DIVERSITIES OF TONGUES.
Ministry Gifts vs. Spiritual Gifts
What is Paul talking about in this passage of Scripture? He is talking about ministry gifts, not spiritual gifts. Ministry gifts are those people in the Body of Christ who are called by God to stand in the fivefold ministry (Eph. 4:11,12). These apostles, prophets, teachers, and so forth, listed here in First Corinthians 12:27 and 28 are ministry gifts that God has set in the Church. For example, first, "apostles" is not a spiritual gift, but it is an office or a ministry gift. Second, "prophets" is not a spiritual gift, but it is a ministry gift. Third, "teachers," the office of a teacher, is not a spiritual gift, but a ministry gift, or one called to minister to the Body of Christ.
Therefore, in this passage of Scripture in First Corinthians 12:27-30, Paul is talking about ministry gifts, or those called to the fivefold ministry, not about spiritual gifts. In order to see the difference between ministry gifts and spiritual gifts, let's look at the nine spiritual gifts, or gifts of the Spirit. Paul lists them in the first part of this chapter. 1 CORINTHIANS 12:8-10 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the WORD OF WISDOM; to another the WORD OF KNOWLEDGE by the same Spirit; 9 To another FAITH [special faith] by the same Spirit; to another the GIFTS OF HEALING by the same Spirit; 10 To another the WORKING OF MIRACLES; to another PROPHECY; to another DISCERNING OF SPIRITS; to another DIVERS KINDS OF TONGUES; to another the INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES.
It is certainly true that gifts of the Spirit may be manifested through the laity, not just through ministry gifts or those called to the fivefold ministry, because the Bible does say, "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given TO EVERY MAN to profit withal" (1Cor. 12:7). However, there are those in the fivefold ministry who are especially equipped with certain gifts of the Spirit in order to fulfill their office or function in the Body of Christ. We do not call those people spiritual gifts or gifts of the Spirit; they are ministries or ministry gifts that God has set in the Church.
Paul talks about ministry gifts in writing to the Church at Ephesus. Paul said that when Jesus ascended on High, ". . . he led captivity captive, and gave GIFTS unto men" (Eph. 4:8). What were those gifts? Paul goes on to list them. They are ministry gifts Jesus set in the Church. EPHESIANS 4:11,12 11 And he gave some, APOSTLES; and some, PROPHETS; and some, EVANGELISTS; and some, PASTORS and TEACHERS; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
There are five ministry gifts or offices. They are people in the Body of Christ who are called by God to stand in the fivefold ministry. Now let's look at First Corinthians 12:28 in context so we can understand what Paul meant when he said, "... do all speak with tongues?. . ." (1 Cor. 12:30). In First Corinthians 12:28, Paul is also listing ministry gifts, but he lists them in a little different way. 1 CORINTHIANS 12:28 28 And God hath set some in the church, first APOSTLES, secondarily PROPHETS, thirdly TEACHERS, after that MIRACLES, then GIFTS OF HEALINGS, HELPS, GOVERNMENTS, DIVERSITIES OF TONGUES. Now let's look at each one of these ministry gifts, so we can understand the phrase "do all speak with tongues?" As we said, "apostle," "prophet," and "teacher," which are also mentioned in First Corinthians 12:28, indicate those in the fivefold ministry offices. Then Paul also includes the ministry of helps because those in the ministry of helps assist those called to the fivefold ministry. But what about "miracles" and "gifts of healings" (1 Cor. 12:28)?
....To be continued
FFT: Spiritual gifts are different from Ministry gifts.
ACTION POINT: Have you identified your gifts and spiritual office? Are you walking in the light of its reality?
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