Five Gifts That Are Still For Today

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; Ephesians 4:11 (KJV)

This verse speaks of the five-fold ministry offices, or gifts, all of which are still active today. They are:

• Apostles- sent ones

• Prophets- declarers of what God is saying today

• Evangelists- preachers of God’s Word

• Pastors- shepherds who feed God’s flock

• Teachers- teachers of God’s Word

Jesus operated in all five of these offices in His earthly ministry. This has not changed because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). What Jesus did in the earth in His physical body is now done through His spiritual body, the church, with Christ being the Head of the body (Ephesians 1:17-23).

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Hebrews 3:1 (KJV)

Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, or confession. This literally means Jesus watches over the words of our mouths in order to fulfill that which we speak in agreement with God’s Word. The office of the Apostle, or any of the other five-fold offices, has not passed away because Jesus never passes away. These ministry gifts were given to the church to mature us to continue the work on earth that Jesus started (Ephesians 4:11-16). The five ministry offices work together to grow us up in Christ so we can do the work of ministry in the earth.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. I Corinthians 13:9-12 (KJV)

This is not referring to doing away with any of the five-fold ministry gifts or the gifts of the Spirit. That which is perfect is Jesus Christ Himself, and He has not come back yet. Many say this refers to God’s Word being the perfect thing which has come. However, God gave us His Word to help us grow until we see Jesus. When we see Christ face-to-face, that which is perfect will have come, and we won’t need the gifts anymore because we will be with Jesus Himself. We won’t need the five-fold ministry to mature and perfect us because we will have been changed and perfected at the rapture. Corruption will put on incorruption. However, until that day arrives, we need the gifts of the Spirit and the five-fold ministry gifts to help us grow in Christ and minister to others. The five-fold ministry gifts are still for today. In addition, the nine gifts of the Spirit are still for today (but that’s another post for another day).

What God began with Christ continued in the Book of Acts and continues until Jesus comes for His Bride to take us all home. God gave us all five of these ministry gifts to equip us. If we discount even one of them, it affects our spiritual growth and our ability to be used by God. They lead us to Christ and Christlikeness. When Christ actually comes, all we’ll need is Him.