In Ephesians 4:11, the apostle Paul tells us that Jesus gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to the church. He did this in the days of the New Testament; the question is, does Jesus still give all of them to the church today? This book seeks to address this question. In this book you will find: . The ministries of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers defined. . Names of people in the Bible who held these ministries. . Descriptions of each ministry from a biblical-historical perspective. . An examination of the contemporary expressions of the ministries of evangelists, pastors, and teachers. . Answers to objections about the presence of apostles and prophets in the church today. . A case for the continuance of the ministries of apostles and prophets in the modern church. . A description of the ministries of apostles and prophets in the contemporary church. John P. Lathrop is a graduate of Zion Bible College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is an Ordained Minister with the International Fellowship of Christian Assemblies and is currently active in pastoral ministry at the Christian Pentecostal Church in Newton, MA. In addition to pastoring, he regularly writes for Vista magazine, the official publication of the International Fellowship of Christian Assemblies, and for the Pneuma Review, a publication of the Pneuma Foundation. He has ministered overseas in the countries of Indonesia and Zimbabwe. He and his wife, Cynthia, are the parents of five adult children: Carrie, Joshua, Deborah, Stephen, and Daniel. The Lathrops also have two grandchildren.

Examines the origins and development of the episcopacy in the early church with an eye toward its implications for current ecumenical issues relating to the episcopacy and apostolic succession.

Taking a look at how the fivefold ministers relate to the church today... Discover how the fivefold ministry was created to work within the local church, the training ground for ministry. These ministers-apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers-are coaches who equip and train God's people to release His power for works of service. Learn how proven fivefold ministers can be mentored and released in the body of Christ. This book covers the "who, what, why, how" of fivefold ministry Who are these ministers and how are they identified? What fivefold ministry is and what it is not Why we need fivefold ministers How do five ministers relate to one another Who finances these ministers? How fivefold ministers are utilized in church planting Discover practical tips on building relationships between church leaders and fivefold ministers Grow a healthy fivefold ministry in your church

A new commentary for today's world, The Story of God Bible Commentary explains and illuminates each passage of Scripture in light of the Bible's grand story. The first commentary series to do so, SGBC offers a clear and compelling exposition of biblical texts, guiding everyday readers in how to creatively and faithfully live out the Bible in their own contexts. Its story-centric approach is ideal for pastors, students, Sunday school teachers, and laypeople alike. Each volume employs three main, easy-to-use sections designed to help readers live out God's story: LISTEN to the Story: Includes complete NIV text with references to other texts at work in each passage, encouraging the reader to hear it within the Bible's grand story. EXPLAIN the Story: Explores and illuminates each text as embedded in its canonical and historical setting. LIVE the Story: Reflects on how each text can be lived today and includes contemporary stories and illustrations to aid preachers, teachers, and students. —Ephesians— Like all of Paul's letters, Ephesians is centered in the gospel and its implications. It tells the story of what God has done in Christ and spells out the ethical implications of this story. But the letter to the Ephesians is unique among Paul's letters in many ways, including in how it tells of the story of God, beginning "before the creation of the world" and ending in eternity. Edited by Scot McKnight and Tremper Longman III, and written by a number of top-notch theologians, The Story of God Bible Commentary series will bring relevant, balanced, and clear-minded theological insight to any biblical education or ministry.

Why does the Lord appoint apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to the church? Ephesians 4:12 says they are bestowed for the perfecting of the saints, the work of the ministry, and to edify the body of Christ. However, these three objectives are best understood in the context of God’s purpose. His purpose provides the “why” for understanding the five-fold ministry gifts or the gifts of Christ. From before the foundation of the world, the Father predetermined spiritual blessings in Christ for all humanity. In essence, His purpose is one of unity. The blessings outlined in Ephesians Chapter 1 says that He chose humanity to be His sons, who would share His very nature and be like Him. In short, the Father’s simply wanted a family born of His nature, who would reflect His character, and on whom He could bestow an eternal inheritance. Therefore, the gifts of Christ exist in accordance with this purpose. Indeed, each gift has individual responsibilities but collectively, they serve to bring the entire body of Christ into maturity—a unified body that manifests the Father’s glory or character. The gifts exist to fulfill the purpose that the Father predetermined from before the foundation of the world. This book discusses all these elements in detail and brings the Father’s purpose for the church into perspective in relation to the gifts.

This informative study guide discusses in depth the biblical characteristics of the ministry gifts -- apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher -- and their roles in the Body of Christ.