The Word of God teaches us that each Christian has a gift ministry, that is, a ministry he or she is to carry out in the Body of Christ. “Ministry” simply means “service,” and every Christian has been specifically enabled and empowered to serve. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 makes it clear that God assigned each Christian’s position in the Body of Christ, and that every member is necessary. Also, Romans 12:3-8 informs us that although we are different members of the Body and have different functions, we each have a gift of grace that was given to us, enabling us to serve a specific purpose in the Body. Thus, each Christian has a “gift ministry.”
We have also heard the five ministries in Ephesians 4:11 referred to as “ascension gift ministries,” because Jesus gave them when he ascended. However, Ephesians 4:8 says that when Christ ascended, he gave “gifts to men,” for all Christian people. We know this because it is defined in the preceding verse, which says, “to each one of us grace has been given” (Eph. 4:7). So again, each Christian has a gift that was given due to the ascension of Jesus Christ, not just a few select Christians. The epistles of Romans, Corinthians, and Ephesians, are all in agreement that each Christian has a “gift” ministry, a way of serving that is specifically given to him or her. The Church is not LIMITED nor does it come LACK of any gift. Though they are all different, they are equally valuable in its place.
