Les Feldick Bible Study

Who receives spiritual gifts according to Ephesians 4?

According to Ephesians 4, spiritual gifts are given to every member of the Body of Christ, from the greatest to the least. Every believer receives grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ, and the ascended Christ gives gifts to men, including gifted men such as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.

Les teaches that Ephesians 4 makes clear that the gifts of the Spirit are not limited to a select few. Paul writes that unto every one of us, from the greatest to the least, every member of the Body of Christ has been given these gifts of the Spirit. Every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men. Les explains that the One who ascended also descended first into the lower parts of the earth, referring to His three days and three nights in the tomb, and then ascended far above all heavens to fulfill all things. He also gave gifted men to the Church: some apostles, who faded off the scene after the Apostolic Age ended, and some prophets, who faded away because the printed Word replaced the need for gifted men to speak forth the Word. Even so, Ephesians still lists them. For today, Les says there are evangelists, pastors, and teachers.

Ephesians 4:7

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.