These leadership positions are sometimes called "offices" in the church. "Office" means a place
of responsibility and duty. The special leadership gifts are:
- Apostles
- Prophets
- Evangelists
- Pastors
- Teachers
APOSTLES
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets...
(I Corinthians 12:28)And He gave some apostles; and some, prophets... (Ephesians 4:11)An apostle is one who has a special ability to develop new churches in different places and
cultures and to oversee a number of churches as a supervisor. Apostle means "a delegate, one
sent with full power and authority to act for another.” The apostle has a special authority or
ability to extend the Gospel throughout the world by developing organized bodies of believers.
Modern terms used by the church for an apostle are missionary and church-planter.
The Bible speaks of three different categories of apostles. Jesus Christ was called an apostle:
Wherefore holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the
Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;Who was faithful to Him that appointed Him... (Hebrews 3:1-2a)The twelve disciples of Jesus were called apostles:
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these... (Matthew 10:2)The twelve apostles had a special function. They were part of the founding of the Church. While
they had a function which no other believers will ever have, there is also a general apostolic gift
of the Holy Spirit:
And He gave some apostles... (Ephesians 4:11)According to this passage, God is the one who selects apostles. Paul again confirms this:
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles...
(I Corinthians 12:28)