33. Unless perchance we think that the
Apostle did not keep to the principle of unity in that he said, And
there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord, and there
are diversities of workings, but the same God 1 Cor. xii. 5, 6.. So that because he referred
ministrations to the Lord and workings to God, he does not appear to
have understood one and the same Being in ministrations and
operations. Learn how these members which minister are also
members which work, when he says, Ye are the body of Christ, and of
Him members indeed. For God hath set some in the Church, first
apostles, in whom is the word of wisdom; secondly prophets,
in whom is the gift of knowledge; thirdly teachers, in whom is
the doctrine of faith; next mighty works, among which are the
healing of diseases, the power to help, governments by the
prophets, and gifts of either speaking or interpreting divers kinds
of tongues. Clearly these are the Church’s agents of
ministry and work of whom the body of Christ consists; and God has
ordained them. But perhaps thou maintainest that they have not
been ordained by Christ, because it was God Who ordained them.
But thou shalt hear what the Apostle says himself: Now to each
one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of
Christ. And again, He that descended is the same also that
ascended far above all the heavens that He might fill all things.
And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the
saints, for the work of ministering Eph. iv. 7, 10–12.. Are not then the gifts of
ministration Christ’s, while they are also the gifts of
God?