Giftings

Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it. And God placed these in the church:

first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, next miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, managing, various kinds of languages.

Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all do miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in other languages? Do all interpret?

But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way. 1Cor 12;27-31

 

The word 'church,' here refers to the universal church, not just the local group of believers.

 

We are not all the same or share the same ministry. Heaven forbid! The Lord loves diversity and order and gives us exactly what we need.

 

Paul indicates the order of importance of the ministries in the early church. Not all work miracles or heal people. Notice these two are well behind apostles, prophets, teachers.

 

The first three keep order, lead, direct and train up the body. Then out of the order comes the miracles and healings and gifts of languages. Miracles and healing are still important and not to be forgotten, as are languages.

 

Good leadership releases and encourages the more. Yet Paul was leading to a teaching that would temper all gifts. It is not just about gifting but about God's heart, love for His body, love for the lost. Amen!