12 Now concerning[a] spiritual gifts,[b] brothers,[c] I do not want you to be uninformed.
2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led.
3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;
5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;
6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.
7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit,
9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
Spiritual Gifts in Church Community
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
The church in Corinth was planted by Paul on his second missionary journey. He spent 18 months in this wealthy city. The city was also known for its schools, philosophy centers and its immorality.
On his third journey, he wrote the first letter to the Christians living in Corinth. Paul addresses many issues covering topics of problems with the Corinthian Christians including spiritual gifts.
Paul makes a difference between talents and spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts deals with a leading of the Holy Spirit. This is different from being led by dumb idols.
1 Corinthians 12:2 ESV
[2] You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led.
You need an indwelling by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God and will lead you to do God's will. Spiritual gifts are supernatural empowerment to effectively carry out Christian service and proclamation of the Lordship of Christ.
Jesus said in Acts 1:8 (ESV), "...But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
We are not asked to do God's work on our own strength.
Gifts are from the Holy Spirit after you are born again and you need to exercise those gifts. Talents are natural and you need to be trained to be good and both Christians and non-Christians can possess these.
Luke 11:13 ESV
[13]
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how
much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
We just need to ask. The same spirit will give the gifts.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 ESV
[4]
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; [5] and there are
varieties of service, but the same Lord; [6] and there are varieties of
activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.
The above passage mentions that it is the same spirit, same Lord and same God involved in
John Owen tells that those who reject the work of the Holy Spirit are rejecting Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
1
Corinthians 12:7 ESV
[7] To
each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
[11]
All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one
individually as he wills.
Everything comes from God and those gifts are given differently to different people. This makes the church diverse and we must understand this.
1 Corinthians 12:8-10 ESV
[8]
For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another
the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, [9] to another faith
by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, [10] to
another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to
distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the
interpretation of tongues.
9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit
|
Revelatory. |
Vocal. |
Power |
|
Word of wisdom. |
Tongues. |
Faith |
|
Word of knowledge. |
Interpretation of tongues. |
Miracles |
|
Discerning of Spirits. |
Prophesy. |
Gifts of Healing |
The revelation-gifts bring to light what is hidden. They give
insight into special thoughts and intentions of God.
The power-gifts, on the other hand, demonstrate God’s power visibly.
They convey God’s grace visually.
The speaking-gifts communicate audibly.
Romans 12: 6-8 ESV
6
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:
if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one
who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the
one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads,[a] with zeal; the one
who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
1 Corinthians 12:7-10,28 ESV
7 To
each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one
is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the
utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the
same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the
working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish
between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the
interpretation of tongues.
As a Church community, it is important to recognize the role of the Holy Spirit as He is very committed to exalting Jesus as Lord and equipping us adequately for Christian Service.
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