“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
In the sport of baseball, can every pitcher throw the same speed? Can every hitter hit 40 home runs a year? No, they can’t. Not everyone has the same ability. You may have a hitter who consistantly hits 40 home runs every year, but their batting average is around .250 (meaning they get a hit for every four at-bats they come up to the plate.) And you may have a player who isn’t as strong, but their batting average is far higher and can get on base more frequently. Or you may have a pitcher who can throw over 200 innings every year and has a high strike out rate, and then you have a pitcher in the bullpen who can come into the game in relief of the starting pitcher. The reliever might not be able to throw as many innings as a starting pitcher can, but their role is just as important. Their job is to get key outs in special parts of the game in order to secure the victory.
When a new building is being put up, many different people come and do different things to complete the house or building. You have someone who lays the foundation, you have the carpenter who builds the main frame and structure of the house, you have plumbers and electricians, roofers, etc. They each have a different role that they perform to finish the project.
Because a plumber doesn’t know how to do electrical wiring, does that make his unimportant? If the roofer doesn’t have the skill required to lay a foundation, does that make his job unimportant? No. They each have their own set of skills, and together they use them to complete a building. Now you could argue that the most important part in building a home is the foundation and the main contruction of the house. But everyone’s job in building a house is important.
In the church, someone may have the ability to speak in tongues, and another person may have the ability to interpret what they mean. Someone might have the gift of prophecy, and another might have the gift of healing. While the gifts might be different from each other, they all come from the same place. They come from the Holy Spirit. The gifts of the Spirit are different, but they are all important.
“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one spirit.
For the body is not one member, but many.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-14
The Apostle Paul wanted us to desire spiritual gifts and charity, but more importantly that we get the gift of prophecy. (1 Cor 14:1) He taught that the gift of tongues is good because it will edify yourself, but those who have the gift of prophecy can edify the church.
“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?
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.” 1 Corinthians 12:29-31
In the church we are all apart of the body of Christ. Not everyone will have the same gifts. Use the gifts that you have been given for the furtherance of the Gospel. Seek to receive the best gifts.
In Christ,
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 