SET IN THE BODY
The previous chapter explained the unity and diversity of spiritual gifts. Although there are
many different gifts, they all come from one source. That source is the Holy Spirit. God has a
specific place in the Church for each believer:
But now hath God set the members, every one of them, in the body, as it hath
pleased Him. (I Corinthians 12:18)Every member has a place which God has chosen for him. He is equipped to fulfill his special
purpose in the church through the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
When each believer is filling the place God has chosen for him and using his spiritual gift, the
church operates smoothly. God compares it to the operation of the human body in which each
member...from the eye to the toe...knows and performs its function (I Corinthians 12:1-31).
Remember as you study these spiritual gifts that each is equally important in the Body of Christ
just as each member of the human body is important:
And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the
head to the feet, I have no need of you.Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble,
are necessary. (I Corinthians 12:21-22)As you study spiritual gifts, remember also that they are not natural abilities. They are abilities
from the Holy Spirit to equip believers for Christian service.
(Note: In this and the following three chapters suggestions are given "For Further Study" as each
spiritual gift is discussed. This is done to permit you to complete your study of each gift before
going on to the next one.)
SPECIAL GIFTS
The first group of spiritual gifts are what we will call "special gifts.” We use this title for these
gifts because each one is a special leadership position in the church:
And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets, and some, evangelists; and
some, pastors and teachers. (Ephesians 4:11)