UNITY AND GIFTS OF THE CHURCH.
By James White
“And he gave some, apostles, and some, prophets; and some, evangelists, and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Eph. 4:11–13. It may be thought, by reading the caption of this article, that we have undertaken two subjects at once. But we regard the unity and the gifts of the church as being so closely connected, one dependent on the other, that we introduce them as one subject. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are given “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the faith,” etc. The object of these callings and gifts, is here most plainly stated. And not until the object for which they were given shall be fully accomplished, will they be laid aside. While conversing with a certain minister on this subject some time since, he stated that the gift of prophecy was not in the church, that it ceased about 1800 years ago. We then quoted the above words of Paul to the Ephesians, to which he replied, that these were fulfilled, and that the gifts ceased with the apostles. “But sir, you profess to be an evangelist, a pastor, or a teacher, do you not?” “Certainly,” was the reply. “Then, according to your view of this subject, your calling ran out about 1800 years since.” He was silent, because he had nothing to say. Nothing is plainer from the sacred page than that these callings of God, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit run parallel. Read the following list, and if any have ceased, please tell us which. “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” 1 Cor. 12:28. Have all ceased? Then our religious teachers are not moving under the authority of Heaven. Their commission run out eighteen centuries ago. But if these teachers of God’s word are moving out under the high commission given by the Head of the church, “Go teach,” etc., then why not expect the manifestation of all the gifts when the church shall stand forth in the order of God? It is the opinion of some that the working of miracles, signs and wonders, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, were designed only for the week (seven years) of confirming the covenant, by the ministry of Christ, three and a half years, and by his apostles three and a half years. This view makes all the gifts cease at the close of that week, A. D. 34. But we hear Paul, A. D. 59, twenty-five years later, saying, “Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? have all the gift of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts.” 1 Cor. 12:29–31. Were these gifts needed in Paul’s day? they are needed now. Were they necessary to guide and sustain the early church? how much more necessary in the perilous times of the last days. Were the gifts necessary to preserve the unity and purity of that church, which had received the pure doctrines of the gospel from Christ, and had been baptized with the Holy Spirit on the day of pentecost? how much more are they needed in the work of bringing out a people onto holy, apostolic ground, and of preparing them for a home in Heaven. J. W.