Session 6 - The Gifts of the Spirit

In this final session we will look at the next big issue that divides many denominations

within Christianity today

All Christians agree that spiritual gifts exist, but some do not believe they are all still

active today. We will look at what spiritual gifts are, their purpose, and if they’re all still

around today

What’s the purpose of spiritual gifts? And what are the gifts?

The Greek word most often used for spiritual gifts is charismata (where we get

Charismatic from) a word that relates to the grace (charis) of God.

William McRae defines a spiritual gift as a divine endowment of a special ability for

service upon a member of the body of Christ.

Charismata literally means grace-gifts--they are sovereignty and undeservedly given by

the Holy Spirit.

Spiritual gifts are not decided by us

1 Cor 12:11: “All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to

each one individually as he wills.”

The Holy Spirit is the one who decides what gifts we are given as believers

All believers have a Spiritual Gift(s)

1 Corinthians 12:7: “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the

common good.”

Keep in mind, just because you have spiritual gifts does not mean you are using them and

functioning within them

There are many lukewarm Christians who do not use their gifts, or they use them for the

wrong reasons

The three main areas that we see a list of these spiritual gifts is Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-14, and Ephesians 4

1. Prophecy2. Service

3. Teaching4. Exhortation

5. Giving6. Leadership

7. Mercy8. Wisdom

9. Knowledge 10.Faith

11. Healing12. Miracles

13. Discernment 14. Tongues

15. Interpretation of tongues. 16. Apostleship

17. Helps 18. Administration

19. Evangelism 20. Pastor

No one passage lays out all the spiritual gifts, but none of them claim to be naming them

all so there isn’t a problem

Some have suggested others gifts like:

Celibacy (1 Cor 7:7-9)Voluntary Poverty (1 Cor 13:3)

Martyrdom (Cor. 13:3) Hospitality (Rom. 12:13, 1 Pet. 4:9)

Missionary Intercession

Exorcism

Cessationism vs. Continuationism

Cessationism is the theological position that the Holy Spirit does not give certain gifts still

in the church, these gifts are typically identified as speaking in tongues,

prophecy, and healing

They believe that those gifts were given at the time of the apostles for a certain

purpose, and they are no longer active in the church today

Many will put the timing on these gifts ceasing at the end of the first century with

the finalization of the Biblical Canon

While others believe the gifts are still active in the church today (Continuationism)

Continuationism teaches that the gifts have been active since the day of Pentecost

(although some believe in waves throughout history of the gifts) and that

they will remain active until the 2nd coming

1 Corinthians 13:8-12: “Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues,

they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial

will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like

a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have

been fully known.”

The broad debate is if that word Perfect is referring to the Bible (God’s Word) or to God

himself in the person of Jesus Christ being revealed at His second coming

Keep in mind, none of these views is wrong in identifying what they do as perfect. The

Bible certainly is perfect, and Christ is certainly perfect, the question is what is this verse talking about, there are a few reasons

why we believe it’s Jesus, not the Bible

Verse 12 says, " . . . then we shall see face to face." The word "then" refers back to the

phrase "when the perfect comes."

"When the perfect comes... then we shall see face to face"

In scripture, seeing face to face is used quite a bit, and always refers to an encounter

with a person (Gen. 32:30; Ex. 33:11; Num. 12:8; Deut. 5:4; and Jer. 32:4, 2 Cor. 10:1; 2

John 1:12; 3 John 1:14, etc.)

Seeing Christ face to face would occur when he returns, which is why we believe gifts will

be active until that point

1 Corinthians 1:7: “So that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the

revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

Other areas seem to indicate that we will have the spiritual gifts until Christ returns

You would be lacking gifts if certain gifts are no longer available

We need to keep in mind that this debate has been going on for quite some time, and we

will not have time to due it justice

There are many points that each side will make that we will not have time to address

We will (naturally) emphasize the view that we hold here at Family Worship Center,

which is that of continuation

That being said, we do not defend all the “Charismatic's” today

The gift of prophecy

One of the strongest arguments that cessationists will make has to do with the nature of the Canon (and it being closed)

All cessationists and most who believe gifts have continued agree that the Canon of scripture is closed. That is to say, there is

something different between the time of the apostles and today, after the death of John

God no longer inspired scripture

They will use this as evidence that things have changed, and they are correct

They argue that much of scripture is prophetic, but if prophecy is still going today

that is basically the same as scripture

We do need to define what we are talking about when we say prophecy in the context

of a spiritual gift

What does the Bible say?

1 Corinthians 14:3: “On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for

their up building and encouragement and consolation.”

When you say prophecy, most people think foretelling the future, and while that does happen in scripture, that’s not the picture

we are given for the spiritual gift of prophecy

Those who prophecy speak into peoples lives for their edifications, encouragement, etc.

This type of prophesying is not binding on the universal church (as is the scriptures)

Prophecy can also be God telling someone something that they would not other wise

know, God communicating a need someone has, or something that needs to be

addressed even though that person hasn’t brought it up with you

Just because there are false prophets today doesn’t mean they’re aren’t true ones

Here’s a point made by Matt Slick

“This is a faulty argument because the Scripture itself recognizes inspired revelation

that is not to be added to the Bible: "What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of

instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for

the strengthening of the church" (1 Cor. 14:26). Here, in the Corinthian church…

revelations were given that were not made part of the Bible. This shows that there

were, for a lack of a better word, "different" kinds of revelation: one from the prophets and apostles meant for canonization and

another through the Spirit to be used in the church for edification--not canonization. So, in my opinion, for someone to maintain that

revelation today is a threat to the Canon does not consider 1 Cor. 14:26, and is not

applying scripture properly.”

The gift of tongues

The Bible (New Testament) says quite a bit about the gift of tongues

All tongues are not the same, the Bible speaks about several types

There is a difference between the tongues that they spoke at Pentecost (preaching to

people in their own language) and what Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 14:26-28: “How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together,

each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an

interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a

tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one

interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak

to himself and to God.”

Public use of tongues

The Bible is clear that when tongues is used in a public setting, it should be done so in an organized fashion, not chaos. And that there is supposed to be an interpretation for the

edifying of the church

Private tongues (Prayer Language)

The verse above mentions private use of tongues, other verses also talk about it

1 Corinthians 14:14-15: “14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my

understanding is unfruitful.15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit,

and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing

with the understanding.”

Some people say that all Christians should speak in tongues, and that the baptism of

the Holy Spirit is always confirmed by the gift of tongues, what does the Bible say?

1 Corinthians 12:17-19, 28: “17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense

of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it

is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a

single member, where would the body be? 28 And God has appointed in the church

first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of

healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.”

1 Corinthians 12:29-31: “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all

teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a

more excellent way.”

The Bible is clear that not everyone is supposed to have every gift. The Spirit gives

certain people certain gifts as he sees fit

Some argue that if tongues is God speaking (and not the individual) that’s a problem

because it then should be considered scripture (but the canon is closed)

We would make the same argument here as we did with prophecy. Another thing to point out is that there is no passage in

scripture that says certain gifts will go away! There is scripture that shows inspired scripture would stop with the book of

Revelation

The gift of healing

This gift is briefly mentioned by Paul

1 Corinthians 12:9: “To another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by

the one Spirit,” (Also in 1 Corinthians 12:29)

The gift of healing was not limited to the apostles, but was active inside the church

There are different views depending on how you define the gift of healing

Acts 5:12-16: “And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done

among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.13 Yet none of

the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.14 And believers were

increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women…

The question is, does healing still take place like it did with the apostles?

15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by

might fall on some of them. 16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding

cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean

spirits, and they were all healed.”

The shadow of Peter was healing people… Is this the norm in church history?

Nobody thinks that God cannot heal today, the question is does it happen in the same

way as it did with the apostles? Or is the gift of healing to the church different than what the apostles did? How do you merge the gift

of healing with what James says?

James 5:14: “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil

in the name of the Lord.”

Why call on the elders if there is a guy there who can just come and heal the person?

We don’t have all the details on how the healings actually took place by these people

in the churches during this time

This brings up another point, is it always God’s will to heal you of a physical illness?

There are different views on this within the charismatic theology

Some say that God chooses to heal some people and not others

Some say it’s always God’s will to heal you, it’s just a matter of if you have enough faith

We will be defending the position that it is not always God’s will for you to be healed,

that while he is able to heal you from anything he allows us to go through trials in

order to mold us and shape us

Reasons why we take this stance:

The Bible makes it clear that we live in a sinful fallen world still, and even though we are saved and have faith doesn’t mean we

don’t have to deal with pain in this life

We see Biblical examples of God allowing people to go through hardships:

The most well known example would be Paul and his thorn in the flesh

2 Corinthians 12:7-10: “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of

the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet

me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded

with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me,“My

grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities,

that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am

weak, then I am strong.”

You can’t tell me Paul didn’t have enough faith to be healed with everything he did

Paul leaves Trophimus behind (not wanting to) because he was sick, why not just heal

him and bring him?

Our point is not that faith is not important, our point is healing is not automatic

Despite all the TV evangelist that you hear, despite people who say “If you just have

enough faith” God has to right to decide if and when he will heal people

There are many Christians who have strong, solid faith in God who also suffer from a

physical ailment, they believe and pray God would heal them, but he doesn’t

Wrapping it up: Just because someone appears to have a gift does not mean they

do. The enemy (our flesh and demonic powers) can fake and deceive people

Matthew 7:22-23: “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you

workers of lawlessness.’”

2 Corinthians 11:13-15: “For such men are false apostles, deceitful

workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan

disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise

themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to

their deeds.”

See also 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Peter 2:1.

Remember, just because it’s not your gift doesn’t mean your exempt from doing it

All Christians are called to:

Evangelism - Acts 1:8Discernment - 1 John 4:1Service - Galatians 5:13

Exhortation - Hebrews 3:13; 10:25Giving - 2 Corinthians 9:7

Just because it’s not your spiritual gift doesn’t mean you get to ignore it

What is the purpose of these gifts?

Ephesians 4:12-16: “12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the

knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the

fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried

about with every wind of doctrine…

by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but,

speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ

— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies,

according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

The purpose of our gifts is first for others, and secondly for ourselves

1 Peter 4:10: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of

God's varied grace:”

There is a difference between Spiritual gifts and the fruit of the Spirit

The fruit of the spirit guides how we should live our life, and the gifts that we are given

should function within the fruits of the spirit, especially love according to Paul

1 Corinthians 13:1-3: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not

love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge,

and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am

nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have

not love, I gain nothing.”

Spiritual Gifts are temporary, but the way we live our life has eternal impact

1 Corinthians 13:8: “Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for

tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.”

Different functions, same mission:

Romans 12:4: “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all

have the same function,”

Memory Verse1 Peter 4:10: “As each has received a gift,

use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:”