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FIVE-FOLD
ministries

These resources have been compiled to show what the Bible says about the five-fold ministries outlined in Ephesians 4:11. If you have any questions, please contact us! Feel free to share this page or download/print the PDF below.

What are five-fold ministries?

WHAT ARE THE FIVE-FOLD MINISTRIES?

  • There are five ministries given by Christ to the Church.

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It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be
pastors and teachers… - Ephesians 4:11 

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  • The apostle is one sent on a mission and often plants churches, setting them in order.

 

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on
it. But each one should be careful how he builds. - 1 Corinthians 3:10

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The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint
elders in every town, as I directed you. - Titus 1:5

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(See also Acts 14)

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  • New Testament prophets must be seasoned in the charismata—waiting on the Lord for His words for the church.

 

During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus,
stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman
world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) - Acts 11:27-28

 

Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the
Seven. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. After we had been there a number of days, a
prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own
hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the
owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’” - Acts 21:8-11

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Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. - 1 Cor 14:29

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(See also 1 Corinthians 14:26-33 and Revelation 2-3)

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  • The evangelist preaches the Word and proclaims Christ and “the good news of the kingdom of God.”

 

Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in
Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he
did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many
paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great joy in that city. - Acts 8:4-8 (See also Acts 8:26-40)

 

Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the
Seven. - Acts 21:8

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  • Pastors must care for the members of the congregation (or “flock”), protecting and leading them.

 

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. - Ps 23:1(See also the full chapter of Ps 23.)

 

They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, each seeks his own gain. - Isaiah 56:11

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“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the LORD.
Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: “Because
you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow
punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the LORD. - Jeremiah 23:1-2

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I will take note of you as you pass under my rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant. - Ezekiel 20:37

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“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” - John 10:11

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Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be
shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. - Acts 20:28

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Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but
because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it
over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. - 1 Peter 5:2-3

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  • Teachers devote themselves “to the study and observance” of the Word, to teach “its decrees” to make it “clear” and give “the meaning so that the people could understand.”

 

For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its
decrees and laws in Israel. - Ezra 7:10

 

They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people
could understand what was being read. - Nehemiah 8:8

What othe benefits?

WHAT OTHER BENEFITS DO THE FIVE-FOLD BRING?

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  • The Five-fold Ministries help mature believers and protect the church from false doctrine.


It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be
pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be
built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature,
attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back
and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and
craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things
grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by
every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. - 
Ephesians 4:11-16
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  • The Five-fold Ministries help raise younger ministers in their ministry giftings.

 

To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our
Lord. - 1 Timothy 1:2

 

To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our
Savior. - Titus 1:4

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How Should We Respond?
  • We should acknowledge and receive their ministries for the contributions they provide.

 

Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone
who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. - Matthew 10:41

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Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. - Hebrews 13:17

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  • They should receive double honor for their work, including remuneration.

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The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose
work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the
grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” - 1 Timothy 5:17-18

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How can I learn more?

Below are video resources on the Five-Fold Ministry:

The Christian View of the Church

Run Time: 1 hour, 38 minutes and 04 seconds

Sermon begins: 53:05

GOT QUESTIONS?

Have a question about what we believe at Coweta Community Church? Get in touch with a person on our lead team directly by clicking the button below.

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