Ministerial Offices and What They Mean


Ephesians 4:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?

Acts 21:8 On the next day we who were Paul's companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.

The duty of office comes AFTER the name. Name comes first, and the persons designation.

These are Offices, positions, and duties, NOT titles, and prefixes to use before our names!

We must seek to unlock it's hidden messages. I believe the only way to do this is by following what Isaiah says...

Isaiah 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little."

Just like brick by brick, piece by piece, here a little there a little, in a topical study. Then can you see a very deep meaning. The word (there) refers to a place, unlike the word "their" which meaning people.
So we get a deeper understanding by weighing up what other Scripture says about a topic.

Isaiah 28:13 But the word of Yehovah was to them, "Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little," That they might go and fall backward, and be broken And snared and caught.

Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.
Matthew 23:6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,
Matthew 23:7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.'(Sounds like most of today's Ministers)
Matthew 23:8 But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. (We are not to call anyone Rabbi, because we have one teacher, Jesus Christ )
Matthew 23:9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. (We are not to call anyone father, because we have one father, GOD ALMIGHTY Yehovah)
Matthew 23:10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. (We are not to call anyone teacher, because we have one teacher, and that is Yeshua)
Matthew 23:11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.
Matthew 23:12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

John 10:16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
We have one Shepherd, and that is Yeshua Messiah.

Now a shepherd is a Pastor...

Greek 4166
ποιμήν
poimēn
poy-mane'
Of uncertain affinity; a shepherd (literally or figuratively): - shepherd, pastor.


All dictionary quotes taken from the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Offices	Meanings
Apostles	Greek 652 ἀπόστολος apostolos ap-os'-tol-os From G649; a delegate; specifically an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (“apostle”), (with miraculous powers): - apostle, messenger, he that is sent.
Prophets	Greek 4396 προφήτης prophētēs prof-ay'-tace From a compound of G4253 and G5346; a foreteller (“prophet”); by analogy an inspired speaker; by extension a poet: - prophet.

Evangelist

Strong's Greek 2099 εὐαγγελιστής euaggelistēs yoo-ang-ghel-is-tace' From G2097; a preacher of the gospel: - evangelist.

Pastor

Strongs Hebrew 7462 øòä râ‛âh raw-aw' A primitive root; to tend a flock, that is, pasture it; intransitively to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension to associate with (as a friend): -  X break, companion, keep company with, devour, eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with, herdman, keep [sheep] (-er), pastor, + shearing house, shepherd, wander, waste.

Minister

Strong's Hebrew 8334 ùׁøú shârath shaw-rath' A primitive root; to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively to contribute to: - minister (unto), (do) serve (-ant, -ice, -itor), wait on. Strong's Greek 1249 διάκονος diakonos dee-ak'-on-os Probably from διάκω diakō (obsolete, to run on errands; compare G1377); an attendant, that is, (generally) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specifically a Christian teacher and pastor (technically a deacon or deaconess): - deacon, minister, servant. Strong's Greek 2023 ἐπιχορηγέω epichorēgeō ep-ee-khor-ayg-eh'-o From G1909 and G5524; to furnish besides, that is, fully supply, (figuratively) aid or contribute: - add, minister (nourishment, unto).

Clergy	NOT A BIBICAL WORD!
Chaplain	NOT A BIBICAL WORD!
Deacon	Strongs Greek                                                                                                 1247 διακονέω diakoneō dee-ak-on-eh'-o From G1249; to be an attendant, that is, wait upon (menially or as a host, friend or [figuratively] teacher); technically to act as a Christian deacon: - (ad-) minister (unto), serve, use the office of a deacon. Strong's Greek 1249 διάκονος diakonos dee-ak'-on-os Probably from διάκω diakō (obsolete, to run on errands; compare G1377); an attendant, that is, (generally) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specifically a Christian teacher and pastor (technically a deacon or deaconess): - deacon, minister, servant.

Bishop

Strongs Greek                                                                     1984 ἐπισκοπή episkopē ep-is-kop-ay' From G1980; inspection (for relief); by implication superintendence; specifically the Christian “episcopate”: - the office of a “bishop”, bishoprick, visitation. Strong's Greek 1985 ἐπίσκοπος episkopos ep-is'-kop-os From G1909 and G4649 (in the sense of G1983); a superintendent, that is, Christian officer in general charge of a (or the) church (literally or figuratively): - bishop, overseer.

Priest

Strong's Hebrew 3548 ëּäï kôhên ko-hane' Active participle of H3547; literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman): - chief ruler, X own, priest, prince, principal officer. Strong's Greek 749 ἀρχιερεύς archiereus ar-khee-er-yuce' From G746 and G2409; the high priest (literally of the Jews, typically Christ); by extension a chief priest: - chief (high) priest, chief of the priests. Strongs Greek 2409 (hiereus) "hee-er-yooce" Hiereus refers to one who offers sacrifice and has the charge of things pertaining thereto and is used