“Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:27-28 (NKJV)
Apostles: Acts 5:29-32
We can find examples of Apostles in the Book of Acts when the early church was established. They were the leaders controlling all the aspects of preaching the Gospel, the good news, to all those who do not know Christ. These were the top most people who made big decisions regarding the doctrines and disciplinary actions getting instructions from God by the Holy Spirit’s anointing.
Prophets: 1 Corinthians 14:1-5(NKJV)
Prophets are the anointed people who were given the gift to tell the future by the help of the Holy Spirit, who reveals to them about God’s plans through visions and dreams. This ministry is vital to the church, which Paul made emphasis, is needed to edify the church and propel it in the right direction. Because without proper vision from God the church cannot function.
Teachers: Acts 18:24-28(NKJV)
These teach the Bible with the revelation given by the Holy Spirit while they were meditating the verses. Many can teach the Bible with the help of explanations given by others before them or can add some of their own. But the true interpretation of the biblical truth comes out of the anointing and revelation of the Holy Spirit who reveals to those who really spend time in God’s presence and receive.
Miracles: Acts 8:4-8(NKJV)
Miracles are needed to preach the Gospel to people who do not know the Lord or who do not believe in God. So we need miracle workers to prove our faith in Christ Jesus. Jesus gave the great commission to preach the Gospel with signs and wonders following us. He Himself did miraculous things to prove He is the Son of God; then how much more we need these.
Healings: Acts 14:8-11 (NKJV)
Healings should take place in our church meetings; where even believers come with many problems in their bodies. We usually say a prayer for healing but all the accounts in the Bible where the Lord Jesus or the Apostles healed the people by laying hands on the sick or commanding the healing to manifest or chasing out the evil spirits. So we should pray as well as command the sicknesses to leave the bodies.
Helps: Acts 6:1-7(NKJV)
Even to help and serve in the Body of Christ, Holy Spirit anointed people were chosen in the early church and the elders prayed and laid hands over them to empower them to do their works. And it is written that one of the helper was Steven, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Acts 6:8.
Administrations: Acts 4:32-37(NKJV)
These people are given jobs like planning, coordinating and organising meetings, do office work and manage finances also. So we need lot of wisdom and understanding to do the work. Again anointed people only can do these works with wisdom and dedication.
Tongues: 1 Corinthians 14:36-40(NKJV)
Paul was preaching not to forbid speaking in tongues. And he himself spoke in tongues more than others. Those days all spoke in tongues and prophesied in the church and he was bringing all to an order. So we too have people speaking varieties of tongues and interpret, so that we will receive guidance and instructions to know the Will of God and do accordingly.
God has appointed many roles to play in the Body of Christ, which are mentioned here. We should be having gifts in any of these, which we are supposed to find out and fit in. You can operate in your gifts in an organisation or individually to spread the Gospel to the world. Usually we talk about fivefold ministries, but I found eightfold ministries here; where four out of them are found very common and the rest four important spiritual ministries are uncommon, in the sense, very few are taking these seriously and doing. Ephesians 4:7-16(NKJV)