We read in 1 Corinthians 12:28: "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers…" We see, therefore, that the church is not founded by man, but by Jesus Christ. We also recognize that not everything that is called a church of the Lord is indeed one. This biblical exposition is intended to help everyone conduct a self-examination to determine whether they truly belong to the church of Jesus Christ. As in Ephesians 4:11, it is also stated here that God has appointed in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, and so on. All who belong to the church of Jesus Christ respect the divine order and acknowledge the ministry of a servant sent by God. Whether it is the office of an apostle, the ministry of a prophet, or a teacher, whatever God has appointed for the edification of the church is gratefully accepted by all who belong to the body of Jesus Christ. Generally, the ministry of a shepherd and evangelist is recognized. However, the situation is different with the first three ministries. Nonetheless, God has deemed these offices necessary and appointed them for the edification of the church.

In Acts 13, verse 1, we read: "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers;" The servants of God are then named. During a worship service, the Holy Ghost said: "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." It should be noted that hands were laid on the apostles for guidance, but not for the establishing of their ministry, for they had long been confirmed by God. In verse 4 it says: "So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed…" This is what we need in our time: men of God whose calling and commission are revealed and confirmed by the Holy Spirit in the congregation before they can set out.

Often one hears the saying today: "We have Christ and therefore we need neither apostles nor prophets." Does one intend to say that the early christian church did not have Christ, and therefore, God appointed apostles, prophets, teachers, and so on? Does one want to say that the church in Antioch did not have Christ because there prophets and teachers performed their ministries under the leading of the Holy Spirit? The opposite is the case. Every congregation that truly has Jesus Christ will also have the establishment of ministries and offices.

The ministry of an apostle largely consists of going out into the mission field and not only proclaiming the gospel, as an evangelist might, but staying in one place until a church is established and elders can be appointed. The ministry of a prophet in the New Testament church consists of expounding the prophetic word of the Lord's congregation in its divine significance. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 14:29: "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets."

Why is such a reference given in the Bible if a practical follow-through of the prophetic office were not planned by God? That this is not about the gift of prophecy is clearly evident from the context, for it is written: "If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace until the revelation is given, and then he can continue speaking." However, no one can ever be interrupted during a prophecy. A prophecy is a direct speaking of God through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:6: " … what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?" Most people only have the notion of a prophet as someone who either foretells future things or reveals something present that concerns the church. However, the prophetic ministry in the New Testament reveals itself in a variety of ways, particularly in communicating the prophetic word to the congregation in the correct manner under the inspiration and revelation of the Holy Spirit. Often, the ministry of an apostle, prophet, and teacher is found to be interconnected.

A meeting on Sunday, June 4, 1972, in the meeting hall in Krefeld. The choir was on the platform when the picture was taken.

In 2 Timothy 1:11, Paul writes that he has been appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher. In verse 13 he says: "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus."

The ministry of a teacher is, as already mentioned, closely connected with the ministry of the apostles and prophets. A teacher does not have the task of a prophet, namely to shed light on the historical and prophetic part of the Plan of Salvation, rather, it is given to him to teach and explain to the congregation the details God revealed through the prophetic ministry. A teacher perceives all aspects of biblical teaching that concern the congregation.

The ministry of an evangelist is the most familiar to us, even so the evangelist Philip from Acts 8 should serve as an example for us. An evangelist is a servant of God filled with the Holy Spirit, who dynamically proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and whose ministry is especially confirmed by miracles, signs, and healings.

Like the other four offices, the office of shepherd is not limited to a local church but extends to the entire congregation of the Lord. A shepherd bears the responsibility for the well-being of the congregation. A shepherd appointed by God knows what spiritual food the "Good Shepherd" has prepared for His sheep.

We read in 1 Corinthians 12:28: "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers…" We see, therefore, that the church is not founded by man, but by Jesus Christ. We also recognize that not everything that is called a church of the Lord is indeed one. This biblical exposition is intended to help everyone conduct a self-examination to determine whether they truly belong to the church of Jesus Christ. As in Ephesians 4:11, it is also stated here that God has appointed in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, and so on. All who belong to the church of Jesus Christ respect the divine order and acknowledge the ministry of a servant sent by God. Whether it is the office of an apostle, the ministry of a prophet, or a teacher, whatever God has appointed for the edification of the church is gratefully accepted by all who belong to the body of Jesus Christ. Generally, the ministry of a shepherd and evangelist is recognized. However, the situation is different with the first three ministries. Nonetheless, God has deemed these offices necessary and appointed them for the edification of the church.

In Acts 13, verse 1, we read: "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers;" The servants of God are then named. During a worship service, the Holy Ghost said: "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." It should be noted that hands were laid on the apostles for guidance, but not for the establishing of their ministry, for they had long been confirmed by God. In verse 4 it says: "So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed…" This is what we need in our time: men of God whose calling and commission are revealed and confirmed by the Holy Spirit in the congregation before they can set out.

Often one hears the saying today: "We have Christ and therefore we need neither apostles nor prophets." Does one intend to say that the early christian church did not have Christ, and therefore, God appointed apostles, prophets, teachers, and so on? Does one want to say that the church in Antioch did not have Christ because there prophets and teachers performed their ministries under the leading of the Holy Spirit? The opposite is the case. Every congregation that truly has Jesus Christ will also have the establishment of ministries and offices.

The ministry of an apostle largely consists of going out into the mission field and not only proclaiming the gospel, as an evangelist might, but staying in one place until a church is established and elders can be appointed. The ministry of a prophet in the New Testament church consists of expounding the prophetic word of the Lord's congregation in its divine significance. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 14:29: "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets."

Why is such a reference given in the Bible if a practical follow-through of the prophetic office were not planned by God? That this is not about the gift of prophecy is clearly evident from the context, for it is written: "If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace until the revelation is given, and then he can continue speaking." However, no one can ever be interrupted during a prophecy. A prophecy is a direct speaking of God through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:6: " … what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?" Most people only have the notion of a prophet as someone who either foretells future things or reveals something present that concerns the church. However, the prophetic ministry in the New Testament reveals itself in a variety of ways, particularly in communicating the prophetic word to the congregation in the correct manner under the inspiration and revelation of the Holy Spirit. Often, the ministry of an apostle, prophet, and teacher is found to be interconnected.

A meeting on Sunday, June 4, 1972, in the meeting hall in Krefeld. The choir was on the platform when the picture was taken.

In 2 Timothy 1:11, Paul writes that he has been appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher. In verse 13 he says: "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus."

The ministry of a teacher is, as already mentioned, closely connected with the ministry of the apostles and prophets. A teacher does not have the task of a prophet, namely to shed light on the historical and prophetic part of the Plan of Salvation, rather, it is given to him to teach and explain to the congregation the details God revealed through the prophetic ministry. A teacher perceives all aspects of biblical teaching that concern the congregation.

The ministry of an evangelist is the most familiar to us, even so the evangelist Philip from Acts 8 should serve as an example for us. An evangelist is a servant of God filled with the Holy Spirit, who dynamically proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and whose ministry is especially confirmed by miracles, signs, and healings.

Like the other four offices, the office of shepherd is not limited to a local church but extends to the entire congregation of the Lord. A shepherd bears the responsibility for the well-being of the congregation. A shepherd appointed by God knows what spiritual food the "Good Shepherd" has prepared for His sheep.