Fundamentals of the Faith Lession 13 Spiritual Gifts

God gives spiritual gifts to believers for the purpose of ministry within the church.

The English term comes from two Greek words, charismata and pneumatika.

The root of charismata is charis, which means “grace” and speaks of something undeserved or unearned.

The second word, pneumatika, means “spirituals,” or things given by the Spirit of God.

In this lesson, we will look at various spiritual gifts and how they should be used in the body of Christ.

I. THE NATURE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS

A. Who is the source of spiritual giftedness?

1. 1 Corinthians 12:11 the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:11 ESV

11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

2. 1 Corinthians 12:28 God

1 Corinthians 12:28 ESV

28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.

B. Who possesses spiritual giftedness

1 Peter 4:10 ESV

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

every believer

C. What is the purpose of spiritual gifts?

1. 1 Corinthians 12:4–7 for the common good

1 Corinthians 12:4–7 ESV

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

2. 1 Corinthians 14:12 for the edification of the church

1 Corinthians 14:12 ESV

12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.

3. 1 Peter 4:10–11 to serve one another

1 Peter 4:10–11 ESV

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

II. THE PROVISION OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS

A. Spiritual gifts are referred to in Scripture.

1. Romans 12:6–8

Romans 12:6–8 ESV

6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

prophecy

exhortation

mercy

service

giving

teaching

leading

2. 1 Corinthians 12:8–10

1 Corinthians 12:8–10 ESV

8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

wisdom

healing

distinguishing of spirits

knowledge

effecting of miracles

various kinds of tongues

faith

prophecy

interpretation of tongues

3. 1 Corinthians 12:28b (second half of verse)

1 Corinthians 12:28b ESV

28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.

healing

administrations

miracles

helps

various kinds of tongues

B. Understanding the gifts—temporary gifts

For a better understanding of how the spiritual gifts function, we will classify the gifts into two categories: temporary (special) and permanent.

The Holy Spirit gave temporary gifts to confirm the testimony of the apostles and prophets.

These gifts were prevalent in the early church but ceased to be evident as the church became established.

1. Miracles

This gift is the ability to do “wonders” and “signs.” Christ performed many miracles, as recorded in Scripture.

Paul used this gift to affirm his apostleship, as described in 2 Corinthians 12:12.

2 Corinthians 12:12 ESV

12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.

2. Healing

Peter had this gift (see Acts 3:6–8; 5:15–16), which affirmed his message and helped to establish the foundation for the church.

Acts 3:6–8 ESV

6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

Acts 5:15–16 ESV

15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

3. Tongues and interpretation of tongues

This gift is manifested by the speaking of a language unknown to the speaker Acts 2:1–11.

Acts 2:1–11 ESV

1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”

This gift had to be accompanied by the gift of interpretation 1 Corinthians 14:27–28

1 Corinthians 14:27–28 ESV

27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.

C. Understanding the gifts—permanent gifts

The Holy Spirit gave gifts for the building up of the church.

These were prevalent in the early church and still are in the church today.

1. Prophecy

To prophesy is to preach or to tell forth or declare the Scripture. Prophecy does not necessarily mean to foretell the future.

2. Teaching

This gift is the ability to teach the Word of God and help the hearers to understand the Scriptures as the author intended.

3. Faith

This gift is a consistent, enabling faith that truly believes God in the face of overwhelming obstacles and human impossibilities, and for great things.

4. Wisdom

This is the ability to apply wisdom, gained from spiritual insight, to believers; knowing what is right and what is wrong, applied knowledge.

5. Knowledge

This is an understanding of the facts of Scripture. From the human perspective, it is scholarship or the ability to know the truths of Scripture both broadly and deeply.

6. Discernment

Discernment is the ability to tell which things are from the Spirit and which are not, distinguishing truth from error. This gift serves as protection for the church.

7. Mercy

This is the ability to show deep compassion to those who have spiritual, physical, or emotional needs.

8. Exhortation

Exhortation is the ability to encourage and motivate. A person with this gift can come alongside another to comfort him with love, to encourage him to a deeper spiritual commitment and growth, or to exhort him to action.

This is the gift that qualifies people to exercise a counseling ministry in the body.

9. Giving

This gift is a direct reference to the material ministry of giving food, clothes, money, houses, etc., in response to the needs of the church.

10. Administration/Leadership

This gift is the ability to oversee the flock.

This gift should be exhibited by pastors and elders, as well as leaders of missionary societies, youth ministries, evangelistic associations, etc.

11. Helps

This gift is the ability to aid in a time of need or bear one another’s burdens as the situation arises.

12. Service

The gift of service is working for the body of Christ in areas of physical ministry, such as serving food or performing maintenance.

III. THE EXERCISE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS

A. The principle(s) expressed in Romans 12:6–8 is:

“Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly; if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”

Exercise your gift.

Read 1 Corinthians 13:1–7 and answer the following questions:

1. How can your gifts be abused and without benefit (verses 1–3)?

“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging symbol. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.”

If your gift is not exercised in love

2. Since your spiritual giftedness is to be exercised in love, what are some guidelines that will ensure the profitability of your gifts?

15 guidelines (verses 4–7)

a. patience

b. kindness

c. no jealousy

d. no bragging

e. no arrogance

f. no rudeness (acting unbecomingly)

g. not insisting on one’s own way

h. not irritable or resentful (provoked)

i. not taking account of wrongs

j. not rejoicing in unrighteousness

k. rejoicing with the truth

l. bears all things

m. believes all things

n. hopes all things

o. endures all things

B. First Corinthians 12 reveals the importance of each spiritual gift within the body of Christ.

According to 1 Corinthians 12:25, what should your attitude be in the use of your spiritual giftedness?

“No division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.

C. According to Ephesians 4:11–16. What causes the growth of the body of Christ (verse 16)?

“The proper working of each individual part causes the growth of the body.

IV. APPLICATION

Discovery of Your Giftedness

Each member of the body is commanded to minister in many of the gifted areas, whether he possesses that particular gift or not.

For example, all Christians are to function in the following areas:

Faith 2 Corinthians 5:7

2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV

7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.

Wisdom James 1:5

James 1:5 ESV

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Knowledge 2 Timothy 2:15

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Exhortation Hebrews 10:25

Hebrews 10:25 ESV

25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Giving 2 Corinthians 9:7

2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV

7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Care for one another (helps) 1 Corinthians 12:25

1 Corinthians 12:25 ESV

25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.

The Bible does not explicitly explain how to determine one’s spiritual giftedness.

However, you can begin by being obedient in the areas mentioned above.

Look for open doors, and pray for opportunities to serve. Seek the counsel of other believers; they may be more aware of your gifts than you are.

In order to discover your giftedness in the body and in submission to the elders of your church, in what areas would you be willing to serve?

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”—1 PETER 4:10.