The Eight Operations of God
Scripture: — 1 Corinthians 12:27,28
But the government of God extends itself much further than just the operation of the
gifts of the Spirit and the fivefold ministry offices. These nine gifts and five offices
are actually all encompassed in eight complete operations of God, which are outlined
in First Corinthians 12:28. These operations make up the structure of God’s
government and include everyone in the Body of Christ.
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 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.
— 1 Corinthians 12:27,28
The eight operations mentioned in verse 28 are in divine order. In this listing, the
government of God begins with the office of the mighty apostle, the first operation,
followed by the prophet and the teacher.
The evangelists and pastors mentioned in Ephesians 4:11 are then replaced in First
Corinthians 12 with miracles and gifts of healings. These gifts of the Spirit are the
primary ones that empower and qualify the evangelistic and pastoral offices. (The
entry level into the fivefold ministry gifts is also at the level of working of miracles
and gifts of healings because all five ministry offices — apostle, prophet, evangelist,
pastor, and teacher — should be equipped with these two gifts of the Spirit.)
Next is the operation of helps, which handles the physical and material aspects of the
ministry. One very important help calling is what I call the “entrepreneurship of the
simplicity of giving.” A person called to fulfill this operation is someone of means
who has the capacity in his character and his calling to be used by God to pour
thousands, if not millions, into the Kingdom of God for the governments of the
Church.
Helps is followed by governments or administrations, which includes the
organizational skills and gifts needed in the Church. For instance, a person called to
this operation may be able not only to organize a massive prayer meeting of ten
thousand people, but to make sure that the little believer on the outer perimeter of the
crowd has everything he needs to grow in his spiritual walk.
PRAYER FOCUS
Call for God’s burning ones
Call for these governmental ministries to arise.
Call for all to embrace relationship before ministry