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Catholic Questions & Answers Mk 16:17-18 narrates different gifts the believer in Jesus would possess. Why are these not found in all the believers in Christ?
Mk 16:17-18 narrates different gifts the believer in Jesus would possess. Why are these not found in all the believers in Christ?
Gifts are given to the believing community for its building up. It is not required that all the gifts such as healing power, gift of tongues etc be found in each individual. One may possess a particular gift, and another may have a different one. "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. There are diversities of activities, but the same God who works all in all. The manifestation of spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom to another the word of knowledge, to another faith, to another gift of healings, to another working of miracles, to another different kinds of tongues, to another interpretation of tongues. But one and the same spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as he wills (1 Cor. 12:4-11). But the greater gift of the Holy Spirit is Love (1 Cor. 13: 13). All the gifts are to be utilized in the spirit of love (VV 1-13) for the building up of the community. The unique characteristic of a Christian must be always love. By this you will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (Jn. 13:35). Each Christian must possess this seal of love. If he has other gifts, well and good. But not necessary that he should have them. However, Jesus continues to give these gifts to different persons, "till we all come to the unity of faith and the knowledge of the Son of God" for the edifying growth of the body of Christ (church) in love (Eph. 4:11-16).