Giants of the Reformation (6)

And He Himself gave some to beapostles, some prophets, some evangelists… Ephesians 4.11

Institutes of the Christian Religion
John Calvin (1509-1564)
“…these three functions were not established in the church as permanent ones, but only for that time during which churches were to be erected where none existed before, or where they were to be carried over from Moses to Christ. Still, I do not deny that the Lord has sometimes at a later period raised up apostles, or at least evangelists in their place, as has happened in our own day…I call this office ‘extraordinary,’ because in duly constituted churches it has no place.”

Calvin’s point is that pastor/teacher – shepherds – is the office God has established for building the local church. Apostles, prophets, and evangelists serve the larger Body of Christ, or bring the Gospel to desolate or unevangelized areas, serving the larger Church, while pastors and teachers concentrate on building-up the local church. We do not expect every church to have apostles, prophets, and evangelists, although every believer has been sent (Greek: apostello) like Jesus was sent (Jn. 20.21) – called to proclaim the Word of God (Joel 2.28), and to bear witness to the Lord (Acts 1.8). Each church may have people who manifest the traits or skills of these “extraordinary offices,” and may even fulfill such a role for a time – as on a short-term mission project, or in an evangelistic outreach. But in almost every age of the Church, some people have been called by the Lord to these extraordinary offices as their primary calling, to address a specific need or opportunity. Meanwhile, the ordinary office of pastor/teacher is essential for every church, for equipping the saints and growing the church in unity and maturity. Thus by ordinary and extraordinary offices the Lord equips His people for going to the world, and fulfills His agenda of building His Church.

Who would be some examples of people serving in these “extraordinary” offices in our day? How do they benefit your church? How do they help your church members take up the callings for which God sends them into the world?

T. M. Moore

Mission Partners Outreach
The Lord calls all His sheep to live out their faith by being His witnesses; but being a witness for Christ doesn’t just happen. The flock of the Lord must be equipped for this calling, and Jesus has set shepherds over the flock to do that work. How can we equip the sheep to live for Christ and be His witnesses? Our Mission Partners Outreach provides the resources and framework for making witness-bearing disciples in your church. Want to learn how it works? Watch this brief video, then contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.for more information. I will show you how to make this ministry work in your church.

The Fellowship of Ailbe is supported through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.All quotations from John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, John T. McNeill, ed., Ford Lewis Battles, tr. (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1960), Vol. 2, Book IV, pp. 1012ff.