Practicing In The Local Church
Understanding Spiritual Gifts
The spiritual gifts can be found in the following passages of Scripture:
Romans 12:6-8 - Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Ephesians 4:7-13 - But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore He says: "When He Ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” (Now this, "he ascended"-what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He Himself 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, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11;28-31 - There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
1 Peter 4:10-11 - As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Exodus 35:29-35 - The children of Israel brought a freewill offering to the LORD, all the men and women whose hearts were willing to bring material for all kinds of work which the LORD, by the hand of Moses, had commanded to be done. And Moses said to the children of Israel, "See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of artistic workmanship. "And He has put in his heart the ability to teach, in him and Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with skill to do all manner of work of the engraver and the designer and the tapestry maker, in blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine linen, and of the weaver-those who do every work and those who design artistic works.
Definition
To understand the nature of spiritual gifts we must first look at the words in Scripture used to describe them. The term "spiritual gifts" comes from the Greek words “charismata” (gifts) and “pneumatika” (spirits). Viewing these terms together yields a more complete description of the gifts they are describing.
Although they are known as "spiritual gifts", the Greek simply reads "spirituals" (ton pneumatikon), meaning "things characterized or controlled by the Spirit."
Spiritual gifts, then, are first of all things controlled or characterized by the Spirit.
The word "gifts" which translates from the Greek word charisma; hence, our term "charismatic." The root word (charis) means "grace." So now if “pneumatikon” tells us that spiritual gifts are things characterized by the Holy Spirit, “charisma” teaches us that they are gifts of God's grace. They are not something we earn or deserve. They are gifts of grace. Regardless of what the term "charismatic" has come to mean and imply today, there really is no such thing as a non-charismatic gift. All gifts are charismatic; that is, all gifts are freely given by a gracious God.
Spiritual gifts are given to prepare God's people for service and for building up the body of Christ. A spiritual gift is a special divine empowerment bestowed on each believer by the Holy Spirit to accomplish a given ministry God's way according to His grace and discernment to be used within the context of the body of Christ. It is a God-given ability to serve the church effectively. God has graciously, undeservedly equipped each of us with the ability to minister to others within the body of Christ. A spiritual gift, then, more than being a possession, is a channel through which the Holy Spirit ministers to His church. This is the means He has chosen to edify the church.
Spiritual gifts are abilities or doing tasks which God assigns for us to do, with His power and skill, by His direction, for serving in the body of Christ, while Christ does His work on earth through us. A spiritual gift is an expression of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers which empowers them to serve the body of Christ, the church.
God has sovereignly and variously equipped each member to function in his or her unique place in the body. This function is not optional but expected and essential to the body as a whole. And while no one gift is universal, all within the body are to care for the others in every way possible. This is God's way of ministering to His church, not through a gifted pastor only, but through all the members gifted to serve one another. This is the only way a body can function.
Differences in ministries
1 Corinthians 12:5 - There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.
Romans 12:6 - Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them.
Although opinions differ on the actual number of spiritual gifts, God's Word clearly indicates a variety of gifts. The most significant gift Christ has given His church is the Holy Spirit. No gift is more important for Christ’s followers today.
Paul was speaking of different ways of ministering, or using, these gifts. In other words, two people could have the same gift yet minister or use it differently.
There is plenty of room for different ways of ministering the same gift, but it is the same Lord controlling them all. Therefore, they must conform to these guidelines that Paul was giving. He mentioned that different people in the body of Christ have different positions or functions.
Manifestation
1 Corinthians 12:7 - But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.
A spiritual gift is a manifestation of the Spirit. A church functioning as a gifted body is a wonderful display of the Spirit. A spiritual gift is not only an ability to serve but it is the channel through which the Holy Spirit ministers to the body.
When you exercise your gift in the service of other believers, it is to be recognized as the manifestation or the display of the Spirit of God. God has chosen to minister to His people through us.
All believers who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit have the ability to demonstrate the reality of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit through some gift of the Holy Spirit if they will but believe.
Diversity
1 Corinthians 12:7 - But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.
Even though there are different gifts and different ways of administering the gifts, all the spiritual gifts come from the same Lord through the same Holy Spirit.
There is a diversity of gifts or different gifts of the Holy Spirit. No one person necessarily possesses all the gifts of the Spirit. It is possible for one person to operate in more than one of these gifts, but it is not every believer's right to do so.
The distribution
1 Corinthians 12:11 - But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
All believers can operate in the gifts without having a specific gift of the Spirit.
For example, all believing Christians can lay hands on the sick and see them recover. At times, every member of the body of Christ can prophesy, discern spirits, speak in tongues, and interpret tongues, yet not all Christians have these things as supernatural gifts of the Spirit in their lives.
All believers are to teach others about their faith in Christ, but that does not mean they have been called to be teachers. The person who has a specific gift of the Spirit will repeatedly operate in this area, and it will come relatively effortlessly compared to those who operate in that area without a gift. The Holy Spirit can give more than one gift to one individual. It is not unusual for some of these gifts to normally operate together in one person such as the word of wisdom, word of knowledge, and prophecy, etc.
The gifts of healing and the working of miracles often are given to one individual to accomplish a healing ministry. It is the Holy Spirit who decides who receives which gifts.
Gift and gifts
Acts 2:38 - Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The gifts of the Spirit are not the same as the gift of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit was the promised gift to all who believe in Jesus. Jesus spoke of this on several occasions and relates to the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Gifts relate to the different spiritual gifts that are imparted as a result of receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Gifts and fruit
The gifts of the Spirit are not the same as the fruit of the Spirit. Gifts are services to be performed for others whereas fruit is the character traits of a person indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
When the Spirit of God takes up residence in a believer, that person is not only able to serve but is able to cultivate holiness.
Both the fruit and the gifts are essential and are manifestations of the indwelling Spirit. The Holy Spirit produces fruit in the lives of believers. These are virtues that demonstrate Jesus' righteousness in the lives of His disciples.
Galatians 5:22-23 - The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Many Christians think that the more fruit they have in their lives, the more the gifts will operate in and through them. This is not true. Someone may move seemingly powerfully in the gifts but have very little fruit. The opposite is true also and in reality, both are needed.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 - Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 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, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
The fruit of the Spirit is related to our character and the gifts of the Spirit relates to our power.
The purpose of the gifts
Spiritual gifts are abilities given to us apart from our first birth. They equip us to function as members of the body of Christ. Our spiritual gifts, though different, are all useful so we can work together to serve God and each other.
We are identified as believers through the gifts of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives the gifts to us for His clearly defined purposes. They are to be used to serve the body of Christ
These gifts imply that we have a great responsibility as they direct us to sacrificially serve others as Christ has served us. This responsibility does not just belong to the pastor or a few of the church leaders. Every member is gifted, and every member is therefore responsible to edify the body with that gift. And for the whole body to be fully edified, all the gifts are needed.
Spiritual gifts are to profit everyone and can therefore also be linked to prosperity and blessings.
1 Corinthians 12:7 - But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.
Proverbs 17:8 - A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; Wherever he turns, he prospers.
Gifts are for the purpose of glorifying God. God is glorified when we use our gifts to build up the church. The revelation, power, and inspiration gifts were all operative in the early church. Many want a particular gift because it supposedly aids in worship or because some similar personal benefit is derived from it. The gifts are not for ourselves but are given to help others because there are no insignificant or unneeded members.
Some of the gifts have the purpose to serve as authenticating marks of the apostles and their ministry.
Hebrews 2:4 - God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will.
Spiritual gifts come from God for a special purpose to be beneficial individually and corporately. How we are to behave and interact with one another is governed by the Spirit working through each of us with these gifts. We must acknowledge our role in the body.
God gave spiritual gifts so that the members of the body of Christ could by them lift up one another. The Spirit gives us abilities to build up the whole body of Christ, which extends beyond the programs of a single church. We are all one body in Christ and each of the members of a body belongs to the other members, even though they have different functions.
In the same way that each member of the human body has been placed where it belongs, so the Spirit has placed each of us in Christ's body exactly where we belong, with gifts appropriate to our function. Each member is necessary to the body and should be cared for appropriately.
Romans 12:4-5 - Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each needs all the others.
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Differences in gifts and functions are part of being a body, and if we reject each other or refuse to perform our own functions because of these differences, the whole body suffers. All the gifts are needed, all are essential because they all are designed to edify the church, help us grow in vitality and maturity, and glorify God.
You cannot strengthen someone who is weak unless you are mature yourself. Spiritual gifts help you mature so you can edify the church and strengthen others.
The gifts are placed in the church as resources to be utilized at the point of need for ministry in the body. This means that not every believer will have the same gifts as every other believer.
The full potential of a church will not be experienced until there is a clear,
Biblical understanding of spiritual gifts.
1 Corinthians 12:1 - Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
Spiritual gifts are designed to edify. Where they do not accomplish this purpose, the church suffers. There is no indication anywhere in Scripture that we should limit the exercise of the gifts to the worship services or other formal programs of a local church. The early church frequently exercised their gifts outside of the church on the streets.
The book of Acts gives us a number of examples:
* Stephen taught the Sanhedrin the meaning of the Jewish Scriptures at his own trial
* Ananias acted on a prophecy he had received in his own home and went to the house of Saul of Tarsus to lay hands on him
* Philip taught the Ethiopian eunuch the meaning of a passage about Jesus while riding in his chariot
* Paul taught in the school of Tyrranus and several private homes
* As a prisoner Paul prophesied on three separate occasions to the centurion guarding him and the master of the ship in which they were sailing
The Bible teaches us that:
* Spiritual gifts are for the common good to build up the Body (1 Corinthians 12:27)
* Spiritual gifts indicate God's call and purpose for a Christian's life (Romans 12:2-8)
* Believers will account to the Lord for how they use their gifts (1 Peter 4:5)
* Gifts are powered by love for God and others (1 Corinthians 13:1-8)
* Each gift has certain characteristics that are emphasized more than others (1 Corinthians 12:4)
* Every Christian has at least one spiritual gift (1 Peter 4:10)
* No Christian has all the gifts (1 Corinthians 12:28-30)
* We cannot choose our gifts as they are given by God (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)
* There is no gift that every Christian possesses (1 Corinthians 12:29-30)
There are principles to follow before we are able to move into an increased anointing. It starts with the first measure of anointing God places on our lives. There must be testing, proving, and we must prove ourselves faithful. The increase and operation depends on us not on God. It is our responsibility to grow into our anointing. Just as we grow from faith to faith, from glory to glory, and from grace to grace, so do we also grow in the level of the anointing in our lives.
Here are a few principles you need to follow if you desire to be used supernaturally by God in this season:
* Develop an honest prayer life. Make sure you spend time praying in tongues.
* Read and study the Word of God continuously over and over again.
* Be filled and continually filled with the Spirit. Always seek a fresh touch of God upon your life. Be yielded to the Spirit.
* Submit under the covering of anointed ministry. Nothing of spiritual value will happen in your life outside of the local church. That is God’s way of connecting us with the anointing and growing us into our calling.
* Discover your divine purpose and live it.
* Be teachable and open to new revelation.
* Make sure every doctrine you follow exalts the Lord Jesus and no one else. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to you especially when you listen to teachings by others.
* Be obedient to God’s Word and to His leading.
* Equip yourself by studying further through a Spirit-filled anointed Bible College.
* Deal with past hurts and failures. Close doors and walk into a new door of opportunity that God has opened for you.
* Choose your friends. Associate only with those who have the same spiritual values as you have.
* Study the life of other well-known men and women of God. It will give you an understanding of the principles that will cause you to succeed or fail.
* Live an overcoming victorious life. Place a demand on God for a long healthy life.
* Set your own agenda for your Christian walk. Do not allow others to waste your time with things that do not help you towards your destiny.
* Tithe and sow into God’s Kingdom. That is the only way God has designed for us to enjoy a full life without financial lack and turmoil. Try and live debt-free.
* Live a holy and uncompromised life. Separate yourself from the world and its temptations.
* Repent of all known sin. Renounce everything that opposes God and all that He finds sinful.
* Walk in forgiveness. There must be unqualified forgiveness toward all others no matter what they have done, how many times they have done it, or whether they continue to offend.
* Whenever possible, witness to others. The easiest way to do this is to give them your testimony. The Bible teaches that this is an effective way to overcome the devil. Do not be ashamed of the name of Jesus and what He has done for you.
* Spend time worshipping and praising God. God inhabits the praises of His people. Once you position yourself in praise and worship, God will release His supernatural power that will cause the enemy to be confused and defeated.
