FIVE-FOLD? AGAIN??

Yep, I'm going to talk about the Five-Fold Ministry doctrine once again, and I hope for the last time.  I've been mulling over the name of that doctrine, what people have done with this, and what the Scripture say that people are missing in their understanding, and how we should describe the ministries listed in Eph. 4:7 - 16.

For a quick review, the ministries are: apostles, prophets, pastors, evangelists and teachers.  Leaders have twisted these into a hierarchical structure, like a pyramid, with apostles and prophets at the top, with everyone else subject to their authority.  Anyone questioning their teaching, prophecies, or authority is disfellowshipped, defamed, and depressed.  This authoritative structure has led to destroyed marriages and families, and even death.

I believe the word "Five-Fold" gives these ministries authority they were never intended to have.  When you fold something like cloth or paper, you create layers, or levels.  Levels indicate structure, and authority is often organized along levels.  So you can see how the abuse entered the picture.

Speaking of pictures, look at your hand with the fingers spread out.  I have seen preachers use this to illustrate the doctrine.  Now, fold your fingers in.  What do you have?  A fist.  You can see how this doctrine has led to aggressive, even militant, behavior.

We should all agree, we need to rethink the pyramid image, maybe clarify it, or replace it with something more suitable.

I believe the pyramid image reflects two-dimensional thinking.  Having worked as a drafter, I have learned about 2- and 3-dimensional images.  Most of the time, when people think of a pyramid with 4 visible sides, like the ones in Egypt, they forget about the fifth side, the base.  Out of sight, out of mind. So, such pyramids have five sides, 4 triangles, and one square.

A 2-dimensional figure with five sides is called a pentegon.  Definite military connection there, so let's go back to 3-dimensional solids.

A five sided solid is called a pentehedron.  The pyramid I described above is just such an object.  Now if you extend the peak along the central axis far emough from the base, you have a squared spire.  If you tilt the central axis, you have something like a spike or tooth.  Again, inappropriate images to associate with ministry.

As we are often told, don't take verses out of context.  If we look elsewhere in Ephesians, we see some verses that apply.

Ephesians 2:19-22 LSB

So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner the castone, in whom the whole building, being joined together, is growing into a holy sanctuary in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

Well, this passage knocks out the pyramid as a suitable illustration for the five ministries.  According to the standard hierarchical model, apostles and prophets are the capstone of the pyramid, not down at the bottom, in the foundation.

This image then is not one of a pyramid, but a temple

Something else to consider is what Jesus said in John 15, about He is the vine, and we are the branches.

So, instead of saying five-fold, we should say five branches of ministry.

MORE ABOUT THAT FIVE-FOLD THING

Since the post about Paul being a pioneer for the Gospel by opening up new areas, I have come to consider the implications for the Five-Fold Ministry.

One aspect of this is the chronological appearances of these ministries within a given geographic or demographic area.  Once an apostle opens up the area, prophets then appear to support the Apostles' doctrine to give direction to the new disciples' assemblies.

Once a sufficient number of disciples have been trained, elders are appointed, or recognized, to shephard, or pastor the flock.  All the elders are pastors, and not a board that rubber stamps the actions of a single leader.

Of course, other people in the given area still need to hear the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus.  So, comes the need for evangelists.  I am not a Greek scholar, but I have looked into the meaning of evangelist.  The English word is taken directly from the Greek word.  The best I   can determine is that an evangelist is a Good Newser, someone who is full of good news, and not just a travelling preacher.

The new disciples need a foundation of sound doctrines.  The elders may not be able to explain the truth of Scripture to every new disciple, possibly because of the number of new disciples.

This might have been the pattern of the early disciples of Christ.

This chronological view might also apply the list of gifts at the end of 1 Cor. 12.