Now Concerning Spiritual Gifts, Brothers And Sisters,
I Do Not Want You To Be Uninformed.
 (1 Corinthians 12:1 [(NRSV])
 
compiled by brother l. harrell
1 Corinthians 12:28 (NRSV) And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues.


Concerning appointments in the church, apostles being first, prophets second, there needs to be understanding how to operate in such order, specifically with relations to a pastor / shepherd being the chief executive of the assembly.  (Below is my understanding).

Someone would ask, how can a prophet outrank a pastor?  Is not the pastor as the chief executive of the Assembly in charge?

Secularly, in Texas, a county judge, during an emergency such as a dangerious train derailment tells a CEO of a business that resides within the judge's jurisdiction that he must evacuate due to an Evacuation Order.  Though the CEO has need to respond to instructions from a high ranking official, the CEO remains responsible for the affairs of his business even though a higher authority has given him instructions which likely will alter his plans. Being accountable to a higher authority does not prevent an executive from performing duties.  In fact, doing things the correct way is beneficial.

If I am in the U.S. military, I am to obey my superiors.  However, I am not to follow orders given if they violate the law(s), including rules and regulations covering my field of expertise, state law and federal law.  If I carry out unlawful orders, I am likely to be held accountable even though the orders originated from someone in a higher office.
Romans 13:1-2 (NRSV) Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

If a prophetic word is brought, the chief executive (pastor / shepherd) is responsible to use godly discretion in receiving the word delivered, having the spoken word confirmed by the written Word.  Likewise, apostolic oversight (the bishops / apostles / overseers) is not blindly received, but needs to be confirmed as lawful as well as beneficial.  All things lawful are not expedient (appropriate to a purpose).
1 Corinthians 10:23 (NRSV) "All things are lawful," but not all things are beneficial. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up.

2 Corinthians 13:1b (NRSV) This is the third time I am coming to you. "Any charge must be sustained by the evidence of two or three witnesses."

We are called to peace:  During church service, a pastor may choose to ignore, disregard or follow a prophetic Word given through a prophet by the Lord.  The Lord most likely will hold his executive accountable for doing His Will (or lack thereof).
 
1 Corinthians 14:32-33 (NRSV) And the spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets, for God is a God not of disorder but of peace.

1 Corinthians 14:40 (NRSV) but all things should be done decently and in order.

Some ignorantly say there are no more apostles or prophets.  However, New Testament scripture proves otherwise.  For example, Acts 14:14 clearly identifies Barnabas as an apostle.
Acts 14:14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
 

Over the last few years, many banks carelessly and greedily gambled their futures on risky investments.  Even a novice of financial matters would have known that these investments were based upon unsound practices.  The managers could and would boast for years about their successes, and enjoyed marble and gold furnishing in their homes and businesses as a representation of their success for a season.
 
If you were traveling and passed through a small town.  While passing through, if you are cited by a police officer (for something such as speeding) and wanted to challenge the charges, and the same enforcement officer that cited you was also the judge and jury, you would wonder, what is the justice & wisdom in this?
 
Likewise (and often), many find in churches someone that declares they are the apostle, the prophet, the evangelist, pastor and teacher (as well as other things).  As given in example above concerning abuse of authority and management being exercised in a [fictional] small town, it would not take a rocket scientist to see this flaw in a carnally run church dominated by one anointed individual (while there could be extenuating circumstances where such a thing would be necessary).
 
1 Corinthians 12:14 (NRSV) Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many.
 
1 Corinthians 12:17 (NRSV) If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?
 
1 Corinthians 12:21 (NRSV) The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."
 
1 Corinthians 12:22-25 (NRSV) On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another.
 
The Lord is patient and loving, and sometimes lets a thing continue for the sake of His children and His namesake. But, eventually ignoring His Spirit, His Will, will catch-up with a person.  He may let the wheat and tares stay together for a season.
 
Matthew 13:27b-30 (NRSV) 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?' He answered, 'An enemy has done this.' The slaves said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?' But he replied, 'No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'

It is my prayer that while mindful of these basic principles and general understanding one can be led by the Lord regarding the order relating to those He has appointed to lead, knowing when to and when to not receive council.

Revised:  06/01/10

http://seventhdayapostolic.org/ChooseLORD/