The Five-Fold Ministry

The 5 Ministries

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;” Ephesians 4:11

All 5 ministries are to correct those in and out of the church. They correct in different ways.

The Apostle’s doctrine now (Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5) corrects the church. Yes, Paul the Apostle came after the original twelve, showing the continuation of Apostles. Apostles build a church from the foundation, 1 Corinthians 3:9-11; Romans 15:20. This building involves correcting world views.

Now the Prophets prophesy to correct the church, Ephesians 3:5.

The Evangelists correct the lost people on this forum, cooper and mizpeh. I am a called by Jesus teacher; I very much dislike debating lost people. I would prefer to leave correcting the lost to the evangelists.

The Pastors correct the flock. He/she chases after those who are wandering. He/she watches for immorality, etc. He/she acts as a dad or a mom.

The Teachers correct all of the church, but he/she especially corrects those in the local church. He/she uses the original Biblical languages to prove doctrine if need be.

Sure, this is very basic. I have written an entire book on the subject.

In Jesus,
Brother Bruce

Okay, Cooper my friend the ball is now in your court! Cooper, thank you for being a good friend. You are a true Christian!

I don't really want to answer the replies, but I may if you aren't led to reply.

Have fun!

In Jesus,
Brother Bruce

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Bruce Klein

The 5 Ministries

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;” Ephesians 4:11

All 5 ministries are to correct those in and out of the church. They correct in different ways.

The Apostle’s doctrine now (Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5) corrects the church. Yes, Paul the Apostle came after the original twelve, showing the continuation of Apostles. Apostles build a church from the foundation, 1 Corinthians 3:9-11; Romans 15:20. This building involves correcting world views.

Now the Prophets prophesy to correct the church, Ephesians 3:5.

The Evangelists correct the lost people on this forum, cooper and mizpeh. I am a called by Jesus teacher; I very much dislike debating lost people. I would prefer to leave correcting the lost to the evangelists.

The Pastors correct the flock. He/she chases after those who are wandering. He/she watches for immorality, etc. He/she acts as a dad or a mom.

The Teachers correct all of the church, but he/she especially corrects those in the local church. He/she uses the original Biblical languages to prove doctrine if need be.

Sure, this is very basic. I have written an entire book on the subject.

In Jesus,
Brother Bruce

Bro Bruce,

I am flattered that you think I'm called as an evangelist, but I'm not feeling it from the Holy Spirit. I'm truly called to be a saint. That's enough for me.

[Scott Hutchinson]

This in most interesting as I do believe The Five fold ministry was govermental in primitive or early Christian practice.

[Trouvere]

Originally Posted by Bruce Klein

Okay, Cooper my friend the ball is now in your court! Cooper, thank you for being a good friend. You are a true Christian!

I don't really want to answer the replies, but I may if you aren't led to reply.

Have fun!

In Jesus,
Brother Bruce

Thanks Brother Klein you are a true Christian as well.

[Trouvere]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

Bro Bruce,

I am flattered that you think I'm called as an evangelist, but I'm not feeling it from the Holy Spirit. I'm truly called to be a saint. That's enough for me.

Sister all the time you spend trying to show truth to the lost shows that you are a real evangelist in heart.You may not travel but you sure do alot of miles on the web.

[Trouvere]

Brother Klein
a pastor friend of mine feels that the word to describe pastor is actually pastor/teacher.What do you think?

Originally Posted by Bruce Klein

The 5 Ministries

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;” Ephesians 4:11

All 5 ministries are to correct those in and out of the church. They correct in different ways.

The Apostle’s doctrine now (Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5) corrects the church. Yes, Paul the Apostle came after the original twelve, showing the continuation of Apostles. Apostles build a church from the foundation, 1 Corinthians 3:9-11; Romans 15:20. This building involves correcting world views.

Now the Prophets prophesy to correct the church, Ephesians 3:5.

The Evangelists correct the lost people on this forum, cooper and mizpeh. I am a called by Jesus teacher; I very much dislike debating lost people. I would prefer to leave correcting the lost to the evangelists.

The Pastors correct the flock. He/she chases after those who are wandering. He/she watches for immorality, etc. He/she acts as a dad or a mom.

The Teachers correct all of the church, but he/she especially corrects those in the local church. He/she uses the original Biblical languages to prove doctrine if need be.

Sure, this is very basic. I have written an entire book on the subject.

In Jesus,
Brother Bruce

B]“And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,” (Ephesians 4:11, RSV).

kai autov edwken touv men apostolouv touv de profhtav touv de euaggelistav touv de poimenav kai didaskalouv[/B]


Bruce has claimed that Ephesians 4:11 teaches a five-fold ministry of offices within the Church. However, only four Church offices are actually mentioned here, each of which are written in the predicate accusative and are distinguished in the original Greek from the other three offices by the prepositions ‘tous men’ or ‘tous de,’ which are both translated as ‘some.’

So the final Church office which this verse lists is the combined office of ‘pastor and teacher,’ as proven by the single use of the word ‘some’ (tous de) which precedes both ‘pastor’ and teacher. This word ‘teacher’ is used again at 1st Corinthians 12:28, where it’s specifically stated as being the third office after firstly the office of apostle and secondly the prophet. Now the fact that the title of pastor is omitted from this list, shouldn’t be taken literally as implying that the teacher is more important than the pastor, for the ‘teacher’ implies the office of ‘pastor’ Bruce.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Iron_Bladder

B]“And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,” (Ephesians 4:11, RSV).

kai autov edwken touv men apostolouv touv de profhtav touv de euaggelistav touv de poimenav kai didaskalouv[/b]


Bruce has claimed that Ephesians 4:11 teaches a five-fold ministry of offices within the Church. However, only four Church offices are actually mentioned here, each of which are written in the predicate accusative and are distinguished in the original Greek from the other three offices by the prepositions ‘tous men’ or ‘tous de,’ which are both translated as ‘some.’

So the final Church office which this verse lists is the combined office of ‘pastor and teacher,’ as proven by the single use of the word ‘some’ (tous de) which precedes both ‘pastor’ and teacher. This word ‘teacher’ is used again at 1st Corinthians 12:28, where it’s specifically stated as being the third office after firstly the office of apostle and secondly the prophet. Now the fact that the title of pastor is omitted from this list, shouldn’t be taken literally as implying that the teacher is more important than the pastor, for the ‘teacher’ implies the office of ‘pastor’ Bruce.

How does the single use of tous de PROVE that?

Hello Brother Iron Bladder,

Greek scholars have argued these points for ages. Grace Theoligical Seminary in Indiana, believes the teacher and the pastor are one office. Most Greek scholars believe in separate offices. I question the word 'office'. Normally, the scholars argue from their theological point of view. Grace Theological Seminary being Baptistic is against speaking in tongues, etc. teaching Apostles and Prophets are not for today.

All five 'offices' are in the accusative case. The predicate issue is to me questionable.

From a theological view, I believe all five are for today. All five could be functioning in a church as elders. Other Scriptures, I think, support this view.


Eph 4:11 και αυτος εδωκεν τους μεν αποστολους τους δε προφητας τους δε ευαγγελιστας τους δε ποιμενας και διδασκαλους


Eph 4:11 και And 2532 CONJ αυτος he 846 P-NSM εδωκεν gave 1325 V-AAI-3S τους some 3588 T-APM μεν 3303 PRT αποστολους apostles 652 N-APM τους some 3588 T-APM δε and 1161 CONJ προφητας prophets 4396 N-APM τους some 3588 T-APM δε and 1161 CONJ ευαγγελιστας evangelists 2099 N-APM τους some 3588 T-APM δε and 1161 CONJ ποιμενας pastors 4166 N-APM και and 2532 CONJ διδασκαλους teachers. 1320 N-APM

In Jesus,
Brother Bruce