IT CANNOT BE COINCIDENTAL that the Five-Fold Ministry of the New Testament is paralleled by a five-fold Satanic opposition. Nor is it by chance that the same five-fold pattern existed between ancient Israel and her enemies. This similarity of warfare in the Old and New Testaments mandates the Church's learning from the success and failure of God's ancient people. In the same way the earth became the battle ground for Israel and her enemies; so the "heavenlies" is the battle ground for the war between the Church and powers of darkness. The Old Testament wars provided a visible stage upon which the "Kingdom of God" and the "Kingdom of the Prince of Darkness" fought their battles in actual, physical combat. Through that public dramatization, the Old Testament supplies a detailed, parabolic example of New Testament warfare. The Jewish Wars were neither theoretical nor philosophical; they were literal, bloody confrontations between avowed enemies. By contrast, the invisible-warfare to which New Testament believers are called is wholly spiritual. The Apostle Paul revealed our dependence on Old Testament truth when he said, "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." Romans 15:4. Identical to the Church's Five-Fold Ministry, Israel's spiritual structure rested on a Five-Fold priestly foundation: Aaron and his 4 sons. Exodus 28:1. Leviticus.8. Beginning with Abraham, the following Scriptures illustrate Israel's five-fold opposition of which I speak:

1. Abraham fought 5 Kings in the Valley of Siddim. Genesis 14:19.

2. Moses' warred with the 5 Kings of Midian. Numbers 31:8.

3. Israel battled the 5 Kings of the Amalakites. Exodus 17:9.

4. Joshua killed the 5 Kings of the Amorites. Joshua 10:16-26.

5. Israel was vexed by the 5 Lords of the Philistines. Joshua 13:3.

6. Israel was constantly attacked by the 5 capital cities of Philistia: I Samuel 6.

7. David chose 5 stones for his battle with Goliath and his 4 brothers. I Samuel 17:40.

8. Prophetically: Joseph had 5 of his brothers stand before Pharaoh, King of Egypt. Genesis 47:2.

What do I mean about the New Testament's Five-fold Ministry and the five-fold opposition? Examine these Scriptures. Five-Fold Ministry:: "And He (Jesus) Himself gave some to be (1) Apostles, some (2) Prophets, some (3) Evangelists, and some (4) Pastors and (5) Teachers. "For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." Ephesians 4:11,12,13.

The Five-Fold Opposition: "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the (1) Devil. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against (2) Principalities, against (3) Powers, against the (4) Rulers of the Darkness of this age, against (5) Spiritual Hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:11,12.

The pattern of the Five-fold Ministry and its' five-fold opposition is too accurately fixed to ignore. I am not suggesting that each office of the Five-Fold Ministry is opposed by one corresponding opponent of the enemy. Not so. This is open war in which all are engaged against all others. Nor do I wish to mysticize the number "5" or exaggerate its significance. Rather, I desire to point out the reality of the model's existence in Scripture and that its' occurrence is totally beyond the realm of chance. Most importantly, I wish to aid the Church in her spiritual-warfare by disclosing as many of the enemy's battle principles as possible.

Jesus gave five signs of miraculous power to the Church. He said, "These signs will follow those who believe; In My name: 1. They will cast out demons; 2. They will speak with new tongues; 3. They will take up serpents; 4. If they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; 5. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." Mark 16:17,18. Each of these re-expresses the authority Joshua displayed when he commanded his soldiers to stand on the necks of the five heathen kings. Identically, soldiers of Christ are to reign victoriously over all five of Satan's forces.

The most perfect portrayal of conflict between these two Kingdoms is David's encounter with Goliath and the five-fold powers of each. David faced his enemy with five smooth stones; one for Goliath and each of his four brothers. The stones in David's pouch symbolized the authority of the original Five-Fold Priesthood of Israel--Aaron and his four sons. Prophetically, as the foreshadower of the future Messiah, David's stones symbolized the Five-Fold ministry of the Church. Note this similarity: Goliath's call was: "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field." I Samuel 17:44. Jesus' call is, "Come unto Me and I will give you rest; take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for My yoke is easy and My burden is light and you shall find rest to your souls." Goliath's challenge, "every morning and every evening," in all probability was timed to coincide with the "morning and evening sacrifices" taking place in Jerusalem. This was his occult attempt to resist the power-release that was taking place at Israel's Great Altar. As David destroyed Goliath, leaving responsibility to his mighty men to defeat the giant's brothers, so Christ brought Satan to crashing defeat and said to his disciples, "I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy ..." Luke 10:19. Identically, Christ "disarmed principalities and powers, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it." Colossians 2:15-16. Having done that, He gave the end-times Church responsibility to cast down the "accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night." Revelation 12:10-11. This war in the heavenlies is a primary mission of the saints and is clearly expressed by the Apostle Paul: "To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the Church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places." Paul further explained, "We preach Christ crucified ... Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." I Corinthians 1:23,24. This "Kingdom of God" wisdom is personified in Jesus. Proverbs 8:12,22-31. Following the crucifixion, Jesus made His descent and proclamation in Hades--or lower-world. I Peter 3:19. Significantly, He has given us the privilege to make the same announcement in the heavenlies-or upper-world. Both dimensions are shaken by the proclamation, "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death." Revelation 1:18-19.

THE EXAMPLE OF ISLAM

We have no more perfect example of this five-fold mystery which Israel and the Church both face than Islam--the greatest earthly foe each has ever encountered. Significantly, the Moslem religion stands upon five pillars, makes five daily proclamations, requires five daily prayers to Mecca, and claims five prophets. The five "pillars" are: 1.Prayer to Mecca, five times daily. 2. Five daily proclamations from the Mosque: "There is no God but Allah. Mohammed is his prophet." 3. The Fast of Ramadan. 4. Pilgrimage to Mecca. 5. Alms. Islam's five prophets are: 1. Adam, 2. Noah, 3. Abraham, 4. Jesus, 5. Mohammed. Please know that Mohammed as the final prophet is considered superior to all others. Also be aware that the Moslem "Jesus" is a strange being who was not the Son of God, did not die on a cross, did not shed His blood for mankind's redemption, and was not resurrected from the grave. This "Jesus" has no connection with the New Testament.

Universally, the "Pentagram," the Satanist 5-pointed star is used in various forms of demon worship. Two points are always upward, one downward, two toward the side. The symbol creates the face of a goat: horns, ears, beard. The duty of the Five-Fold Ministry is to blunt all the star-points. One of the principal demons of Babylon--Baphomet--contained the 5-pointed Eastern Star in its forehead and also a vertical shaft with five horizontal bars crossing it. This 5-barred symbol is the main centerpiece at Freemasonry's International Headquarters, the Mother Supreme Council of the World, in Washington, D.C. It appears in the uniform of the Grand Commander and is revered by leading Satanists.

Satan's ancient war is not against creation but against the Creator. He wants the universe for his own but since he cannot have it, he seeks its' destruction. You and I are not his primary targets. We are designed however, "In the image and likeness" of God", are objects of His love, and heirs of His glory. As such, we are the secondary objects of attack. We would be easily obliterated by him, were it not that Christ voluntarily took human form and made himself vulnerable in our behalf. Prior to the incarnation, Jesus was totally beyond the reach of the Prince of Darkness. "For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham." Hebrews 2:16-17

In the Great Commission, Jesus said, "All authority has been given unto Me in heaven and on earth. Go ... make disciples of all the nations ... teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20. The expression "all things" is self-explanatory. Jesus expected the Church in the last age to believe, preach, and do, the same works which He required of the first century Church. Scripturally, there is no such thing as an "apostolic" and "post-apostolic" church. There is simply "one Lord, one faith, one baptism"--one Body of Christ. It is God's purpose that the end-times Church be an exact duplicate of the Church at Pentecost. History confirms that the power of the Holy Spirit remained in the Church for the first two centuries. Only as unbelief and paganism entered, did the power disappear. The replacement of true spirituality with soulishness and unbelief ultimately stripped the Church of authority and left it defenseless before the enemy. The idea that God removed His power at the death of the Apostles is insupportable from Scripture or tradition. This theory is merely an attempt to justify the modern Church's failure.

Jesus did not present the world with a gospel but the gospel of the Kingdom. This gospel is specific, not general, exactly identified in Scripture, and has the same character, nature, and disposition, as the Kingdom and the King from which it proceeds. It is a commissioned ambassadorial representation of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. As such, it is permanent, secure, and unchanging. "The word of the LORD endures forever. Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you." 1 Peter 1:25. In the purpose of God, it is this same gospel, unabridged and exact, which we must preach today, authorizing and empowering our invasion into demonic realms. We dare not--through excuse-making for our own failures or theological maneuvering to hide our ignorance--suppose we can alter that gospel or separate it from the Kingdom. To do so isolates us doctrinally from the Kingdom, the King, and produces an imitation, powerless gospel. We are severely warned in Scripture against preaching "another gospel." Galatians 1:6. In the sight of God there is only the one, that one presented by His Son. This "gospel of the Kingdom" robes believers with authority.

Specifically, through Christ we are "to stand against the wiles of the Devil" and successfully "wrestle with Powers, Principalities, Rulers, Spiritual Wickedness." The ones we battle are in the "heavenly places". The word "heavenly" identifies their location, not their character. For that reason, God has "made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:6. This position does more than give us mere rival authority; it bestows God-assigned victorious power. Nor are we seated there alone; we are in Christ, "In whom dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily," Colossians 2:9. Being "in Christ", we too are eternal beings, called to wage and win war over lessor angelic beings. The battle is spiritual, not physical. Our assurance is, "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." I John 4:4.

THE HOLY SPIRIT'S BAPTISM: YOUR POWER

When Jesus told the disciples " ... You shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now ... You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you," Acts 1:,5,8, He was explaining that their source of power would be the same as His. He had received the anointing of the Holy Spirit in the Jordan; they would receive the same anointing in the Upper Room. Prior to His promise of Pentecost, He told them, "He who believes in(to) Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do because I go to My Father." John 14:12. Their works would not only be done though the same Holy Spirit but would be additionally fortified because He went "to the Father". As High Priest at the Father's right hand, he would make intercession for them. This was a benefit which He Himself did not have. Perhaps that is one reason He could promise they would do "greater works" than He had done. Additionally, His ministry had been confined to one tiny nation; they would go to the "ends of the earth". He was heard by thousands; they would be heard by billions. Jesus' intercession is the source of all light for the Five-Fold Ministry. This illumination of both Old and New Testaments under His authority is probably the significance of the 10 lamps--5 on each wall--in Solomon's Temple, representing the Five-Fold Ministry in the two Covenants. I Kings 7:48,49.

  JESUS EXPRESSES HIMSELF THROUGH TODAY’S FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY

A protest understandably arises that Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers, are no match for Satan's enormous spiritual power. I agree. For that reason Jesus conferred specific authority upon these ministries when He said, "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you." Acts 1:8. Most of today's Church is tragically unaware that this power even exists. Jesus could fully expect the miraculous works to accompany the Five-Fold ministry because it would be a continuation of His own ministry through them. Apostleship in a man can never be severed from Apostleship in Jesus. If such a breach occurs between the minister and Jesus in any of the Five-Fold Ministries, the work becomes only a human formality and not a divine reality.

Scripture divides Apostleship into two categories: First, there are the "Twelve Apostles of the Lamb" whose names are written in the foundation of the Holy City. Revelation 21:14. This number is fixed, inalterable, and will never be exceeded. The qualification for these men was that each had been personally chosen by Jesus, John 6:70, and been a "witness of His Resurrection," Acts 1:22. Secondly, in the Greek Scripture where the word "apostolos" appears much more frequently than in our English translations, it means "sent ones," "delegates," "ambassadors," or "messengers." Let me give Scriptural examples: "If anyone inquires about Titus ... or if our brethren are inquired about, they are messengers (apostolos) of the churches ..." II Corinthians 8:23. "Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus ... but your messenger (apostolos). Philippians 2:25. Barnabas is also called an apostle: "But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes ..." Acts 14:14. Silvanus and Timothy are listed with Paul as apostles. I Thessalonians 1:1;2:6. These men are not equal with the "Apostles of the Lamb" but are still legitimate bearers of this title.

Jesus is still Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher. Whenever these ministries fulfill their true role today it is because the power is proceeding directly from Him. If you participate in any one of these five ministries it is not you but Jesus in you that fulfills the calling. As such, all ministries are obligated to prove their union with Christ. Jesus commended the Church at Ephesus because it had "tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars". Revelation 2:2. As Apostle, Jesus is the voice of God downward to the people. As High Priest, He is the voice of the people upward to God. Apostolically, Jesus speaks to the Church through Scripture and the Holy Spirit. As High Priest, at the Throne of Heaven, He speaks to the Father in behalf of the Church. All parts of the 5-Fold Ministry given to the Church are personal extensions of Jesus in those five areas. Though re-expressed in mankind, they remain inseparably attached to Himself:

1. APOSTLE: Hebrews 3:1: "Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus."

2. PROPHET: Acts 3:22: "For Moses truly said to the fathers, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren, Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you'."

3. EVANGELIST: Luke 4:16:22: " ... He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read ... The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because He has anointed Me to Preach the gospel to the poor ..."

4. PASTOR: "I am the good shepherd (pastor). The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."

5. TEACHER: John 3:1,2: There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, 'Rabbi, we know that You are a Teacher come from God ...'"

In the book of Revelation, Jesus wears two crowns: The diadema, Revelation 19:12, and the stephanos, Revelation 6:2. The first, made of gold, was gained by royal birth. The second crown, the stephanos, made of ivy, oak leaves, violets, and other flowers, was awarded to the victor. This crown was used to honor winners in the Greek games. Only the champion could wear it.

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

The conclusion is unavoidable: God intends that the Five-Fold Ministry, undergirded by the rest of the Church and acting corporately as one complete Body, decimate the Prince of Darkness. This can only be done when the Church truly discovers that it is "complete in Him who is the head of all principality and power." Colossians 2:10. Jesus confirmed this when He said: "I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." Luke 10:19. In my youth I fell in love with this old hymn in which Isaac Watts expertly describes the battle the Five-Fold ministry battles the five-fold opposition:

Am I a soldier of the cross,

A follower of the Lamb?

And shall I fear to serve His cause

Or blush to speak His name?

Must I be carried to the skies

On flowery beds of ease

While others fought to win the prize

And sailed through bloody seas?

Sure, I must fight if I would reign

Increase my courage Lord,

I'll stand the test, endure the pain,

Supported by Thy word!

Thy saints in all this Glorious War,

Shall conquer though they die!

They see the triumph from afar,

And seize it with their eye.

When that illustrious day shall rise,

And all Thine armies shine,

In robes of victory through the skies,

The glory shall be thine!

Charles Carrin

THANK YOU, ROSA PARKS! I had the good fortune to grow up in Miami, Florida, in a family that was free of racism. While segregation was the law of the land we were taught to be disrespectful to no one. At the same time I did not question the law. For that reason, as a white man, I needed Rosa Parks as much as black men. Black men suffered discrimination; white men suffered condemnation. When Rosa refused to give up her bus seat to a white man she did me an immense favor. She and others in the Civil Rights Movement forced me to see myself in a way not seen before. And what I saw was not pretty. She opened my eyes to see that God's intent--as expressed by our American forefathers--is "life, liberty, and justice for all." Thank you Rosa for what you did for this white man.

A Warning About Abusive Church Authority.

Paul exhorted the Ephesian Elders to " ... take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers." Acts 20:28. NKJV. Peter spoke of "the Elders who are among you." I Peter 5:1. Note that the "overseers" were among the flock. Pastors and Elders are never "above" the flock. Unless the church is young and has no other leadership, the pastor is not independent of the Elders. Any Pastor who demands control is dangers. Elders are never independent of the Pastor. Elders who demand control are dangerous. The Pastor must be in submission to the Elders as a body even though they individually hold a position subordinate to him. God never gives uncontrolled power to anyone. Even Paul rebuked Peter. Also know that no system is infallible. I have seen godly pastors be abused by carnally-motivated Elders; Identically, I have seen carnal Pastors abuse godly Elders. The great tragedy is that when Pastor and Elders are seduced into self-centeredness and control they can no longer hear what "the Spirit is saying to the church." Revelation 2:7. Pity such a church!