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And he gave; distributed several gifts, (which are spoken of in general, Eph_1:7), according to his Father’s appointment, who is said to set in the church what Christ is here said to give, 1Co_12:28.
Objection. Nothing is here said of gifts, but only of offices.
Answer. Christ never gave offices without suitable furniture; this diversity therefore of offices includes diversity of respective gifts.
Apostles; extraordinary officers, with an immediate call, universal commission, infallibility in teaching, and power of working miracles, appointed for the first founding the Christian church in all parts of the world, Mat_28:19 Act_19:6.
Objection. The apostles were appointed by Christ before his death.
Answer. The apostle here speaks not of Christ’s first calling them, but:
1. Of his fully supplying them with gifts necessary to the discharge of their office, which was after his resurrection, Act_1:4 Joh_7:39. And:
2. Of their solemn inauguration in their office, by the pouring out of the Holy Ghost upon them in a visible manner, Act_2:1-47.
Prophets; extraordinary officers who did by immediate revelation interpret the Scriptures, 1Co_14:4,5, and not only such as did foretell things to come, Act_11:27 21:10.
Evangelists; these were likewise extraordinary officers, for the most part chosen by the apostles, as their companions and assistants in preaching the word, and planting churches in the several places where they travelled. Such were Timothy, Titus, Apollos, Silas, &c.
Pastors and teachers; either two names of the same office, implying the distinct duties of ruling and teaching belonging to it; or two distinct offices, but both ordinary, and of standing use in the church in all times; and then pastors are they that are fixed to and preside over particular churches, with the care both of instructing and ruling them, 1Th_5:12 Heb_13:17; called elsewhere elders, and bishops, Act_20:28 Phi_1:1 1Ti_3:1 Tit_1:5,7 1Pe_5:1,2.
Teachers; they whose work is to teach the doctrine of religion, and confute the contrary errors.