TITLES vs FUNCTION
…and HE (YAHushua aka Jesus) GAVE some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;…
Apostle Paul to the assembly at Ephesus – Ephesians 4
One of the greatest deceptions and abuses within the body of Christ is that of assigned or assumed roles or positions of leadership or ministry positions.
People receive a title, office or a position in a church or a religious organisation and believe that they have now somehow “made it”.
In many cultures where the gospel has been preached and churches established so called Ministers who have gotten themselves a title, for whatever reason, then expect to be honoured and respected and reverenced in just the same way that the pharisees did back when the MessiYAH walked the earth
…Woe unto you, Pharisees! because you love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets…
YAHushua aka Jesus speaking to the Pharisees recorded by the Disciple Luke 11
In church buildings, saints assemble to worship, whilst being looked down upon by the so-called ministers in office.
Admittedly, I have been there, sitting on a high and lifted up stage, that many call an altar, speaking, preaching and teaching behind the rostrum using a lectern, however, even being as young in age and the faith as I was, I knew, by the spirit of YAH that the whole setup was wrong.
I do give thanks to YAH for an open vision revelation that he gave me while sitting up on stage with the elders, pastors and Bishop alike it profoundly changed me forever. I will share that experience and revelation in another post.
YAHUSHuA AKA JESUS GAVE FUNCTIONAL GIFTS NOT TITLES
1 Peter 4:10-11 NKJV — As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, [let him speak] as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, [let him do it] as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
You see when we read the passage above, and the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus we see clearly that ROLES were gifted to men from the risen Christ The MessiYAH FOR the church, the body of Christ the messiYAH
As predicted by the apostles, slick talking apostates, have infiltrated the church, with seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.
Jude 1:4 KJV — For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ…
Apostle Jude’s letter to all believers
1 Timothy 4:1 KJV — Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;…
Apostle Paul’s letter to Timothy
So let’s briefly take a look at very basic definitions of the functional gifts that were gifted by our risen Lord, to men
APOSTLE
The term, Apostle, literally means ‘sent one’ or ‘one who has been sent’. In this case it’s YAHushua aka Jesus who sent the Apostles. In the context of scripture and the letters and testimonies of the apostles who were taught directly by YAHushua aka Jesus, ONLY THEY, along with the prophets that came before the Messiah are THE FOUNDATION that the household of YAH God is built on. No so called Apostle today can rejig, alter, or retranslate what has been written as doctrine by the prophets or Apostles.
Ephesians 2:20 NKJV — having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner[stone,]
Apostle Paul’s letter to the assembly at Ephesus
PROPHET
A prophet is literally a mouthpiece of God who functions by hearing from god receiving revelation of what YAH is going to do and then speaking that to the people of God. If just one thing that they profit says fails what does not come to pass then that person is a false prophet.
Amos 3:7 NKJV — Surely YAHuWaH GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.
Prophet Amos to the children of Israel (YAH-sa’ra-el)
EVANGELIST
An evangelist goes out and speaks out whether by shouting aloud or by public witness by whatever means they can, they bring or herald the good tidings of Jesus Christ YAHushua The MessiYAH and his kingdom
Acts 21:8 NKJV — On the next [day] we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of PHILIP THE EVANGELIST, who was [one] of the seven, and stayed with him.
The Disciple Luke’s account
PASTOR
The function of a Pastor is that of a shepherd one who takes care of watches over and feeds the sheep, what do they feed the sheep with you may ask or wonder, the word of YAH God
As a quick aside because I will cover this more in-depth, pastors are not meant to handle and distribute the collections of money or goods from the saints and this is one of the main reasons that there is so much error and abuse of money and power because pastors have gone beyond their functional role
Mark 6:34 NKJV — And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a Shepherd. SO He began to teach them many things.
Apostle Mark’s account
TEACHER
This is straightforward they are literally meant to teach the things pertaining to to salvation and the kingdom of God unfortunately many go off into areas where they either have no real knowledge or experience and have not been authorised by YAHushua aka Jesus
Hebrews 5:12 NKJV — For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need [someone] TO TEACH YOU AGAIN the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
An Apostle to the Hebrews
So that is a basic overview of what is commonly referred to as the fivefold ministry. The Apostle Paul also refers to other ministries in his letter to the church. assembly in Corinth
1 Corinthians 12:27-31 NKJV — Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. [Are] all apostles? [Are] all prophets? [Are] all teachers? [Are] all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But EARNESTLY DESIRE the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
Apostle Paul
So in conclusion we see that the titles being misused and abused are actually functions that SERVE the body of Christ the church members the saints IN LOVE and NOT to lord it over the saints like pompous self entitled self appointed loud mouthed celebrity entertainers
Mark 10:42-45 NKJV — But Jesus called them to [Himself] and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. “Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. “And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
YAHushua aka Jesus
I have touched upon a couple of points that may seem quite controversial to the majority and will most definitely get the backs up of of many pastors teachers and so called apostles. Rest assured I will be coming back to these points and many others in depth no holds barred pulling no punches
Many times I am told that the words I speak are hard and harsh at times or strong and weighty and I am asked why. My answer is simple, it is time to speak and stand for truth faithfully, to contend for the faith and stop the mouths of many…
Titus 1:10-11 NKJV — For there are MANY insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths MUST BE STOPPED, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain...
Apostle Paul
Jeremiah 23:26-28 NKJV — “How long will [this] be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies? Indeed [they are] prophets of the deceit of their own heart, “who try to make MY PEOPLE forget MY NAME by their dreams which everyone tells his neighbor, as THEIR FATHERS FORGOT MY NAME for Baal. “The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream;
And HE WHO HAS MY WORD, LET HIM SPEAK MY WORD FAITHFULLY.
What [is] the chaff to the wheat?” says YAHuWaH
Prophet Jeremiah