The Five-Fold Ministry.

          There is written in the Epistle or Letter to the Ephesians, a list of ministerial callings or gifts given out to believers.

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He Himself gave some to be emissaries (apostles), some as prophets, some as proclaimers          (evangelists) of the Good News, and some as shepherds (pastors) and teachers— 12 to equip the kedoshim (saints) for the work of service, for building up the body of Messiah. 13 This will continue until we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of Ben-Elohim (Son of God) —to mature adulthood, to the measure of the stature of Messiah’s fullness. (Ephesians 4:11-12 TLV)

         

     The question now is, what was given to you? Which of these are you possibly called to fulfill as a believer in Messiah? The first step is to pray on it.

     

     Never try to be something you are not. If your calling is to be an evangelist, do not try to be a pastor, if you are called to be a pastor, do not try and be a prophet. This is not to say someone cannot be called to be both. Find your calling. You may find yourself called to fulfill more than one role in your walk. 

 

An Apostle?   

         Have you spoken to someone who has started a congregation?  Or possibly someone who has travelled to other countries to spread the Gospel in remote areas?  This is the calling of an apostle. It clearly is not for everyone. Though anyone may be called upon to leave their comfort zone for the sake of the Gospel of Messiah. Could this be your calling as well?  Have you ever thought about leaving your comfort zone for the sake of spreading the Gospel of the Lord? If so, you may be called to be an apostle. But, it may mean you'll need to pack your bags and travel to places you had never thought of visiting. 

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A Prophet?

         Being called as a prophet is a very special gifting. This is not to say it is any better than any other gifting of God. Too many see it as a way to puff themselves up, to which there are stern warnings in the Scriptures. As a prophet, one may receive words of knowledge, a special message to one or more people, or even to a congregation. It is not however, a method of predicting the future. The gift of prophecy may include the revelation of a hidden mystery in the Scriptures which applies to the future, but it is not for fortune telling or future predictios. Do you receive these words or understandings and are not sure what to do with them?

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An Evangelist?

         How many believers have marveled at how someone in a checkout line can suddenly burst into evangelizing?  To have that admirable ability to turn to someone and elequently share the Gospel. We all have times appointed by God to witness to someone and can all witness when called upon. But it is that gifting of evangelizing which allows someone to just start right in, knowing when and what to say. An evangelist has that gift and calling to be able to jump right in. Do you find yourself doing this more often than not? Does it yield the fruits of an evangelist?  If you feel this may be your calling.

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A Shepherd or Pastor?

          Being a shepherd or pastor is a very important calling. Without elevating it above any of the others, it may be one of the most difficult of callings, especially if one is not called to be a pastor. As a pastor, he is the shepherd of a flock the leader and caretaker of a congregation. Such an individual must deal with the problems of that group. This may include marital advice, comfort to those who have lost a loved one. A pastor must be able to spot when someone is besieged by spirits or just not feeling well. A pastor must visit the sick, the imprisoned, the lost sheep of his fold.  These are easy to write or say, but they are much harder to actually do. Are you good at comforting people? Do you tend to know what to say or not to say or do; when to talk and when to listen? This may be what the Lord is calling you to do.

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A Teacher or Rabbi?

          The last of the five ministerial callings is that of a teacher, or in the Hebrew a Rabbi. This is a person who may be a combination of all of the above in varying levels. It may simply be one who teaches about Messiah and the Word of God at a Bible Study, or Talmadim (disciples) class.

          Teaching requires a lot of time and focus one's own personal study of the Scriptures as well as related sources.  All of the ministries will need to be able to teach in their own way, this applies to all. As Rav Sha’ul, a.k.a. the Apostle Paul described it.

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I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready. (1 Corinthians 3:2 TLV)

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It is well described in the letter to the Hebrews this way.

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12 For although you ought to be teachers by this time, again you need someone to teach you the basics of God’s sayings. You have come to need milk, not solid food. 13 For anyone living on milk is inexperienced with the teaching about righteousness—he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who through practice have their senses trained to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:12-14 TLV)

 

        The only way to become a teacher is to immerse oneself into the Word of God.  Study and prepare to teach the Word and its meanings. Does this stir the spirit inside you? 

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What is the spirit inside you calling you to do?           Ask the Lord, pray on it

       

Remember: 

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     17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Yeshua,

giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:17 TLV)

 

Thank you and

Shalom!

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