Beth-El Baptist Church

07/08/2007

Greg Tomlinson


What are spiritual gifts?


There is much talk today about spiritual gifts and their applicability and usefulness today. Some gifts that are listed in the scriptures have been claimed by some as being over with while others claim that these same gifts are present here and now.


  1. What are the most serious or important spiritual gifts?

Acts 2:36-38; 8:18-20; 10:44-48; 11:17 Romans 6:23

Ephesians 1:14; 2:8-9 Job 33:26-30

Genesis 39:21 Psalm 106:4-5

Proverbs 8:35; 26:10 Genesis 15:1

Colossians 3:24-25 1 Corinthians 1:6-8

2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 5:5-8


The most important spiritual gift is the gift of salvation. Without that gift the others are completely irrelevant.


  1. What are the secondary spiritual gifts?

Romans 12:5-8 Ephesians 4:8, 11

1 Corinthians 12:1-10, 28-31; 13:1-3;


These secondary gifts include prophecy, ministering, teaching, exhortation, giving, ruling, mercy, Apostle, evangelism, pastor, wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, discernment, tongues, interpretation of tongues, and helps. Please note that these are the groups of gifts identified in the scriptures, it is not beyond the power or ability of God to gift people in other ways not specifically identified in scripture.


  1. Where do the gifts come from?

Matthew 7:11 John 4:9-14

Psalm 31:23; 68:18-19 Proverbs 26:10

Hebrews 11:6 2 Samuel 3:39; 22:21-28

Romans 5:15-19; 11:29 Hebrews 2:3-4

James 1:17-18 Matthew 23:16-22


Regardless of the gift, whether salvation or the other classically known gifts, they are are given by God. Many of the identified gifts have an external representation that can be mimicked by unbelievers so it is important to understand that being in possession of these gifts are not indicators of a person's salvation. Someone can teach, preach, speak in tongues, and heal without being a true believer. It is only the true believer that has the Holy Spirit of God that dwells within them.


  1. What is the purpose for these gifts?

Ephesians 4:12-13 1 Peter 4:10-11


The gifts of God are for the purpose of building up the body of Christ so that we would become more and more united by Him and for Him.


  1. Are any of these spiritual gifts identified as having a limit or an end?

1 Corinthians 13:8-11 ; 14:1-6, 12-17, 22-25, 27-29

Deuteronomy 4:2 Revelation 22:18-19

Some gifts that are identified as having limitations. These include prophecies (new revelation), tongues (unknown language), knowledge (higher knowledge of God – similar to revelation). Tongues have been particular identified as having some limitations even in Paul's day. Any tongue (unknown language) that is presented MUST be interpreted, even then the combination of the two are to be treated as no more than prophecy or the bringing forth of the Word of God in an understandable language so that the body of Christ is edified. Specifically think about the use of tongues as a sign and who it is for and where.


  1. Are there other special gifts from God that are not actually spiritual in nature?

Proverbs 18:22 Psalm 127:3-5

Exodus 11:3, 12:36 Daniel 1:9

1 Corinthians 7:1-9 Ecclesiastes 3:11-14; 5:19-20

2 Samuel 15:25 Psalm 85:1-3

Lamentations 3:22-24 Exodus 31:2-11


Some specific gifts of note include children and a spouse. There is also the gifts of being held in high regard by unbelievers, the gift of being able to work, the gift of wealth, and the gift of being able to enter God's sanctuary (church). Ultimately life itself is a gift of God and therefore all that is in it should be treated as such.


Summary:


It is important to understand that God has gifted all of His children with special gifts for the purpose of building up the body of Jesus Christ (other believers). As a Christian, each of us must diligently seek to discover the special gift from God and how to use it for the benefit of the people of God.