I have been reading this a book on/off. I am almost finished and I’m excited to share with you some of the things that I’ve learned.

Book: “The Gifts and Ministries of the Holy Spirit” by Lester Sumrall

I will be doing a brief summary of Chapter 16: The Fivefold Ministry Gifts
This book is a great study tool for every believer. When we’re born again we become filled with God’s Holy Spirit. It’s vital that we figure out the power that lives within us because it’s the same power that Jesus functioned in. It ‘s the same power that raised Him from the dead! It’s living in YOU (born-again believers)

THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY GIFTS

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.Ephesians 4:11

The Office of Apostle

Apostleship was not confined to the original 12 disciples. There are apostles in the church today. As long as their is a church, there will be apostles.

The office of apostle is the foremost ministry in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. An apostle is not appointed by men. The Bible says the Holy Spirit is the One who establishes these ministries in the church.

There are several translations in the NT of the Greek word referring to the apostles. One of these translations is apostolos, meaning “a delegate; one sent with full power of attorney to act for another.” An apostle is a divine delegate—one who has come to the people of the world, representing the Trinity in heaven. The apostle does not act on his own behalf; he is anointed by the Holy Spirit to act on behalf of the body of Christ, the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The position of apostle, as the very word implies, means a person who is sent forth to do a work for God. Such a person is not greater than the One who sent him. The Lord Jesus Christ is always the Great One.

The Office of Prophet

The office of prophet cannot be filled through a democratic election. A prophet is called of God and set apart by God. The person God picks to fill this office is not phones on the basis of personality, education, or public standing. When God appoints a prophet in the land, the people there have nothing to do with it.

OT prophets mentioned: Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, David, Jeremiah.Prophetesses: Miriam, Deborah, Huldah & Anna

NT: The Seventy, Peter, Paul, James & John

The Office of Evangelist

The evangelist is a proclaimer of the Gospel who simply preaches the love and forgiveness of God and the salvation that is available to all through His Son Jesus Christ.

When a evangelist preaches the simple Gospel message, people receive salvation.

The Office of Pastor

A pastor is a shepherd. The Greek word poimen occurs 17 times in the NT. Only 1 time is it translated “pastor.”‘The pastor is to be the shepherd of his flock, his church.

Jesus is the chief shepherd, the chief pastor.

The ministry of a pastor is to feed the flock with knowledge and understanding, to feed the souls of all who come by the Spirit of God.

A real pastor is commissioned by God to do his job, and he will pastor even he doesn’t get paid because God told him to do so.

The Office of Teacher

A teacher of the Word can be located in one place, or can travel. The office of teacher carries a very special anointing for opening people’s understanding of God’s Word.

All the education in the world will not make a teacher of God’s Word. A teacher is a person who has been set in the body of Christ by God for one specific purpose: to teach the Word.

Which do you posses? I personally believe that we can posses all of them. I’m reminded of Acts 2. Since Jesus ascended, He’s been pouring out His Holy Spirit on ALL believers! It’s doesn’t matter about your social standing, gender, education or age. If you have believe you can receive all of the gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit.

…You will receive power when the Holy spirit comes on you. Acts 1:8

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