A critical analysis of the ecclesiology of the emerging apostolic churches with special reference to the notion of the fivefold ministry

Abstract

The main purpose of this research is to explore and analyze the ecclesiology of the emerging charismatic or apostolic churches with a special reference to their church polity based on the fivefold ministry of Ephesians 4:11. The survey of the traditional church government is done as a basis and directional guide for church government and polity. Since the Classical Pentecostals and Charismatics form a sizeable part of evangelical Christianity, their ecclesiology is explored and it is discovered that this is generally not formulated into certain cohesion. This mainstream evangelical Christianity does not formulate dogma, but adds pneumatological dynamism to their faith. However, the ecclesiastical understanding of the emerging apostolic movement is endeavored as a way of trying to understand the premise of ecclesiological understanding. There is a historical survey of the fivefold ministry since the dawn of the twentieth century, especially starting with the Latter Rain Movement. As in all researches of this kind, the marks of this phenomenon are identified and the different terms used to refer to it explored. These marks are highlighted in view of their theological and hermeneutical approaches to doctrinal conclusions. The rationale behind the movement’s fivefold ministry hangs on the doctrine of restoration, whereby the church is believed to be prepared in the last days for a great eschatological realization, and that to accomplish this, the restoration of church government structure based on the fivefold ministers is to be applied. It is believed that the church can only fulfill its mission here on earth when it operates under the guidance of apostolic structure as laid out in Ephesians 4:11. The research argues the theological bases and the roots of the fivefold ministry and compares this with the current scenarios found among the apostolic churches. This is examined in regard to the leadership in the early church, the principles of ecclesiality and contextuality, phenomenology, Realpolitik and vox populi. The argument is enhanced by the fact that the Charismatic theology lacks cohesion and synergy because of the lack of catechesis and apostolic paradosis. The Ephesians 4:1-16 exegeses acts as a precursor to understanding the fivefold ministry and the charismata in the church as supported by history and the application of domata that the fivefold ministry was intended for ecclesia’s growth, life and nourishment. The domata of Eph 4:11 were intended for maturity, not for the government of the church. The climax of the research endeavours to answer the hypothesis if the fivefold ministry can be a theologically legitimate application for church government. The apostolic churches are reviewed and their distinctive characteristics surveyed. The fivefold ministry is critically discussed and the arguments against if for church government brought forth. These arguments are evaluated by comparing them with the contemporary participative ecclesiologies. Some further valuable deductions can be made from research: <ol><li>There is disparity and lack of synergy regarding the fivefold ministry among the Charismatics.</li> <li>Ephesians 4 passage cannot be used to justify the church government structure based on the fivefold ministry.</li> <li>The ecclesia is a charismatic fellowship.</li> <li>The church needs structure for the sake of order and effectiveness in the world.</li> <li>Most of the fivefold ministry promoters are not scholarly or theologically elite.</li></ol> A few constraints have been encountered which have a limiting effect on the research. The research highlights a number of important areas which can be further researched.