) He has given us a vision that only He can fulfill, we can rest in the grace of His presence and wait upon Him to fulfill it.

Circumstances, such as old wineskins, should not interrupt our faith. Financial and material need does not dissolve the purpose or promise of God. Broken relationships do not change the ultimate outcome of our faithfulness to God

Therefore, this freedom includes freedom from being man-pleasers. While we are to manifest the fruit of the Spirit toward all men, we do not need to compromise our convictions or our ministries to please others.

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. - Colossians 4:6.

Function and freedom are essential to those who are called to equip others. Both are experienced through faith in revealed truth, and in the unction that accompanies abiding in who you are in Christ ~ who you are by the grace of God.

Both our identity and our security are found through relationship with our Father.

You have hedged (enclosed) me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. - Psalm 139:5.

THE GRACE TO EQUIP

While grace is deposited in the account of every believer, the fivefold ministry is graced to equip others for the work of the ministry. Multitudes are to function in the prophetic, in evangelism, in shepherding and teaching. All believers are to be apostolic. But, the grace to equip others is what delineates the fivefold ministry.

The functionally mature body of Christ will be the fruit of the functional fivefold ministry. Equipping others is to be the focus of their function. Praying for laborers for the white harvest is to result in the releasing of grace for the equipping process. When we pray for laborers, God answers by releasing and gracing fivefold ministers to equip others for the work of the ministry.

Jesus did tell us to pray for laborers. He also told us how those prayers would be answered ~ by discipling the nations. The exponential discipling of the nations requires that the saints be equipped for the work of the ministry. The saints are called to work! God has prepared a work for each one of us (Ephesians 2:8-10).

HE HIMSELF GAVE SOME TO BE APOSTLES

And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles. - I Corinthians 12:28.

We will discuss functions in the order of God’s appointment. While not first in importance or value, apostles are appointed first in the church.

Apostles are master builders, architects, with the blueprint for building (I Corinthians 3:10). Task focused and governmental in nature, they ~ with the prophets ~ are the visionaries and foundations of the church (Ephesians 2:20).
Apostles lay the foundation (the revelation of Christ the Cornerstone) for others to build upon (I Corinthians 3:10).
Apostles ~ with prophets ~ reveal the mystery of Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27-29; Ephesians 3:1-12; Galatians 2:20).
Apostles are messengers oracles, not managers (I Peter 4:11; Revelation 2:1,8,12,18; 3:1,14), The management of local church affairs is left in the hands of local elders, deacons, administrators and helps ministries (I Timothy 3; I Corinthians 12:28; Acts 6:1-4).
Apostles are fathers. While not all fathers are apostles, all apostles are fathers (I Corinthians 4:14-16; I Thessalonians 2:11-12).
Apostles lead (or are part of) apostolic companies (Acts 4:23; 15:22; 21:8; I Timothy 13; Titus 1:5).
Apostles submit to one another (Galatians 1:18; 2:1-2; 2:11-21).
Apostles establish and steward doctrine (Acts 2:42; 15).
Apostles directly receive the revelation of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:11-12; I John 1:1-3).
Apostles give no offense in anything, that their ministry may not be blamed (II Corinthians 6:3-10).

HE HIMSELF GAVE SOME TO BE PROPHETS

And God has appointed these in the church: second prophets. - I Corinthians 12:28.

There are relatively few passages in the New Testament that specifically describe the functions of New Testament prophets. While the nature of the prophetic works is similar to that of the Old Testament, the New Testament prophets function as integral parts of the body locally, and the apostolic team trans-locally.

Prophets are word focused and give guidance to the church. They function alongside apostles as visionaries and foundations of the church (Ephesians 2:20).
Prophets bear witness to Jesus Christ (Acts 10:43).
Prophets function by the Spirit, providing timely foreknowledge (Acts 11:28).
Prophets function both locally and trans-locally (Acts 11:27, 13:1).
Prophets exhort and strengthen the brethren (Acts 15:32).
Prophets are subject to prophets (I Corinthians 14:32).
Prophets are (often) examples of suffering and patience (James 5:10).
Prophets (all of God’s servants) are known by their fruit (Matthew 7:15-23).
Prophets bring a reward to those who receive them (Matthew 10:41).
Prophets shall be rewarded (Revelation 11:18).

HE HIMSELF GAVE SOME TO BE TEACHERS

And God has appointed these in the church: third teachers - I Corinthians 12:28.

Although listed fifth in the Ephesians 4 passage, the above verse clearly states that teachers are third in God’s appointed order. It is interesting to note that, in God’s restorative process, teachers came to prominence first, prophets second, and apostles third.

There are not many New Testament "specifics" regarding teachers. Here are a few observations that we have drawn from Scripture and experience:

Jesus was identified by many as a teacher (John 3:2).
Paul identified himself as an apostle and teacher (II Timothy 1:11).
Teachers build on the apostolic foundation, grounding the church in apostolic doctrine (I Corinthians 3:10).
Some teachers are able to provide both historical and theological context.
Teachers incur a stricter judgment (James 3:1).
Teachers are to reproduce after kind (Matthew 10:25)
Elders are to be able to teach (I Timothy 3:2).
All believers should become teachers (Hebrews 5:12).
Teachers give attention to detail.
The Holy Spirit will teach us all things (John 14:28).

HE HIMSELF GAVE SOME TO BE EVANGELISTS

And God has appointed these in the church: after that miracles, then gifts of healings - I Corinthians 12:28.

Although listed third in the Ephesians 4 passage, it is at least inferred in the above Scripture that evangelists could have been appointed fourth. While miracles and gifts of healings accompany and attest to apostolic ministry, evangelists often minister with signs following.

It is reasonable to see why God would expand His work force in this way ~ first the foundational ministries of apostles and prophets, then the word builders (teachers). It would then be time for expansion through those who would preach salvation and the kingdom of God with convincing signs. After that is when people are needed to shepherd those who are harvested.

There are only two references to evangelists in Scripture:

Philip the evangelist (Acts 21:8).
Although he was an apostle, Paul exhorted Timothy to do the work of an evangelist (II Timothy 4:5).
Evangelists equip the church to share our testimonies with others, explaining the way of salvation through Jesus Christ.

HE HIMSELF GAVE SOME TO BE PASTORS

And God appointed these in the church: helps, administrations - I Corinthians 12:28.

It is reasonable to conclude that, until sheep are in existence, they do not need helped or administrated (shepherded). Although usually considered by the contemporary church as deacons, perhaps those appointed in Acts 6 were actually to shepherd the widows.

Ephesians 4:11 is the only mention of pastor in the New Testament. Jeremiah is the only place in the Old Testament where pastors are mentioned. We will draw our conclusions from New Testament references to shepherding.

Shepherds know their sheep (John 10:14).
Shepherds call their sheep by name (John 10:3).
Shepherds go before their sheep; and the sheep follow (John 10:4).
Shepherds give their lives for the sheep (John 10:11).
Shepherds tend and feed the sheep (John 21:15-17).
Shepherds function by example (I Peter 5:1-3).
Shepherds are guided and empowered by the Chief Shepherd (I Peter 5:4).
Shepherds are submissive and clothed with humility (I Peter 5:5).
Shepherds trust in their loving and all-powerful God (I Peter 5:6-7).
Shepherds are sober and vigilant (I Peter 8).

CONCLUSIONS

A. There is a logical order to God’s appointments to fivefold ministry.

B. That order is most easily recognized when we consider their function.

C. Function has too often been clouded by desire for title and position.

D. Tradition has a great part in adding to the confusion regarding function.

E. There is an unction for function that produces God’s glory.

F. We have all of the authority we need when we simply function in our unction!

G. By the grace of God, I am who I am.

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