Calendar

SPIRITUAL GIFTS FOR CHURCH GROWTH (II)
SATURDAY, MAY 9
1 Corinthians 12:28-31
1 Corinthians 3:6-9
 
“We are labourers
together with God.”
 
SPIRITUAL GIFTS FOR CHURCH GROWTH (II)
 
Prophecy is the only spiritual gift found in all four lists. Apostles are mentioned in two of the lists (1 Cor 12:28-29; Eph 4:11). The gift of languages (“tongues”) and the gift of translation and healing are mentioned in the two lists found in 1 Corinthians 12. Teaching is found in the list in Romans 12, and in the second list in 1 Corinthians 12. In Ephesians 4:11 we find the gift called “pastors and teachers.” These two functions of shepherding and teaching are to be considered as one gift. Every pastor (shepherd) ought to be a teacher and every teacher ought to be a shepherd.
 
The office of the apostles is a very special one and is not perpetuated in the Church. There were only twelve Apostles involved in establishing the New Testament Church, and the writing of the New Testament Scripture. There is no longer any need for Apostles today since the Church is already established worldwide, and the Scriptures are already completed and canonised. Apart from the office of apostleship, “ministry” (Rom 12:7) might be considered a reference to the office of deacon. “Governments” (1 Cor 12:28) or governors could be a reference to ruling elders.
 
The gifts of the Spirit are manifold. We are not intended to have a complete list. The Spirit breathes where He chooses (John 3:8). The sign gifts such as apostleship, miracles, tongues, healing, etc. are evidently not for all times and places in the Church. Each member of the Church is given some gift as evidence of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit (see Rom 12:6; 1 Cor 7:7; 12:7; Eph 4:7). The manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the life of the redeemed individual is referred to as a seal (Eph 1:13; 4:30; 2 Cor 1:22), a distinctive mark of genuineness as a member of the body. The spiritual gifts are not to be used in isolation. Paul says of himself and Apollos, “we are labourers together with God” (1 Cor 3:9). The gifts are for “the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph 4:12).
 
THOUGHT: “The gifts of the Spirit are distributed by him at his own good pleasure.” (Calvin)
PRAYER: Lord, I thank Thee for making me useful in Thy church.

Search