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The New Testament Church:  Apostolic & Prophetic

In every instance of the New Testament those who led congregations as the "set one(s)" were clearly identified as either Apostolic or Prophetic in their Christ gift of ministry. In addition to being the description of the grace, Apostolic and Prophetic was also prescribed as the church's foundational priority of leadership (1Cor.12:28; Eph.2:20; 3:5). Apostolic/Prophetic priority, function and form was not only God's plan and what could be "approved," it was to be fully experienced and held as the standard. Why? Because it was being lived out. Therefore, when the local church is restored today, it will be able to authentically make that same claim: "Apostolic-Prophetic priority, function and form is God's plan, and we are Apostolic/Prophetic in what takes precedence, how we function as a body, and how we understand the priorities of the Lord."

To help us better distinguish between the Apostolic dimension and what we often consider "Pastoral," I want to compare and contrast these. Not to emphasize the importance of people, but (instead) to rightly discern the Body according to the Lord's distribution of grace (Eph.4:7-13). This comparison/contrast is not meant to undermine the true Pastoral gift of Christ, but instead to reveal and clearly define the Apostolic gift of Christ in comparison with what is commonly understood to be the Pastor's role in the church.

There is much ambiguity surrounding the term "Pastor." By and large, whenever we hear that title we immediately don a robe of preset definitions, envisioning the leader of a local church. In the many forms of polity, the title "Pastor" also results in that same person (or persons) being CEO of the 501c3 corporation. There is nothing out of order about suggesting that the "set" leader of the church or ministry should be the CEO of its legal entity. But, it is thoroughly non-biblical to (by default) assign the title of "Pastor" to those who lead the church. If we are to ever see any authentic restoration of the Church, governmental leadership of the Body of Christ must not continue to be seen as fulfilling a predetermined role. It is (instead) the release, operation and influence of a particular aspect of Christ's governing grace: whether it be apostolic, prophetic, evangelistic or pastoral.**

Because of this, what follows is meant not to illustrate a Biblical understanding of "Pastor," but instead illustrate that which is institutionally common and organizationally prevalent today. There is more restoration needed to bring an understanding of "Pastor" into order also, but it is clear to me that the full emergence of the Apostolic is that which will enable the Pastoral and all other ministry giftings to be properly understood and reprioritized - including the Prophetic. But if "first things" are not made "first," nothing that follows will be rightly understood or able to fully function either (1Cor.12:28).  

Some Distinctions Between Pastors & Apostles

Looking at the Scriptures will help to illustrate.

1.    Pastors may shepherd individuals who in turn comprise a group, but Apostles shepherd individuals and clusters including subgroups of "Pastors," who in turn are (as commissioned) shepherds of other groups and subgroups (Mt.28:19).

2.    "Pastors" are married to the local church and active in their relationship with the Lord, but Apostles are constantly intimate with the Lord and minister to 'Pastors' in order that the whole body become prepared for the marriage of the Church to the Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 6:4).

3.    "Pastors" guard the flock for the sake of its well-being, but Apostles insure that the priorities and purposes of God are kept so that both the shepherds and the sheep can stay on course (Tit.1; 1Tim.2-6).

4.    "Pastors" are to know and have relationship with their people, Apostles know what their relationships are to be strategically by the Spirit as a result of intimacy with Jesus Christ (2Cor.5:16; Mk.3:13-15; Eph.3:4-5).

5.    While "Pastors" are being prepared and groomed for their calling they receive opportunities for growth through service (Lk.16:12), Apostles are often readied for their next level by raising up others to replace them in their existing ministries (2Tim.2:1-2).

6.    When "Pastors" equip others they will become able to minister in like manner, but those whom Apostles equip are equipped to minister according to a specific calling by the particular grace God has placed on their lives (Eph.4:11; Mt.16:18-19; 1Cor.12:1-11; 14:5, 37).

7.    "Pastors" minister to meet the needs of people and the church in the hope of fulfilling their calling, but Apostles minister out of obedience to the Spirit so the Church will fulfill the destiny of God's eternal purpose in the Lord Jesus Christ (Heb.5:8-9; 2Cor.10:5-6; Eph.3:9-12).

8.    "Pastors" are responsible to others and God for the ministries they have been entrusted with, but Apostles are responsible to God and each other for establishing Christ's Church and administering Divine Leadership throughout the various "spheres" they have been Divinely given (Gal.1:15-2:2; Acts 15:1-32; 2Cor.10:8-18).

**My understanding of Ephesians 4:11-12 can clearly be said to be different than most. It is plain to me in the Greek New Testament (& also when comparing this passage with Acts 13:1, 1Cor.12:28, Eph.2:20 & Eph.3:5) that it should read "apostles, prophets evangelists, pastors- all of whom are teachers to equip the saints …"  (apostolouv touv de profhtav touv de euaggelistav touv de poimenav kai didaskalouv prov ton katartismon twn agiwn eiv ergon diakoniav…). The word kai should be understood as referring to all that came before it, therefore "all of whom are teachers" (meaning also apostles, prophets & evangelists) rather than just "pastors and teachers."

This makes for more of a "4-fold ministry" than a 5-fold one, I realize. But it helps one to also understand 1 Corinthians 12:28 where in English (NASB) it is translated: "God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers…."  In my opinion this should be translated "God has set in the church: first the apostolic, second the prophetic, third teaching (or equipping)" (eqeto o qeov en th ekklhsia prwton apostolouv deuteron profhtav triton didaskalouv epeita). This passage is much more about priority of ministry than it is about listing a  description of ministers, especially since they are not listed in the same order of Ephesians 4:11, and we hold to not only the authority, but also the accuracy of the Scriptures.

Bill Click