Introduction
There are many among the ranks and file of the
redeemed community, this include many in leadership position, who do not
subscribe to the premise that the Mighty Hand of YAHVEH, the Five-fold ministry
is a bona fide part of today’s redeemed community. This is probably one of the
most controversial subjects facing the local and corporate church of this
generation. Some would be inclined to renounce and or offer purportedly
biblical and other types of evidence that support their disagreement with the
Mighty Hand of YAHVEH or the Five-fold model of ministry.
The scripture says Exodus 3:19 I know,
however, that the king of Egypt Egypt
6:1 Then
YAHVEH said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh: Indeed, by
a Mighty Hand he will let them go; by a Mighty Hand he will drive them out of
his land.
Psalms 136:11 And
brought out Yisrael from among them, For His mercy endures forever; 12 With a strong hand, and with an
outstretched arm, For His mercy endures forever.
I King 8:41“Moreover,
concerning a foreigner, who is not of Your people Yisrael, but has come
from a far country for Your name’s sake 42‘(for they will hear of
Your great name and Your strong hand and Your outstretched arm), when he comes
and prays toward this temple”, 43“hear in heaven Your dwelling
place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, that all
peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as do Your people
Yisrael, and that they may know that this temple which I have built is called
by Your name.
Ezekiel 20:33 as I live,
says EL YAHVEH, surely with a Mighty Hand and an outstretched arm, and with
wrath poured out, I will be king over you. 34 I will bring you out
from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you are scattered,
with a Mighty Hand and an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out;
35 and I
will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will enter into
judgment with you face to face. 36 As I entered into judgment with
your ancestors in the wilderness of the land of Egypt
37 I will
make you pass under the staff, and will bring you within the bond of the
covenant. 38 I will purge out the rebels among you, and those who
transgress against me; I will bring them out of the land where they reside as
aliens, but they shall not enter the land
of Yisrael
I Peter 5:6
“Therefore humble yourselves under The
Mighty Hand of YAHVEH, that He may exalt you in due time.
Who is the
Mighty Hand referred to throughout scripture? Peter says that the Five-Fold
ministry is The Mighty Hand of YAHVEH! The Hebrew word for mighty or strong
hand is hqz dyak, Kyad zaqah.
In order to
understand this concept we must define it from scripture, and its position in
the church as a whole. Meaning, the individual, the local, and the universal
Body of The Messiyah. There are aspects of the Body of The Messiyah that deny
that certain ministries are essential for today. Suffice to say that this paper
is not produced with the intent to stir controversy. Nor is this information
suggesting that ministries operating in the traditional church model (pastor
and church board) are not saved. What I am saying is that they will not be able
to bring the people into the realm of overcommers, and into all that YAHVEH has
in store for those who love Him.
In Ephesians 4:3 we are encouraged to keep the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace.
In v.16 Paul again says that the whole Body of The Messiyah will be joined and
knit together by whatever the joint supplies. Each part works effectively and
does its share so that the body increases and builds itself up in love. How is
the Church going to accomplish this?
Paul illustrates it best and
this is what I believe is the prime directive of the Mighty Hand or the
Five-fold ministry as out-lined in Ephesians 4:11-16 He
gave some people as emissaries (Apostle), some prophets, some as proclaimers of
the Good News (Evangelists), some Pastors and Teachers. Their
task is to equip YAH'S people first for the work
of service,
that is to build the Body of the Messiyah (Yahushua), until they all arrive at
full maturity in the spirit. That standard of maturity was established through
the Messiyah's perfection, that one may gain unity by trusting and knowing who
the Sons of YAHVEH is.
What is paramount in Paul's
outline of the Mighty Hand or the Five-fold Ministry in the above scripture is,
"the perfecting of the saints,
for the work of the ministry",
and the primary work of the ministry is to preach and teach the Gospel.
Matthew 28:18 "
Yahushua came and talked with them. He said, "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" 19 Therefore, go and make people from all nations into tamidim
(disciples), immersing them into the reality of the Father, the Son and the
Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) 20
And teach them to obey everything that I have commanded (Law) you, and
remember! I will be with you always, yes, even until the end of the age.”
In Ephesians 4:1-16 we can discern that YAHVEH has a master plan, a vision, for His church, the Body of The Messiyah. We can also see that He has given gifts to His church so that His vision can be fulfilled through them. In v.7 Paul writes that every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of The Messiyah. I glean and understood that the purpose of the Mighty Hand or the Five-Fold ministries are all-necessary and all should get to participate in this wonderful vision that YAHVEH has for His saints, His church, the Redeemed community.
In Ephesians 4:1-16 we can discern that YAHVEH has a master plan, a vision, for His church, the Body of The Messiyah. We can also see that He has given gifts to His church so that His vision can be fulfilled through them. In v.7 Paul writes that every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of The Messiyah. I glean and understood that the purpose of the Mighty Hand or the Five-Fold ministries are all-necessary and all should get to participate in this wonderful vision that YAHVEH has for His saints, His church, the Redeemed community.
In other words, the focus of The
Mighty Hand of YAHVEH is to bring to full maturity all believers in Yahushua,
not the Five-fold ministry itself! Yahushua is Messiyah, not the ministry, nor
(the gifts of the Spirit, the sacraments, a denomination or a particular
church). Only Yahushua can save, deliever, and heal.
However, I am a believer in
Progressive Salvation. II Peter 3:18 NKJ "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and
Savior Yahushua The Messiyah ..." How does one then grow in The Messiyah unless someone
guides and teaches them.
Philippians 1:6
"Being confident of this very
thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day
of Yahushua."
Colossians 1:10 "That ye might walk worthy of YAHVEH unto all
pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of
YAHVEH".
II Corinthians 13:11
"And now, brothers, shalom (peace)! Put yourselves in order. Pay attention
to my advice, be of one mind, live in shalom (peace) and the EL of love and
shalom (peace) will be with you."
Ephesians 4:14 emphasizes children, when we
accept salvation we are but children in the spirit. "First in the natural then the spirit". It is from this observation that I will
approach The Mighty Hand of YAHVEH, the Five-fold ministry. But first let us
look at the evolution of the ministry, and Divine government.
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