The Gifts of the Spirit A study of the texts and biblical descriptions of the gifts of the Spirit

Principles from 1 Cor 12:1-3 :1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2 You know that when you were still pagans you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols. 3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. “Ignorance” results in abuses – “err thru mistakes” “Carried away” in worship – Unusual experiences do not indicate genuine work of Spirit—1 Cor 10:20, “the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 1st test of Spirit revelation: False teachers claimed their “revelations” are from God, but denied revealed truths. Earliest heresy, Docetism, denied humanity of Jesus, which was anathema, “devoted to destruction.” Paul tried to get believers to say this (Acts 26:11) Not superficial: “Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter…” (Mat 7:21)– Thomas’, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28) meant more than deity, but personal sovereign.

1 Corinthians 12:4 NLT 4 Now there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. 5 There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving. 6 There are different ways God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work through all of us. Trinity involved in giving the Spiritual Gifts (diaireseis) basically means “apportionments,” “allotments,” or “distributions”. God distributes His gifts in many forms, in many varieties, to all His true children. Note: It is Diversity, not Similitude Gifts are listed in 4 passages:  1 Corinthians 12:8–10 1 Corinthians 12:28 Rom. 12:6–8 1 Pet. 4:11 Each gift has many different “services” Is the same basic Greek term as ministry, servant, and deacon (one who serves). “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,” Mark 10:45 = He gives powerful gifts so His followers can do the same! Note: Not given for self-edification or self-benefit, nor for private practice (“in the church”). “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Pet. 4:10). The Lord makes the gifts distinct for empowering different ministries in the church. Father gives different “effects or results” – “It is God that giveth the increase. 1 Cor 3:7

The Work of God in Diversity Gifts Diversity in the type of Gifts Holy Spirit Diversity in the ministry where the gifts are used Ministries Lord Jesus Diversity in how effective the different gifts will be utlized Results of ministries Father

1 Corinthians 12:7-10 NIV 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. “each and every one” – no exceptions “For” is a purpose statement: “Common good” – for the benefit of others, not the gifted person Wisdom: “Now we do speak wisdom among the mature, but not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are perishing.” 1 Cor 2:6 = Insights from doctrinal truth for believers Knowledge: ability to apply doctrinal truth to life. “Do you not know” in 3:16; 5:6; 6:2-3, 9, 15-16, 19; 9:13, 24; also 8:1-3, 10-11) Faith: an unusual measure of trust in God beyond that exercised by most Christians ability to restore health (Acts 3:7; 19:12) and also to hold off death itself temporarily Exorcising demons (Acts 19:12) or inducing physical disability (Acts 13:11) or even death (Acts 5:5, 9) Reception of Word of God and ability to proclaim it publically– a rare and influential gift The ability to translate an unlearned, known language expressed in the assembly (1 Cor. 14:27). Required for exercise of tongues Differentiate the Word of God proclaimed by a true prophet from that of a satanic deceiver– especially important in period of revelation The ability to speak an unlearned, living language (e.g., Acts 2:11) gene, “family, race”

Principles from 1 Co 12:11-12 The distribution is to every believer 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. Are not given because of merit, desire or spirituality rather it was a decision by the Spirit 12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. Unity results from the diversity of the coordinated gifts No part of the body fulfills the same function Note: the “members” of the body are gifts, not persons

Principles from 1 Co 12:13 Mentioned ONCE in all 4 gospels, promised to occur soon in Acts 1:5, then never mentioned again until here! Misunderstanding this verse has created major divisions! The Body is created through the baptism by the Spirit, and by Christ (Mt 3:11) and by the Father (Acts 2:33). 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. All are baptized into the Body at conversion. Note: it is impossible to be a Christian not baptized by the Spirit! The baptism results in the indwelling and empowering of the Spirit (John 7:37-39) Results in the indwelling of the entire Trinity!(Ro. 8:9; Col 2:9-10

Principles from 1 Co 12:14-17 14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. No one gift can be universal 15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. No member is inferior to another. The body depends on all parts Desiring the attention that some other gifts receive is egotism, not a love motivation (13:4) 16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. No one is eliminated from the Body because they are not a certain gift 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? No member (gift) is equal to the whole Body, although some gifts are more prominent

Principles from 1 Co 12:18-20 God the Father Himself gave each of us our part in the Body; it is not our choice! 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. Without exception –He chooses what He wants you to be! And expects you to do it! To insist in one gift for everyone would create a monster! Unity in Diversity is possible when all parts function in selfless love

Principles from 1 Co 12:21-24 12:21 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" The most visible need the least visible Service to Christ is not private nor individual – it is always corporal or in group or Body 12:22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, The “weaker” require protection and recognition The mission of the Church requires total participation

Principles from 1 Cor 12:22-23 12:23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, The less visible gifted service should frequently be recognized; in the physical body they are dressed the most! 12:24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, The most visible or naturally honored parts do not need more than the normal recognition; rather the recognition of everyone is expected Word is used of a painter mixing colors to come to the right combination for the best effect God will make sure that what is not honored, He will honor; “many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” Mat 19:30

Principles from 1 Co 12:24-25 12:25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. Pride, self-glorying, selfishness and self-importance cause divisions and clicks The design of the gifts is to create an interdependent corporal unity recognizing the need and contribution of each gift and mutual commitment to meet the needs of each other

Principles from 1 Co 12:26-27 12:26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. The body “shares, or participates” (meaning of fellowship) with each member equally The unity of the body is measured by the commitment to meet the needs of each other as a priority in each life – especially the needs which our gifts empower and motivate us to meet 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. Every member is a small part of the whole body; but everyone’s participation is necessary for the whole

Principles from 1 Cor 12:28 Gifts are for a church or body function 12:28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Gifts are given FIVE priority categories for importance; some were making lesser gifts too important Apostles were uniquely chosen by Christ to lay the foundation of the church (Eph 2:20) and to confirm the authenticity of the new revelation of the NT and church (2 Cor 12:12; Heb 2:3-4 Teachers were to clarify and explain what the apostles and prophets had revealed from God. What it means and how to apply it to the church and personal lives Helps “to lay hold of” thus is a “hands on” practical response to physical needs Administration comes from the word to govern, organize or lead Note the emphasis on “different kinds of tongues”; literal families of languages (genos); not one kind

Principles from 1 Cor 12:29-31 Summary argument: Redundant questions all requiring the answer “No” leading to the real problem of the over emphasis on tongues-speaking in Corinth 12:29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 12:30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 12:31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way. zeloo, pres.imp.pl.,“be continually jealous for, deeply concerned about, show a greater interest in or priority for” the higher categories of gifts, which Paul had just categorized in v. 28 – not the lesser gifts Paul had just categorized the gifts in 5 levels. Revelational gifts and teaching were to be given priority, not the 5th category gift of tongues

How to Speak in a “Tongue” “To speak in tongues in an infantile act of faith… in the same manner that a child begins to babble their first words, open your mouth and make sounds, any sounds… Whatever sound that we make, offering a tongue to God in simple faith, can be the beginning of speaking in tongues…. If we do not accept this experience as real (the sounds of babbling) we are not conscience of His reality; that is, whatever sound should be accepted by faith as the gift of tongues.” (Dennis Bennett, The Spirit and You)

The Purposes of the Gifts Equiping or training of believers (Eph 4:12, “prepare God's people for works of service” Edification of the church (Eph 4:16, “according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Confirmation of the believers (Rom 1:11, “that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; Encouragement of believers (Rom 1:12, “that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine.”)

More Purposes of Gifts Effectiveness of all the church (1 Co 12:7, “A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.” Growing of the church (Ef. 4:16, “according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body …”) Exalting Jesus Christ (1 Pe 4:11, “If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ…”

Nature of the Gifts Are not natural talents Are not the “fruit of the Spirit” Are not signs of maturity, nor spirituality Are not given in response to prayer nor request Are the “manifestation” of the Spirit (1 Co 12:7) Are distributed by the Spirit as He wishes All believers have at least ONE gift Are the result of the grace of God: not merited nor earned

The Fruit of the Spirit is distinct from the Gifts of the Spirit “Fruit” is always singular = all are present simultaneously Effects the attitudes Impossible if carnal Are temporal, not permanent Effects primarily the possessor All can possess all the fruit of the Spirit The result of being controlled by the Spirit “Gifts” is plural = are multiple and individual Effects the actions and motivations Possible if carnal Are permanent, not temporal Effects others Cannot possess all the gifts, nor is one gift common to all Is the result of the indwelling of the Spirit

Wrong Attitudes Once I discover my gift I am ready to be used powerfully To use my spiritual gift means I am spiritual When I discover my gift, I am no longer responsible to minister in areas of other gifts God gave me a special gift for my benefit and personal growth in the Lord The gifts can not be used without the power and filling of the Spirit. The emphasis on the spiritual gifts causes divisions and pride in the church. It is better to avoid them.