Spiritual gifts are often misunderstood, cause arguments, selfish acts and even divisions. They also are critical to the proper functioning of the body of Christ. So as Paul wanted the Corinthians to not be uninformed, so we too should not simply avoid them because they can cause difficulties. The benefits far outweigh any problems.
First a few notes:
1) These are gifts from the Holy Spirit to be used for the good of the whole church (v. 4,7)
2) They are different from natural gifts that a person may have though they may be similar in some cases
3) Each believer in Christ has been given at least one spiritual gift (v. 7)
4) This is not a comprehensive list of spiritual gifts (other lists: Rom 12:6-8, 1 Peter 4:11 etc.)
5) They are not to make you famous, but are for God's glory
6) The gifts of the Spirit are for helping others, while the fruit of the Spirit are the Holy Spirit's working to change and grow us as individuals
I won't do an exhaustive study right now, but here is an overview of the gifts listed here:
2) Knowledge gifts - where the Holy Spirit gives information or understanding that a person otherwise didn't have, often to speak or to guide choices -
2) Miraculous gifts - where the Holy Spirit does supernatural actions through a person -
It seems that the gifts were causing divisions in the Corinthian church and some felt like they were being left out and others felt like they didn't need the others. Paul was emphasizing the need for interdependence and working together in the body. Each part is needed for their individual gifts and the individual needs the rest of the whole body to survive - just as the body needs the parts and the parts need the body.
Father God, help each one of us learn and understand the gifts that you have given us. Help us to learn how to use those gifts to help, edify and encourage others in the body of Christ so that we can all grow and be strengthened in Christ Jesus!
First a few notes:
1) These are gifts from the Holy Spirit to be used for the good of the whole church (v. 4,7)
2) They are different from natural gifts that a person may have though they may be similar in some cases
3) Each believer in Christ has been given at least one spiritual gift (v. 7)
4) This is not a comprehensive list of spiritual gifts (other lists: Rom 12:6-8, 1 Peter 4:11 etc.)
5) They are not to make you famous, but are for God's glory
6) The gifts of the Spirit are for helping others, while the fruit of the Spirit are the Holy Spirit's working to change and grow us as individuals
I won't do an exhaustive study right now, but here is an overview of the gifts listed here:
1) Speaking gifts - where the Holy Spirit enables a person to speak what they didn't otherwise know -
- prophecy - speaking words from God to edify, encourage and comfort (1 Cor 14:3)
- tongues - speaking a foreign or angelic language (Acts 2:4-7, 1 Cor 13:1)
- interpretation of tongues - knowing and saying what someone speaking in an unknown language (1 Cor 14:10-13)
2) Knowledge gifts - where the Holy Spirit gives information or understanding that a person otherwise didn't have, often to speak or to guide choices -
- word of wisdom - tell of future, hidden events - (1 Cor 2:7) or knowing how to act from God's perspective
- word of knowledge - information given that is otherwise not known to the person
- distinguishing between spirits - knowing if a spirit is from God or from the devil
2) Miraculous gifts - where the Holy Spirit does supernatural actions through a person -
- gifts of healing - plural gifts indicating supernatural healing from physical and other problems that are emotional or spiritual; deliverance could come under this gift
- miracles - supernatural signs and wonders such as turning water to wine, walking on water, multiplying loaves etc.
- faith - supernatural faith that can move mountains and enables other miraculous workings of the Spirit of God
It seems that the gifts were causing divisions in the Corinthian church and some felt like they were being left out and others felt like they didn't need the others. Paul was emphasizing the need for interdependence and working together in the body. Each part is needed for their individual gifts and the individual needs the rest of the whole body to survive - just as the body needs the parts and the parts need the body.
Father God, help each one of us learn and understand the gifts that you have given us. Help us to learn how to use those gifts to help, edify and encourage others in the body of Christ so that we can all grow and be strengthened in Christ Jesus!
I sometimes think about what spiritual gifts God gives me. I had depression before, and God healed me my depression, and He teaches me how to defeat worry and anxiety in my daily life. I can understand the painful feeling of others who suffer from depression, and I know there is a reliable way to get free from the pain. Lord Jesus, please give me opportunity to use the gift of healing to help others who suffer from depression. I know the power of healing is not from me but you.
ReplyDeleteFor a nice, somewhat contemporary illustration of the gift of miracles, I recommend 'Like A Mighty Wind' by Mel Tari, which takes place during the Indonesian revival.
ReplyDeleteThere seem to be spiritual gifts, service positions, and ministry gifts listed in the New Testament. What is the connection between these things? Some of these don't really seem like "gifts" at all... in the normal sense of the word. Others seem to overlap.
ReplyDeleteSpiritual Gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12)
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Word of wisdom
Word of knowledge
Faith
Gifts of healing
Miracles
Prophecy
Discernment of spirits
Tongues
Interpretation of tongues
Positions of Spiritual Service (Ephesians 4 & 1 Corinthians 12)
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Apostle
Prophet
Evangelist
Pastor
Teacher
Workers of Miracles
Healers
Helpers
Administrators
Those who speak in tongues
Spiritual Ministry Gifts (Romans 12)
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Prophecy
Serving
Teaching
Exhortation
Giving
Leadership
Mercy
Great questions and this small comment area is not conducive to a good answer but here is a high-level response:
Delete1) Yes, there are gifts, ministries, callings and offices -
Calling: A person has a calling on their life which you could say is their primary ministry area.
The disciples were called by Jesus and sent out by Jesus and thus became Apostles (sent ones) Matt 10:1-2.
Philip was called an evangelist (Acts 21:8) - it was his primary ministry area. Paul tells Timothy to "do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry" (2 Tim 4:5). So his calling was an evangelist and for him to do that work was to fulfill his ministry.
Ministry: Ministry is an area of work or service for the kingdom of God. It can take place inside a specific church or outside of one (e.g. an itinerant prophet or one who works mostly at a given church). Some ministries are listed in these above passages you mention, but also in Acts we see ministers who are distributing food, in the Old Testament we see musicians, artists and builders who are serving God and ministering with those gifts that God has given.
Gifts: Gifts include both spiritual and natural gifts. Both are from God. Natural gifts tend to be with a person their whole life, where a spiritual gift specifically comes from the Holy Spirit after a person receives new life in Christ Jesus and is filled with the Holy Spirit. Some spiritual gifts enhance existing natural gifts that God has given and others may be totally different (a fearful person may be transformed by the Holy Spirt and able to speak and prophesy to a group with boldness) (see Acts 4:13 etc). Gifts are given to be used in ministry - in service to God, his kingdom and his people.
Offices: Offices are a state of approved, tested ministry. For an example, a local church may have an approved minister who is a prophet who is filling the office of the prophet for that body. A person "occupies" or "is in" an office of a given church after they have been appointed, tested and approved. Elders are appointed (Acts 14:23), the offices within a church are appointed (1 Cor 12:28), Paul was appointed as a preacher, apostle and teacher (2 Tim 1:11). Paul tells Timothy to appoint and then have the deacons (ministers of any kind) first be tested and then let them serve (minister) if they prove themselves blameless (1 Tim 3:10).
All can prophesy (1 Cor 4:5) - hear and give a word from God, some have the gift of prophecy (1 Cor 12:10) - that is they prophesy regularly because they have a gift; some are called to be prophets - that is to fulfill the ministry and calling of a prophet, using the gift of prophecy; and some have been called, trained, tested and approved and hold the office of prophet.
Hope that helps :)