The Holy Spirit - His Gifts

Jesus' disciples were evidently Spirit-born believers prior to Pentecost, so their Spirit-baptism, which brought power to their life and ministry (Acts 1:8), was not the start of their spiritual experience. For all who have come to faith since Pentecost morning, however, beginning with the Pentecost converts themselves, the receiving of the Spirit in full new-covenant blessing has been one aspect of their conversion and new birth (Acts 2:37; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 12:13).

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it …He gave some to be apostles, Some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.

The word gift (literally "donation") appears in connection with spiritual service only in Ephesians 4:7-8. Paul explains the phrase he …gave gifts to men as referring to the ascended Christ giving his Church persons called to and equipped for the ministries of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor/teacher.

First, a spiritual gift is an ability in some way to express, celebrate, display, and So communicate Christ. We are told that gifts, rightly used, build up Christians and churches. But only Knowledge of God in Christ builds up, so each charisma must be an ability from Christ to show and Share Christ in an upbuilding way.

Second, gifts are of two types. There are gifts of speech and of loving, practical helpfulness. In Romans 12:6-8, Paul’s list of gifts alternates between the categories: items one, three, and four (prophecy, teaching, and exhorting) are gifts of speech; items two, five, six, and seven (serving, Giving, leading, and showing mercy) are gifts of helpfulness. The alternation implies that no thought Of superiority of one gift over another may enter in. However much gifts differ as forms of human Activity, all are of equal dignity, and the only question is whether one properly uses the gift one has (1Pet. 4:10-11).

Third, no Christian is giftless (1 Cor. 12:7; Eph. 4:7), and it is everyone’s responsibility to find, develop, And fully use whatever capacities for service God has given.

Discussion

1. What have I learnt?
2. What am I prepared to do?