Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? Gifts of Healing.
Speak with Tongues;
Interpret.
If the reader think that this is the best way of explaining these different gifts and offices, he will adopt it; and he will in that case consider,
1. That the word or doctrine of wisdom comes from the apostles.
2. The doctrine of knowledge, from the prophets.
3. Faith, by means of the teachers.
4. That working of miracles includes the gifts of healing.
5. That to prophecy, signifying preaching, which it frequently does, helps is a parallel.
6. That discernment of spirits is the same with governments, which Dr. Lightfoot supposes to imply a deeply comprehensive, wise, and prudent mind.
7. As to the gift of tongues, there is no variation in either of the three places.
3. It is strange that in this enumeration only three distinct officers in the Church should be mentioned; viz. apostles, prophets, and teachers. We do not know that miracles, gifts of healing, helps, governments, and diversity of tongues, were exclusive offices; for it is probable that apostles, prophets, and teachers wrought miracles occasionally, and spoke with divers tongues. However, in all this enumeration, where the apostle gives us all the officers and gifts necessary for the constitution of a Church, we find not one word of bishops, presbyters, or deacons; much less of the various officers and offices which the Christian Church at present exhibits. Perhaps the bishops are included under the apostles, the presbyters under the prophets, and the deacons under the teachers. As to the other ecclesiastical officers with which the Romish Church teems, they may seek them who are determined to find them, any where out of the New Testament.
4. Mr. Quesnel observes on these passages that there are three sorts of gifts necessary to the forming Christ's mystical body.
1. Gifts of power, for the working of miracles, in reference to the Father.
2. Gifts of labor and ministry, for the exercise of government and other offices, with respect to the Son.
3. Gifts of knowledge, for the instruction of the people, with relation to the Holy Ghost.
The Father is the principle and end of all created power; let us then ultimately refer all things to him.
The Son is the Institutor and Head of all the hierarchical ministries; let us depend upon him.
The Holy Ghost is the fountain and fullness of all spiritual graces; let us desire and use them only in and by him.
There is nothing good, nothing profitable to salvation, unless it be done in the power of God communicated by Christ Jesus, and in that holiness of heart which is produced by his Spirit. Pastors are only the instruments of God, the depositaries of the authority of Christ, and the channels by whom the love and graces of the Spirit are conveyed. Let these act as receiving all from God by Christ, through the Holy Ghost; and let the Church receive them as the ambassadors of the Almighty.