‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭(ESV) says, “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” The collective group consisting of apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd (or pastor), and teacher is known as the five-fold ministry. Each office plays a different role in equipping the saints to do the work of ministry. 

‬‬Over the next five weeks we are going to take a deep dive into each part of the five-fold ministry. What does it look like to work in each office? Who can be in each office? How do we see each office played out in scripture? We will answer these questions for each of the five-fold offices in the ministry of equipping the saints. 

What Is An Apostle

The first office listed is apostle. According to the Blue Letter Bible an apostle is: a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders, specifically applied to the twelve apostles of Christ, in a broader sense applied to other eminent Christian teachers of Barnabas or of Timothy and Silvanus.

Strongs Concordance defines an apostle as: a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (“apostle”) (with miraculous powers):—apostle, messenger, he that is sent.

In Dr. Michael Brodeur’s book, Keys to Church Health he describes an apostle as: “a sent one who sends. It is a spiritual parent who raises up sons and daughters according to God’s design and sends them out to fulfill their destinies.”

An apostle is someone who is a messenger who is sent to different places as a representative of Jesus. They proclaim the gospel and may even show the power of God through miracles. They will impart their gifting to others. An apostle will teach these people how to use this gift to expand the Kingdom of God. Then these students will be sent out to do the same. An apostle will see the giftings in other believers. They will help to nurture and grow those giftings to be used in the most effective ways for the Kingdom. 

Difference Between Gifting And Office

There are two ways in which a person grows in their giftings, be it apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, or teacher. A follower of Jesus will have a natural gifting toward one or more of these gifts. As they grow and develop these gifts, they may eventually step into the office of apostle, prophet, etc.

When a believer steps into the office of one of these gifts, they have matured in their God given ability. They have refined their giftings and are able to then teach others how to walk in this gift. Not all believers will step into the office of their gifting. It truly takes time, repetition, calling and maturity to take on the role of office.

Jesus As An Apostle

Jesus showed us what it is to be an apostle by traveling from town to town proclaiming the kingdom of God is at hand. He would teach the people about who he is and who his Father is. Mark 10:1 (ESV) tells us, “And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them.” 

Of course we can see many occasions when Jesus used miracles to demonstrate even more that he is in fact both God and human. Jesus healed the sick, freed the demonized, and brought the dead to life.

12 Men Called To Be Apostles

Jesus also called 12 men to be apostles. Matthew 10:2-4 (ESV) says, “The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” These men were called by Jesus to be his messengers. 

In fact verse one tells us exactly what Jesus called these men to do, “And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.” After giving these men the authority over demons and disease, he sent them as messengers to other towns. ‭‭

Jesus Sends The 12 Out

“These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 

And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 

As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭5‬-‭15‬ ‭(ESV)‬‬

Jesus Send Out 72

However, these men are not the only men Jesus appointed as apostles. In fact there are 72 others whom Jesus appointed as his messengers. Jesus gave them the authority over demons and disease, just as he had done previously with the 12 disciples. 

“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. 

Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 

But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.” Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬-‭12‬ (‭ESV)‬‬

Why Did Jesus Say The Same Thing

Did you notice Jesus used almost the same exact wording to the 72 as he did with the 12? I believe this is done to show us that the gifting and office of an apostle was not for just a select few. No, this is an office designed to be given to many people for the glory of the Lord. 

Modern Apostles

Furthermore, this is an office still given to people today. Have you ever met someone who seems to move frequently, but wherever they are they have a drive to share the gospel with everyone they meet? They even have stories about amazing ways God has moved in their life and the lives of those they are sent to preach the gospel to? These are modern day apostles. Just like the 84 (that’s the twelve disciples plus the 72 others Jesus sent out) men Jesus sent out, these people are gifted with the faith to see miracles happen in order to bring many people to know the love of Jesus. 

Are You An Apostle

You may see yourself in the description of an apostle. If this is you, pray for God to strengthen your faith to see miracles happen. Know that you will come against persecution. Remember what Jesus told the disciples just before they were sent out the first time: “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭(ESV‬‬) 

Take heart when you face persecution. Know you are following in your teacher’s footsteps. Have faith and trust God to give you the words to say and actions to do. Trust him to protect you and fight for you. Remember to put on your spiritual armor everyday to protect you from the flaming arrows of the enemy. 

How To Walk As An Apostle

You have been called to an important gifting/office, so make sure you are continually seeking God for what his plans are for your life. Ask him to show you who you are supposed to talk to, what you are supposed to say, and where you are supposed to go. Walk in confidence knowing that if God has called you an apostle, he WILL show up in power through you. It doesn’t matter what religion says regarding this office. 

Yes, you will stir up the hornet’s nest of the religious spirit. Take heart because your teacher Jesus did the same exact thing when he walked in the flesh. Keep your ears attuned to the voice of the Holy Spirit, your eyes focused on the work Jesus calls you to each day, your mind fixed on the calling you have, and ignore everything and everyone trying to pull you away from the important work God has for you to do. 

Apostle — Prophet — Evangelist — Pastor — Teacher