First off, the Fivefold Ministry is not new.
It is part of the cannon of Scripture in the Book of Ephesians. It was brought forth after years and years of ministry, reflection and revelation through the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Lord slowed him down long enough to write and capture the gems of understanding which he imparted to the Church in the Book of Ephesians.
A grand vision, much like the vision of Revelation, Paul called the church into her glory and government.
Second, it is not a magic carpet to “make all things right” or “ to win the world to Jesus in a flash” or to “bring in the later rain” once it appears.
There appears to be so much “looking for the new Jerusalem to fall out of heaven, land on us, and radically alter the fabric of society and the church like magic.” I’ve heard the Fivefold placed in the same categories.
I hear things like….
A perfect church will emerge from the Fivefold when it’s influence is present.
The latter days will burst forth when the Fivefold comes into its full expression.
The end times will wrap up with the coming forth of the Fivefold government.
These kind of statements can be immediate motivators but carry long term negative consequences. If we paint the Fivefold outside the realities of the Kingdom of God and revelation of Scripture we will inevitably sour the initial enthusiasm. Granted, we know in part and an explosion is better than a fissile. Seeking to bring forth something wider and more refined is a noble goal. Again, the revelation is resting with Jesus and his impartation to the servants in his charge. The reality of the sufferings of Christ, of Kingdom war and hard fought battles waged in the perseverance of hope, have on occasion put out the campfire of our zeal and perseverance. We ride on something much greater, deeper and more powerful; the overcoming victory of Jesus Christ and revelation of him and his love are the bedrock of energy driving the five folders heart and spirit. (Ephesians 3:17-22)
Why might the phrases above be “off” teaching?
These phrases appear influenced by modern cultural values more than informed with Kingdom and Scripture. The Kingdom of God is welcomed, explodes in transformation and new life from the inside out, and then blesses the world “in Christ through the Gospel”. (Ephesians 3) We are called to be salt and light and to preach a message we embody. (John 17) We are carriers of the presence and a Kingdom that originates in the inheritance of the Lord Jesus and is coming every day. (Isaiah 9:7) So, are we unhappy with the measure of light we currently possess? Unhappy with our influence in the Gospel? What are the contributing factors for our lack as the Kingdom is without lack? That is the question of the hour. Also what teaching and ways are supporting this lack luster reality of the overcoming power of his grace and glory? In our pragmatism we may overlook the power of the Kingdom of God and the rule and reign of Jesus for more immediate outcomes. Building wood, hay and stubble edifices is easy in the wisdom of men.
Jesus takes up residence in people, members of the one body, and with transforming grace of his redemption, resurrection power and ascension Priesthood brings us into eternal life from the moment we enter into this Kingdom. Eternal life is now. The Kingdom is coming every day in power all over the planet. Grace is swallowing up death and birthing eternal life in us. Life that stands forever.
We are not beggars. We are receivers of an eternal Kingdom rooted and established in the Love of Jesus and the rule and reign of his overcoming grace. Placing first things first puts us in alignment with heaven, the work of Jesus and the power of the Spirit. I Tim 2:1-3.
So, will the Fivefold, when they are functioning in power and unity, expressing love and equipping the Saints, magically alter the landscape we find ourselves in?
Short answer. NO. Seen through eyes that inflate power and authority and deflate love and the sufferings of Christ the grace of apostles and prophets can easily be rejected for more compelling and pragmatic pursuits.
There are a few factors to consider.
Take the Apostle John for instance.
Apostle Fivefold-er given to the church along with heaps of revelation, insight, understanding, experience of the Lord Jesus both in the flesh and in the Spirit.
Writer of much of the New Testament.
John was one of the three with Jesus in amazing revelation pre-Cross miracles.
John was there on the Mount of Transfiguration with Peter and James.
John leaned in at the last Supper and John asked to sit at the right hand and left with his brother James.
John was visited by the risen Christ and wrote the prophetic NT final picture of all things. He has one of the best revelatory resumes in Christian history.
This same John wrote to a church in which he had authority and was rejected by a local church leader. Unwilling to share what John wrote, John says,
“I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.” 3 John 1:9
In direct contradiction to the order of the Kingdom, an elder rejected the ministry and teaching of the Apostle John.
There is not a witness of the Lord Jesus beside Peter and James in the living story of the Lord who carries more authority and revelation of Jesus Christ than John.
Yet he was rejected and hindered by a local church leader.
Magic Carpet?
Did Jesus, the Messiah, The King of Glory, the Prophet, Priest and King of Israel, the fulfill-er of hundreds of prophetic words, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, magically bring Israel into the fullness of his amazing grace?
No. Instead, Israel for the most part rejected him. Jesus and his ministry represented a massive wedge of moral preaching smashing into the concepts, ideas, mindsets of the time and bursting forth with the new covenant. One Lord, One faith, One Baptism, One God and Father from whom all the family derives its name. Israel was challenged to the core and depths of understanding by the wedge of Christ.
Import remembrance: Jesus accomplished his mission in the midst of Israel’s rejection! Salvation, as presented in the prophets and in Messiah, was accomplished. The whole of human history took on a new vision. We were without God and now we are part of the promises with Israel.
Israel had a limited grasp of the Prophets Voice, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Jeremiah and others who foretold what she could not see in her limited mindset. Jesus did not have this lack of mission revelation. He carried forth the Father’s will into the darkness and a great light dawned.
We know the disciples of Jesus equally had limited grasp as well. Peter, upon bringing forth the most profound revelation of the ages, “You are the Christ. The Son of the Living God” was rebuked by Jesus as he sought to direct the Lord through his understanding of the Messianic revelation.
We too know in part in our time. As Hebrews 11 shares, we know in part so that we too can share in the promise and those who follow will also share in the victory and promise of this Kingdom of our Lord Jesus. We were made for manifold wisdom to be the expression of the Ekklesia in and around the world. (Eph 3:10) All at the same time. Fully functioning perfect in unity glory orchestrated in the operations of the Father. Beautiful. Mind blowing. Yet, barely informing the current landscape of American Christianity? So many know it is time for the infusion of radical change. We are on the doorstep. The Bride identity is coming with resolute advancement into the hearts and minds of the Lord’s people.
The Fivefold ministers, given to the Bride by Jesus, carry with them a measure of revelation and impartation from the Lord, like the Lord, in the Lord, through the Lord.
To American pragmatism this measure of authority and power should produce the most overwhelming and powerful expressions. Logical. Man’s logic and pragmatism can simply be gold, silver, precious stone, wood, hay and stubble.
1 Corinthians 2:1-4 The wisdom and equations of the world do not measure up to the manifold wisdom of God.
Instead, this Kingdom is founded by receiving, in faith and through grace. It triumphs in the expression of love. It breathes the air of unity, hope and perseverance.
John again says, “I John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus….” Revelation 1:9
And so the Lord of Glory was rejected. Crucified. And the grand conspiracy of God was placed before the world. The shame of the Cross became the salvation of humanity. Stumbling block to the Jews and scandal to the nations, this God, who was Lamb, who came from heaven’s full revelation and walked among us, was beaten and killed by those entrusted with his vineyard. Then in defiance of all things known by humanity, Jesus rose from the dead. He burst forth with power and led the way into resurrection life. The new man. The new creation was born. That new creation man ascended into heaven from the earth and sat down. Right next to the Father in perfect power and glory. He completed everything in the Father’s heart with perfect obedience.
Magic Carpet?
Are we counted among those who kill the prophets and crush the Lord’s voice in his anointed? Are we pulling down everything to make one thing? Is it our thing? The Fivefold are free in stewarding grace imparted to them. They do not pull down even the smallest expression of the victory of Jesus. They rejoice in the manifold wisdom of God expressed in the Church. Many functioning operations and grace all at once adding the Kingdom to every available place.
Are we surprised?
Jesus said, “I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ Matthew 25:43
and
“Remember the word that is Said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master’. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. John 15:20-21
Are we heading in the right direction? The Fivefold in all its revelation, grace and blessing for the Bride is only as good as the reception it receives. Likewise the King of Glory grace and love is the conspiracy of the day. The Fivefold ministers, the gifts to the church, are held out in the palm of a Father to the Saints and the world. Their task is clear. Bring the bride into perfection. The Bride’s perfection and fullness in the inheritance of Jesus is holding back the wrath to come. When the Gospel is preached in every tongue, tribe and nation on earth, then the end will come.
“And this gospel of the Kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to the all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14
We could carry this theme of conspiracy on for a while.
Chorazin - many miracles done in her and her sister cities but they did not repent. They did not fully welcome the Lord of Glory.
"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14"But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you.…Luke 10:13
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those where are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under wings, and you were not willing.” Matthew 23:37
The words to the Hebrews ring out in the hearts of the Fivefold.
“Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things - things that belong to salvation.” Hebrews 6:9
The promise carries us into the sufferings and the patient endurance and comforts of the Father. We do not loose heart in the face of such a great salvation.
So the question arises, is the Gospel limited by limited reception?
Well lets see.
Would God the Father entrust the work of Jesus to us in such a way that it would not be accomplished without faith, hope and love and our obedient sacrifice?
Or
Does God “work in spite of our failures” to grasp, welcome and pour out his love on the world?
Are angels doing the work of men and women?
Are we the agents of the Kingdom?
Are we the voice that spells out the reality of the work of Jesus for the world?
Much like the free will and sovereignty arguments that cannot be resolved clearly from the Scriptures,
God is initiating around the globe and expecting the servants of Jesus to carry it forth in faith. That invitation still has to find a home. A willing heart. A resolute minister to carry it forward and believe it will be as he has said and preach it with bold certainty.
“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4:16
The Lord is working all over the globe. He is constantly entrusting his salvation mission and message to his body. In this picture he gives some people to the church to carry manifold revelation which when imparted will call forth the glory and purpose of the Son of God in the Bride. It’s not the whole package. It is activated by welcome and honor and receiving. It is stewarded grace. It is grace received. It is not from men or through men. (Gal 1:1) He gave these people to bring a piece of the fullness of Christ to the Bride of Christ.
The fivefold are active in the entire world. All at once there is much happening in the Kingdom that cannot be reported or cataloged. There appears to me to always be a doorway opened by the Spirit to advance the gospel, crash the gates of the enemy and proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom to the prisoners of the dominion of darkness.
