Discipleship and the five fold ministry

I got into trouble years ago for preaching that most church structures are not Biblical. Many have Biblical elements, for example the Presbyterians have elders (Acts 14:23). But surly one of the reasons there is so much pastor burn out, is that pastors were never intended to be alone at the top of a pyramid of authority and responsibility! My defense, was that I was naive enough to believe they would prefer truth to tradition. That didn't go down too well either! But if the prophecy of a billion soul harvest is true (and it comes from the well established and highly accurate prophet Bob Jones – Google the history of IHOPK, for example), then we cannot do church as usual! Over the years the Church lost most, if not all, of its Biblical character. The Lord however, has been restoring the Biblical foundations starting five hundred years ago with the Bible, going on to Missions, the Holy Spirit, signs wonders and miracles, the rightful place of the Fatherhood of God in the most orphan generation ever etc., etc. And it seems to me we should open our eyes to see what God is doing in our day, and get on board with it, rather than asking God to bless what we are doing.

The fivefold ministry is a name given to the five offices apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers mentioned in Ephesians 4:11. These offices are gifts given to the Church to edify it, and to equip the saints for ministry (verse 12). Ministry is the outward journey of discipleship. It's to the saints of course, but is not restricted to them (Galatians 2:10; 6:10). Apostles and prophets are the foundation of the household of God, and the marks of a true apostle are signs, wonders and mighty deeds (Ephesians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 12:12). Among those internationally recognized as occupying this office are John Arnott (Catch the Fire), Randy Clerk (Global Awakening), Heidi Baker (Iris ministries) and Bill Johnson (Bethel, Redding). Bethel Redding is an apostolic center, operating in the fivefold ministry with Kris Vollotton as its prophet. Since all may prophecy (2 Corinthians 14:2, 31), the office is different from the gift, and apostles today don't have the authority to write Scripture (Revelation 22:18).

Clearly not every New Testament church had an apostle, and so neither should we. But since the apostles and prophets are foundational, we are the poorer if we fail to acknowledged them. Indeed “He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward” (Matthew 10:41). Now there are both false apostles and false prophets (2 Corinthians 11:13; Matthew 24:24). But we must not throw out the baby with the bath water! We do not dismiss the Bible because of false teachers. In fact “there must be heresies among you, that those who are approved may be recognized" (1 Corinthians 11:19). We're told to test all things and hold on that that which is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21). When we love the Lord with all our heart, mind soul and strength the truth will surely out!

Father, not all of us can go to check out personally the many amazing things You are doing across the globe. We can certainly Google these things but, as in the first century, there are those out there who call black white. Give us discernment Lord, help us to truly listen to both sides, and to prefer truth to tradition. Thank You for Your promise of wisdom when we ask, in Jesus Name Amen