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Lesson Four

I Corinthians 12:1-4

I Corinthians 12:1-41 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

I Corinthians 12:5-9

I Corinthians 12:5-95 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

I Corinthians 12:10-12

I Corinthians 12:10-1210 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

I Corinthians 12:13, 31

I Corinthians 12:13, 3113 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

. . . . . 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

Focus Verse

Romans 1:11For I long to see you, that I may impart

unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established.

Focus Thought

Every Christian has a ministry and a calling. We must use our various abilities and talents for the glory of God and must seek the supernatural gifts of the Spirit.

IntroductionIntroductionPaul dealt with a number of problems that emerged in the young Corinthian church. In a drive for prestige, some claimed superiority because they followed superior leaders. Others assumed that they were better than their brothers because they were “strong” and thus free to eat food sacrificed to idols. Now Paul was looking at another claim: “We’re more spiritual than you,” some insisted, “and we can prove it. We speak in tongues more than you.”

IntroductionAs we examine I Corinthians 12-14, it is important to realize that the issue Paul discussed was not spiritual gifts. Rather, he was concerned with the broader topic of spirituality. What is spirituality? What do spiritual gifts have to do with spirituality? How do we recognize the truly spiritual among us? And, finally, what about these gifts of the Spirit, which some claim makes them better than others?

IntroductionOnce a person understands that the issue is spirituality rather than spiritual gifts, it becomes relatively easy to follow Paul’s argument. (See I Corinthians 12:1-3.) However, the Spirit expresses His presence in different ways in different believers. Every spiritual gift, not just “tongues,” is a manifestation of His presence (I Corinthians 12:4-11).

IntroductionWe can observe a good analogy in the way the human body functions. Each body part is different, but each is essential for the body to function as a whole. It would not be healthy, practical, or efficient for a body to be comprised of all eyes or all feet; consequently, no church is whole or healthy if every believer operates in the same spiritual gift or demonstrates the same talents and abilities.

IntroductionEvery spiritually endowed believer is essential to the whole body of Christ. The more spectacular gifts, such as tongues, are not evidence of spiritual superiority at all (I Corinthians 12:12-31). They simply demonstrate one small way through which God is at work in His church.

I. The Giver of GiftsThe Giver of GiftsJames declared, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). At the beginning of a study of spiritual gifts, we should acknowledge that all gifts come from God.

I. The Giver of GiftsJesus gave us the parable of the talents in which the master gave one servant five talents, another servant two talents, and another servant only one talent. This reveals that not all individuals possess the same talents or the same measure of giftedness. Although spiritual gifts and talents are different, they all come from God and reveal God’s creativity in creating individuality. Moreover, they both demonstrate ways in which God blesses, leads, and ministers to His people.

I. The Giver of GiftsGod gave leaders as gifts to the church, calling some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers. He gave these leaders to work perfection in His people. Whether the leaders have wide areas of responsibility (apostles, prophets, evangelists) or local responsibilities (pastors and teachers), they are ordained to serve the body of Christ.

I. The Giver of GiftsThe teamwork of leaders and the other members of the body of Christ perfects, equips, and edifies the entire body. God provides many gifts through His Spirit that will help to mature and edify His body. These gifts include the supernatural gifts of the Spirit.

II. The Purpose of GiftsThe Purpose of GiftsOne of the reasons that God has distributed supernatural gifts of His Spirit is to testify to others of His power through signs and wonders. (See I Corinthians 14:22.) Jesus proclaimed that many signs and wonders would follow believers (Mark 16:17). When they went preaching the Word, God confirmed His Word by performing great signs and miracles.

II. The Purpose of GiftsPaul the apostle further made it clear that spiritual gifts edify and comfort the church. The gifts are not intended to edify only the person through whom they come or to lift up the person as one who is spiritual. The gifts are to strengthen, encourage, and build up the entire church body.

II. The Purpose of GiftsSpiritual gifts are in the church so that members of the body of Christ can minister to each other. (See I Peter 4:10.) Each person may have needs that only God knows, and God will minister to those needs through spiritual gifts given to members within His body.

III. Nine Spiritual GiftsNine Spiritual GiftsNumerous spiritual gifts are mentioned in the New Testament, but prominent among those lists of gifts are nine specific spiritual gifts—the ones that most people think of when we say “spiritual gifts.” We must not underestimate the importance of spiritual gifts operating in Christ’s body.

III. Nine Spiritual GiftsA spiritual gift is a divinely ordained ability through which Christ enables His church to accomplish its purposes on earth. The source of each gift is God Himself, and the nature of each gift is purely spiritual. It is not a talent, for talents have to do with natural abilities. Talents instruct, inspire, or entertain on a natural level; but spiritual gifts are for service, ministry, and edification. Talents and gifts may be related, but they are not one and the same. God alone determines the actual giving of spiritual gifts.

III. Nine Spiritual GiftsThere are seven important principles pertaining to spiritual gifts. 1. Every believer has the potential to be used of God to exercise one or more of the spiritual gifts; therefore, all should be encouraged.2. No person exercises all the spiritual gifts; therefore, all should be humble.3. All spiritual gifts are for the body of Christ; therefore, all should be harmonious.

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts4. All spiritual gifts are for the Lord; therefore, all should be contented.5. All spiritual gifts are mutually helpful; therefore, all should be faithful.6. All spiritual gifts promote the whole health of Christ’s body; therefore, they all are important to the church.7. All gifts depend on the Holy Spirit’s empowerment; therefore, none should be out of fellowship with Him.

III. Nine Spiritual GiftsSince the gifts of the Spirit build up the body of Christ, and since the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the profit or edifying of the church (I Corinthians 12:7), it follows that each gift contributes to the whole body. Logically, the most important spiritual gifts are those that meet the greatest needs in the body of Christ. Even so, every member of Christ’s body and every operation of a spiritual gift is important and has a necessary function in the body (I Corinthians 12:22-25).

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (A)A. Gifts of Revelation

1. The Word of Wisdom. Many people ask, “What exactly is this gift?” It is obviously a communication of wise counsel at a given moment, imparted under the anointing and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is not, as some have supposed, a person reaching a state of infallibility in utterance and decision making.

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (A)The wise man wrote, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom” (Proverbs 4:7). If we need wisdom in the mundane affairs of daily life, how much more do we need it in matters pertaining to the Lord’s work and particularly in the day-to-day running of the local church? God’s wisdom has wonderful properties of perfection, and these appear in every exercise of this great spiritual gift—the word of wisdom.

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (A)Sophia, the Greek word translated as “wisdom,” is used of all wisdom at whatever level. The Greeks described it as “seeking after the best ends and using the best means.” If this is so, then in the Lord’s work we most certainly need the wisdom of God, for this surely is wisdom at its highest and purest level.

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (A)The spiritual gift of wisdom that has been given in the church is a supernatural utterance of wisdom for a specific purpose. It is akin to divine advice or direction concerning a particular person or matter in the body of Christ.

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (A)Furthermore, it will pass James’s test for true wisdom (James 3:17): pure (no ulterior motives); peaceable (never hurts or divides); gentle (reasonable and kind); easy to be entreated (not rigid or austere); full of mercy (understanding, making allowances); good fruits (practical); without partiality (does not vacillate, is not double-minded); and without hypocrisy (never deceives or puts on an act).

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (A)2. The Word of Knowledge. If the word of wisdom is the communication of counsel and guidance to the church in given situations, the word of knowledge is for the imparting of information. The Book of Acts reveals this great gift in operation in the church. It is clear from a careful reading of Acts 5:1-10 that Peter could only have known by the impartation of divine knowledge what up until then only Ananias and his wife knew.

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (A)Peter later received an impartation of divine knowledge concerning Simon the sorcerer, who posed as a prophet. Peter publicly rebuked Simon and forecast the judgment of God upon him. (See Acts 8:20-23.)

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (A)It is wonderful to observe this gift in use, not only in protecting the work of the Lord, but in promoting it. For example, both in the case of Peter and the Gentiles (Acts 10:19-20) and Paul and the Macedonian mission (Acts 16:6-10), God communicated the knowledge of His will to them. Paul knew that God did not want him to go in a certain direction.

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (A)3. The Discerning of Spirits. Paul placed this extraordinary spiritual gift among the nine. It is extraordinary in that it involves a different dimension and God has given it for a different purpose. This spiritual gift enables the person operating it to acutely penetrate the realm of spirits and distinguish between what is and is not of God.

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (A)The gifts of the Spirit have well equipped the church for its fundamental welfare and warfare. To be equipped properly for warfare, one needs to be thoroughly equipped for both aggression and protection, and this spiritual gift provides that for the church. The Scriptures admonish us to take on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17). Paul made it quite clear that our warfare is not with flesh and blood but with spiritual wickedness.

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (A)There are two Greek words translated “discerning” in English: diakrino, which is the simple ability to distinguish between things or objects, and diakrisis, which expresses the ability to judge in a judicial sense between right and wrong, between false and true. It is in the latter sense that the word is used in I Corinthians 12:10.

I Corinthians 12:10

“To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another

discerning of spirits; to another the interpretation of tongues”

(I Corinthians 12:10).

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (A)The experience of receiving and living by the Holy Ghost is wonderful, and sometimes we forget that counterfeit spiritual manifestations do occur. Consequently, we should never let down our spiritual guard.

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (A)God’s Word informs us that Satan can and does transform himself into an angel of light, so we need not wonder that his agents also can form themselves into supposed “apostles of Christ” (II Corinthians 11:13). Confronted with such an array of evil forces, the church most certainly needs this great spiritual gift of protection—the discerning of spirits.

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (B)B. Gifts of Power

1. Faith. To see faith listed among the gifts of the Spirit raises a question: does not everyone who has been saved have faith? (See Romans 12:3.) The Scriptures deal with faith in different ways. All faith is basically the same, yet its function is determined by God’s purpose. The spiritual gift described in I Corinthians 12:9 is a special endowment by the Holy Spirit to deal with a specific issue that requires faith. The gift of faith is a supernatural endowment of faith from God to meet a particular need.

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (B)2. Gifts of Healing. The spiritual gifts are resident within the church, not within specific individuals. In other words, God uses whomever He will whenever He will according to the need in His body at any given moment in time. None of the gifts of the Spirit demonstrates this more than the gifts of healing.

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (B)Perhaps we should look at the ways in which healing occurred in the New Testament. First, healing often came by the laying on of hands. Jesus used this method of ministering to the sick (Luke 4:40; 13:13). Paul’s usage of it strongly suggested that the other apostles also used this method. (See Acts 28:8; 5:12.)

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (B)Healing may be the result of a command. Jesus used this means of ministering healing (Mark 2:11; 3:5; John 5:8). Peter also used this means of ministering healing (Acts 3:6) as did Paul (Acts 14:9-10). In addition, the Scriptures record special means of healing such as the shadow of Peter (Acts 5:14-15) and handkerchiefs and aprons (Acts 19:11-12). God’s Word reveals the varied ways and means used by the Holy Ghost to deliver the sick.

James 5:14

“Is any sick among you? 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”

(James 5:14).

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (B)However it is administered, when God uses members of the body of Christ to minister healing to individuals, He is giving gifts of healing to the church.

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (B)3. Working of Miracles. Miracles were always a part of Jesus’ ministry and were also in the early church. If they were for people then, they also are for us now. The gift of the working of miracles—including raising the dead and casting out devils—is still in effect in the church today.

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (C)C. Gifts of Utterance

1. Prophecy. Prophecy is an inspired utterance made by the anointing of the Holy Spirit. (See II Peter 1:21.) Throughout the Old Testament era, both men and women exercised prophecy. The gift of prophecy is one of the nine gifts of the Spirit.

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (C)The gift of prophecy should never be used to give personal guidance to any member of a local church; nor should it be used to give directives to the local church on a governmental or membership level. It is important that a gift such as this one have certain controls in place that would prevent its abuse.

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (C)The first control lies in the power of the one whom God anoints with a spirit of prophecy (I Corinthians 14:29-33). This places the primary responsibility on the shoulders of the one who exercises the gift. Second is the fact that prophecy is strictly for the edification of the church (I Corinthians 14:4, 12, 19, 23-24).

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (C)Paul plainly taught that prophecy can be judged, which raises certain questions. Who is best qualified to judge prophecy? How are those people to judge? The answer to the first question is the pastor and elders of the congregation. The answer to the second question involves at least three factors that guide the judgment of prophecy:

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (C)• By what is known about the person whose prophecy is under judgment• By the actual content of the prophecy• By the written Word of God, for all prophecy must conform to the Scriptures

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (C)2. Tongues. There are three different categories of tongues.

• The tongues in which seekers speak when they are baptized with the Holy Ghost. This is “other tongues,” languages other than those known by and spoken by the people receiving the Spirit.

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (C)• Tongues for private use where we speak in tongues, pray in tongues, sing in tongues, and bless or give thanks in tongues. (See I Corinthians 14:2, 15.)• The gift of tongues. This is a spiritual gift for giving a message in tongues in a church service. This is referred to as unknown tongues. It could be a heavenly language with no earthly counterpart or an earthly language that can be understood.

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (C)There are also rules in Scripture that govern the use of the gift of tongues.• The number of persons using the gift in any one gathering is limited to two or at the most three (I Corinthians 14:27).• It must be by course. This means that there can be two or at the most three messages and then they must cease. There should be no going on to the next message until first there is an interpretation received.

III. Nine Spiritual Gifts (C)3. Interpretation of Tongues. This gift gives meaning to a message in tongues that God has sent to the church. We should note that it is not a word-for-word translation but an interpretation of the tongues.

IV. Other Gifts (A)Other Gifts

A. Gifts of Leadership

There were deep spiritual problems in the Corinthian church. Contempt, hatred, envy, and strife existed there, which all are unnatural in Christians. Members of the same body should exhibit concern for one another, not quarrel with each other. Paul condemned the proud, contentious spirit that prevailed in Corinth. The Holy Spirit gives to the church gifts of leadership to deal with these spirits and fleshly characteristics.

IV. Other Gifts (A)God gave the Corinthian church ministers whom He enabled to interpret Scripture. They labored in the Word and doctrine, prayed for the sick, ministered to the weak, distributed money given in charity by the church, and managed the affairs of the church.

IV. Other Gifts (A)Such individuals bring gifts of leadership to the church, and they bring unity to the body of Christ. However, the Spirit uses individuals as He will, and they should be content with the gifts and abilities He allows them to exercise.

IV. Other Gifts (B)B. Gifts of Service

The watchword of the church should be service. (See Romans 12:6-8.) Paul’s words serve as an important reminder, for too often Christians look at local churches as “service organizations.” “What programs does the church have for my children? What programs does it have for me? Is the choir good? Is there a youth group?”

IV. Other Gifts (B)These may be legitimate concerns, but this is not really God’s way of looking at the church. We must open our hearts to God’s Word and let the Spirit renew our perspective. We must begin to see the church as a closely knit fellowship of men and women who are dedicated to caring for and serving one another. Indeed, we should come to church seeking to share in one another’s lives.

Galatians 5:13-14

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is

fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as

thyself” (Galatians 5:13-14).

IV. Other Gifts (C)C. The Gift of Ministry

God has set the ministry in the church as a gift from Him to the body. (See Ephesians 4:11-12.) The purpose of the ministry is for the perfecting or the equipping of the church for ministry to others.

V. Using Our GiftsUsing Our GiftsWe should not look on others with disdain or arrogance if we have exercised what some individuals might consider to be “greater gifts.” How blessed is the church when all the members are busily exercising whatever gifts and talents they have, fulfilling their duty for Christ and His church!

V. Using Our GiftsThe appointment of spiritual gifts belongs to God alone. God will not approve those who through selfish ambition seek the chief places of prominence in the church, but those who are most faithful to the trust placed in them and most diligent in their Master’s work. Still, it is biblically correct for believers to seek to be used of God through the “best gifts” (I Corinthians 12:31).

V. Using Our GiftsPaul informed us that the church is a body. Each of us is a different part of the body, but still a part of the body. All gifts to the church—supernatural gifts, gifts of leadership, gifts of service, and the gift of ministry—are given to keep the body in unity.

V. Using Our GiftsThe spiritual gifts that Paul mentioned have the potential to lead to disorder unless they are monitored and regulated, which is why God placed the other gifts of ministry and leadership in the body. Everything should “be done decently and in order” (I Corinthians 14:40). When they all are operating correctly and harmoniously, the gifts that God has given to the church empower us to that end.

V. Using Our GiftsIt is interesting that Paul sandwiched his famous love chapter (I Corinthians 13) between two pointed chapters on spiritual gifts. Paul was revealing that spiritual gifts are useless unless love guides and controls them.

V. Using Our GiftsPeter declared that we should employ all the gifts to glorify God. (See I Peter 4:10-11.) If they are not used to glorify God, then they are misused.

ReflectionsWe have considered that God is the giver of all gifts, including talents and spiritual gifts. Talents are not spiritual gifts even though both are given by God. The purpose of the gifts is for a sign to those outside the church that God is real and powerful. Furthermore, they edify and comfort the church and minister to the needs of each member of the body of Christ.

ReflectionsThere are also other gifts in the church—leadership, service, and ministry. God wants us to use our gifts to keep unity and order in the church. Moreover, He wants us to maintain a right spirit, to manifest charity, and to use all our gifts to bring glory to Him.