The second category of gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 is the ministries (diakonia) that Jesus gives to the Church. This category of gifts is very different from those given by the Holy Spirit. They are listed for us by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians:

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says, "WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN." ……. He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. Eph. 4:7-8, 10-13 NASB

These are often called the Ascension Gifts because Jesus gave them to the Church as He ascended into heaven (cf. vs. 8). They are also called the five-fold ministry gifts because there are five of them. Five in Scripture is the number representing grace. It is interesting that grace is connected to these gifts in Ephesians 4:7. We might say that these are the five graces given to the Church by Christ Jesus.

As you compare this list with the nine gifts of the Spirit, you will find that these gifts are persons or offices that have been given to the Church. Unlike the gifts of the Spirit, they are not temporary functions. The reason Christ gave them is:

To equip the saints to do the work of ministry.
To edify or build up the body of Christ.
To unify the Church.
To spread the knowledge of Christ.
To mature believers in the faith

These gifts are not believers sitting in the pews, but those on the front lines ministering according to the grace (ability) God gives.

Apostles. This word comes from the Greek word which means “emissary” or “one sent.” They are delegates or special messengers. Some apostles are called to minister a specific message or they have a specific assignment. Some are called to a particular area to minister. This could be a geographical area or a specific kind of people. Apostles are the rulers and builders of the Church. They are mentors of other leaders and are often on the cutting edge of ministry. Many apostles plant churches and other parachurch ministries. They establish the work of God.

Many believe that there were only twelve apostles. However, the term “apostle” doesn’t refer to just the twelve followers of Jesus. When reading the New Testament, we find that there are over 22 apostles listed including: Matthias (Acts 1:26), Barnabas & Paul (Acts 14:14), Andronicus & Junius (Rom. 16:7), James the Lord’s brother (Gal. 1:19), Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:25), Apollos (1 Co 4:6), Silas & Timothy (1 Thess 1:2, 2:6).

Prophets. Prophets are those who are called to discern and then proclaim God’s “real-time” word to His people. This is different from the prophetic gift given by the Holy Spirit. Prophecy is something any believer can flow in, whereas the gift of Prophet is someone who has been called to do this. It is the entire focus of their ministry.

Teacher. This is not a Sunday School teacher or a public school teacher. These are men and woman called to teach the Body of Christ at large. Teachers receive the heart of God through the written Word. Through the teacher, the Word of God becomes a life-changing revelation. It is a supernatural gift that releases much power. They have a special gifting in instructing believers in practical living. Teachers are able to explain complex doctrines in such a way that even children can understand them. These leaders give understanding and empower believers to follow after Christ.

Evangelist. These are people who are called to present the gospel to the unsaved. Their message is generally simplistic in nature because their purpose is to bring people to a decision for Christ. Where teachers grow and disciple new believers, evangelists get them to the beginning point of their journey with Christ. Their ministry mostly expands beyond the four walls of the Church.
Pastor. Those called to be pastors are the people God calls to care for the everyday needs of their congregation. They are intimately involved in the lives of their flock. The direction of their preaching is to provide food to sustain those for whom they have responsibility. They are bound to a specific group of people.

Today, we have muddied the waters by calling every leader “pastor” whether or not they have been called to that biblical office. The fact is that it was Charles Spurgeon who introduced the common usage of the title “pastor” in the mid-1800s. So our modern-day usage of this term has been applied this way a very short time when considering all of church history.

Many of our “pastors” are actually operating in the gifting of apostle, prophet, evangelist or teacher. We often fault certain pastors because they always preach a salvation message, but perhaps these pastors are actually evangelists. We complain when certain pastors are visionaries, but do not make themselves available to counsel members on personal issues. Perhaps these pastors are really apostles. Most “Senior Pastors” are probably not pastors in the Biblical sense. A true pastor can only effectively minister to about 50 people.

We fail to use the proper terms because our particular denomination doesn’t use it or we have been convinced that some of these offices are no longer needed by the Body of Christ. Yet the Apostle Paul specifically tells us when they will no longer be needed:

When all believers are unified in the faith
When believers reach full maturity – when we all look like Jesus!
When believers thoroughly know Christ (not just who He is)

After reviewing this list, it would be hard to believe that we no longer need these ministries in the Body of Christ. We seldom think of people as being a gift to the Church, but Jesus did. That is why before He left earth He gave these offices to the Church and He called certain men and women to fulfill these responsibilities.

We all may not be called to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, but we all can appreciate these gifts which our Lord gave to us. Let us not see them as employees of the Church, but as what they are—the tools Christ gave the Body in order for her to become the spotless, blemish free Bride of Christ.

© Copyright 2018 Donna Buritsch Brayerton. Excerpts from this article are Walking in Wholeness and Holiness: How Our Body, Soul and Spirit Were Created to Function published by Manna Quest Ministry. You can obtain your copy at www.mannaquest.org/store.

This blog can also be viewed at the Manna Quest Ministry website at www.mannaquest.org.

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