The gifts of the Spirit

Gift vs. gifts

• We already looked at the gift of the SpiritWe already looked at the gift of the Spirit– Something brought for all believers of all Something brought for all believers of all

timestimes– A blessing of God on the repentantA blessing of God on the repentant– Eternal life / salvationEternal life / salvation

• Some passages indicate the Spirit also Some passages indicate the Spirit also brought gifts that were given out on an brought gifts that were given out on an individual basis (1 Cor 12:7-11)individual basis (1 Cor 12:7-11)– We look at those gifts in this lessonWe look at those gifts in this lesson

Questions

• What were the spiritual gifts?What were the spiritual gifts?

• How were spiritual gifts imparted?How were spiritual gifts imparted?

• What was the purpose of the gifts?What was the purpose of the gifts?

• How long were the gifts to last?How long were the gifts to last?

What were the spiritual gifts?• revelationrevelation – reveal new truths from God - 1 Cor 2:6-10 – reveal new truths from God - 1 Cor 2:6-10 • knowledgeknowledge - ability to speak truths already revealed, e.g., - ability to speak truths already revealed, e.g.,

1 Co 14:61 Co 14:6• prophecyprophecy - in this context, inspired disclosure of the - in this context, inspired disclosure of the

future, e.g., Ac 11:27-28; 21:11future, e.g., Ac 11:27-28; 21:11• faith faith - not saving faith, but faith to perform miracles, cf. 1 - not saving faith, but faith to perform miracles, cf. 1

Co 13:2; Mk 11:23Co 13:2; Mk 11:23• healinghealing - ability to heal all kinds of sickness, cf. Mt 10:1 - ability to heal all kinds of sickness, cf. Mt 10:1• working of miraclesworking of miracles - miracles of extraordinary power, - miracles of extraordinary power,

e.g., Ac 19:11e.g., Ac 19:11• discerning of spiritsdiscerning of spirits - ability to tell whether another - ability to tell whether another

speaks from the Spirit, or from some other human or speaks from the Spirit, or from some other human or demonic source, cf. 1 Co 14:29; 1 Ti 4:1; 1 Jn 4:1demonic source, cf. 1 Co 14:29; 1 Ti 4:1; 1 Jn 4:1

• tonguestongues - speaking in various languages, e.g., Ac 2:4-11; - speaking in various languages, e.g., Ac 2:4-11; 1 Co 14:181 Co 14:18

• interpretation interpretation - interpreting languages, e.g., 1 Co 14:27 - interpreting languages, e.g., 1 Co 14:27

What were the spiritual gifts?

• ““Manifestations of the Spirit for the Manifestations of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Cor 12:7)common good” (1 Cor 12:7)– Manifest – obvious, visible, knownManifest – obvious, visible, known– Of the Spirit – Showing the presence and Of the Spirit – Showing the presence and

activity of the Spiritactivity of the Spirit– For the common good – not for personal or For the common good – not for personal or

private use or benefitprivate use or benefit

What the spiritual gifts were NOT

• Not a sign of spiritual maturity or Not a sign of spiritual maturity or righteousness righteousness – 1 Cor 1:4-7 – Corinthians had many gifts1 Cor 1:4-7 – Corinthians had many gifts– 1 Cor 3:1-4 – Yet were not spiritual1 Cor 3:1-4 – Yet were not spiritual

• Not a guarantee of proper worship Not a guarantee of proper worship – 1 Cor 14:23-321 Cor 14:23-32

• Gifts had to be controlled and used properlyGifts had to be controlled and used properly

How were spiritual gifts imparted?

• Directly from the SpiritDirectly from the Spirit– Only for 2 groupsOnly for 2 groups– The apostles, Acts 2:1-4The apostles, Acts 2:1-4

• To herald in the coming of salvationTo herald in the coming of salvation

– The household of Cornelius, Acts 10:44-46The household of Cornelius, Acts 10:44-46• To announce salvation had come to the To announce salvation had come to the

GentilesGentiles

How were spiritual gifts imparted?

• From laying on of the apostles’ handsFrom laying on of the apostles’ hands– E.g., the Samaritans – Acts 8:14-19E.g., the Samaritans – Acts 8:14-19– E.g., the Ephesians – Acts 19:6E.g., the Ephesians – Acts 19:6– E.g., the Romans – Rom. 1:11E.g., the Romans – Rom. 1:11– E.g., Timothy – 2 Tim. 1:6E.g., Timothy – 2 Tim. 1:6

• No other means of passing on spiritual gifts No other means of passing on spiritual gifts is found in or implied by scriptureis found in or implied by scripture

What was the purpose of the gifts?

MAINMAIN

• Some REVEALED God’s word, 1 Cor 14:Some REVEALED God’s word, 1 Cor 14:

• Others CONFIRMED the word, Heb 2:3-4Others CONFIRMED the word, Heb 2:3-4

OTHEROTHER

• Some CONVINCED unbelievers, 1 Cor 14:22Some CONVINCED unbelievers, 1 Cor 14:22

• Others EDIFIED believers, 1 Cor 14:3Others EDIFIED believers, 1 Cor 14:3

• None were to confirm one’s own salvation or None were to confirm one’s own salvation or righteousness, or to benefit one’s self (1 Cor 12:7)righteousness, or to benefit one’s self (1 Cor 12:7)

How long were the gifts to last?

• They were to cease – 1 Cor 13:8They were to cease – 1 Cor 13:8– Three gifts mentioned, but stand for allThree gifts mentioned, but stand for all

• Prophecy – gifts of revelationProphecy – gifts of revelation

• Knowledge – gifts of edificationKnowledge – gifts of edification

• Tongues – gifts of confirmation and Tongues – gifts of confirmation and convincing unbelieversconvincing unbelievers

When the perfect comes – 1 Cor 13:9-10

• What is “the perfect”?What is “the perfect”?– Contrasted with partial knowledge and Contrasted with partial knowledge and

prophecyprophecy– Perfect – means complete, entire, finishedPerfect – means complete, entire, finished– Contrast illustrated 1 Cor 13:11-12Contrast illustrated 1 Cor 13:11-12

• Infancy vs. maturityInfancy vs. maturity• Vague image vs. clear imageVague image vs. clear image

– Contrast with what remainsContrast with what remains• Faith, hope, and loveFaith, hope, and love

What is “the perfect”?• Not the second comingNot the second coming

– Faith, hope and love remain when the gifts Faith, hope and love remain when the gifts ceasecease

– But faith and hope will cease when Christ But faith and hope will cease when Christ returns (2 Cor 5:7, Rom 8:24-25)returns (2 Cor 5:7, Rom 8:24-25)

• Only logical answer is complete revelation Only logical answer is complete revelation of God’s wordof God’s word– Fulfills the main purpose of the giftsFulfills the main purpose of the gifts– Other purposes could be better fulfilled Other purposes could be better fulfilled

through the completed revelationthrough the completed revelation

Conclusion

• The gifts were manifestations of God’s The gifts were manifestations of God’s working power.working power.

• The gifts were not passed along for all The gifts were not passed along for all generations.generations.

• The gifts were to confirm the revealed The gifts were to confirm the revealed words until the revelation was completed words until the revelation was completed