Five-fold Ministry: Modern-day Prophets and Apostles in the 21st Century

The Bible affirms that prophets and apostles still exist in the 21st century, as the fivefold ministry from Ephesians 4:11 is divided into Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers. However, many Christians relegate the ministries of apostles and Christian prophets to the first-century church. This study aims to prove that all five of these ministry gifts are valid and needed in the Christian Church today. The "perfecting of the saints" intended by the Lord requires all five of these ministry gifts given by Jesus Christ. This biblical examination of modern-day prophets and apostles in the 21st century is crucial for understanding the reality of apostolic and prophetic ministry.

1. Are apostles and prophets the two foundational ministries in the body of Christ?

Ephesians 2:19-20 states that God's people are built on the foundation of apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus as the chief cornerstone. The Bible identifies prophets and apostles as the two ministries that undergird the Lord's Church, and all Christians are entitled to be built on this apostolic and prophetic foundation, including contemporary, modern-day prophets and apostles.

2. Who gives these ministries to the church?

And in the church God has appointed first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. | 1 Corinthians 12:28

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men” ... (11) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers. | Ephesians 4:7-8, 11

• “Jesus, the apostle... whom we confess.” | Hebrews 3:1

• “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth.” | Matthew 21:11

• Jesus was certainly the Great Soulwinner, the consummate evangelist.

• Jesus is “the Shepherd [Greek word for “pastor”] and Overseer of your souls.” | 1 Peter 2:25

• “Rabbi, we know you [Jesus] are a teacher who has come from God." | John 3:2

Jesus, the chief apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher, is expressing Himself through His ministry gifts to the Church. Paul, Peter, and other apostles reflect a partial reflection of Christ's perfect apostleship, while Agabus and other Christian prophets reflect the perfect prophetic ministry of Jesus.

3. Apostles and prophets have been in the Christian Church for the entire church age.

Prophets and apostles are still present today, as Scriptures indicate their purpose was for the entire church age, not just the first century church.

In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. | Ephesians 3:4-5

Paul reveals that the mystery has been revealed to God's holy apostles and prophets, who were contemporary Christian prophets in the Church several decades after Christ's resurrection. These prophets were not Old Testament prophets, but contemporary Christian prophets, including New Testament prophets and apostles, existing in the church long after Jesus' ascension.

This is why it says:

“When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men” ... [11] It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. | Ephesians 4:8 & 11-13

Paul explains that apostles and prophets would continue during the Church Age, not just the original 12 apostles. Jesus continued to give these roles after his ascension to heaven, giving all five ministries in Ephesians 4:11. This giving was not just for the early church, but for all to become mature and attain the fullness of Christ, an ongoing process that lasted between Jesus' First Coming and His Second Coming.

The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth. | Revelation 11:10

The "two prophets" in Rev. 11:3 are the Lord's "two witnesses" who will prophesy and perform great signs and miracles at the end of the Church Age, during the time of the Antichrist.

4. Is the New Testament Church today properly structured without prophets and apostles?

Question 1 | Which three of the Ephesians 4:11 ministries are mentioned most in the New Testament?

Answer:

• The word “apostle(s)” occurs 85 times in the New Testament.

• The word “prophet(s)” occurs over 150 times in the New Testament, with about 20 of those occurrences referring distinctly to prophets in the Church Age.

• The word “teacher(s)” occurs 125 times in the New Testament.

Question 2 | Which two of those fivefold ministries are mentioned the least in the New Testament?

Answer:

• The word “evangelist(s)” occurs only three times in the New Testament.

• The word “pastor(s)” occurs precisely one (1) time in the entire New Testament! One time! (Ephesians 4:11)

The contemporary church has grown significantly compared to the original church established by Christ. The Bible speaks of apostles, prophets, or teachers at least 200 times, while pastors and evangelists are mentioned 4 times. However, the modern-day church often calls ministers "pastor" and shies away from "apostles" and "prophets," which are not found in the Bible. Man's prejudices, fears, or misinterpretations have deprived the Lord's Church of the foundational ministries of apostles and prophets. The church today is improperly structured, and pastors, evangelists, and teachers alone cannot bring the church to maturity. The characteristics and work of prophets and apostles in the Church Age are examined in the following sections. No concise definition of these two offices is provided, but a composite of the New Testament prophets and apostles is provided.

5. What are the biblical characteristics and ministry of apostles?

• They were filled with the Spirit. | Acts 2:4

• They preached the Word of God. | Acts 2:14-36

• They healed the sick. | Acts 3:1-8

• They were persecuted. | Acts 4:1-12

• They pronounced God’s judgment. | Acts 5:1-11

• They worked signs and wonders. | Acts 5:12

• They taught and preached Jesus Christ. | Acts 5:42

• They ordained deacons. | Acts 6:1-6

• They laid their hands on others to be filled with the Holy Spirit. | Acts 8:14-17

• They founded and/or strengthened new churches. | Acts 8 and later chapters.

• They raised the dead. | Acts 9:36-43

• They preached to the Gentiles. | Acts 10

• They were martyred, persecuted, and sometimes delivered. | Acts 12:1-11

• They were sent by the Holy Spirit (the root of the word “apostle” means “sent”). | Acts 13:4

• They pronounced a curse. | Acts 13:11

• They confirmed disciples in their faith. | Acts 14:21-22

• They ordained elders. | Acts 14:23

• They settled doctrinal disputations. | Acts 15:1-21

• Some were church leaders. | Acts 15:4, 6, 13, 19

• They cast out demons. | Acts 16:18

• They sent forth other ministering men. | Acts 19:22

• Lists of further ministries that apostles performed. | Acts 20-28

• They were wise master builders. They laid spiritual foundations. | 1 Corinthians 3:10

• The apostle Paul warned his “sons” in the faith. | 1 Corinthians 4:14-15

• They counseled and answered the saints’ questions. | 1 Corinthians 7:1

• They set churches in order. | 1 Corinthians 11:34

• Paul exercised “care of all the churches.” | 2 Corinthians 11:28

• They used their authority for edification. | 2 Corinthians 13:10

• Apostles are part of the foundation of the church. | Ephesians 2:20

• They received revelation from God. | Ephesians 3:3-5

• They perfected the saints. | Ephesians 4:11-12

6. What are the biblical characteristics and ministry of New Testament Christian prophets?

• They (1) did trans-local ministry and (2) they foretold future events. | Acts 11:27-28

• They can be among the leaders of a local church. | Acts 13:1

• They exhorted and confirmed the brethren, sometimes with “many words”. | Acts 15:32

• Prophets may speak predictive, personal prophecy under divine inspiration. It is worth noting that Philip had four daughters in that household who had the spiritual "gift of prophecy" (vs. 9, Amplified). But God did not use them to speak a major predictive, prophetic word to the apostle Paul. Rather, God brought to Philip's house "a prophet named Agabus" from Judea (vs. 10). | Acts 21:9-11

• They prophesied in church services. | 1 Corinthians 14:29

• Prophets are part of the foundation of the church. | Ephesians 2:20

• Prophets may receive revelation from God. | Ephesians 3:3-5

• Prophets perfected the saints. | Ephesians 4:11-12

7. Should we identify and recognise apostles and prophets today?

"When morning came, (Jesus) called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles." | Luke 6:13

If Jesus named them and designated and recognized them as apostles, how can we do otherwise?

"...the apostles Barnabas and Paul...” | Acts 14:4

The New Testament, here and in many other verses, consistently recognized men by name in the office of apostle.

Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.... [32] The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.... [37] If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. | 1 Corinthians 14:29, 32, 37

The early church — here, the church at Corinth — found it quite normal to have a prophet or prophets [plural] in the church.

In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers. | Acts 13:1

Again, it was not unusual, but accepted, that there might be prophets in a local church. And the New Testament church identifies some Christian prophets by name:

• Agabus | Acts 11:28; 21:10

• Judas and Silas | Acts 15:32

He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. | Matthew 10:41a

Jesus instructs us to receive a prophet in the name of a prophet, avoiding the use of descriptive phrases like "evangelists, pastors, and teachers" and "apostolic ministry." Instead, Jesus instructs us to receive a prophet "in the name of a prophet."

The Church should revert to biblical patterns, acknowledging apostles and prophets, and faithfully follow God's Word. Revival can occur in churches that rediscover ancient landmarks, open hearts to modern-day apostles and prophets, and build according to Scripture.

Prayer

Dear Lord, Let the church return to the clear pattern of Scripture in the 21st century, recognising the ministries of modern prophets, apostles, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, and once again grow and thrive as we open our hearts to the God-given ministries of modern-day prophets and apostles, as well as evangelists, pastors, and teachers. May the Church also recognise the biblical, local-church ministries of God-called elders and deacons, as well as the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus Name, Amen!