Spiritual Gifts

“Spiritual Gifts”

1st Corinthians 12:1-11

God desires for man to be reconciled back to a right relationship with Him. He has provided the church with everything it needs to accomplish the mission of reconciliation and has given us “Spiritual Gifts” for this purpose. We has the body of Christ must understand the gifts God has given to us and operate in them effectively, accurately, and powerfully.

There must first be a distinction between the gift of the Spirit and Spiritual gifts. The gift of the Spirit is the receiving of the Holy Ghost and the speaking in tongues as the Spirit give utterance. This is the New Birth Experience, for the Bible says in John 3:5 “Unless a man be born of the water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” The gift of the Spirit is the assurance to eternal life.

The Spiritual gifts are the results of the New Birth Experience. They are the supernatural work of the Holy Ghost. They are given freely by God and must not be confused with talent. God gives the gifts, to secure the Church against the devil, the world, and the flesh. They represent a coalition between the human personality and the divine powers of God working together.

Spiritual gifts are not for you to achieve a level of superstardom, but are for the exalting of Christ and the edifying of the body of Christ.

Exalt: - To lift up, Glorify, Esteem highly with Praise. When we do this through the use of the Spiritual Gifts God has given us He said in John 12:32 “If I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”

Edify: - comes from the Greek word “oikodome”, which is to build up or strengthen, to teach or guide.

The gifts of the Spirit were given to the Church to strengthen it.

Verses 4-6 “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.”

These verses speak of the work of the Divine Trinity, the manifestations of God in the fullness of the Godhead.

a.) Diversities of gifts – which are of the Spirit

b.) Differences of administration – which is the work of the Lord Jesus, Son

c.) Diversities of operations – God

Gifts: are that which is freely given buy the Spirit. Romans 11:29 “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”

Administration is - performance of executive duties. John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…”

Operation: - performance of a practical work or of something involving the practical application of principles or processes an exertion of power or influence.

Verse 7: - “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”

The word But is a conjunction, it states the fact before it and denotes the truth and responsibility after it.

The word manifestation means the public demonstration of power and purpose.

Verses 8-10 “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:”

The Spiritual gifts are broken into categories:

1.) Manifestational – Revelational gifts

2.) Ministerial – Power gifts

3.) Motivational – Inspirational gifts

NOTE: The number 3 represents completeness and fullness. There are 3 groups the gifts fall into. Each group has 3 gifts for a total of 9. 9 is the last of the single numbers called digits; therefore it denotes end. It is the number of finality or judgment. 9 is 3x3 and 3 signifies Divine completeness 9 denotes finality in Divine things. There are named 9 graces of the fruit of the Spirit. (Gal. 5:22-23). Therefore this is the fullness and completeness of the gifts of God.

REVELATIONAL GIFTS: - (Manifestational = public demonstrations of power and purpose). Revelational gifts mean God supernaturally reveals through a believer that which their minds cannot conceive. The Bible say “Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard neither hath it entered into the heart of man what God hath prepared for them that love Him, but God hat revealed them unto us by His Spirit.” God imparts brief insight into the spirit realm. The Greek word for revelation is “apoklupsis’ (ap-ok-al’-oop-sis), it means to disclose, an appearing, a coming, an enlightenment, a manifestation to be revealed.

1.) Word of Wisdom: Supernatural revelation of the divine purpose of God communicated through the Holy Ghost to the Church. It is the declaration of the mind and will of God, the supernatural unfolding of His plans and purpose concerning things, places, people, etc. 1st Corinthians 2:7 “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.” This gift often works hand in hand with the gift of prophecy.