Individuality & Spiritual Gifts | Apostles, Prophets, & Teachers

In these two verses, I want to call your attention to the enumeration of gifts and how Christ’s Apostle lists them. "And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues." 1 Corinthians 12:28 This list is not exhaustive; there are many gifts that the Spirit gives according to His will. Why then does he add here to the first three gifts a simple ranking? By this, Paul is reaffirming the authority and role of those who handle the Word of God and teach it to the church. Such offices of the church are important for the teaching of the Scripture, and to encourage accountability and obedience to them. They cannot do their ministry without the believer receiving the Word with true humility.