Greeting to all in the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ!
We are going to study about a very important and most relevant subject called, “Gifts and their use”.
As these are the last days and we see a great awakening everywhere and manifestations of the Spirit, wonders and signs. “We should not be ignorant about Spiritual Gifts, but eagerly desire and pray for them” (1 Corinthians 12:1, 14:1, 13)
Let’s turn to 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
“There are different kind of gifts, but the same Spirit, there are different kinds of services, but the same Lord, there are different kinds of working, but the same God, works all of them in all”
Here we see that three different kinds of gifts are given by each person of the Trinity (see 1 Corinthians 12-14, Ephesians 4:7-16, Romans 12:3-21)
Gifts given by Holy Spirit
(1 Corinthians 12:4)
Chapter 12, 13 & 14 of 1 Corinthians are set apart exclusively for explaining the gifts given by Holy Spirit. As Holy Spirit is a Spirit of Power, Love and Sound mind (2 Timothy 2:7). 1 Corinthians 12 says about Spirit of Power, 13 about Spirit of Love and 14 about Spirit of Sound mind (Self-discipline). Receive Power (12) and operate it through Love (13) with Sound mind (14). All Spiritual gifts are manifestation of the Spirit and are given for the common good (verse 7). Gifts are given to each one just as the Holy Spirit determines (verse 11). All the nine Spiritual Gifts can be divided into three groups (12:7-11)
1. Revelational Gifts
a. Word of Wisdom (Past secrets are revealed; John 4:18)
b. Word of Knowledge (Future things revealed; Luke 22:10)
c. Discerning of Spirits (Knows whether Holy Spirit, Human Spirit or Evil Spirit at work; Acts 16:18)
2. Power Gifts
a. Faith (says a word by Faith and it happens; 1 Kings 17:1)
b. Gifts of Healing (sickness are healed; Mark 1:33,34)
c. Working of Miracles (unusual things happen; Acts 19:11,12)
3. Inspirational Gifts
a. Prophecy (exhortation, edification, comfort; 14:3, Acts 15:32)
b. Speaking in tongues (speaks other unknown languages, edifying himself; 14:2,4,14,15; Acts 2:4)
c. Interpretation of tongues (interprets tongues into ones own language, equal to prophesy; 14:5,13)
“As the body is one and has many members, and all members of that one body, so is Christ” 12:12. All believers are eligible for receiving and operating spiritual gifts.
Service (administration) given by Lord Jesus Christ
(1 Corinthians 12:5, Ephesians 4:7-16)
Here we see that out Lord has appointed five office-bearers specially gifted for “preparing God’s people for works of service”. Each member of the church has a specific work to do. These administrations prepare them to do that services, and thus “the body of Christ may be built up.” (Ephesians 4:11,12) Through this five-fold ministry, “all members of the church reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measures of the fullness of Christ! (verse 13). “From Christ, the head the whole body joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
These are the five administrators.
1. Apostles (to govern the church) Acts 21:8-14, Paul
2. Prophets (to guide the church) Acts 21:8-14, Agabus
3. Evangelists (to gather people into the church) Acts 21:8, Philip
5. Pastors (to guard the church) Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:1-3
5. Teachers (to ground the church) 1 Timothy 5:17, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Acts 13:1
Only appointed (by Lord Jesus Christ) ministers can do this service to the body of Christ, the church. The church must recognize them and avail their services.
Working (operation) given by God the Father
(1 Corinthians 12:6, Roman 12:3-21)
Even though a member is given or not given an office by the Lord or a special gift by the Spirit, our heavenly father has given every member of the church a special gift of grace to function as a member of the body of Christ, in love.
The works distributed to various members are as follows: (actually God Father in working all of them in all)
1. Prophesy (seeing things before hand)
2. Serving (ministering, helping other in time of need)
3. Teaching (giving good advice to others)
4. Encouraging (Exhorting, give encouragement)
5. Giving (contributing, financial help given)
6. Leading (give leadership for proper functioning)
7. Mercy (show compassion and kindness to the needy)
By all these unnatural bu God given qualities church, the body of believers can overcome any evil. (12:21). Don’t think superior or inferior! (12:3) But as Peter says “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace, in the various forms” (1 Peter 4:10).
May God Bless You…..
-Pr. Mohan P David