The Church: The Spiritual Gifts of the Church
Part 3: “Spiritual Gifts Listed”
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. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. —1 Corinthians 12:8-11
Introduction
Definition: Spiritual Gifts are special abilities, imparted to Christians,
by the Holy Spirit, to serve others, for the
Impact: When spiritual gifts are exercised, God is glorified, the
church is
3 Truths: There is much variety, meant to operate in unity, like the
Setting: At the church in Corinth, people were seeking dramatic ecstatic spiritual experiences, drawing attention to themselves, and ultimately bringing
Exposition
The Lists of Spiritual Gifts in the Bible
References: Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12:7-10, 28; Eph 4:11
The lists of spiritual gifts are not meant to be
In verses 8-10, the Apostle Paul gives certain examples of the variety of spiritual gifts. Why does he list these particular gifts? These were likely the gifts causing envy and division in Corinth, especially the gift of
The Scriptures do not actually
We are left to draw some conclusions from the examples of their usage.
The List of Gifts in 1 Cor 12:8-10
“utterance of wisdom”
“utterance of knowledge”
“faith”
“gifts of healing”
“working miracles”
“prophecy”
“ability to distinguish between spirits”
“various kinds of tongues”
“interpretation of tongues”
Are these gifts for today?
(Grudem, Piper, Carson, Chandler)
While I believe that the subject of spiritual gifts is definitely important, it is a
How do cessationists support their position?
1. Appeal to
Eph 2:19-22; 1 Cor 13:8-10; 1 Cor 12:12
Miracle clusters? Moses; Elijah and Elisha; Christ and the Apostles
2. Appeal to
Rule #1: We just always interpret experience by Scripture and not Scripture by experience.
How do continuationists support their position?
1. Appeal to
Nowhere does Scripture artificially categorize spiritual gifts with labels like “temporary” or “permanent”
2. Appeal to
See Rule #1.
Application – How Should We Then Live?
- Hold tightly to
- Purpose to be a “
- Exchange the fear of