People assume the five ministries listed in Ephesians represent layers created by folding, and each later added to the first is created by one fold. So, the second layer is created by the first fold, the third layer is created by the second layer, etc. Well, this works if you are creating pleats or a fanfold, but if you are folding a flat item in half with each fold. In that case, you cannot create five layers, because each fold doubles the number of layers.
Try it yourself. Take a flat item, such as a sheet of paper, or a washcloth, or a bandana, and fold it in half three times. You have created six layers.
Now, if you used a cloth item, you can flatten it out and use it again. Take one side and fold it over one third of the way to the other side. Then take the unfolded side and fold it over to align with the first fold. You now have three layers.
If you wanted five layers, you would have to measure one fifth of the way from one side to the other to make the first fold. From there, you can go one of two ways. You can alternate folding under and over for each fold, working from the first side across the cloth.
No matter what manner of folding you use, it is a poor analogy for the ministries listed in Ephesians 4. The passage does not mention any folding, layers, or structure of any kind. And the larger context doesn't imply any of those either. Nowhere does the Bible state that those ministries are offices either.
From what I see in that passage is that Jesus equipped men for those ministries according to what they would need to serve His people.
This is the easiest way to determine true ministers from the false. True ministers will serve you by bringing you truth. False ministers will decieve you into serving them by twisting the Bible.
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