1 Corinthians 12:27–28: Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 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.
Paul pointed out that there is a “priority list” for the gifts, that some have more significance than others. But this fact does not contradict the lesson already shared—that each gift is important and each individual believer is important. Even in the human body, there are some parts that we can do without, even though their absence might handicap us a bit. The Apostles and prophets, of course, appeared first on the scene because they had a foundational ministry. Teachers were needed to help establish believers in the faith. The other gifts were needed from time to time to help individual believers and to build the church. 1
Application
- Read Ephesians 2:19-22. What foundation does God use to build His church?
- If a fellowship has a pastor who teaches the Word of God faithfully, then a fellowship should be faithful to uphold him and his family in prayer, and to use words of grace when speaking about him to others. Most of the world does not have what you have.
Thought to Share
A faithful Bible teacher is becoming an extinct position in the Body of Christ. – TWEET IT
Prayer
Lord, teach me to measure my words about others with unmeasurable grace.
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.