Why Do We Need Gifts?

I Corinthians 12:28-31


"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.” (I Corinthians 12:28)

Here Paul gives a partial listing of the Spiritual gifts. In Ephesians 4:11-13 he gives a similar list, and explains why these gifts are given. Understanding what these gifts are and why they are given is critical to understanding I Corinthians 13 & 14.

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11-13)

These gifts were given for the perfecting, or preparing the saints, for doing what the ministry required, and for edifying or building up and strengthening the church on both the individual and corporate levels. The end result is to be a unity of faith and knowledge of Christ. The Holy Spirit will use them to teach us everything, and when he does, there will be no conflicts in our understanding, or our faith. Every Christian will measure up to the standard of Christ, as a perfect or completely matured copy.

The apostles were special messengers from God, to bring the whole message to the world. From the requirements in the book of Acts, it is clear that there would be no other apostles, with the exception of Paul, an apostle born out of due season. Paul talks of those who claim to be apostles, but are not, not meeting the qualifications.

Prophets told people specific points of what God said. I Corinthians 13 said that the gift of prophecy would cease when the word was complete, although it was still in effect when Paul wrote. Evangelists are ones who announce the gospel to those who have not heard. Philip is the example we are given, going where the gospel had not been heard.

The word pastor means sheep herder, and refers to one who tends the sheep, leading them to food and water, doctoring sicknesses, protecting them and accompanying them. Teachers are just what the word means, teaching them what is needed. Miracles were things possible only to God. Similarly, gifts of healing were for things doctors were not able to heal. Helps demonstrated concern for individuals, and governments were closely related to the job of the shepherd to protect and maintain peace. Different tongues were needed to communicate with people who spoke other languages.

The Holy Spirit puts these gifts into the church as it pleases him. None of the gifts are given to every one. As Paul asks, “Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?” (I Corinthians 12:29-30)

Clearly, the answer is no. Not everyone can be an apostle, or any of the other gifts. As I Corinthians 12:17 asks, “If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?" A body that was just an eye, or even had an eye on each hand and foot would not work very well. Thankfully, God did not put eyes everywhere on our body, nor did he do the church that way. “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” (I Corinthians 12:18)

A person can live missing one or both eyes, or even the hands, but not without a heart. In the same way there are parts of the church that are more critical than others, and we ought to desire those most critical parts, but there is something more important than any of the spiritual gifts that Paul wants to show us. “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.” (I Corinthians 12:31)