Prophecy

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Diverse Ministries of My Body
Shared by Patricia Backora, author of the book
Tough Love in Christ’s Millennium
Which you can order online from: http://www.publishamerica.com
Exodus 17:8-13; Numbers 11:16-17; Ephesians 4:11-13

Many congregations have perpetuated a tradition that one man_the pastor_is responsible for all the spiritual work of the Church, while the deacon gets the church bulletins printed up and oversees the janitorial work. This is all wrong. I have set office ministries within My Body to teach and edify My other sheep, but I never ordained the man-made pecking order of clergy and laity in My New Testament Church. My Church began to lose its power when carnal clergymen began to substitute man-made structures for the Church blueprint which had originally been ordained through apostles and prophets, using the excuse that My Divine Order for the Church had been “done away with” with the death of the original twelve apostles.

All of you who belong to My Church are given a place and a ministry to fulfill. Not everyone is placed in one of the full-time Office Ministries of the Church, for these carry a heavy weight of responsibility and authority. Although women are not to rule over men and everyone is to pay due respect to godly leaders, operation of the spiritual gifts is open to all to whom I impart them. I anoint many for the performance of specific types of tasks in My Body. And when I give you a task to do, I expect you to be faithful in executing it, not to use the excuse that you’re just an ordinary lay-person and haven’t been ordained by an earthly theological school. I Myself have ordained each one and every one of you to impart to others that same degree of blessing and wisdom which I have shared with you. And I will give you discretion and specific guidance as to how, when, and to whom to minister.

No, I never intended that the pastor should bear the burden alone. My original plan was that there should be seven office ministries and many other supporting ministries in the Church. Five of the office ministries comprise the fundamental Five-fold Ministry, fulfilled in the life of Christ on earth. These are:

1. APOSTLE-One of the two Foundational Ministries upon which the Church is built, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). The Apostle Paul was divinely appointed as an Apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13). He was given the oversight of many widely scattered churches. These congregations would receive periodic visits from him, in order that he might strengthen them in their faith and impart new revelations to them for their edification (Romans 1:10-11). He would also minister rebukes to backsliders whenever necessary (I Corinthians chapter 5). Christ Himself I the Apostle and High Priest of your profession as a believer (Hebrews 3:1).

2. PROPHET-The other foundational ministry. Together with the apostle, the prophet has the authority to set foundational truths in the Church. While all believers may seek the Gift of Prophecy and exercise this gift to edify the Church, the Office of Prophet carries leadership responsibility with it. This anointed minister may be given visions of catastrophes to come affecting the congregation, or divine insight into steps which ought to be taken to forestall problems brewing within the Church. At times the Holy Spirit will address particular issues or spiritual matters affecting the Church of that place or time in history. The Holy Spirit revealed to Agabus the Prophet that there would be a widespread famine. Because of this revelation, believers prepared to send relief to their persecuted brethren in Jerusalem (Acts 11:237:30). That same prophet later gave Paul the Apostle a sign. He bound his own hands and feet with Paul’s belt, and proclaimed that that the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem would bind the owner of that belt, and turn him over to Roman authorities to be tried as a criminal. Thus Paul received advance warning of what would happen if he took a planned trip to Jerusalem. His brethren wept and pleaded with him to heed the warning and not go, but Paul decided to go anyway, his sense
of duty outweighing concern for his own safety. Christ Jesus is My divine Prophet Whose words must be heeded. Eternal life is forfeited by those who reject or rebel against His message (Deuteronomy 18:15,18-19; Acts 3:22).

3. EVANGELIST-He is specially called to minister on the mission field. A very special anointing to harvest souls rests upon him. Philip was called an evangelist. He had four daughters who prophesied (Acts 21:8-9), although they did not hold the Office of Prophet. He was one of seven deacons who had been appointed to relieve the Apostles of the details of food distribution (Acts 6:1-6), With maturity, he was given the greater task of a full-time evangelization and healing ministry. He converted many Samaritans, and I confirmed My Word by pouring out miracles of healing upon the afflicted (Acts 8:5-7). Because of this visitation, Samaria was filled with joy. Gifts of Miracles and Healings were manifested through this faithful man. Philip was specially directed by the Holy Spirit to join an African official in his chariot, explain to him a Scripture he was reading, lead him to Christ, and baptize him (Acts 8: 26-40). Christ fulfilled the calling of evangelist during His own ministry, for He came to seek and to save those who are lost (Matthew 18:11; Luke 19:10).

4. PASTOR-Oversees a local congregation. He is a shepherd of souls, and ministers under the authority of Christ, Who is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11); Who alone is the Chief Shepherd ( I Peter 5:1-4). The pastor is set into the Church by the Lord to feed his flock with knowledge and understanding of the Word (Jeremiah 3:15). A good shepherd is vigilant, and will guard against the intrusion of false teachers (Galatians 2:4-5; Hebrews 13:17). He is to minister to those of his congregation who are in need of wise counsel, or beset by either spiritual or physical sickness (Ezekiel 34:4).

5. TEACHER-Occupies a position of authority in My Church, and is anointed to expound upon the Scriptures. New revelations come to him from the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Fresh insights are given into My Word. It comes to life in the congregation as My revelations are prayerfully applied to individual lives, and to the operation of daily Church life. The main goal of a teacher should be to impart to his hearers a clearer understanding of the nature and workings of Christ in and through His Body. The Apostle Paul was a teacher of the Gentiles, who generally had no prior teaching about the God of Israel (I Timothy 2:7). Jesus faithfully taught His flock the precepts of the Kingdom of God as He received the from the Father (John 7:16; 8:28; Matthew 7:28-29).

The other two anointed office ministries assist the pastor in the work of the local congregation. These are:

6. ELDER-Under the authority of the pastor, he helps tend to the spiritual needs of the Church. They are to anoint sick saints with oil and pray for their healing, and for forgivenes of any sins the sufferer might have committed (James 5:14-15). There are times when sin brings on sickness (John 5:14; Isaiah 33:24), and this type of prayer is necessary. Peter exhorted elders to be faithful to feed the flock. Not for money or out of a grudging sense of obligation, but with a godly attitude. These were not to lord it over
My heritage, but to walk as living examples of My grace. A Crown of Glory is promised all faithful Church elders (I Peter 5:1-5). Christ is your elder Brother, the Firstborn among many brethren (Rom.8:29).

7, DEACON-He is responsible for fulfilling practical duties in My Church. Even Christ fed His followers bread and fish on several occasions, even prepared a meal for the apostles after His resurrection (John 21:9, 13). Indeed, He speaks of Himself as a Servant (Matthew 20:25-28; Luke 22:24-27). I demand a high standard of godliness in the lives of men called to this office,
just as in all the other ministries of My Church (I Timothy 3:8-13); for if a deacon fails to keep his own life and house in order,how shall he take care of the House of God (I Timothy 3:5)? Blessed is that man who is faithful, even in seemingly insignificant things. His Lord will give him authority over even greater things (Matthew 25:23).

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