How would you respond to the arguments listed on this website: https://trumpet-call.org/2016/01/11/ministry-of-jesus-christ-on-earth-was-only-one-year/

>Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. [Matthew 28:16 KJV] The eleven had a specific appointment and at that appointment they were instructed : >And Jesus came and spake unto them [Matthew 28:18 KJV] Jesus spake unto *them*, that is to say, to the eleven. >And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. [Matthew 28:18 KJ] Because all power in heaven and in earth has been given to Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, therefore he says to the eleven : >Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [Matthew 28:19 KJV] These words were uttered to the eleven and later another was called, specifically and particularly, by Jesus Christ's audible words, namely Saul of Tarsus, thereafter called Paul. To him was also given like commandment 'he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel'. Thereafter a ministry became evident, such as John Mark, Silvanus, Epaphras, Timothy and Titus. Not of the eleven but marked out as a ministry sent to the whole church (not to any specific location) and to propagate the gospel throughout the known world. Paul writes three epistles to this ongoing, next-generation ministry, instructing them in doctrine and in church government. These men, and only these men, may appoint elders. Here is a definite structure dependent upon the calling, directly, of Jesus Christ. Without that calling, generation by generation, there will be none to 'teach and baptise' among the nations. One cannot self-appoint oneself to the vocation or to the task. I can see no evidence here for a 'Great Commission' uttered to the entire church as though the congregations themselves had a 'commandment' as such from the risen and all-powerful Christ. Quite the opposite, the content of the epistles conveys a godly humility, household-centred Christianity and a very local influence among the parochial populace. To say 'the Great Commission' is to the entire body of the congregations, to my mind belittles the Ministry - that of teaching and preaching (to the assemblies and also to the whole earth) as a definite vocation to singularly called persons. Where did this idea come from of a 'Great Commission' which is generic to the entire body of Christ ? I cannot find such words in my bible. I am asking this question specifically of Trinitarian Protestants as it seems to me that the concept has generated from within that part of Christendom. ---------------------------------- The other matter which complicates this issue is what J N Darby called 'the notion of a clergyman ; sin against the Holy Spirit' that is to say the denial of a ministry sent to the entire church and the notion that each local assembly should have its own, private, appointed, salaried clergyman. But I shall ask another question on that second complication. ----------------------------------------- EDIT AFTER COMMENTS : I suggest that there are two aspects. One's local life, home life, church life; and there is the gospel being preached to all creation which is beyond the abilities or capacities of common believers and is the province of the especially called. Both are true. Both are immediate. Both are essential. Neither should be neglected. And one should not diminish the other.

**Formalized Ministry** The constituency of the Early Church was listed as **saints, elders, and deacons** in Philippians 1:1. And we know that the early Christians were familiar with the Synagogue style of congregating with a leadership of **archisynagogos, hazzars, and almoners**. So they would have considered some type of formal spiritual leadership necessary in the fledgling Church. And we see in Ephesians 4:11 a list of ministers given by the Apostle Paul "that were for the edification of the congregations." **Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastor/Teachers** But were ministries formalized into leadership roles by this time in church history? Or were these, as some contend, just descriptions of ministering done at that time? If they were "formalized" in New Testament times and functioning in those churches, do Evangelical Protestants consider them as also legitimate ministry **with a leadership role** in modern Local Congregations? Do they consider the N.T. listing ***a pattern for modernity***? Should the modern local church, or denominations, expect there to be room for all of these ministries to exist and flourish---or just the pastor? >*Jesus Christ has abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the **Evangel** whereunto I am appointed a **Herald, an Apostle, and a Teacher** to the nations.* (2 Timothy 1:10,11) >*And He (God) gave **some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers**, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ.* (Ephesians 4:11-12)

I have read the scripture and learnt that spiritual entities like the demons are capable of emotions of fear, this can be validated by the Biblical verse where The **Holy Spirit speaking through the mouth of Saint James** says that even the devils know that God is One and they tremble. **James 2:19** >You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe and tremble And since the devils are fallen angels the it follows that even the angels who kept their former state are capable of the same emotions. Now lightnings and thunders proceed from the Great White Throne, and around the Throne are **millions of angels**. **Revelation 5:11-12** >Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice And the Biblical basis for the thunders and lightnings proceeding from the GWT **Revelation 4:5** >From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, Do these angels ever experience the same fear and if that is so, how can they serve God out love?

Luke 4:16-21 NIV >**16** He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, **17** and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: **18** “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, **19** to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” **20** Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. **21** He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” John 2:11 NIV >What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. Mark 1:14-15 NIV >**14** After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. **15** “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Matthew 4 cites the same context as the initiation of Jesus' public ministry. We see that Luke presents a perfect starting point for the public ministry of Jesus in Nazareth. John, however, appears to say that Jesus started his ministry with the miracle at Cana. Matthew and Mark on their part, present an event in Galilee by which Jesus started his public life. Exactly when did Jesus launch his public ministry?

The verb for evangelizing occurs 135 times in the N.T. while the word for pastoring (shepherding) occurs 15 times. Yet the preponderance of time it is translated as "preach" conjuring up a robed (or three pieced suited ) minister behind a pulpit with a choir behind him, exhorting a congregation. But it seems that the N.T. pictured the evangelist as a type of gumshoe minister who walked the streets and meandered the marketplace in search of lost sheep, distraught souls, and wayward men and women. And these ministers were greatly valued because the spread of the fledgling church depended upon them. And "they did turn the world upside down." - And they (the apostles) went through the towns "evangelizing" and healing everywhere. (Lu. 9:6) - And daily in the Temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and "evangelize concerning Jesus. (Acts 5:42) - Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and "evangelizes" him concerning Jesus. (Acts 8:36) - For though I "evangelize" I have nothing to boast about, for necessity is laid upon me, woe is me if I did not "evangelize." (1 Cor. 9:16) In light of the vast amount of "evangelizing" by the Early Church and its importance, did Paul wish to be considered one of those Evangelist-- as well as an Apostle-- by using this word to describe his ministry in the cities he went to? (See 1 Corinthians 9:16, in the Greek)

Has anyone claimed to have been called by God to ministry (e.g. to serve as a missionary, pastor, evangelist, prophet, apostle, etc.) through some dramatic "Road to Damascus" encounter (like the Apostle Paul in Acts 9), and subsequently counted with the trust and ministerial support from a community of fellow Christians who believed in their testimony and backed their ministry? The Apostle Paul is an obvious example, but for the purposes of this question he obviously doesn't count. I'm interested in any examples from the 2nd century onwards, especially in modern times. Are there any modern (self-proclaimed) 'Apostle Pauls'?

It's commonly agreed upon that the Ministry of Jesus lasted at least 3 years. However, the plot to arrest Jesus begins only a few days before his crucifixion according to Matthew 26:1-5. Do we know if Jesus was actively persecuted during his Ministry (and/or earlier in his adult life) by command of either the Roman government or the Jewish leaders at any point other than the few days immediately leading up to his crucifixion?

The idea of a 5-fold ministry originally comes from Ephesians 4:11-13: > 11 And he gave **the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers**, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ [ESV] There are Christians who believe in a present-day continuation/restoration of these 5 offices. One notable example, in my opinion, is the Five-Fold Church [5F Church] ([website](https://5fchurch.org/) , [YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYHO1g5-Hz4TBelH_L7xpjg)) , based in Los Angeles, California, whose lead pastor, Kathryn Krick, claims to have been called by God to be an apostle, as her personal YouTube channel [Apostle Kathryn Krick](https://www.youtube.com/c/ApostleKathrynKrick) makes patently clear. However, a passage that is commonly cited to argue for the cessation of the offices of Apostle and Prophet is Ephesians 2:19-22, particularly verse 20: > 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 **built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets**, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. [ESV] The Got Questions' article [*What is the five (5) fold ministry?*](https://www.gotquestions.org/five-fold-ministry.html) presents this argument: > The concept of the five-fold ministry comes from Ephesians 4:11, "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." Primarily as a result of this verse, some believe God has restored, or is restoring, the offices of apostle and prophet in the church today. Ephesians 4:12-13 tells us that the purpose of the five-fold ministry is, "to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." So, since the body of Christ definitely is not built up to unity in the faith and has not attained to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ, the thinking goes, the offices of apostle and prophet must still be in effect. > > **However, Ephesians 2:20 informs us that the church is "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone." If the apostles and prophets were the foundation of the church, are we still building the foundation?** Although Jesus Christ is most definitely active in the church today, His role as the cornerstone of the church was completed with His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. **If the work of the cornerstone is, in that sense, complete, so must the work of the apostles and prophets, who were the foundation, be complete**. > >What was the role of the apostles and prophets? It was to proclaim God’s revelation, to teach the new truth the church would need to grow and thrive. The apostles and prophets completed this mission. How? By giving us the Word of God. The Word of God is the completed revelation of God. The Bible contains everything the church needs to know to grow, thrive, and fulfill God’s mission (2 Timothy 3:15-16). The cornerstone work of the apostles and prophets is complete. The ongoing work of the apostles and prophets is manifested in the Holy Spirit speaking through and teaching us God’s Word. In that sense, the five-fold ministry is still active. **Question:** How do Christians who believe in current-day Apostles, Prophets and the 5-fold ministry interpret Ephesians 2:20 in a way that is consistent with their views? ____ Somewhat related: - https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/85908/50422 - https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/86076/50422

Why would a church choose to ‘commission’ female as pastors and ‘ordain’ male pastors? Is there a difference?

This question is an extension of my previous question https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/86171/50422 . I encourage the reader to read the previous question first to understand the context of this one. In the comment section, someone raised a very intriguing and insightful objection: > Just to point out that Eph 2:20 goes hand in glove with Rev 21, which describes the future heavenly New Jerusalem, once "the former things are passed away" (vs 4). Once everything has been restored to perfection, we're told that "the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb" (vs. 14). That's 12, not 24 or 144 or 144,000 or 12 million. That's another significant point that believers in current-day Apostles & Prophets need to take into account. **Question**: How do Christians who believe in current-day Apostles, Prophets and the 5-fold ministry interpret Revelation 21 in a way that is consistent with their views? Below Revelation 21:9-21 (ESV) for reference: > 9 Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall, **with twelve gates**, and at the gates **twelve angels**, and on the gates **the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel** were inscribed— 13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 **And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb**. > > 15 And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. 16 The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal. 17 He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel's measurement. 18 The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 **And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass**.

Not much to add to the title. Are there any denominations that believe that God is still calling people to be apostles today? If so, how does a person know for sure that they have been or are being called by God to be an apostle, according to these denominations? Apostleship is such an important role and gift in the body of Christ that I would imagine the calling by God has to be extremely clear and specific. _____ Closely related questions: - [How do Christians discern if they are being called by God to ministry, and what ministry specifically?](https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/83881/50422) - [Are there any denominations that teach their members how to hear God's voice better, as exemplified by the Apostles in Scripture?](https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/82827/50422)

The concepts of "being called by God" and "ministry" are biblical. We can find them in passages such as: Ephesians 4:1-14 (ESV): > I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner **worthy of the calling to which you have been called**, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just **as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call**— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 **But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift**. 8 Therefore it says, > > “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, > **and he gave gifts to men**.” > > 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 **And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers**, 12 **to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ**, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Galatians 1:15-17 (ESV): > 15 But when **he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace**, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, **in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles**, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Romans 12:4-8 (ESV) > 4 For as **in one body we have many members**, **and the members do not all have the same function**, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 **Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us**, **let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith**; 7 **if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching**; 8 **the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness**. 1 Cor 12:4-11 (ESV): > 4 **Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit**; 5 **and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord**; 6 **and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone**. 7 **To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good**. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 **All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills**. **Question**: how do Christians discern if they are being called by God to ministry? And what ministry specifically (e.g. pastor, teacher, prophet, evangelist, missionary (and to what country?), etc.)? How do they know which specific gifts have been given to them by the Holy Spirit for their ministry? Do any denominations teach how to discern these things and how to make sure that it is really God who is calling them (as opposed to a mere "gut feeling" which is not necessarily in line with God's will)?

>But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, > >To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: > >Galatians 1:15 and 16, KJV Paul, in developing his argument to the Galatian churches, expresses his own, personal, calling and experience. He stresses this in order to support his own standing with the churches - first, his calling and second his experience. What do modern Protestant, Trinitarian, evangelical churches expect of their leaders. Do they expect such a ministry ? Are they gathered by such a ministry ? And from whom do they expect to be taught what is the gospel and who is Christ ? Do they expect, and are they gathered, by such called and experienced persons ? And, what are the names, today, now, of such persons who are leaders of Protestant, Trinitarian, evangelical churches ? Who are they ? Paul says he is separated. Paul says he is called. Paul says that God has 'revealed' his own Son 'in' Paul. Who, today, in Protestant, Trinitarian, evangelicalism supports their standing in the churches by such expressions as Paul uses to the Galatian churches in the first century ?

How are American non-denominational campus outreach lay ministries conducted? I think the purpose is either to serve the greater community's needs as a form of community service or to convert people to Christianity or to serve the greater community's needs as a form of community service, which can attract people into Christianity (aka convert to Christianity). What I wish to know is whether or not it is more community service or more proselytism/Christian education. What roles do clergy and laity play in this sort of ministry? How can a non-denominational lay ministry cater to Catholic students who may believe in the importance of the clergy in educating the populace about Christian history, doctrine, and practice, or are these ministries interested in proselytizing Catholics and Orthodox Christians to Evangelical Protestantism?

The Bible says all people went to their home but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives and came back to the temple early in the morning. > but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. ([John 8:1–2](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8:1-2&version=NIV) , NIV) On another occasion Jesus said: > Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." ([Matthew 8:20](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+8%3A20&version=NASB) , NASB) What was his dwelling like? Where did He stay during his ministry?

I'd like to know if Eucharistic Ministers are allowed to break a consecrated host? I witnessed this happening and I didn't think they had the right to do it. I was searching for the answer but some say yes and another no. Is there any official teaching or how do I find out if it's ok in my parish or diocese?

Of those Churches what is their form of governance that allows them to run smoothly lacking fulltime ecclesiastical professionals? How does one ascend into a leadership role in the Church?

Did the [Apostolic Church Fathers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostolic_Fathers) write about the capacity in which women were to serve in the early church, or expand the capacity in which they served the church? In other words, what were they responsible for as far as the Apostolic Church Fathers were concerned? As the church grew did their responsibilities grow as well?

What is the biblical basis for requiring a minister to be paid for their work? Put another way, what is the biblical basis for supporting the notion of a solely-vocational pastor? --- Note - I am ***NOT*** looking for a biblical basis that paying a minister *anything* is OK: there are myriad passages that could be turned to for that. This is exclusively about a *mandate* for such recompense.