By Mike Chaffin
Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Ephesians 4:11
Like most people, I like to receive gifts. However, I have never taken inventory of the top five gifts people gave me. I’m not sure we are supposed to as every gift is appreciated for the gift itself.
However, Paul does list the top five gifts Christ gave the church.
Jesus disciples, and Paul become Apostles, or leaders and church planters.
Prophets have two offices; to foretell and infallible speech to build up or encourage the church.
Evangelists spread the Word of God, telling others the good news.
Some people say pastors and teachers use the same Greek word and could mean the same person as in Pastor-teacher. However, some teachers are not destined to be pastors. A Pastor looks over the whole flock and cares for their spiritual growth. A teacher explains God’s Word to build maturity in believers.
These are the 5 main offices and gifts of the Spirit but there are other gifts mentioned in the New Testament and there are other gifts given that are not listed. Gifts listed are,
There are [diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works [all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by [the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:28
Others would later include the gift of giving, hospitality, charity and more. While these are gifts given to us it is okay to pray for a gift you don’t have. God’s answer may be no, but Jesus says to ask.
Prayer: Lord thank you for loving your children and your church to gift those chosen to lead and to teach. Lord, help me to grow the gift you have given me and be a faithful servant. In Jesus’ name, amen.
* There is a website that conducted a search for Bible verses. They compiled a list of the verses in order of the magnitude of hits they got in their search. Some of these verses probably qualify as ‘people’s favorites’, while others might be on the list because they are some of the most important and most teachable words of God.
