Treasures New and Old

Exercising Our Spiritual Gift(s) – Key Verses

As we dive into this important subject of spiritual gifts, I thought it best to list several of the key verses related to the subject. There are some important whole sections, as well as some single verses, that provide us some insight as to why they exist, what they are for, and how to use them within the Body of Christ.

The Source of Spiritual Gifts?

In God’s wisdom, He revealed Himself to us in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. All of us who believe, have the gift of eternal life, the gifts of justification, sanctification (conforming us into the image of Jesus Christ), and the gift of glorification when we receive our new bodies. He also gave us a Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to dwell with us. Acts 2:38 and 10:45 make it clear that the giving of the Holy Spirit is a gift given to everyone who believes.

John 14:16: “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.”

John 14:26: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

John 15:26: “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:“

John 16:7: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”

Who Gets Spiritual Gifts?

Acts 2:38 and 10:45 make it clear that the giving of the Holy Spirit is a gift given to everyone who believes. There are those who believe from certain verses that the gift of the Holy Spirit is a second baptism. This is mostly believed because of the followers of John started following Christ. In Acts 19:1-7, we see an encounter with them and Paul. They followed Christ but had never been baptized in Christ’s name – only John’s baptism of repentance. They were baptized, and when Paul laid hands on them, they also received the gift of Holy Spirit.

Acts 19:5-6 (emphasis added): “When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”

Acts 2:38 (emphasis added): “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 10:45 (emphasis added): “And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

Romans 1:11 (emphasis added): “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;”

1 Corinthians 7:7 (emphasis added): “For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.”

Ephesians 4:7-8 (emphasis added): “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.”

Are Spiritual Gifts Important?

Here are several reasons that we have been given spiritual gifts. One is for us as individuals that we may be edified.

Romans 1:11 (emphasis added): “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;”

But they are also given for the greater good of the church (the Body of Christ), for the edification of the church, for the unity of the church, for building us up and maturing us as individuals within the church. Perfect (combining the perfects of Ephesians 4:12 and 13) means equipped, completely furnished, mature (Strong’s G2677; G5046), and the work of the ministry (evangelism, discipleship, encouragement, etc.).

Ephesians 4:11-16 (emphasis added):

And he gave some, apostle; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to an fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body into the edifying of itself in love.

1 Corinthians 1:7: “So that you come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:”

Spiritual Gift Responsibilities:

Having a spiritual gift has responsibilities. I will comment on each verse below in regard to those responsibilities.

1 Corinthians 14:1: “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”

Here prophesy may not refer to foretelling as some prophets have been given to do but the telling of God’s truth to the saints. There are three major “offices” in the church: prophet – one who represents God to man; priest – one who represents man to God; and king is one who rules. Regarding this verse: love should be our first desire, still it is OK to desire spiritual gifts, but to speak truth to man via God’s Word is even more important.

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

The main goal is NOT self-gratification (Wow – I speak in tongues – see how spiritual I’ve become!) but instead, the edifying of the church. The gift of teaching, for example, is worthless to a teacher only, but is beneficial to those being taught.

1 Timothy 4:14: “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on the hands of the presbytery.”

As we walk in this world/age – we are to remember to use spiritual gift(s) as God purposed. For example, has God called you to prophesy (that is to speak God’s truth to man)? Are you doing that? It does not mean you are a pastor or preacher as we understand it today, but when opportunities arise, do you speak God’s truth?

2 Timothy 1:6: “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.”

OK, we may not lay hands in the church today as we ought – not to receive the Holy Spirit, but to bless the spiritual gift God has given us. We will discuss the laying on of hands later in this series. But we, as individuals, must at times “stir up” the gift that we have so that we can edify the church and work towards maturity. It is like the sacrifice of praise. Sometimes it is a sacrifice – but we are to do it anyway.

1 Corinthians 13:2: “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”

Obvious, isn’t it. What we do for the church (to others) with our gift is not to puff ourselves up, but to help others, and not just help, but to do so in love. There is that over-all love again.

2 Corinthians 9:15: “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”

We are to give thanks to God for salvation, for justification, for His working in us, sanctification, and, one day, for His glorification intended for us at His coming. But we are to be thankful for the spiritual gift He gives us. If you are a mercy, don’t complain that you are not a teacher or prophet. Don’t be upset that you are not an organizer and wish to be in charge but are not. Be thankful and use the gift He has given you! This was a real problem in the early church and was addressed by Paul in several places but especially 1 Corinthians 12.

1 Peter 4:10: “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Ok – bottom line – minister to one another using your spiritual gift, and be a good steward of that gift as you minister being empowered by the Grace of God.

Maranatha Emanuel!

May God bless you all!

Bro. Joe

References

Strong, J. Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries. Meyers, R. (2005). e-Sword. [computer software] . Franklin, TN: Equipping Ministries Foundation. (Original work published 1539)

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