| Harvestime Assembly Gifts of the Spirit |
| Gifts in christian history The history of christianity when studied clearly rejects any thought of Spiritual gifts ending after the first century or after the "last of the apostles died". During careful study you will find a decrease of the gifts during the Middle Ages (probably due to Roman control of scriptures) but never an ending to any of the gifts as listed in the Scriptures. Many writings of early leaders during the 2nd century notes "brethern speaking in tongues" and charasmatic gifts such as healing, prophecies and tongues with interpretation. At the beginning of the 20th century an outpouring of the Holy Spirit came which is now called the "Penecostal movement". During this outpouring many ccongregations experienced a revival of the Holy Spirit's power and gifts. In the 1960's another "wave" of the Holy Spirit began to move across denominations of every kind. This "Charismatic renewal" swept over any congregation receptive of the Holy Spirit. Recently a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit has been blowing across congregations reviving and refreshing the people to go and be witnesses of the love and grace of the Lord Jesus. Many people have referred to this movement as "3rd wave". Whatever name you put over it, it appears that the Lord is moving His people just as He did the children of Israel in the desert where He told them to move with the cloud.. Gifts in the Bible During this study I am going to emphasize the gifts as listed in the New Testament. It is obvious that God has empowered men and Patriarchs of the Old Testament with certain gifts to fulfill the desired outcome of His plan, but I am goning to confine this study to the five lists of Spiritual Gifts as noted in Eph. 4:11, 1 Cor. 12:28, Rom 12:3-7, 1 Cor. 12;7-10 and 1 Ptr. 4:9-11. Greek Words for Gifts Domata Domata is found only in Eph. 4:8, it is used as a word to describe the list of ministry gifts noted in Eph. 4:11. Domata is used to describe men as gifts of ministry to the body of Messiah. Charismata Charismata is the Greek word derived from the root word Charis, meaning grace and mata, meaning gifts. Charismata is found in 1 Cor. 12:4, 1 Cor. 12:31, Rom. 12:6 and 1 Ptr. 4:10. Charismata appears to be a general term and may be used for all Spiritual gifts. Dorea Dorea is the typical Greek word used for gifts. This word is a root for many other words used in association with gifts. Dorea is used in Acts 2:38; 10:45, Eph. 3:7; 4:7 and many other places in the New Testament. Phanerosis Phanerosis is used in 1 Cor. 12:7, this term means to lay bare, to reveal. This is used in context as gifts that "manifest". These supernatural manifestations differ from the other terms used for gifts in that they manifest suddenly upon a believer. Leadership "And He gave some to be apostles , some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, until we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Messiah.". Eph. 4:11-13 "And God has appointed these in the church: first of apostles, second prophets, third teachers..." 1Cor 12:28 Apostle The apostle is translated as "sent one" these are special messengers of Messiah who are sent with all authority on Earth of the one who sent them. The apostle is sent to establish local congregations, set and or correct doctrine, train ministers to function in the congregation and be the 1st in structure of the congregation. According to this list (Eph. 4:11 and the list of 1 Cor. 12:28), it is clearly a structural statement of the order of leadership in the body of Messiah. Prophet The prophet is used by God also as foundational to the congregation (Eph. 2:20). The prophet is used to speak the direct word of God, bring messages to God's people, expose sin, proclaim righteousness and warn of possible judgement to come. Because of these messages prophets can expect to be rejected by most believers and or whole congregations. The word of God tells us that anyone who receives a prophet will receive a prophet's reward hence anyone rejecting the words of the prophet does not reject the prophet but the one speaking through him. God's house is "...built in the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus the Messiah Himself being the chief cornerstone". Eph. 2:20 Evangelist The evangelist is used by God to take the saving message of Jesus the Messiah to the streets. Although every believer is called to preach the gospel, the Evangelist has a supernatural anointing to effectively preach to the multitudes. God also uses Evangelist to take the power of the gospel (i.e. demonstrations of the Spirit's power) to the unbelieving masses. Evangelist should serve the body of Messiah as living examples of how to take this gospel to the streets. Pastor The Pastor is called by God to take care of the "temporal" needs of the local congreation. The pastor has a "heart" for the needs of God's people. Many times in "modern" western congregations the office gift of pastor has been elevated to a role that includes the other leadership gifts, but this is clearly non-scriptural. According to Eph. 4:11-13 we will always have all ministry/leadership gifts until we all reach the unity of faith and mature. Teacher This office gift of teacher is clearly different from the other listings in the New Testament rendered as teacher. This office gift is designed to teach the deep things of God ("Meat") with the ability to make it understandable to the masses. The teacher works hand in hand with the office gifts of apostle and prophet. (1 Cor 12:28) The teacher takes the revelation spoken by the foundational gifts of apostle and prophet and makes them known to the congregation. |
| Harvestime Assembly 264 Bells Hwy. Walterboro, SC 29488 (843) 542-2730 [email protected] |