This passage describes what the exalted Lord gave as the gifts (Ephesians 4:7) for the equipping of the saints for the ministry. This passage is often called “the fivefold ministry.” The first two gifts, apostles and prophets are given once for all. We conclude that based on what has been said earlier in Ephesians. Ephesians 2:19, 20 are about the foundation which is made up of apostles and prophets with Jesus being the cornerstone. The foundation is laid once for all. These apostles and prophets of Christ gave us Christ’s binding teachings which are “the faith once for all handed down to the saints.” In the sermon we acknowledge that the terms “apostle” and “prophet” are also used functionally for people who were not part of this foundation. 2 Corinthians 8:23 is an example of that. Since there is so much confusion due to the latter day apostles and prophets movement, we should avoid this terminology and speak of missionaries and preaches who speak God’s word accurately. The foundational apostles and prophets gave us scripture and we cannot judge their teachings, their teachings must judge us. Another passage the shows the foundational nature of the NT apostles and prophets is Ephesians 3:4-6 which shows that they revealed the previously hidden “mystery” which is the church comprised of converted Jews and Gentiles. Each of the ministries of evangelists, pastors, and teachers is deal with individually and explained biblically. Pastors and teachers are to be considered separate, based on the best reading of the Greek. In all of this, Christ must be preached and God’s people taught the pure word of God. 

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