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Three different things are mentioned in this passage: gifts,
ministries, and effects. Notice also that the entire Trinity — Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit — is involved in spiritual gifts. We find that gifts from the
Father are discussed in detail in Romans 12, the effects or manifestations
of the Holy Spirit are discussed in 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4
discusses the ministries carried on by ministers given to the Church by the
Lord Jesus Christ for "the equipping of the saints for the work of
service" (Ephesians 4:12).
Seven Gifts from the Father
First, let us look at the gifts of the Father to the Church
in Romans 12:
- Romans 12:6-8
- 6 … we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let
each exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of
his faith;
- 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;
- 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he
who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
This passage lists seven gifts of God the Father to the
Church of Jesus Christ. Each person who believes has at least one gift. They
are, with a brief explanation:
- Prophecy – the inspired preaching of the Word of God with a pointed
message to those who hear. On occasion, it may be a warning of some problem
or danger close at hand. An example of this is in Acts 21:9-14 where a
prophet named Agabus warned Paul about the bonds that awaited him in
Jerusalem.
- Service – the word "service" and the word "deacon" come from the
same root word. It is the ability to perform tasks that glorify God and
build up believers, such as distributing food to Christians in need.
- Teaching – enlightening, explaining, comparing, and clarifying the Word
of God in a way that makes difficult subjects easy to understand.
- Exhortation – the God-given ability to move other believers to
proper conduct or action. It contains the idea of comfort, and includes
correcting someone else with meekness.
- Giving – the desire and enablement to give above and beyond normal
giving to meet the needs of others or to extend the work of the Church of
the Lord Jesus Christ on earth. This gift is not restricted to those who
are wealthy.
- Leading – the ability to preside, to rule, and to maintain order
within a group. It is the ability to lead the Church in the right path for
the glory of God.
- Showing mercy – the ability to exercise compassion by word and deed
beyond the ordinary call of duty. It means to show practical love for the
sake of Christ to those whom you would not ordinarily love.
It is apparent that Christians exercise these gifts in
varying degrees. For example, all Christians should show mercy and all
should give. However, God endows certain believers with special abilities
to exercise these gifts above and beyond the others. God gives these gifts
for the benefit of the whole Church. You should be diligent in the use of
that which God has given you so there will be no lack in your church.
Ministries from Jesus Christ
Jesus is said to give ministers to the Church in Ephesians 4.
The Apostle Paul wrote these words:
- Ephesians 4:11-12
- 11 And He [Jesus Christ] gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and
some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
- 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building
up of the body of Christ;
- Apostles – the office of apostle, in the New Testament sense of one
carrying great authority, is generally believed to have ceased with the
passing of the first century apostles. However, in the sense that apostle
means "sent one," this ministry is performed today by missionaries who found
churches. Today, no one has the same authority as the original apostles.
However, there are those who are sent out to preach the Gospel and plant
churches throughout the world.
- Prophets – are men whom God has gifted to preach His Word with great
power. These are those whom God uses in such a way that you know that He has
spoken when they preach.
- Evangelists – Jesus has given evangelists to the Church who are
especially gifted in persuading people to receive Jesus Christ as personal
Lord and Savior. However, this does not relieve those who are not so gifted
from witnessing.
- Pastors and teachers – Some divide this ministry into two different
offices; others believe it is one office because the word "teachers"
does not have a definite article in the original language. In the latter
case, the pastor/teacher is one gifted person who shepherds a local church.
Such people are gifted more along the lines of teaching than evangelization,
though they may do the work of an evangelist, as Paul told Timothy to do
(2 Timothy 4:5).
Nine Effects or Manifestations of the Holy Spirit
Nine manifestations of the Holy Spirit are listed by Paul:
- 1 Corinthians 12:7-10
- 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common
good.
- 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another
the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;
- 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing(s) by
the one Spirit,
- 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to
another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues,
and to another the interpretation of tongues.
The question of the gifts and manifestations of the Holy
Spirit is, perhaps, the issue that divides Christians today more than any
other. Entire books have been written on the subject. However, it is outside
the purpose of this book to have a lengthy discussion of the issue. Let's
look at gifts and manifestations as they are given in the New Testament and
as they appear to have been used at that time.
- The word of wisdom – is special wisdom God gives when a need
arises for direction or understanding. Often a few individuals will be
recognized as possessing wisdom greater than others; however, this gift
goes beyond that to meeting needs for wisdom in specific circumstances.
- The word of knowledge – the Holy Spirit reveals knowledge of
specific facts or situations for the advancement of the Gospel or for the
good of the body of Christ.
- Faith – this faith is beyond that necessary for salvation. Every
Christian has the kind of faith necessary to be saved. This is the faith
to see God do great and mighty things.
- Gifts of healings – both words are plural in the original language.
There is no such thing as "the gift of healing." God gives specific gifts
of healings from time to time, such as healing of cancer and other
diseases that man cannot cure.
- Miracles – works of power that occur in cases of special need. An
example is the healing of the lame man in Acts 3:1-10. Note that while
several miracles are recorded in the book of Acts, they were done over
a period of 30 years. They were fewer and farther between than one might
think before studying the subject. Apparently, extraordinary miracles
were not the ordinary daily occurrence in the life of the early church.
- Prophecy– was explained earlier in this chapter. It is an important
gift because it is mentioned in all three passages we are studying. Keep
in mind that prophecy in the Bible is not foretelling in the sense of
personal fortune telling.
- Distinguishing of spirits – the ability to know whether particular
words or actions originate in God or in the satanic kingdom.
- Kinds of tongues – the ability given through the Spirit of God to
speak in a language not previously known or studied.
- Interpretation of tongues – the ability to interpret such languages.
Regardless of your position on the use and nature of these
gifts, the most important thing to remember is their specific purpose.
According to verse seven, gifts are given for the purpose of the common good
of the body. Paul makes a very important point:
- 1 Corinthians 12:24-25
- 24 … God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that
member which lacked,
- 25 that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should
have the same care for one another.
It is very carefully noted that the purpose of the gifts is
the building up of the Church; genuine gifts unite the body of Christ rather
than divide it. Anything that is genuinely produced by the Spirit of God
should not divide the body of Christ. Much of what happens in a church can be
measured by that standard. If continual splits and arguments arise over a
gift, then it should be very carefully and prayerfully examined in the light
of God's Word, and put away if it is not of God.
Make It Personal
God has provided for the needs of His people through the
Spirit He has made to dwell in them. Not only has He provided for each one's
personal salvation and sanctification but He has given gifts to each one
whereby we may help fellow believers. Make sure you do not hurt your brothers
and sisters in Christ by not using the gift which God has given you in their
service. Pray that He may use you to help others in the body of Christ.
- Romans 12:6
- 6 And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us,
let each exercise them accordingly.
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Updated Thursday, 24-Jan-2008 10:33:29 EST by BAP
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