Jesus selects apostles to continue His work (through the fivefold ministry)

Posted on Anne BorkentPosted in Bible, Jesus, Leadership

Acts 1:1-2,24-26 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. (…) Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

The book of Acts is also called ‘the acts of the apostles’. Whereas in the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), we read about the ‘acts of Jesus’, in the book of Acts Jesus’ work is continued by the apostles: the ‘acts of the apostles’.

Chapter 1 of the book starts with Luke explaining that Jesus had given “instructions… to the apostles he had chosen.” In other words, Jesus continues His work on earth – but now through the apostles. And it is He who chooses these apostles.

Chapter 1 ends with a practical example of this process. Judas place had to be replaced. They asked the Holy Spirit for guidance and it was Matthias who was selected.

We need to realise that it is Jesus who is still building His church, and He does this on the foundation of the apostles and prophets (Eph. 2:20) through the fivefold ministry including evangelists, pastors and teachers (Eph. 4:11). Note the order:

“It was he who gave some to be (1) apostles, some to be (2) prophets, some to be (3) evangelists, and some to be (4) pastors and (5) teachers.” 

The fivefold ministry can be likened to the five fingers of a hand:

  • The apostle = the thumb = the one who defines
  • The prophet = the index finger = the one who points out and directs
  • The evangelist = the middle finger = the one who reaches furthest
  • The pastor = the ring finger = the one who holds together
  • The teacher = the little finger = the one who brings understanding

The apostle is first, followed by the prophet. That is the Biblical model and order. And the apostle is selected, not through human selection, but by Jesus Himself!

Let’s trust Jesus to build His church and let’s always ask Him for selection (under the direction of His Holy Spirit) and not anyone else.