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BIBLICAL CHURCH OFFICES
Upon Jesus’ ascension, a task was
given to the church: to go and teach all nations, baptizing them. To accomplish
such a task, Christ gave the church five distinct types of ministers: apostles,
prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Eph 4:11). Such offices should
not be confused with spiritual gifts, as listed in 1 Corinthians 12 or Romans
12. All believers possess spiritual gifts; yet, only a few hold an office of
the church. Holding an office is a privilege, not a right, and one which
requires exceeding accountability and seriousness.
Of the five offices of the church, there subsist a variety of opinions
and interpretations. For example, are these offices reserved only for men? The
answer to that question will vary greatly depending on the hermeneutic of the
one answering (and some more informed perhaps than others). Rather than
outlining my own reasons for holding my view, suffice it to say that I believe
these offices are not reserved only for men; yet, I am certainly able to see
the perspective of one who believes so.
Another question asked by many believers is whether all five churches
offices Paul lists continue to exist today, primarily the role of apostle and
prophet. Some reference Paul’s letter to the Church at Corinth to argue that
tongues and prophecy (often including apostleship) do not exist. “…but when the
perfect comes, the partial will pass away” (1 Cor 13:10). Since Paul speaks of
prophecy and tongues in this context, the assumption could be that such
abilities existed only for an ordained interval of time and not any further. I
believe that such a claim is a stretch and, yet, do not discount its
credibility.
While different in function, the goal of all five offices of the church is the same: namely the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry and building the body of Christ (Eph 4:12). For the following, I will operate under the view that all five offices subsist today. How then should Christians understand the roles of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher? My aim is to examine each office and how it should appear in current contexts.
Apostle
An apostle
is an ambassador of the gospel and one who is sent from and by his or her local
congregation. Many church planters would be considered apostles. There should,
however, be a distinction between the Twelve Apostles[1]
and the general role of apostle. Scripture often speaks of apostles in both
senses. As founders and leaders of the early church, the Twelve Apostles were
given the unique role of serving the early church specifically. No person has
ever nor will ever have a role as the Twelve Apostles did. Some may, however,
hold the general role of apostle, i.e. one who is sent by God to accomplish a
specific task. As the Twelve Apostles held the responsibility of establishing
the church, the office of apostle also brings with it the task of building
local churches. Many missionaries seem to hold this office as well. The Twelve
Apostles dispersed around the nations and influenced people for the gospel of
Christ; the same is true of the general office of apostle but on a local level
rather than an establishment of the church universal, which was given to the
Twelve. One who is an apostle today might have a distinct gift of building
local churches and ministering at a foundational level.
Prophet
Where Old Testament prophets were given the responsibility of declaring God’s message of repentance, the New Testament role of prophecy is disparate in that one who prophesies boldly declares the message of God by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. It is not as if Old Testament prophets did not do so as well; yet, Old Testament prophets were given a specific message for a specific people, e.g. Judah or Israel, while New Testament and modern prophets proclaim a broader message with the authority of Scripture. Furthermore, Old Testament prophets offered God’s revelation, which had not already been given to his people. Because the canon of Scripture is complete, however, church-era prophets offer no such extra revelation, for God’s complete revelation has already been given; anyone who claims to be a prophet offering an extra word from God, particularly one that contradicts the text of the Bible, is a false prophet and, therefore, no prophet at all. True prophecy is totally accurate, a prophecy will never be incorrect or mistaken; if the claimed word from God is incorrect, it is not prophecy. Prophets often see spiritual issues in a clearer sense than others. Sin or righteousness is blatantly obvious to a prophet; he or she then is obliged to point out such issues to the people to whom they minister. A prophet is recognized in the way of proclamation. One who prophesies, therefore, proclaims the message of God with authority and with the obvious emboldening of the Holy Spirit.
Evangelist
The evangelist is often considered in an incorrect manner, e.g. one who travels to various local churches ministering. While one who does so may certainly be an evangelist, it should be remembered that an evangelist is an office of the local church given for the equipping of the saints. Evangelists then hold an equipping ministry to the local church. Evangelists tend to possess a rare ability to present the gospel in an announcing fashion, which beckons others to salvation. Salvation obviously does not come by the power of any human but only by the Holy Spirit; yet, the Spirit of God empowers evangelists to preach the gospel announcing the good news of Christ and bringing others to salvation. Bear in mind, however, that evangelists are given by God to the local church for the equipping of the saints. Therefore, evangelists minister in a local congregation. While there is nothing inherently wrong with itinerant ministry, one who holds the office of evangelist is given a ministry in a local church.
Pastor
The pastor
is often translated as shepherd (1 Pet 5:2-4). The ultimate model for a
shepherd (and indeed all churches offices) is Jesus who refers to himself as
the good shepherd who gathers the flock, cares for them, knows them, rescues
them, and lays down his life for them (John 10:2-16). Guidelines and criteria
are given for pastors by the Apostle Paul (1 Tim 3:1-13). The term he uses,
however, is elder. The term, bishop, is also used interchangeably (Acts 20:28).
The overarching ministry of a pastor is that of an overseer or one who
spiritually guides a local body of believers.
Teacher
Often, the role of pastor is coupled with that of teacher. In the Greek, the two terms are used together as pastor-teacher. In Paul’s instructions on pastoral duties, a pastor is to have the ability to teach. Therefore, the role of pastor also involves teaching and, in the opinion of many, implies a dual role of pastor-teacher. Teachers hold the task of interpreting God’s divine revelation through Scripture. Like the other four offices of the church, a teacher is ultimately required for equipping the saints for the work of ministry. Teaching then does not see an end of learning but rather life transformation, which results in the public ministry of the local church. One who can rightly exposit the text of Scripture to God’s people is a teacher and is given such a task for the equipping of the saints.
The End Means of Each Office
The overarching purpose of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (or any combination of them one believes exist now) stems from the glory of God and is manifested in the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry. A key component in this concept is that the work of ministry is not (only) reserved for the ministers and leaders of the church themselves but rather for the members of the body, i.e. ministers function primarily to equip rather than to work as the sole ministers of the fellowship. Such an assignment has two parties involved: the ministers and the congregants where both must take their responsibility seriously. A minister in the local church should understand his or her role as equipping, as a lay member should understand his or her role as one being equipped for ministry. When church offices function in this manner, God’s work is accomplished and he is glorified.
[1] The specifics of who is a biblical Apostle is debated, e.g. Paul or Mathias. Commonly, both are regarded for various reasons; yet, Scripture is clear about the number being twelve so one must ascribe to one or the other.
