This post is Day 23 in a series of studies about “Gifts & Giving”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

Feel free to comment below with your own thoughts about each verse and how you will be acting on each thought. Also, if you haven’t yet signed up to receive the notifications of new studies, you can do that today (the form is at the bottom of the page).

Gifts & Giving – Day 23

The five gifts mentioned in this verse have often been described as the leadership gifts. Many churches have recognised official prophets, evangelists, intercessors etc, making those who have them officials in the church. But my reading of these verses suggests these gifts are rather abilities and not positions of authority.

Ephesians 4:11-12

So Christ Himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

The Thought

The 5 gifts mentioned in this verse have often been described as the leadership gifts. Many churches have recognised official prophets, evangelists, intercessors etc, making those who have them officials in the church. But my reading of these verses suggests these gifts are rather abilities and not positions of authority.

We all know people who are good teachers, and sadly some who are not. Most of us will have met people who can evangelise everyone they meet. But also we know those who cannot speak so openly about their faith, but these people have other gifts which they use for the Lord.

Someone who is caring and works with the less privileged in our society is demonstrating a pastoral gift.

It is true that certain people have an outstanding gift of hearing God. But that doesn’t mean that that person must become “the church prophet”. Note the reason for the gifts given to each one; for encouragement of the whole body of Christ on the earth.

The gifts we have received are to encourage others, and to get us all working together, the next verse in this passage emphasises that. Ephesians 4:13. … until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Action

Pray for those you know who operate in the gifts named above, for their protection and wisdom in all they say and do.

Pray for unity between the different churches in your area.

Praise God for the spiritual gifts you have, and pray that you will use them correctly for the Glory of God.