Last week, we began our study on spiritual gifts by discussing the work of the Holy Spirit. We learned that an individual is filled with the Spirit at the very moment of salvation, when he or she confesses Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. We discovered that the phrase “being filled with the Holy Spirit” is a reference to when the Spirit chooses to use a Christian and manifest spiritual gifts for the glory of God. We discovered that the purpose of spiritual gifts is for the benefit of all God’s people, to edify the church, and to bring others to salvation in Christ. We also looked at 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 and began identifying some of the gifts; but only some of them, as that passage did not contain a complete list.
Tonight, we will look at three more passages of Scripture, to identify some additional spiritual gifts that we did not cover in our last session. We will also learn that these gifts are still around even today, and that they will not pass away (they will not cease to exist) until Jesus returns and the kingdom comes in its fullness; and this is the topic that we will start off with!
Spiritual Gifts Have Not Ceased
I have heard it said that Jesus gave spiritual gifts to “His disciples” and “the apostles,” but that “He did not bestow them on us.” This theory, which is called “cessation,” holds that when the apostles died, the gifts died with them, because the apostles did not have the power to pass them on themselves. It is believed that they were passed on through Jesus Christ only. This view, according to commentator W. G. Putnam, holds that the gifts ceased when the church became strong enough to continue without their existence.(1)
Spiritual gifts should not be seen as a crutch or training wheels. I should first point out that it is dangerous to assume that the church can continue without the things of the Holy Spirit. Secondly, I want emphasize that 1 Corinthians 12:11 says that it the Holy Spirit who bestows spiritual gifts on believers. It is not Christ who gives them. 1 Corinthians 12:11 also tells us that the Spirit distributes the gifts “to each one individually as He wills.”
Some people adhere to a view of “partial cessation,” affirming the existence of spiritual gifts, but failing to recognize the ones deemed as the “sign gifts.” There are even individuals in the Southern Baptist Convention who adhere to partial cessation. For example, in a Position Paper published by the International Mission Board, it is stated, “Once the apostolic preaching was written into Scripture, there was no more need for the sign gifts.”(2)
The four that are primarily identified as the “sign gifts” are Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues, Healing and Miracles. I can understand the confusion that might arise from the topic of Tongues; but I see a huge problem with ruling out the existence of Healing and Miracles. If you do not believe in Healing and Miracles, then you might as well quit praying for the sick, and quit praying for breakthroughs in difficult life circumstances.
In James 5:14-15, we read, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.” James said that the church elders are to “pray over” the sick (v. 14), which probably involved the laying on of hands; and this action is often associated with the spiritual gift of healing. The gift of faith can also be seen in the statement “the prayer of faith” (v. 15). So, James advocates using the spiritual gifts of healing and faith; and let me point out that when a person is “raised up” (v. 15) from their sickbed, we might even call that a miracle!
Turn with me in your Bibles, and let’s read 1 Corinthians 13:8-10: 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
We observe here the mention of a few spiritual gifts such as prophecy, tongues, and knowledge. In verse 8, Paul stated that these gifts will one day “fail,” “cease” and “vanish away.” He also stated in verse 10 how “that which is in part will be done away.” All the gifts of the Holy Spirit will one day cease to be used. There will indeed come a time of cessation; and, Paul said that love would be the one thing that would last forever.
• So, when did Paul say that this time of cessation would arrive? The answer is “when that which is perfect has come” (v. 10).
This is the defining statement for those who hold the view of cessation. To the cessationist, “that which is perfect” (v. 10) refers to the completion of the apostolic period, when people would no longer need signs and wonders from God to validate their ministry.
• What do you think is meant by the phrase “that which is perfect?”
Hebrews 9:11 says that “Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.” The statement “when that which is perfect has come,” in 1 Corinthians 13:10, is future tense. It refers to what Hebrews 9:11 calls “the good things to come.” This time of perfection will happen when Jesus comes with “the greater and more perfect tabernacle” at His return, when He ushers in the kingdom in its fullness. So, what do we discover when we look at 1 Corinthians 13:10 in the context of the passage?
Look down just a couple of verses to 1 Corinthians 13:12: “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” Paul spoke of a time when the things that were “in part” would be no more. He would see Christ face to face, and know as he is known; which refers to the return of Christ and living in His kingdom. Paul was saying that spiritual gifts will be with us until Jesus comes back. This means that the manifestation of spiritual gifts can still occur; but we must be open to allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our life. So, I encourage you to be open to growing in your spiritual understanding, and be open to the work of the Holy Spirit.
Other Passages Listing Spiritual Gifts
Turn with me in your Bibles, and let’s read Romans 12:6-8: 6 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; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
• In verse 6, what are believers admonished to do with spiritual gifts?
We read, “Let us use them,” and we have already learned several reasons why it is important to put them into practice. Verses 6 also states that we have “gifts differing according to the grace given to us.” I believe this implies that all the gifts are necessary for the proper function of the church; and therefore, we should be using them instead of hiding them.
• What are the spiritual gifts listed in verses 6-8?
The spiritual gifts listed here are prophecy (v. 6), ministry (v. 7), teaching (v. 7), exhortation (v. 8), giving (v. 8), leadership (v. 8), and mercy (v. 8). Aside from the gift of prophecy, you probably noted that most of these gifts are commonly used today in the function and operation of the church. We just have not assigned them a label before.
Some of the gifts mentioned here sound like natural abilities; and so, I think this is a good place to point out the difference between talents and spiritual gifts. “A talent is the result of genetics and/or training, while a spiritual gift is the result of the power of the Holy Spirit.”(3) “Natural talents are imparted at our natural birth; spiritual gifts are given when we are born again.”(4) “A talent can be possessed by anyone, Christian or non-Christian, while spiritual gifts are possessed only by Christians.”(5) Both talents and spiritual gifts can be used for God’s glory. Spiritual gifts normally are focused on this purpose; whereas, talents are often focused on personal glory.(6)
It is noteworthy to mention that talents can be enhanced by spiritual gifts. “Let us say you are a talented leader and you then become a Christian. If God decides to use you in some role of leadership, you may just find your talent is greatly multiplied when God also gives you the spiritual gift of leadership.”(7)
Turn with me in your Bibles, and let’s read 1 Corinthians 12:28: 28 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.
Back up to 1 Corinthians 12:7 for just a moment, as I ask a question which will serve as an important reminder. This verse says, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.”
• Why are Spiritual gifts bestowed on believers?
They are allotted “for the profit of all,” meaning they benefit both God’s people and the lost.
• What are the spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12:28?
Apostleship, prophecy, teaching, miracles, healing, helps, administration, and tongues.
Turn with me in your Bibles, and let’s read Ephesians 4:11-13: 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 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.
• In verses 12-13, what four benefits of spiritual gifts are mentioned here?
They are given 1.) to help believers be more effective in ministry; to equip them, 2.) to build up, or strengthen, the church, 3.) to unify the church in faith and knowledge, and 4.) to develop the church in Christ-likeness.
• What are the spiritual gifts listed in verse 11?
The spiritual gifts listed here are apostleship, prophecy, evangelism, pastoring, and teaching.
Taking the Spiritual Gifts Inventory
So, now that we have gained a basic understanding of the gifts, along with their purpose and function, let us now take some time to discover our own spiritual gifts.
See “Spiritual Gifts Survey” from Lifeway Christian Resources:
https://s7d9.scene7.com/is/content/LifeWayChristianResources/Spiritual%5FGifts%5FAssessmentpdf.pdf
Give church members a copy of the “Explanation of Spiritual Gifts” to take home and read.
NOTES
(1) W. G. Putnam, "Spiritual Gifts," New Bible Dictionary (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1991), 1141.
(2) http://www.imb.org/main/news/details.asp?LanguageID=1709&Story ID=3839.
(3) “What is the difference between a talent and a spiritual gift?” Got Questions: https://www.gotquestions.org/difference-talent-spiritual-gift.html (Accessed January 12, 2024).
(4) Watson Worldwide Capital, “Gifts Vs. Talents,” Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/gifts-vs-talents-shawon-watson (Accessed January 12, 2024).
(5) “What is the difference between a talent and a spiritual gift?” Got Questions.
(6) Ibid.
(7) Watson Worldwide Capital, “Gifts Vs. Talents.”
