Five Fold Ministry and The Potter's Hand

Potter’s hand is the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher. 5 fold help mold vessels for the Kingdom   In Jeremiah 18 there is a parable about the potter and the clay. The clay is on the potter’s wheel and the vessel is molded and shaped by the potter.  This is an analogy of God’s children being in the hands of God and letting him mold and shape both our character and service unto Him. When we are submitted to the will of God, we are vessels of honor (2 Timothy 2:21). The five fold ministry ( Ephesians 4:11)  acts as the hand of Jesus Christ to mold and shape vessels for the kingdom of God.  The thumb is the Apostle, the forefinger is the Prophet, the middle finger is the Evangelist, the ring finger is the Pastor, and the little finger is the Teacher (Apostles Prophets and Coming Move of God, by Bill Hamon). Isaiah 64:8 says, “But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.”   Man was formed out of the dust  of the ground by God in Genesis 2:7. The Hebrew word “aphar” means dust, clay, earth, mud, ashes.  God is the Master Potter because he is the Creator(Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 40:28). We become a new creation in Christ Jesus when were born again. After being born again were like new clay needing to be molded and shaped by Christ.  The new clay goes on the potter’s wheel( the wheel is the move of the Holy Spirit).  The thumbs or the Apostles center the clay on the wheel ( Apostle brings order, establishes doc­trine, lays a foundation). Being directed by the thumbs, the clay is being molded by the potter’s hand. To bring the clay outward, either the thumb or Apostle and/or the forefinger (a.k.a Prophet) directs the shape of the pottery.  The Apostle and Prophet are foundation Ephe­sians 2:20 and they give prophetic direction.   The other three fingers of the hand, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher, works in unity on the out­side of the pottery. The Thumb or Apostle continues to run across the clay until no more friction is felt by the hand.  In other words, there is a perfecting the saints as they are not toss to fro from every wind of doctrine, Ephesians 4:13-14. After the vessel is shaped, then it is glazed.  The glaze is the purpose for decorations and protection of the vessel.  After being glazed the vessel is placed in the kiln or oven to under go the fire. Firing brings irreversible changes in the body of the vessel.  It is only after firing that the article can be called pottery. Undergoing the process of glaz­ing and firing brings about the finished product. Test and trials are the fire, which brings the glory of God. As long as we walk in the Spirit and the glory of God is manifested in our lives we are more than conquerors because He gives us the grace to overcome any situation that arises. People look at great ministry being manifested out of a vessel of God, but they don’t understand the molding and shaping process of that person and the adversity that individual had to undergo before seeing the Lord do a glorious work through the man or woman of God.  God can entrust them with the work of Kingdom. Because the vessel has endured the test, the people of God see the finished prod­uct from the hand of God. Young ministers keep this in mind: go through the complete process of God so you can bring Him glory.  Don’t take short cuts, because short cuts will make your ministry a “shipwreck.”  Don’t walk in the carnal desires of ministry success but walk in the Spirit.  The Lord will bring glory to ministry, and you shall be His vessel of honor as long as you keep your integrity and seek His face.