What is Spiritual gifts?
The Spiritual gifts in 1Co12:7-11 are supernatural manifestation of the holy spirit given directly to believers.
The purpose of Spiritual Gifts:Spiritual Gifts are main to strenghten the church and the individual (Strengthening Gk Oikodomeo means to promote Spiritual life,maturity in the Spirit and Godly character in believer).It is a work of the Holy Spirit put in action through believers,by which believers are increasingly Spiritually transformed in order that they not be conformed to this world(Ro12:2-8).But may built up in sanctification,love for GOD,concern for others,purity of heart,a good conscience and a sincere faith.The manifestation of Spiritual gifts:
- These Spiritual gifts are not the same as the gifts and ministries mentioned in (Ro12:6-8) and (Eph4:11) whereby a believer receives the power and ability to minister in a more permanent manner in the church.
- The list in (1Co12:8-10) is not necessarily exhaustive,and the gifts may occur in various combinations& situations.
- The manifestations of the spirit are given according to the Spirit's will (1Co12:11)when need arises and according to the believers eager desire.
- Some gifts or manifestation of the Spirit occur through some individuals on a regular bases,and a believer may have more than one gifts to minister to others.The believer ought to desire "Gifts" not just one gift (1Co 12:31,14:1).
What we must know about "Spiritual Gifts":
- It is unscriptuaral and unwise to assume that because someone exercise a spectacular gift,that person is more spiritual than one who characteristically operates in less spectacular gifts.
- Furthermore,possessing a gift does not mean that GOD approves of all a person does or teaches.
- Spiritual gifts must not be confused with the fruit of the spirit,which relates more to christian character and sanctification(Gal5:22-23).
- The Spirit manifestation through gifts maybe counterfeited by Satan or false worker disguising themselves as servants of Christ(Mt7:21-23,24:11&24;2Co11:13-15;2Th2:8-10).The believers must not believe every spiritual manifestation,but ought to "test the Spirit manifestation to see whether they are from GOD,because many false prophet have gone out into the world"(1Jn4:11;1Th5:20-21).
1Co12:7-11
7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to 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.11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
These are the lists of Spiritual gifts, that the holy spirit gives to believers:
1) Message of wisdom:This is a wise utterance spoken through the operation of the Holy spirit.It applies the revelation of GOD's word or the Holy spirit's wisdom to a specific situation or problem(Act6:10,15:13-22).It is not , however the same as having the wisdom of GOD for daily living.The later is obtained by diligent study and meditation on GOD's word,and by prayer.
7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to 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.11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
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| Message of Wisdom |
2) Message of Knowledge: This is an utterance inspired by the holy spirit that reveals knowledge about people,circumstances or biblical truth.His often connected closely with prophecy.(Ac5:1-10,10:47-48,15:7-11;1Co14:24-25).
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| Message of knowledge |
3) Faith: This is not saving faith, but a special supernatural faith imparted by the holy spirit that enables the christian to believe GOD for the extraordinary and miraculous.It is a faith that moves mountain(1Co13:2) and is often found in combination with other manifestation such as healing and miracles(see Mt 17:20;Mk11:22-24;Lk17:6).
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| Supernatural Faith |
4) Gifts of healing: These gifts are given to the church to restore physical health by supernatural means(Mt4:23-25,10:1;Ac3:6-8,4:30).The plural (gifts) indicates healing of various illness and suggest that every act of it is a special gift of GOD.Although gifts of healing are not given to every member of the body in a special way(1Co12:11,30),all member may pray for the sick.When faith is present, the sick will be healed.Healing may also come as a results of obedience to the instruction of (jas5:14-16).
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| Gifts of Healing |
5) Miraculous powers: These are deeds of supernatural power that alter the normal course of nature.they include divine acts in which GOD's kingdom is manifested against Satan and evil spirits.
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| Miraculous Powers |
6) Prophecy: We must distinguish between prophecy as a temporary manifestation of the spirit (1Co 12:10) and prophecy as a ministry gift of the church (Eph4:11).
As a ministry gift:Prophecy is given only to some believers, who must function as a prophet within the church.
As a Spiritual manifestation: Prophecy is potentially available to every spirit filled christian (Ac2:17-18).
What we must know about prophecy as a spiritual manifestation:
a)Prophecy is a special gift that enables a believer to bring a word of revelation directly from GOD under the impulse of the Holy spirit (1Co14:24-25,29-31),it is not the delivery of a previously prepared sermon.
b)In both the OT and the NT, prophecy is not primarily foretelling the future, but proclaiming GOD's will and extorting,but encouraging GOD's people to righteousness, faithfulness and endurance(1Co14:3).
c)The message may expose the condition of a person's heart (1Co14:25) or offer strenghten, encouragement,comfort, warning and judgement(1Co14:3,25-26,31).
d)The Church must not assume that prophecy is an infallible message, as there can be a sincere mixture of the human messenger in the message,or there can be an insincere false prophecy meant to impress others or deceive(1Jn4:1).Therefore,all prophecy must be tested for genuineness and truth (1Co 14:29,32;1Th5:20-21),by asking whether it conforms to GOD's word (1Jn4:1), whether it promotes Godly living(1Ti6:3),and whether it is uttered by one who is sincerely living under Christ's lordship(1Co12:3).
e)Prophecy operates under GOD's will and not the will of human.The NT does not explicitly describe the church actively seeking revelation or direction from those claiming to be prophet.Prophecy was given to the church when GOD initiated the message(1Co12:11;2Pe1:21).
7) Distinguishing between Spirits: This gift is a special spirit-given ability to properly discern evil spirits and to distinguish whether or not an utterance is from the Holy Spirit(1Co14:29;Jn4:1).Towards the end of the age when false teachers(Mt24:5)."the spirit of falsehood"(1Jn4:6) and deceiving spirits will greatly increase(1Ti14:1),this gift will be extremely important for the church.
8) Speaking in different kinds of tongues: Concerning "tongues"(Gk glossa,meaning language)as a supernatural manifestation of the spirit,the following must be noted:
a)Tongues may be an existing spoken language(Ac2:4-6),a language unknown on earth,ex "Tongues... of angels"(1Co13:1) such speech has not been learned and is often unintelligible both to the speaker(1Co12:14:14) and to the hearers (1 Co12:14:6).
b)Speaking in tongues involves the human spirit and the spirit of GOD intermingling so that the believer communicates directly to GOD ( That is in prayer, praise,blessing, or Thanksgiving),giving expression or utterance at the level of one's spirit rather than the mind(1Co14:2,14) and praying for oneself or others under the direct influence of the Holy Spirit apart from the activity of the mind(1Co14:2,4,15,28;jude20).
c)Tongues in the congregation must be accompanied by the spirit-given interpretation,n that communicates the content and meaning of the utterance to the community of the believers(1Co14:3,27-28).It may contain a revelation,knowledge,prophecy or teaching for the assembly(1Co14:6).
d)Speaking in tongues within the congregation must be regulated.the speaker may never be in "Ecstasy" or "Out of control" (1Co14:27-28).
9) Interpretation of tongues: This is the spirit -given ability to understand and communicate the meaning of an utterance spoken in tongues.When interpreted for the congregation,tongues function either as a directive to worship and prayer or as prophecy.The body of believer,can then participate in this spirit inspired revelation.Interpreted tongues can thus be a means of edification as the whole congregation responds to the utterance(1Co12:14,6,13).The gift may be given to the one who speaks in tongues or to someone else.Those who speaks in tongues should pray also for the gift of interpretation(1Co14:13).
As a ministry gift:Prophecy is given only to some believers, who must function as a prophet within the church.
As a Spiritual manifestation: Prophecy is potentially available to every spirit filled christian (Ac2:17-18).
What we must know about prophecy as a spiritual manifestation:
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| Prophecy |
a)Prophecy is a special gift that enables a believer to bring a word of revelation directly from GOD under the impulse of the Holy spirit (1Co14:24-25,29-31),it is not the delivery of a previously prepared sermon.
b)In both the OT and the NT, prophecy is not primarily foretelling the future, but proclaiming GOD's will and extorting,but encouraging GOD's people to righteousness, faithfulness and endurance(1Co14:3).
c)The message may expose the condition of a person's heart (1Co14:25) or offer strenghten, encouragement,comfort, warning and judgement(1Co14:3,25-26,31).
d)The Church must not assume that prophecy is an infallible message, as there can be a sincere mixture of the human messenger in the message,or there can be an insincere false prophecy meant to impress others or deceive(1Jn4:1).Therefore,all prophecy must be tested for genuineness and truth (1Co 14:29,32;1Th5:20-21),by asking whether it conforms to GOD's word (1Jn4:1), whether it promotes Godly living(1Ti6:3),and whether it is uttered by one who is sincerely living under Christ's lordship(1Co12:3).
e)Prophecy operates under GOD's will and not the will of human.The NT does not explicitly describe the church actively seeking revelation or direction from those claiming to be prophet.Prophecy was given to the church when GOD initiated the message(1Co12:11;2Pe1:21).
7) Distinguishing between Spirits: This gift is a special spirit-given ability to properly discern evil spirits and to distinguish whether or not an utterance is from the Holy Spirit(1Co14:29;Jn4:1).Towards the end of the age when false teachers(Mt24:5)."the spirit of falsehood"(1Jn4:6) and deceiving spirits will greatly increase(1Ti14:1),this gift will be extremely important for the church.
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| Distinguishing between Spirit. |
8) Speaking in different kinds of tongues: Concerning "tongues"(Gk glossa,meaning language)as a supernatural manifestation of the spirit,the following must be noted:
a)Tongues may be an existing spoken language(Ac2:4-6),a language unknown on earth,ex "Tongues... of angels"(1Co13:1) such speech has not been learned and is often unintelligible both to the speaker(1Co12:14:14) and to the hearers (1 Co12:14:6).
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| Different kinds of Tongues. |
b)Speaking in tongues involves the human spirit and the spirit of GOD intermingling so that the believer communicates directly to GOD ( That is in prayer, praise,blessing, or Thanksgiving),giving expression or utterance at the level of one's spirit rather than the mind(1Co14:2,14) and praying for oneself or others under the direct influence of the Holy Spirit apart from the activity of the mind(1Co14:2,4,15,28;jude20).
c)Tongues in the congregation must be accompanied by the spirit-given interpretation,n that communicates the content and meaning of the utterance to the community of the believers(1Co14:3,27-28).It may contain a revelation,knowledge,prophecy or teaching for the assembly(1Co14:6).
d)Speaking in tongues within the congregation must be regulated.the speaker may never be in "Ecstasy" or "Out of control" (1Co14:27-28).
9) Interpretation of tongues: This is the spirit -given ability to understand and communicate the meaning of an utterance spoken in tongues.When interpreted for the congregation,tongues function either as a directive to worship and prayer or as prophecy.The body of believer,can then participate in this spirit inspired revelation.Interpreted tongues can thus be a means of edification as the whole congregation responds to the utterance(1Co12:14,6,13).The gift may be given to the one who speaks in tongues or to someone else.Those who speaks in tongues should pray also for the gift of interpretation(1Co14:13).
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| Interpretation of tongues. |
