Concerning Spiritual Gifts

GOLDEN TEXT: “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and everyone members one of another.” —Romans 12:5

I CORINTHIANS 12:1-13

THE “Head of Christ is God.” wrote Paul, “and the Head of every man is Christ.” This, of course, refers to every man “in Christ.” (I Cor. 11:3) Those “in Christ” have him as their Head because, figuratively speaking, they have been “beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God.”—Rev. 20:4

Just as every part of a natural body has its function to perform, so does every member in the mystical body of Christ. In the Early Church there were various miraculous “gifts” of the Spirit, originally given to the inspired apostles, and passed on to others by them. Some could speak with “tongues,” which meant that they were able to convey the message of the Gospel to those whose language they did not otherwise understand. Some were enabled to interpret tongues. This meant that if anyone came to the meetings speaking a language the church did not understand, the message could be interpreted for the benefit of all.

But these and other miraculous gifts which were bestowed upon believers in that early day in order to help establish the church in a hostile world eventually passed away. They could be conferred upon others only by the apostles. But there still remained the permanent arrangements with respect to the servants of the church, arrangements within which every consecrated follower of the Master had a share, and could perform some service that would contribute to the general good of all.

There were, of course, in addition to Jesus the Head, the twelve apostles. Then Paul speaks of pastors, teachers, and evangelists. (Eph. 4:11-13) The gift of prophecy was a special ability to expound the truth publicly. Paul explains that God has set every member in the body as it has pleased him.—I Cor. 12:18

We might think of Christ the Head and the church his body from two standpoints; that is, as the complete church, beginning with Jesus and the apostles, and also each congregation of believers as these have existed throughout the age. It is true from both standpoints that God sets the members in the body as it pleases him.

Certainly Jesus was chosen by the Heavenly Father to be the Head of the church. He was “anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows,” that is, to be the Head over his brethren. And “he is not ashamed to call them brethren.”—Heb. 1:9; 2:11

The Heavenly Father used Jesus to select the apostles, and he followed the leadings of his Father so completely in choosing them that he referred to his apostles later as being given to him by his Father. (John 17:6) In Revelation, chapters two and three, seven special “angels,” or messengers, to the seven churches are mentioned. These also are “set” in the body by the Heavenly Father. And undoubtedly the Father has directed the selection and use of various servants in the church throughout the entire age.

God has overruled in the affairs of each individual congregation of his people. The Scriptures indicate that here the brethren themselves “elect” their servants, which are elders, deacons, and so forth. But this should be with the assurance that God directs the outcome. This has proven to be a severe test of faith and love for many of the saints. They have often assumed that the Lord’s will was not done unless those were elected whom they favored. These have failed to realize that even though certain ones may have been qualified to serve, the Lord saw that there were needed lessons to learn, either by the ones in question, or the congregation, or both.

One of the great lessons to be learned by all the Lord’s people is humble obedience to his will. Since God sets all the members in the body as it pleases him, no one can say to the others that they are not needed. Paul elaborates on this point. He writes, “The eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of thee.” (vs. 21) Whether or not the “head” here mentioned is Jesus, we see him as an example of complete acquiescence in his Father’s will. Because he was and is so resigned to his Father’s will in connection with the members of his body, we are sure he would not think of saying to the “feet,” I have no need of thee. Whoever the “feet” may be, Jesus, as Head, accepts them as his Father’s choice, and is not ashamed to call them brethren. Since this is the viewpoint of our Head, how much more should it be ours! So let us rejoice in all the Lord’s appointments.

QUESTIONS

Were the miraculous “gifts” In the Early Church designed to be permanent?

Name the various categories of servants in the church.

What did Paul mean when he wrote, “The Head of every man is Christ”?

Explain two viewpoints of the church, and how God in both cases “sets” its members as it pleases him.

Could Jesus the Head of the body, say to the “feet,” “I have no need of thee”?

| Home Page | Table of Contents |