The Christian's Worthy Walk: Corporate Transformation, Part 3

Some believe that the offices of apostle and prophet are still active and operating in the Church. But the Scriptures are clear that an Apostle of Jesus Christ must have seen the risen Christ, been personally chosen by Him, and be able to authenticate his apostleship by performing miraculous signs. That begs the question- since Christ has given Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, and Pastors/Teachers as gifted leaders to His Church, how does the Church benefit from these offices today? The apostles and prophets of the First Century laid the foundation for the Church. They delivered the Word of God, which is the full and final revelation of God to His people. Though their ministry has come to an end, we still benefit from it every time we read our Bible. Evangelists declare the message of salvation to unbelievers. They take God’s Word to the world and tell everyone of their accountability before God, and the forgiveness that is only found in Christ. Pastors teach the revealed Word of God to the Church, and then exhort and shepherd us so that we walk out that truth in our lives. Each office is understood in its relation to God’s Word: The apostles and prophets accurately wrote it down, evangelists faithfully proclaim it in hope of seeing the birth of new spiritual life, and pastors skillfully use it to nourish that spiritual life to maturity.