Are All Apostles, Prophets, Teachers or Miracle Workers? 1 Corinthians 12:29

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth, “God has set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments and diversities of tongues”, and in chapter twelve and verse twenty-nine of First Corinthians, Paul asked the Corinthian church members, “are all apostles, prophets, teachers or workers of miracles?”, where we read:

Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

The verse begins, “Are all apostles? are all prophets? ”. Paul began with the words, “Are all apostles?” which refers to “are each, every, the whole and everyone delegates, messengers or ones sent forth with orders”? “Are all prophets?” which means “are each, every, the whole and everyone men filled with the Spirit of God who by God's authority and command in words of weight pleads the cause of God and urges salvation of men”. Paul questioned whether the church members thought every person was an “apostle” or a “prophet”.

The verse continues, “are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?” Paul added the words, “are all teachers?” which means “are each, every, the whole and everyone those who in the religious assemblies of the Christians who undertook the work of teaching with the special assistance of the Holy Spirit” “are all workers of miracles?” or “are each, every, the whole and everyone those who have strength and power for performing supernatural works” which means “are each, every, the whole and everyone ”. Paul asked if the church members thought everyone was a “teacher” or “worker of miracles”.

When we consider these words from Paul, we see how he used rhetorical questions to help the church members understand that everyone does not obtain the same “spiritual gift” from the Lord Jesus. Not everyone is an “apostle, prophet or teacher” and certainly everyone is not a “worker of miracles”. God decides who receives the “spiritual gifts”, and He uses them to edify the church. May we be willing to receive whatever gifts He is willing to give us.

Next time Paul asks the church members, “have all the gifts of healing, speak with tongue or interpret?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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