ETC Ministries - Major Offices of THE Church

He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Ephesians 4:10-12, KJV)

Jesus established The Church for a purpose, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16-18) And that purpose has always been to spread the Gospel, the Good News of eternal salvation.

Jesus also established the major offices of The Church, consisting of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. The purpose of these offices of The Church was to bring spiritual maturity to the members thereof, to perfect them in a continuous process of spiritual growth, and to ensure the next generation of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers in order to accomplish the work of the ministry of Jesus Christ.

APOSTLE – This title was originally reserved for the twelve disciples that Jesus commissioned to His special mission, to primarily preach repentance and salvation. In the synoptic Gospels, the title of “Apostle” is seldom seen, only once in Matthew and once in Mark. However, in the epistles of Paul and the Acts, the meaning changes to one who has received a divine message through a miraculous conversion (Road to Damascus). Paul was called upon to preach the Gospel to the heathens and the Gentiles, hence the claimed insistency of this title and its rights.

In Hebrews 3:1, the title of “Apostle” is bestowed upon Christ himself as being an appointed delegate to preach the revelation of Truth to the world.

In the New Testament, the larger meaning of “Apostle” applies toward some inferior disciples who under the commission of greater Apostles preached the Gospel (The Good News) or contributed to its circulation. Barnabus is mentioned in Acts 14:1-4 and 14 as an “Apostle.” Possibly Andronicus and Junias are considered Apostles in Romans 16:7. Another possibility on one sharing the title is Epaphroditus in Philippians 2:25-28. Others who are prominently mentioned in the New Testament are not at all granted the honorable name of “Apostle” such as Titus, Timothy, and others who would equally merit such a title.

There have been several others who have been Christianized as an “Apostle throughout the history of Christianity, specifically for a world region or nationality. The long list includes St. Patrick of Ireland (373-463 A.D.), St. Boniface of Germany (680-755 A.D), St. Francis Xavier of India (1506–1552 A.D), and St. Augustine of England (died 604 A.D) to name a few.

The founder of the Byzantine Empire, Constantine the Great, gave recognition to the Christian faith for the Roman Empire in the Edict of Milan. Historians of that time reported after his death that he was considered to be the greatest prince of all times. From the fifth century on, Constantine the Great began to be recognized in the East as a Saint. To this day, the Greek and Russian Orthodox churches celebrate his name and memory under the title of “Isapostolos”, meaning “Equal among the Apostles.”

Today, many charismatic religious organizations uphold the office of “Apostle” and consider it to be a gift of the Holy Spirit. This is based upon the Scripture “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” (1 Cor. 12:28) and the previously mentioned Ephesians 4:11. The gift is associated with church planning, authority and delegation, and administrative duties.

PROPHET – is a person who is believed to have the ability to foretell the future, usually by means of dreams and/or direct association with God. Some prophets are visited by angelic beings or spiritual beings providing a message from God.

There are some denominations that teach that a person who receives a personal revelation or message not intended for the rest of believers should not be considered a “Prophet.” This approach seems to hinder the Spirit. The prophecy is the deliverance of the message, which does not have to always be a revelation of a future event(s); sometimes it can simply be a social or religious teaching. However, it is considered to be the former, a revelation of a future events.

The authenticity and determination of a “Prophet” is based upon the teachings of Jesus as described in Matthew, chapter 7 and determining his/her predictions come true upon Deuteronomy 18:21-22, which contains several warnings about false prophets. It is imperative to test the spirits to determine if they come from God or from the father of lies (1 John 4:1) because there are many false prophets in the world. A false prophet is known for telling deceitful messages.

Today, these false prophets are easily identifiable in that they often peddle the word of God for selfish gain. The more famous ones are seen on television and cable programs as televangelists or prophets, pitching their books, video presentations, and providing a false hope.

The requirements of a “Prophet” are generally viewed with a basic litmus test of three elements.

1. Prophecies are clear, not vague
2. Prophecies are 100 percent accurate; one bogus message is all it takes to determine a false prophet
3. Prophecy must not contradict the Bible

Some members of religious organizations think that this standard presents a puzzle for others who support and believe in high profile ministers of mega-churches or who have a large following who contend to have received a message from God and then turns out to be false such as the predictions of Hal Lindsey and other prophecy teachers. There are many others who have made false prophecy statements and are still revered by their followers. Jesus warned and predicted that many will come in His name and will deceive many (Matthew 24:5). This is not necessarily limited to those who claimed to be a Christ figure such as David Koresh, but false prophets, false teachers, and etc.

Some members of religious organizations believe in the dispensationalist theory, and they believe that prophecy ended with the first advent of Christ in that He delivered the fullness of the law. Many Protestants within this group believe that prophecy ended during the times of the Old Testament, leaving a gap of nearly 400 years between then and the birth of Jesus Christ.

However, there are Scriptures that point to the existence of Prophets after the death and resurrection of Christ. Agabus predicted a famine that would spread throughout the Roman empire as stated in Acts 11:25-30. In the book of Acts, chapter 13, prophets existed in the church at Antioch. And of course, there is the great prophecy of Revelation from the Apostle John.

True believers in the Lord Jesus Christ know that it is the power of the Holy Spirit that gently compels people into the faith, and it is the Holy Spirit that gives them the ability to lead a life that is worthy of the title “Christian.”

Today, members of several religious organizations are taught and practice that some of these gifts of the Holy Spirit such as prophecy, healing, and tongues no longer exist and that they ended during the period of the early church, claiming that the gifts were for the foundation of the church. Their belief is based upon the misinterpretation of 1 Corinthians 13:8. For the most part, ETC Ministries believes in the counterpart.

Most all church attending members generally believe in certain mundane spiritual gifts that still exist today such as the gift of ministry, the gift of teaching, the gift of leadership, administration, mercy, prayer, and so on. ETC Ministries believes that the Holy Spirit operates the same today as He has done during the early church, providing miraculous gifts and prophecies. This belief is backed up in one of the minor prophetic books:

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.

The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come.

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. (Joel 2:28-32, KJV)

Prophets or alleged prophets are perceived and acknowledged differently across the boundaries of religion. Some people believe that a prophet does not have to be entirely accurate in their predictions. Obviously, this is a misaligned teaching as compared to the Holy Scriptures. Christians view Jesus as a prophet while Jewish people do not. Among the Mormon believers, Joseph Smith is regarded as a prophet, but Christians do not share the same view. Muhammad is revered as a prophet among the Muslims, but Christians and Jews do not.

ETC Ministries views the gift of prophecy seriously and before any word of prophecy is revealed, does exactly what is stated in 1 John 4:1, to test the spirits to see whether they be of God. Also, it is imperative to check the prophecy with the Scriptures.

EVANGELIST – is a person who proclaims the Gospel or the Good News of Jesus Christ. And an evangelist is one perceived as one who travels from town to town and from church to church spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Four Evangelists are the authors of the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The original Greek word meant a reward for good news given to the messenger, and linguistically derived the word “Gospel.”

The evangelist is characterized by the focus on evangelism and converting people to the faith of Jesus Christ. Those who lead large tent services or are guests in church buildings are often times given the title of “Evangelist.” It is possible to give this title to a person who engages the attention of the public with the preaching of the Word on street corners. Sometimes, a person is considered an evangelist merely by preaching to a small group or a one-to-one basis. Increasingly, the World Wide Web (WWW) enables most anyone to be an Internet Evangelist.

One of the greatest form of media has been television, and the derived term televangelists (Started by Time magazine) has become associated with a minister or church leader using television as a primary source to reach out. Several televangelists have a majority of their members as the audience of television and/or radio broadcasts.

Televangelists have earned a tarnished reputation over the past 20 years or so. The Jim Bakker financial fiasco led to a prison sentence, Jimmy Swaggart confessed to his visiting a prostitute, presumably under the threat that a news reporter was going to expose him. And lately, the Pat Robertson comments have been viewed with jaundice eyes.

ETC Ministries recognizes that some people who have labeled themselves, “Evangelists” are out there for the money, peddling the word of God for selfish gain. This appears to be the characteristic of televangelists in particular whereby they claim the money is needed to continue their television broadcasts and the associated costs. Some of them promote the “get rich in the name of Jesus” doctrine or make their audiences believe if they give to them then they will be healed of their financial problems. On most every broadcast, Pat Robertson has employed the latter scheme.

PASTOR – is a person who leads a particular church organization. The word “Pastor” derives from a Latin word-meaning shepherd. The Old Testament usage (173 times) of the word Pastor compares human beings as sheep such as in Genesis 29:7 and Jeremiah 3:15, “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”

In the New Testament (NT), the Greek word used means pastor or shepherd. Jesus referred to himself as a pastor by declaring himself as the “Good Shepherd” in John 10:11. Also, the NT used “pastor” as a synonym for the church position of elder or “Bishop.” Acts 20:17 shows that the Apostle Paul summoned the elders in the church of Ephesus in order to give them a last clambake. In the process, he reports that they have been made bishops in accordance to the power of the Holy Spirit, and their job is to be pastors of their particular church (Refer to Acts 20:28). On the same lines, Peter told the elders that they are to pastor or shepherd their flock as sheep, providing guidance and comfort and acting as bishop. The Apostle Paul defines a list of qualifications within his first pastoral letter to Timothy concerning elders (pastor or bishop), and more directly to the title of “bishop “by reference of “overseer” in his letter to Titus.

Among the Protestant religious organizations, the term pastor or senior pastor is used as the church leader’s title. For their leaders, the term “priest” is not used and rejected as a title because it contradicts the doctrine of the “priesthood of all believers.”

NOTE: It’s unfortunate to report the matter concerning the way the U.S. government has a noose around the pastor’s necks of religious organizations that have taken the IRS option of being a non-profit organization. Pastors and/or other leaders of a church organization are not allowed to make derogatory comments or promote their political or social views aimed at politicians, a particular political party, or the government. In doing so, they may lose their IRS status of being non-profit. Consequently the subject of abortion and gay rights are taboo within the confines of church organizations.

TEACHER – is a person who has the stringent responsibility in teaching the infallible word of God, and the title is considered to be one of the highest callings for His Elect.

Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (James 3:1, NIV)

A “Teacher” seems to hold to a higher standard of a student of the word of God. They must be able to teach the truth with confidence:

For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7, KJV)

A “Teacher” must not allow Satan’s lies to be sown in his teaching the truth or it may cause someone to go astray.

It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves.
(Luke 17:2-3, NIV)

Jesus was also called “Teacher” knowing that he held unto spiritual truth above all other things. Nicodemus had approached Jesus and revered him as “Rabbi” and “Teacher.”

He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God.” (John 3:2, NIV)

ETC Ministries takes the stand that a person who is appointed as a teacher should not hold back from bringing forth the entire truth, diffusing the meaning of Scripture, or simply ignoring passages. Often enough, the founder of ETC Ministries has seen and heard good teachers and those who either ignore or simply dismiss Scripture pertinent to the contiguous scope of the writing. Ken sometimes notices, “I have been a Christian for more than 30 years and I have seen a number of Sunday school teachers, some of which try to stay away from controversial subjects and concentrate on what is considered to be only spiritual milk, reserved for newborn babies.”

Many church organizations have reduced the major offices down to pastor, teachers and administrators, along with several hermetically sealed ministries (non-outreach programs). The inner social circles of a church organization seem to have priority over true outreach ministries. This is not to say that church organizations have no outreach programs, but leaning more toward the concentration centric to their facility and inner groups.

Many church organizations do not see “Prophet” as a major office, and upon the same lines seem to stayr away from the subject of prophecy. This is most likely due to the way that some people have interpreted or been taught a meaning that is suspect. Some pastors and administrators of education view the subject of prophecy as taboo, fearing that division of doctrine understanding and interpretation of prophecy may cause major problems within their organization. Or, church organizations would rather promote a positive atmosphere and not scare off their donators with such things as the prophecy, “…there will be terrible times of the last days.” (2 Timothy 3:1) This does not necessarily fit into their business plans, goals to obtain certain financial gains, and build bigger buildings and promote larger audiences.

All of these major offices are in THE real Church as a whole, not encased in brick and mortar buildings, not putting on a show or wrapped up in social and sports activities, nor are they involved in a religionist business to make money. THE Church is composed of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers worthy of their titles. They may be few and far between, but they are there for the edification of the saints, to perfect them and to disciple the children of God for the next generation, and they are there for the ministry of Jesus Christ.