- It’s Christendom that Makes Me Cringe

by Brett Jacobsen

It has been the assumption of some that people, like myself (ones who have left behind Christianity’s crumbling institutions), “hate the church”. In fact, any who venture out from the status quo of contemporary Christendom are usually alleged to be church hating heretics by those who remain planted on the pews… or parading in the pulpits. Then we have the crazy Christians who are called and graced to speak biblically and prophetically into the church as God, “according to His eternal purpose,” reveals, reforms, and subsequently revives THE church in order to reflect His glory. These apostolic “antagonists” and prophetic “perpetrators” are more often than not categorised as trouble makers and rebellious, loveless thugs, despite the fact that they are usually motivated by “Love” Himself (1 John 4:8, 16).

by Frank Viola

In virtually every city where I’ve spoken, I have been asked the question, “Frank, do you believe in ‘the five-fold ministry?’ And do you believe that God is restoring ‘the five-fold ministry’ mentioned in Ephesians Chapter 4?”

In this article, I would like to answer that question.

My answer is largely hinged on what one means by “the five-fold ministry.” That is, what “five-fold ministry” are we talking about? Are we talking about the 200-year old doctrine of the restoration of “the five-fold ministry?” Or are we talking about the ascension gifts that Paul had in mind when he penned Ephesians 4:9-16?

The Five-Fold Ministry: The History of a Doctrine