The Gifts of the Spirit Pastor Rex Deckard Calvary Apostolic Church Des Moines, Iowa

I Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 1 Corinthians 12:27

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. I Corinthians 12: 4-6

The NIV says it this way, 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

There are diversities of gifts, differences of administrations, and diversities of operations. Diakonia: to minister, to serve Energema: energy, in working, an effect. It is God’s supernatural power working the manifestation of these gifts.

Does every child of God receive a gift? Ephesians Ephesians 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. ICorinthians 7:7 …… But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

We should covet the best gifts…. I Corinthians 12:31

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. I Corinthians 14:1 In the NIV it says, Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.

Ephesians 4:8 tells us that God gave gifts unto men. This includes the five-fold ministry as listed in verse 11. Verse gives us the purposes of these gifts: The The perfecting of the saints work of the ministry edifying of the body of Christ

Word of Knowledge When God reveals to you some unknown information or facts that you had no human way of knowing.

Word of Wisdom The imparting of divine intelligence and understanding though us to bring about a solution to known circumstances.

Discerning of Spirits The supernatural ability to discern or recognize the presence of an evil or good spirit and to identify it.

Gift of Faith Confidence and knowledge in the heart about something that God will bring to pass.

Working of Miracles The supernatural intervention that bypasses all the natural and physical laws we live by.

Some examples of miracles by the hands of the Apostles: Lame man healed Acts 3:1-9 Lame man healed Acts 3:1-9 Dorcas raised from the dead Acts 9:36-40 Dorcas raised from the dead Acts 9:36-40 Disease and evil spirits departed Acts 19:11-12 Disease and evil spirits departed Acts 19:11-12

Gifts of Healing The supernatural healing of the body or mind not by diagnosis or by prescribing treatments, but by laying on of hands, anointing with oil, or sometimes just speaking the Word.

Paul saw the healing of the father of Publius Acts 28:7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously. 8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. 9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

Gift of Prophecy The supernatural utterance in the known language of the speaker and the hearers. An inspired utterance.

Three purposes for prophecy according to I Corinthians 14:3-4 are: Edification Edification Exhortation Exhortation Comfort Comfort

Prophecies should be judged by the Word of God, and done in an orderly way… I Corinthians 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Gift of tongues The supernatural utterance given by the Holy Spirit in languages never learning nor understood by the mind of the speaker, nor always understood by the hearers.

I Corinthians 14:27-28 gives us some regulation of this gift….. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Gift of Interpretation of tongues The interpretation of the gift of tongues

Paul offers some further insight into tongues and interpretation of tongues I Corinthians 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

In other words, keep everything in balance! Does this mean that Paul advises against the gift of tongues? Of course not! Notice I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: I Corinthians 14:18

He goes on to say, He goes on to say, I Corinthians 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

Or in another version it says, Or in another version it says, I Corinthians 14:39 Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

We should not confuse the types of tongues found in New Testament practice….. Tongues Tongues as evidence of the infilling of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost as one of the nine Gifts of the Spirit used in private prayer and devotion

But we can conclude regarding tongues and interpretation: Two Two message in tongues, at the very most three, are permitted We We should pray and seek for an interpretation This This should be balanced with the other components of a worship service The The person speaking in tongues will not understand them, unless it is supernaturally revealed spirit is always subject to the person

The Bible also discusses what could be referred to as “Service Gifts” We will very briefly review these types of gifts.

The 12 Service Gifts Prophet Prophet Teacher Teacher Evangelist Evangelist Apostle Apostle Pastor/Shepherd Pastor/Shepherd Encouragement Encouragement Hospitality Hospitality Leadership Leadership

And further… Mercy Mercy Administration/ Administration/ Governments Governments Giving Giving Helps Helps

These service gifts are not always just what we DO… They’re a part of what we ARE!

The primary purpose of spiritual gifts is for the building up or edifying of believers by other believers. Each member is responsible for using spiritual gifts to help others in the body. Every believer is to be active in this area.