Why Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers Still Matter Today
In Part One, we established that the gifts of the Holy Spirit have not ceased and that Scripture never assigns an expiration date to God’s supernatural empowerment of the Church. That conclusion leads naturally to a second, unavoidable question:
If the Spirit’s gifts are still active, what about the ministries Christ gave to steward and equip the Church?
The answer is found plainly—and decisively—in Ephesians 4.
Christ Gave the Fivefold—Not the Church
Ephesians 4:11 begins with a critical truth that is often overlooked:
“And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.”
The fivefold ministry is not a human invention.
It is not a church-growth model.
It is not a denominational structure.
It is a gift from the risen Christ.
To reject or redefine what Christ gave is not discernment—it is presumption.
The Purpose: Equipping, Not Exalting
Paul immediately defines the function of these ministries:
“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
Fivefold ministry exists to equip believers, not to elevate leaders.
It is about function, not hierarchy.
Calling, not control.
When fivefold ministry becomes about titles, power, or personal platforms, it has already drifted from its biblical purpose. But abuse does not negate design.
The Word That Settles the Debate: “Until”
Ephesians 4:13 contains the most decisive word in the entire discussion:
“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
The ministries of Ephesians 4 are given until three conditions are met:
- Full unity of the faith
- Full knowledge of the Son of God
- Full maturity reflecting Christ’s fullness
No honest reading of Church history—or the present Church—can claim these conditions have been fulfilled.
If the “until” remains unmet, the ministries remain in effect.
To argue otherwise is to claim the Church has already arrived at full maturity—something even the most optimistic theologian would not assert.
Foundational Apostles vs. Ongoing Apostolic Ministry
One common objection is that apostles and prophets were “foundational” and therefore temporary. Scripture does affirm a foundational role—but it does not eliminate ongoing function.
The apostles who authored Scripture were unique and unrepeatable. That foundation is complete.
However, apostolic ministry—the function of being sent, establishing, governing, and strengthening churches—continues throughout the New Testament beyond the Twelve.
Paul uses the term apostle more broadly than a closed historical group. The same is true of prophets, whose role involves edification, exhortation, and comfort—not adding Scripture.
Foundation does not mean disappearance.
It means stability for what continues to be built.
Prophets Do Not Threaten Scripture
Another frequent concern is that prophetic ministry undermines biblical authority. Scripture itself addresses this fear by regulating prophecy rather than eliminating it.
Prophecy is to be:
- Tested
- Judged
- Submitted to Scripture
New Testament prophecy does not introduce new doctrine. It applies eternal truth to present circumstances.
The moment prophecy claims equal authority with Scripture, it ceases to be biblical prophecy. But Scripture never concludes that misuse requires removal—only correction.
What Happens When the Fivefold Is Removed
When the Church operates with only pastors and teachers, imbalance is inevitable.
Without apostles, churches lose vision, mission, and structural clarity.
Without prophets, churches lose conviction, holiness, and spiritual sensitivity.
Without evangelists, churches lose urgency for the lost.
Without pastors, people are wounded and scattered.
Without teachers, truth erodes.
The result is a Church that is:
- Educated but unequipped
- Gathered but stagnant
- Informed but immature
Fivefold ministry is not about preference—it is about completeness.
Fivefold Ministry and Restoration
A restoration-minded Church does not ask, “What can we safely remove?”
It asks, “What has Christ already given that we must faithfully steward?”
Fivefold ministry restores:
- Balance instead of extremes
- Maturity instead of dependency
- Mission instead of maintenance
The goal is not charismatic chaos or institutional rigidity, but a Spirit-empowered, Word-governed, Christ-centered Church.
Until He Returns
The Church is still growing.
The Church is still maturing.
The Church is still being built.
Therefore, the tools Christ gave for that work are still necessary.
Apostles still equip.
Prophets still awaken.
Evangelists still gather.
Pastors still shepherd.
Teachers still ground.
Until we reach the fullness of Christ, we need everything Christ has given.
Thoughts from Pastor Toney 