What is really meant by I Cor. 12:28?
(NKJ) 1Co 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
1Co 12:29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
(Concerdant )27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members of a part,
28 whom also God, indeed, placed in the ecclesia, first, apostles, second, prophets, third, teachers, thereupon powers, thereupon graces of healing, supports, pilotage, species of languages.
29 Not all are apostles. Not all are prophets. Not all are teachers. Not all have powers.
My question is that since God has placed in the ecclesia (church) first apostles, second prophets, third teachers and so on, WHAT does this tell us of the situation in the true body of believers today? Is this telling us that that has occurred historically with the birth of the church and preaching in the first era of the New Testament Church OR is it more about what is going on at some particular time later in the history of the true Church? In other words did all of what is described in Verse 28 only occur in the first era of the church or is there more to glean from this scripture for us as followers of our Savoir?
And yes, of course there were and are teachers of bible truths provided by God through the years since the early days of the church, Ray being a prime example. What about Apostles and Prophets?
When I was in WCG we were told that these attributes of verse 28 could be found within the church organization itself, which I now believe was just nonsense. And there have been and continue to be men who are leaders of some COG groups claiming to be an apostle and that is down right ridiculous,
Anyhow, does anyone have some thoughts on 1 Cor 12:28?