THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT I.

The gifts are listed in 1CO 12:8-10, 28; ROM 12:6-8; EPH 4:11 and may be categorized as follows: A.

The revelatory gifts. 1.

Both the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge came by way of revelation to the possessor of the gift (1CO 2:6-13).

2.

Prophecy involves the revelation of truth from God (AMO 3:7; 1CO 14:2930; EPH 3:5).

3.

The discerning of spirits enabled one to discern false prophets or lying wonders (ACT 13:6-10; 16:16-18).

4.

The apostles received divine revelation (EPH 3:3-5).

5. B.

a.

The qualifications of an apostle are given in ACT 1:21-22; 1CO 9:1.

b.

Apostles occupy a position of judgment in the church (MAT 19:2728 with DEU 17:8-13; 2TH 2:15; 3:14).

c.

The New Testament came by way of the apostles (JOH 15:27; 17:1820).

The revelatory gifts were needed in the early church which did not have the complete New Testament Scriptures to appeal unto.

The sign gifts (MAR 16:17-18). 1.

The gift of faith must not be confused with the faith common to all believers. This was a gift whereby miracles could be performed by faith (MAT 17:20; 1CO 13:2).

2.

The gifts of healings included healing of diseases and casting out devils (MAT 4:24; LUK 8:2; ACT 10:38; 19:11-12). a.

The anointing with oil of the sick was connected with the gift of healing (MAR 6:13).

b.

Note in JAS 5:14-15 the certainty of healing when the sick were anointed with oil and prayed for.

3.

The working of miracles would cover any other extraordinary displays of power (ACT 9:36-42; 28:3-6).

4.

The gift of divers kinds of tongues was the enablement to speak in another language that one had not learned. a.

There are 165 uses of "tongue" or "tongues" in Scripture. (1)

111 times the word refers to the organ of speech and its usage.

(2)

52 times it refers to languages.

(3)

5. C.

Twice it refers to objects shaped like a tongue.

b.

That the divers kinds of tongues were actual languages is proved in ACT 2:1-11.

c.

The tongue was unknown to the speaker in that he had never before learned it (1CO 14:6-11).

d.

Paul and Luke did NOT have a different concept of the gift of tongues (LUK 1:1-4).

The interpretation of tongues was the ability to interpret the unknown tongues (1CO 14:13, 26-28).

The ordinary gifts. 1.

These gifts do not require a direct revelation of truth to the possessor nor are they signs.

2.

The possessors of these gifts obviously have ability and opportunity in these areas.

3.

Teachers include the office of pastor, bishop, or elder (1TI 3:1-2). However, persons can teach without holding that office (HEB 5:12-14).

4.

The gift of government or ruling is committed to the elders of the church (1TI 5:17-18; HEB 13:7, 17). Note that a man may be an elder and yet not have the rule of a congregation.

5.

Exhortation is the ability to earnestly admonish or to urge by stimulating words to conduct regarded as laudable. a.

Elders exhort (1TI 4:13).

b.

Church members exhort (HEB 3:13).

6.

Evangelists are preachers of the gospel who baptize people and start churches (ACT 21:8 with 8:5-40). Pastors are to do the work of an evangelist (2TI 4:5).

7.

The gift of helps is the ability to assist the ministry of the word or to help others (ROM 16:1-3, 9; 1CO 16:16).

8.

The gift of ministry includes the diaconate (ACT 6:1-6); preachers (1CO 4:1); and church members who minister to other saints and to preachers (HEB 6:10; 2TI 1:16-18).

9.

The gift of giving is the ability to give (2CO 8:12-14).

10.

The gift of shewing of mercy is illustrated in the good Samaritan (LUK 10:33-37).

11.

One's gift is discovered by simply doing what he is able to do as he has the opportunity (1PE 4:11; GAL 6:10).

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II.

III.

IV.

V.

Gifts do NOT of themselves indicate spirituality (1CO 1:4-7; 3:1-4). A.

It is possible to have the gifts and have no charity (1CO 13:1-3).

B.

Of themselves gifts do NOT even give evidence of eternal life (MAT 10:1-8 with JOH 17:12; MAT 7:21-23).

There are prophecies and signs that are NOT of God (1JO 4:1; 2TH 2:3-9; REV 13:13-14). A.

Therefore, all prophecies, signs, and wonders must be doctrinally tested (1JO 4:1-6; DEU 13:1-3; 18:20-22; ISA 8:20; PSA 119:104).

B.

Some are afraid to judge prophecies and signs for fear that they might blaspheme the Holy Ghost (MAR 3:22-30; MAT 12:22-32). 1.

Jesus was speaking to the scribes and Pharisees of His day.

2.

He spoke about the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost "because THEY said, He hath an unclean spirit."

3.

This was a sin committed by those to whom Jesus was speaking then. It is nowhere applied to people today.

There were two purposes for the sign gifts. A.

Sign gifts were to confirm prophecy and the apostolic ministry (EXO 4:1-9; PSA 74:9; JOH 6:14; MAR 16:14-20; 2CO 12:12; HEB 2:3-4).

B.

Sign gifts were to convict the unbelieving Jews (1CO 1:22; 14:21-22 with ISA 28:11-14; JOH 15:22-25). 1.

God showed these signs for the space of forty years (MIC 7:14-15 with ACT 7:36).

2.

There was a space of forty years between Christ's first miracle in Cana of Galilee (JOH 2:1-11) and the destruction of Jerusalem (LUK 21:22-24).

Paul speaks of the cessation of the revelatory and sign gifts in 1CO 13:8-13). A.

Prophecies, tongues, and knowledge in v. 8 refer to the gifts of prophecy, tongues, and knowledge (1CO 12:8-10).

B.

According to v. 9, prophecy and knowledge are in part.

C.

"That which is perfect" (v. 10) contrasts with that which is "in part" which is prophecy and knowledge.

D.

Hence, "that which is perfect" is perfect prophecy and knowledge.

E.

The completion of the New Testament resulted in a perfect body of prophecy and knowledge. 1.

God "hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son" (HEB 1:1-2).

2.

This revelation was conveyed to the apostles (MAR 3:14; JOH 15:15, 27; 17:8).

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3.

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to His apostles to teach them ALL things, to remind them of ALL things which He had taught them, and to guide them into ALL truth (JOH 14:26; 16:13).

4.

The apostles wrote what they received (1JO 1:1-4; 2PE 1:16-21).

5.

Therefore, we have "ALL truth" in their writings, the New Testament.

6.

The New Testament is a "PERFECT law of liberty" (JAM 1:25).

7.

The Old Testament was a law of bondage (GAL 4:24-25).

b.

Being a PERFECT law of liberty, there is no need to add anything to the New Testament.

Second generation Christians are pointed to a divine revelation already delivered (1TI 1:3; 2TI 2:2).

F.

Since prophecy and knowledge involved divine revelation which is now perfect, there is no more need for the revelatory gifts.

G.

Since signs were to confirm prophecy and apostles, there is no more need for them for prophecies have failed and apostles are no more.

H.

In v. 11 Paul shifts from "that" to "I."

I.

VI.

a.

1.

Paul now deals with the person and his growth in knowledge.

2.

Though we have a perfect body of knowledge, yet our knowledge of it is in part.

3.

Our perfect knowledge of truth will come when we see the Lord face to face (1JO 3:2; REV 22:4).

Faith, hope, and charity now abide (v. 13). 1.

Abide - To wait, stay, remain.

2.

"Now abideth" in v. 13 contrasts with "fail," "cease," and "vanish" in v. 8.

3.

The gifts of prophecy, tongues, and knowledge would cease; but faith, hope, and charity would remain.

4.

Faith, hope, and charity give evidence of eternal life and spirituality (1JO 5:1; HEB 6:19; 1JO 3:14; 1TH 1:2-3).

1CO 14 gives the order for the use of prophecy and tongues in the church. A.

From this chapter it is evident that if tongues are still in effect, so is prophecy. 1.

Therefore, if there are still tongues, then the divine revelation is still being delivered.

2.

If the divine revelation is still being given, then the Bible is incomplete.

B.

Prophecy is recommended above tongues (vs. 1-20, 24-25).

C.

All is to be done unto edifying (v. 26). The Gifts of the Spirit - Page 4 of 5

D.

1.

Unknown tongues do not edify the hearer without an interpreter (v. 6-19).

2.

Therefore, tongues were not to be used in the church without an interpreter (v. 28).

No more than three could speak in tongues and that by course (v. 27). 1.

This condemns meetings where everyone speaks in tongues.

2.

God is NOT the author of confusion (v. 33).

E.

Likewise, two or three prophets were permitted to speak.

F.

These gifts were not uncontrollable seizures (vs. 28, 32).

G.

Women are not permitted to speak in the church (vs. 34-35).

H.

These rules apply to all churches (v. 33).

I.

These are the commandments of God which a true prophet or spiritual man will acknowledge (v. 37).

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