The Divine Blueprint: Unveiling the Offices of the Church According to God’s Appointment
The offices of the Church, the global group of born-again believers in Christ Jesus, are vital for the effective functioning of the Body of Christ. Each office has a unique set of responsibilities and requirements that are necessary for fulfilling God's mission for the Church. In this article, we will explore the different offices of the Church, their biblical foundations, and the qualities needed for effective ministry in each role. It is important to note, no Church office (in reference specifically to Ephesians 4:11-12) should or can be obtained by human effort or ambition. Each office is a divine calling or appointment from the Lord, received through an encounter or various supernatural encounters with the Lord, which make the divine calling obvious and apparent to the believer, and many times confirmed by brethren.
The Office of Apostle
The office of apostle is established in the New Testament, where Jesus appointed twelve apostles to be His closest followers and witnesses of His ministry. The apostles demonstrated the authority to preach the Gospel, heal the sick, and perform miracles in the name of Jesus, as all believers are given the authority to do (Mark16:15-19). They were uniquely responsible for establishing and overseeing new churches. Jesus is still calling and sending apostles today. Apostleship, like all other offices, are not and cannot be obtained by human effort or ambition. It is a divine calling from Jesus Himself. There are plenty of false apostles today, as there were in Paul’s day. Just because somebody calls himself an “apostle” doesn’t mean he is.
Qualities of an Apostle:
A supernatural, life-changing encounter with Jesus Himself
Being personally sent by Jesus (testimony corroborates)
A deep understanding of the Gospel message
A strong commitment to prayer and spiritual disciplines
A willingness to suffer persecution and opposition for the sake of the Gospel
Demonstrated signs and wonders as a confirmation of the power of the Gospel message
A heart for evangelism and church planting
(Non-Exaustive) Scriptural Examples:
The original twelve apostles appointed by Jesus (Matthew 10:1-4)
Paul, who was called by Jesus to be an apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 1:1)
The Office of the Prophet:
The office of the prophet is a unique and important role in the church. Prophets are called by God to speak His word to His people, both in terms of revelation and instruction. The prophetic ministry involves hearing from God and delivering His message to the church, often with a focus on calling people to repentance, holiness, and a deeper relationship with God.
Throughout the history of the Scriptures and the Church, we see examples of prophets being called by God to fulfill this important role. In this section, we will explore the qualities and responsibilities of the office of the prophet, as well as biblical examples of prophets who were called to this role.
Qualities of a Prophet:
Can attest to a supernatural, undeniable, life-changing encounter with the Lord (one or several)
May experience supernatural dreams, visions, or open visions
Hears the voice of God audibly and can easily discern the voice of the Lord from the enemy
A deep sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit
A willingness to speak God's message even if it is unpopular or uncomfortable
A heart for justice and righteousness
The ability to discern the times and seasons
A desire to see God's people grow in their relationship with Him
(Non-Exaustive) Scriptural Examples:
Elijah, who confronted the prophets of Baal and called Israel back to God (1 Kings 18)
John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus and called people to repentance (Matthew 3:1-12)
The Office of Evangelist
The office of evangelist is focused on spreading the Gospel message to those who have not heard it. Evangelists are passionate about sharing the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ and leading people to faith in Him. They are also responsible for equipping and training others to do the work of evangelism.
Qualities of an Evangelist:
A heart for the lost and a desire to see people come to faith in Jesus
A supernatural ability to communicate the Gospel message effectively to a variety of people
A willingness to share the Gospel in difficult or hostile situations
A deep knowledge of Scripture and the ability to answer questions and objections
A desire to see others equipped and trained in evangelism
(Non-Exaustive) Scriptural Examples:
Philip, who preached the Gospel to the Ethiopian eunuch and led him to faith in Jesus (Acts 8:26-40)
Paul, who traveled extensively and shared the Gospel with both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 9:20-22)
The Office of Pastor/Shepherd
The office of pastor/shepherd is responsible for caring for the spiritual needs of God's people. Pastors are called to provide leadership, guidance, and support to their congregations. They are responsible for teaching and preaching the Word of God, as well as providing pastoral care and guidance to those in need, like a spiritual father or mother.
Qualities of a Pastor/Shepherd:
A heart for God's people and a deep desire to see them grow in their relationship with Him
An ability to teach and preach the Word of God effectively
A heart for discipleship and a willingness to invest in the lives of others
Compassion and empathy towards those who are hurting or struggling
Wisdom and discernment in providing pastoral care, guidance, and mentorship
A commitment to prayer and seeking God's guidance for the church and its members
A servant's heart and willingness to serve the needs of others
A passion for evangelism and reaching out to those who do not yet know Christ
Humility and a willingness to learn and grow as a leader
(Non-Exaustive) Biblical Examples of Pastors/Shepherds:
One of the most well-known examples of a pastor/shepherd in the Bible is David, who began his career as a shepherd before becoming king. In Psalm 23, he compares the Lord to a shepherd who cares for his flock and provides for their needs.
Another example is Jesus, who referred to Himself as the "Good Shepherd" in John 10:11. He cared for His disciples, taught them, and led them by example. He also gave them the commission to go and make disciples of all nations.
Paul is another example of a pastor/shepherd, who wrote many of the letters in the New Testament to the early churches. He provided pastoral care, guidance, and teaching to these churches, even from a distance.
The Office of Teacher:
The office of teacher is responsible for instructing and equipping believers with the knowledge and understanding of God's Word. Teachers help others to grow in their faith, deepen their understanding of Scripture, and apply it to their lives. They play a critical role in the spiritual growth and development of believers, and in building up the Church as a whole.
Qualities of a Teacher:
A deep, supernatural understanding and knowledge of Scripture
A demonstrated ability to teach and reveal truths in Scripture beyond human effort and wisdom
An ability to communicate biblical truths in a clear and effective manner
A passion for teaching and equipping others for ministry
A commitment to ongoing learning and personal growth
An ability to apply biblical principles to real-life situations
A servant's heart and willingness to invest in the lives of others
Humility and a willingness to learn from others.
A deep passion for studying the Scriptures and receives divine revelation through study
(Non-Exaustive) Biblical Examples of Teachers:
One example of a teacher in the Bible is Ezra, who was a scribe and priest during the time of the Babylonian captivity. He was known for his deep knowledge and understanding of Scripture, and his ability to teach it effectively to the people. He was instrumental in leading the rebuilding of the temple and restoring the worship of God among the people.
Another example is Apollos, who is described in Acts 18 as a learned man who had a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He taught accurately about Jesus, but his understanding was incomplete until he received further instruction from Aquila and Priscilla.
Paul is also an example of a teacher, who wrote many of the letters in the New Testament and taught extensively throughout his ministry. He was known for his deep understanding of Scripture and his ability to communicate it in a clear and effective manner.
Conclusion
The offices of the Church are essential for the growth, edification, and well-being of the Body of Christ. Each office has its unique characteristics, qualities, and requirements that must be met to fulfill its divine purpose. The examples of these offices in the Bible serve as an excellent guideline for understanding and identifying the call of God upon individuals. Again, these offices are divine appointments and are received supernaturally from the Lord, as demonstrated by the fruits of the laborer, and not received or achieved by human effort alone.
As we seek to serve the Lord and His people, it is important to remember that it is not about our abilities, skills, or qualifications. It is ultimately about being called by God and empowered by His Holy Spirit to fulfill His divine plan and purpose. May we continually seek Jesus’s guidance, wisdom, and strength as we serve Him and our brethren in the Church, eagerly awaiting His return.