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SPIRITUAL GIFTS FOR CHURCH GROWTH (I)
FRIDAY, MAY 8
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Ephesians 4:11-12
 
“For the edifying
of the body of Christ.”
 
SPIRITUAL GIFTS FOR CHURCH GROWTH (I)
 
There are spiritual gifts for all the individual members of the body of Christ (Rom 12:6). Each believer has his own gift from God, one of one kind and another of another (1 Cor 12:6-8; Eph 4:7-8).
 
There are four lists of spiritual gifts in the New Testament. The differences in these lists, and the manner in which each is given, suggest that no list is intended to be exhaustive, and that the gifts enumerated are not necessarily connected with particular offices or occupations. The list in Romans 12:4-8 is as follows: (1) prophecy, (2) ministry (a very general term for service), (3) teaching, (4) exhorting (or consoling), (5) giving, (6) leadership, (7) showing mercy.
 
The list in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 is: (1) wisdom, (2) knowledge, (3) faith, (4) healing, (5) powers (probably meaning miracles), (6) prophecy, (7) discerning spirits, (8) languages (“tongues”), (9) translation of languages.
 
In 1 Corinthians 12:28-31 there is a double list. In the first covering of the ground we have (1) apostles, (2) prophets, (3) teachers, (4) powers (miracles), (5) healing, (6) helps, (7) governments, (8) languages (“tongues”). As Paul goes over the ground again, we have no mention of “helps” or “governments” but we have the additional item “interpret.” It is thought that “helps” probably refers to several kinds of minor offices or ministries which developed in the early church. “Governments” is thought to indicate a differentiation in the eldership as between teaching elders (1 Tim 5:17) and ruling elders or governors of the church.
 
The list found in Ephesians 4:11 is very brief: (1) apostles, (2) prophets, (3) evangelists, (4) pastors and teachers. Each of these could be regarded as a special occupation or office.
 
THOUGHT: “The gifts of the Spirit are not the gifts of nature.” (Calvin)
PRAYER: Lord, help me discover my spiritual gift so that I might use it for the edification of the saints and to the glory of Thy name.

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