* The Gift that Keeps Giving

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing

by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy;

to another discerning of  spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues;

to another the interpretation of tongues:

1 Corinthians 12:8-10 

As the church continues, just as in the beginning, the spiritual gifts received of God are still for the church today. For sure, they are not nearly as prominent as they were at the beginning of the church age, but nonetheless, they will remain until Jesus returns for His people. At the beginning of the church dispensation, the outpouring of God's Spirit molded together a spiritual body (group of believers) scripturally defined as the "church,"

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.  Ephesians 1:22-23

Supernatural manifestations of the Spirit, commonly referred to as the "gifts of the Spirit" routinely occurred.   These supernatural manifestations were given by God through His Holy spirit to the church.  The gifts that the Holy Spirit gave to the church will be here until Jesus returns for His people.  So rest assured, that until then, the gifts given to the church will remain.  

By "supernatural," it is meant that which cannot be explained, understood or completed by human reasoning and strength and is not restricted to "natural laws." No one should ever limit the power of God to work only through those things that the natural man understands, for GOD has declared in His word:

"My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts"   Isaiah 55:8-9

Because we cannot fathom it does not mean that God cannot do it.

Apostle Paul, before teaching the Corinthians about the use of spiritual gifts, reminded them: 

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.  1 Corinthians 2:11

This is not to say that man cannot learn the things of God, but rather that they are not perceived by worldly wisdom. Human reasoning is unable to digest spiritual truth.  It is only through the spirit of God within us that we begin to understand the things of God.

The spiritual gifts are given by God through His Holy Spirit to His church to profit the church; the body of believers. 

"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal"   1 Corinthians 12:7 

There are those today who contend that the gifts are no longer property of the church to be experienced. But there appears nothing in the Scriptures nor in the course of history to show when any of the gifts were withdrawn; only when Jesus returns will the gifts no longer be necessary and will cease.  

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.  1 Corinthian 13:8-10

The body of man has many members (hands, fingers, eyes, ears, etc.) so also is the body of Christ. There are many members of one body and all are important. Some may be more evident than others, but all are needed.  

The gifts of the Spirit are not to be confused with the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is spiritual grace in the character of the believer. All aspects of the fruit are to be possessed by every believer for use at all times. On the other hand, the gifts of the Spirit are divine enablements used in directing and blessing the church and it is not a requirement that you possess each of them.

 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.  Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?  Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?   But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.  1 Corinthians 12:28-31

There must be great care taken in the operation of the spiritual gifts. The Corinthian church became carnal and went overboard with some of the more "spectacular" gifts. For this reason, Apostle Paul was writing the Corinthians to give them instructions on the regulations of the spiritual gifts in the church.  Among them: 

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. . .

and

. . . Let all things be done decently and in order.  1 Corinthians 14:33, 40

It is very clear that the early Christians knew the functioning of special abilities that were of supernatural origin; the Spirit of God. Many spoke in languages they never learned, others healed the sick though they never had studied medicine and then there were those that often had supernatural insight and wisdom.

Here are some commonly asked questions:  

• What are these gifts of the Spirit?   
• How can you know that you have particular gifts of the Spirit? 
• Can others give us an indication of what our gift is? 
• What does the believer do with these gifts in the church? 
• Are some gifts more important than others? 
• Are the gifts of healing still being accessed today by believers? 
• Is the gift of miracles still existent in the church today?

Each and every believer has been given by the Spirit of God, gifts of the Spirit. These are not gifts that have been developed by human capacities, therefore the believer has absolutely no right to brag on these gifts. If we exalt in our gifts, we are taking credit for something that we have not earned ourselves. It is like taking credit for a gift you receive on your birthday. It is just that; a gift that was not yours but given to you freely and it is given apart from any inherent capabilities that you have within you.

No believer can say that they have no gift of the Spirit from God. God has given all believers gifts; some have several but everyone has at least one of these gifts. These gifts of the Spirit are given not for the believer but for the Body of Christ. It is to make the Body complete. These gifts are intended for the church 

√ to edify it, 

√ to strengthen it, 

√ to feed it, 

√ to exhort it, 

√ to encourage it and 

√ to have the Body of Christ empowered to do the work of Christ. 

These gifts are always to the glory of God; to exalt Christ, to witness of God’s power, to build up the Body, and to work to enlarge the Body of Christ by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost.  

Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.   1 Corinthians 14:12

Prophet Isaiah speaks of seven different spirits or gifts:   

And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;  And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:  Isaiah 11:2-3

These are important gifts and some of them are similar to but different from the gifts of the Spirit that Apostle Paul talks about to the church at Corinth.  

This is not an exhaustive list of the gifts of the spirit, for example the scripture speaks of those said to have the gift of mercy which is a person who is quick to forgive and not judge others who have sinned while others are not so quick to do so. 

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;  Or ministry, let us wait on our  ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.  Romans 12:6-8

God gives these gifts as He sees best and not what we think they are for. We cannot receive gifts we are not intended to receive but we can desire certain gifts, indicating that we can receive gifts of the Spirit that may fulfill the desires of our hearts while still fulfilling God‘s purpose for them. 

Romans 12 has a similar listing of the gifts of the Spirit but I Corinthians 12 is more comprehensive in nature. I Corinthians 12 begins with Apostle Paul telling the Corinthian church, and for the most part, all believers in the church today, not to be ignorant concerning the spiritual gifts. Apostle Paul wants to make these gifts crystal clear to us so we will depend upon the inspired Word of God to reveal them to us.

Apostle Paul tells us that “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them”  No two gifts are the same and generally no two believers execute their gifts in exactly the same manner but always these gifts are given for the common good of the church.

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.   1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Jesus also spoke of the gifts that would come after the receipt of the comforter.  We must have the spirit of God dwelling within us if we are to operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit as intended in the word of God.

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.   Acts 2:38

(Biblical Studies)

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10/30/19

04/27/21