Author: Kurt Composed: 11/20 05:37 AM
Subject: Spiritual Gifts
Category: THE_WORD
Spiritual:
1. pneuma(4152): breath, blast or breeze. (Figurative, a spirit) When
related to humans it is the rational soul, vital principal or mental
disposition. When referring to the Divine, God, Christ's Spirit, The Holy
Spirit, ghost, life, spirit, mind.
2. pneumalikos(4151): non-carnal, ethereal or the regions beyond the
earth, that is celestial or heavenly.
Gift(s):
1. Acts 2:38 dorea(1431): a gratuity that is voluntary or beyond the
obligation of the giver.
2. charisma(5486): a divine gratuity or deliverance. An endowment of
religious qualification in the subjective case or a miraculous faculty in
the objective case.
What should we ("EMPHASIZE").
The context of 1 Corinthians 12: The spiritual gifts given to each
person by the Holy Spirit are special abilities that are to be used to
minister to the needs of the body of believers. There are many gifts,
people have different gifts, some people have more than one gift, and one
gift is not superior to another. All spiritual gifts come from the Holy
Spirit, and their purpose is to build up Christ's body, the church (ch.1
vs.7).
Instead of building up and unifying the church, the issue of spiritual
gifts was splitting it. Spiritual gifts had become symbols of spiritual
power, causing rivalries because some people thought they were more
"spiritual" than others because of their gifts. This was a terrible misuse
of spiritual gifts because their purpose is always to help the church
function more effectively, not to divide it. We can be divisive if we
insist on using our gift our own way without being sensitive to others. we
must never use gifts as a means of manipulating others or severing our own
self-interest.
(Life Application Bible notes)
1 Corinthians 12:1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not
want you to be ignorant. You know that when you were pegans, somehow or
other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I tell
you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be
cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are
different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds
of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
Why are the Gifts given:
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common
good.
Romans 1:11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you
some spiritual gift to make you strong -- that is, that you and I may be
mutually encouraged by each other's faith.
Hebrews 2:3-4 This salvation, which was first announced by the
Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it
by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit
distributed according to his will.
Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act
according to his good purpose.
Ephesians 4:12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so
that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the
faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining
to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
How about a List:
7 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to
another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another
faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,
to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another
distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of
tongues (or languages), and to still another the interpretation of
tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives
them to each one, just as he determines.
Ephesians 4: 11: It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be
prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to
prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may
be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of
the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the
fullness of Christ.
1 Peter 4:10,11 Each one should use whatever gift he has received
to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various
forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of
God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so
that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the
glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
This tells of unity and value but is there a rank
12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all
its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were
all baptized by (in) one Spirit into one body -- whether Jews or Greeks,
slave or free -- and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts
should have equal concern for each other. (one body)
28 God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third
teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing,
those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those
speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? (by implication
NO) Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have
gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly
desire the greater gifts.
What is Chapter 13 doing between 12 and 14?
13:1 And now I will show you the most excellent way.// Love..
Matthew 22:37 The Greatest Commandment... Jesus replied: "'Love the
Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind.' (Deut. 6:5) This is the first and greatest commandment. And the
second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' (Lev. 19:18) All the
Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Terms:
prophecy (4394) propheteia: prediction
prophesy (4395) propheteuo: foretell events, divine, speak under
inspiration, exercise the prophetic office
A communication of the mind of God imparted to a believer by the Holy
Spirit. It may be a prediction or an indication of the will of God in a
given situation.
tongues (1100) Glossa: the tongue by implication a language.
Since the Greek word for "tongues" means languages or dialects, some
understand it to refer to ability to speak in unlearned human languages,
as the apostles did on the day of Pentecost (ac 2:4,6,11:) Others believe
that in chs. 12-14 the term refers to both earthly and heavenly languages,
including ecstatic languages of praise and prayer.
More on the Why
14:1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially
the gift of prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to
men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with
his spirit. But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their
strengthening, encouragement and comfort. He who speaks in a tongue
edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I would like
every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you
prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues,
unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.
Does the practice going on MATCH the previously described WHY.
7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute
or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a
distinction in the notes? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear
call, who will get ready for battle? So it is with you. Unless you speak
intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are
saying? You will just be speaking into the air. Undoubtedly there are all
sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If th
en I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner
to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. So it is with you. Since you
are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the
church.
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with
my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. If
you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among
those who do not understand say Amen to your thanksgiving, since he does
not know what you are saying.
In Prayer:
Romans 8:26 - 27 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our
weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself
intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who
searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit
intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all
kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep
on praying for all the saints. (the "this in mind" was the spiritual
warfare and the full armor of God).
Smashing Point.
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the
church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others
than ten thousand words in a tongue.
22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers;
prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers, So if the whole
church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not
understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out
of your mind? But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand
comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that
he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart
will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship god, exclaiming, "God
is really among you!"
Attitude about them (Use it or Loose it/ demonstrate MY spirituality/ or
for service to God and maturing ):
Romans 12: 6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace
given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to
his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him
teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to
the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him
govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
