Positions as Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:27–31, Ephesians 4:11-16

Ephesians 4:11–16 ESV

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Point 1: The Body of Christ and Its Positions

Let us first acknowledge that as believers, we are all part of the Body of Christ. Just as a body has many parts, so it is with the Church. In 1 Corinthians 12:27, we are reminded that "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." Each one of us has a specific position within the Body, ordained by God Himself.

Point 2: Diverse Giftings for Different Positions

As we continue to explore the positions within the Church, we must recognize the diverse giftings that God has bestowed upon us. In verses 28-30 of 1 Corinthians 12, we are reminded that "God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues." These giftings are not for our own glory but for the edification of the Church.

apostles themselves certainly received charismata such as the ability to prophesy, to heal, to show mercy, etc., apostleship per se is not a charisma. Apostleship is not an enabling power; it is an ecclesiastical position. he term "apostle" is found in 1 Cor. 12:28 and Eph. 4:11, it is never explicitly called a charisma or "spiritual gift". Exhorters are those who exhort, teachers teach, healers heal, those who have the gift of faith exercise extraordinary faith, and so on. But how does an "apostle" (noun) "apostle" (verb)? What does it mean to minister as an apostle? One ministers as a discerner of spirits by discerning spirits. One ministers as a giver by giving. However, to say that one is enabled to minister as an apostle does not tell me what the gift of apostle-ing (to coin a term) is. As Jack Deere explains,

"It is virtually impossible to define the 'gift' of apostleship in the same way that the other gifts can be defined. We can easily conceive of someone exercising the gift of prophecy without being a prophet. The same is true for all the other gifts. But how could someone come to a meeting of a local assembly and exericse the gift of apostleship in that meeting without actually being an apostle? An apostle in an assembly might teach, or prophesy, or heal, or lead, or administrate. But what would it mean to exercise the gift of apostleship? We simply cannot think of apostleship apart from the historical apostles. In the New Testament an apostle is not a spiritual gift but a person who had a divinely given commission and ministry." (Surprised by the Power of the Spirit, 242).

Point 3: Exercising Our Giftings in Love

It is crucial for us to exercise our giftings in love. As stated in verse 31 of 1 Corinthians 12, "But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way." The most excellent way is love. Let us exercise our giftings with humility, compassion, and love for one another.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, let us remember that God has established positions within the Church for each one of us. Let us embrace our giftings and use them to build up the Body of Christ. As we go forth from this place, may we walk in the knowledge that we are uniquely positioned by God to fulfill His purposes.