Offices in the church
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In Ephesians 4:11, Paul lists five offices; it was Jesus who gave some to be:
- Apostles.
- Prophets.
- Evangelists.
- Pastors.
- Teachers.
In 1 Corinthians 12:28, Paul broadens the offices and overlaps them with various gifts:
- ‘First of all apostles.’
- ‘Second prophets.’
- ‘Third teachers.’
- ‘Then workers of miracles.’
- ‘Also those having gifts of healing.’
- ‘Those able to help others.’
- ‘Those with gifts of administration.’
- ‘And those speaking in different kinds of tongues.’
God also gave various functions and abilities. In Romans 12:6–8, Paul lists seven ‘motivational’ gifts (as some call them):
- Prophesying.
- Serving.
- Teaching.
- Encouraging.
- Contributing to others’ needs.
- Leadership.
- Showing mercy.
In 1 Corinthians 12:14–27 Paul shows how various functions cohere with each other ‘that there should be no division in the body.’[1]
Footnotes
- ↑ R. T. Kendall, Understanding Theology, Volume Two (Ross-shire, Great Britain: Christian Focus, 2000), 309.