Ephesians 4:11

It was he who. Paul identifies the gifts as specific services performed in the body of Christ. Apostles. If we take this in the strict sense, it means the Twelve and Paul. Their work was complete and not one can or did take their place. They belong to the first generation of the church. Prophets. These also belonged to the first generation. They preached the Good News (God's message) which they were taught directly by the Holy Spirit. Agabus, Judas, Silas, the four daughters of Philip, are mentioned as having this gift. Evangelists. It is unfortunate that many think only of evangelists in terms of "revivals." The evangelist in the first century of the church was what we call a preacher, but with a little difference in the job description. The evangelist did much the same work as the apostles and prophets, but was not inspired (although he might have one or more gifts), and did not have the same authority. The mission of the evangelist is to preach the Good News (2 Timothy 4:1-5), to water (1 Corinthians 3:5-9), to train other workers (2 Timothy 2:1-2), to put things in order (Titus 1:5), and in general to teach the true meaning of the Good News (Titus ch 2). Pastors = shepherds, bishops, church elders, church leaders. In the early church, all these titles described the same men. These spiritually mature men, called by the congregation to supervise the spiritual life of the group, and to assist each member to fulfill his or her service to Christ. Teachers. Every pastor is a teacher, but not every teacher is a pastor. The church is on-the-job training for Eternity!!!