Five-Fold Ministry / GOTHG

[B®ent]

Does the Restoration Movement seek to reestablish the five-fold ministry?

Ephesians 4:11-12

Also, what is the Restorationist position on the gift of the Holy Ghost?
Can such a gift be received now as it was in Acts, or was that gift exclusive to that time period? If the latter is true, will there be a "Latter-Rain" of this gift sometime in the future?

[constance]

Does the Restoration Movement seek to reestablish the five-fold ministry?
The Restoration Movement isn't unanimous about anything. However, a large majority of RMers would say NO. Apostles and Prophets spoke the words of the Holy Spirit; after Scripture was completed, their ministries were no longer necessary.

Also, what is the Restorationist position on the gift of the Holy Ghost?
Can such a gift be received now as it was in Acts, or was that gift exclusive to that time period? If the latter is true, will there be a "Latter-Rain" of this gift sometime in the future?
Similarly, the answer would be NO from the majority of RMers. In fact, one school of thought is so thoroughly anti-pentecostal that they see the GOTHG as coming solely through the reading of the Spirit's Teachings in Scripture.

Of course, there are some charismatic RMers. I don't know if there are any on CF.

Constance

[ParsonJefferson]

Does the Restoration Movement seek to reestablish the five-fold ministry?

Ephesians 4:11-12

Also, what is the Restorationist position on the gift of the Holy Ghost?
Can such a gift be received now as it was in Acts, or was that gift exclusive to that time period? If the latter is true, will there be a "Latter-Rain" of this gift sometime in the future?

First of all, I'd say it's important to remember that since the Restoration Movement churches do NOT have a central hierarchy, there will be on "official position" on this, nor will there be 100% consensus. That said, I'll share my view and opinion...

Restoration Movement churches are not pentecostal/charismatic, though most will take the "do not encourage, do not forbid" approach to most of the manifestations of the Spirit. People who are really "into" that thing will probably not feel totally comfortable in a RM church, because few (if any) of the people will be dancing, raising hands or speaking in tongues.

Personally, I feel that if these gifts/manifestations of the Holy Spirit are just that - GIFTS - then they will be given as Jesus wills, not because we seek them or are in the presence of those who are doing them. I also believe that, God being sovereign, we cannot say with certainty that he "will" or "will not" bestow these gifts today. It's God's choice.

However, I'm not sure there's a current need for at least some of the gifts. For instance, in Acts 2, the "speaking in tongues" was clearly a speaking in other languages - because there were Jews there from everywhere in the world. It was necessary then, but I don't think it's necessary today. The gift of "prophecy" was a bringing of an inspired message from God to man. It was needed before the New Testament was completed, but it's no longer needed today.

Finally, as a non-charismatic pastor, I can honestly say that the presence or absence of these charismatic gifts is of no great concern to me. There are many other far more important and pressing issues facing my church.

[Frame1520]

Well put ParsonJefferson.

[Tranceformer110]

This is one of my gripes about the RM. In my experiences quite a few leaders in the area do believe in the gifts of the spirit. However, when ministering in their churches they don't teach anything about them(for or against). It's like they want to keep unity without offending people on either side. When I've been in RM churches it's like something is lost. I would probably be in a RM church now if they took a positive stance on the gifts.

[ParsonJefferson]

This is one of my gripes about the RM. In my experiences quite a few leaders in the area do believe in the gifts of the spirit. However, when ministering in their churches they don't teach anything about them(for or against). It's like they want to keep unity without offending people on either side. When I've been in RM churches it's like something is lost. I would probably be in a RM church now if they took a positive stance on the gifts.
Yeah, but to a certain extent, the "don't offend and don't divide" approach is exactly what the apostle Paul pressed in 1 Corinthians - a letter that is, as much as anything, a letter about unity.

[TheEndOfTheAge]

Personally, I feel that if these gifts/manifestations of the Holy Spirit are just that - GIFTS - then they will be given as Jesus wills, not because we seek them or are in the presence of those who are doing them. I also believe that, God being sovereign, we cannot say with certainty that he "will" or "will not" bestow these gifts today. It's God's choice.


This sounds religious, but is 100% NON-biblical. I encourage all who read this type of NON-biblical deception to be like the Bereans and examine the Scriptures to determine the validity of the above claims. I offer the following SCRIPTURES, not feelings (NASB unless noted):

Jesus in Matthew 7:7-11, “’Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!’”

Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:1a, “Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts.” To “desire earnestly” is to covet earnestly, to seek after, and to make a high priority.

Do not be deceived. God gives His gifts to those who desire earnestly for them. God gives His gifts to those who ask, seek, and knock for them. God has already told us in the Bible that He is willing that we have and operate in the gifts of the Spirit, and He has instructed us to desire them earnestly. The “I will do nothing, and if God wills something to happen then it will just happen” mentality has infected much of the body of Christ. He has shown us in the Gospels and the Book of Acts what to expect, and He has told us to ask, seek, and knock for the full manifestation of supernatural Christianity. Wake up and seek and serve the Living God while there is still time!

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with your spirit,

Fred Meyer

“And He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.”—the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:15 (NASB)

[Splayd]

I've observed that the Church of Christ in Australia has become increasingly charismatic over the last 20 years. While there have been a couple of churches that have split as a result of their differences about the matter and the odd congregation that left the Church of Christ altogether, most churches here are becoming more comfortable with "the gifts". You won't find people openly praying in tongues or offering prophetic words and such things in a service, but you'll find these things are taught about much more than they once were and some of the manifestations are more apparent in small group environments.

[constance]

Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:1a, “Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts.” To “desire earnestly” is to covet earnestly, to seek after, and to make a high priority.


Perhaps reading 1 Cor 13 is important too.
And this:

1 Cor 14:19
in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

[TheEndOfTheAge]

Perhaps reading 1 Cor 13 is important too.
And this:

1 Cor 14:19
in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

You are biblically correct on both counts. Desiring spiritual gifts should be a high priority, but love should be the number one priority. You can be serious about both at the same time. One does not cancel out the other. Love is the most important, but love does not render the spiritual gifts unimportant.

In the church, Paul desired to speak meaningful words that the hearers could understand. Outside of the church, Paul prayed in tongues a lot. He says, "I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you" (1 Corinthians 14:18). Also, the apostle Paul says, "I would like every one of you to speak in tongues" (1 Corinthians 14:5).

So, to summarize your excellent points—love is the most important, but the spiritual gifts are also very important. The apostle Paul, writing by the Holy Spirit, hit the mark when he wrote, "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts" (1 Corinthians 14:1a).