SPIRITUAL GIFTS

A lesson about spiritual gifts.

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Introduction

Welcome! The Bible has much to say about this interesting topic. You may find it helpful to invite a mature Christian from your church to study this topic with you. You may have a lot of questions that are not answered here. Maybe there are ideas here that seem hard to understand. Do not get overwhelmed! You can contact us with any questions that you may have. The elders of your local church can help you as well.

Remember that learning the content about this topic is helpful, but knowing the information will not truly change you. For you to benefit fully from this topic, you must…

• Become born-again by securing a personal relationship with God the Father and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, through faith by grace. This information cannot change you until the Holy Spirit of God gives you a new heart that is able to apply it to your life. To begin a personal relationship with God, it is imperative to understand and believe the following:

  • God is separated from you, because He is good, pure, and holy. 1 John 1:5-6

  • You are sinful, impure, and unholy because you do not measure up to God’s holiness. Romans 3:10-12 You are a descendent of Adam and Eve who rebelled against God. Romans 5:19

  • Your sinfulness provokes God’s anger and separates you from Him because He is holy. Romans 5:12 As a result, you deserve to be thrown into the Lake of Fire forever. Revelation 20:14-15

  • God the Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth. Jesus is God in the flesh. He lived a sinless life. He was nailed to the cross, shed His blood, and died in your place for your sins. He was buried, rose again, and went to Heaven to prepare a place for all who believe. He will return one day for those who believe. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

  • Only the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is enough for you to be accepted forever by God the Father the moment you believe. John 3:16 God does not accept you on the basis that you try to be a good person and do good works. Romans 4:5 He accepts you fully and forever the moment you abandon your sins and call on Jesus to save you. John 3:36

• As you understand, meditate on, and believe the information presented here about this topic, you must also do what the Bible says. James 1:21-22 Only by trusting and obeying God’s Word regarding this topic will you experience the full benefits of this information. James 1:23-24 Trusting and obeying God’s Word will change you as you learn this. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 You will be happy as a result of your obedience. James 1:25

• Seek and heed the advice of your church leaders regarding this topic. Hebrews 13:17

• Depend upon the Holy Spirit to change you. Galatians 3:1-3 You cannot change without Him enabling you. John 15:5 He will change you in His time and way; but not apart from your faith and obedience to God’s Word. Trust Him to do His work in your heart. Philippians 2:12-13

• Allow the joy that you experience from obeying God’s Word to transform how you interact with others. James 2:12-20

What are Spiritual Gifts?

• They are spiritual tools of enablement empowered by the Holy Spirit to minister to the church body. 1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-6

WHO GIVES SPIRITUAL GIFTS?

• The Holy Spirit of God gives whatever spiritual gifts He wills to whomever He wishes to give them. 1 Corinthians 12:11

WHO RECEIVES SPIRITUAL GIFTS?

• Believers receive the Holy Spirit the moment that they believe the Gospel (Ephesians 1:13). As such, new believers are placed into the Body of Christ and equipped with a spiritual gift. (1 Corinthians 12:11-12)

fURTHER iNSIGHTS aBOUT sPIRITUAL gIFTS

• The Holy Spirit gives us spiritual gifts so that He can minister to other believers through us for the good of the Body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:7

• Each believer needs the benefit of another believer’s ministry as we use our spiritual gifts to edify one another. God determines who gets which spiritual gifts and in which church they exercise them. There must be no division within the church concerning spiritual gifts. We need each other.
  1 Corinthians 12:12-22

• Developing our spiritual gifts shows our progress to other believers. 1 Timothy 4:13-16

• We must not allow fear or apathy to cause our zeal for using our gifts to dwindle. Rather, we must intentionally keep the fire going. 2 Timothy 1:6-7

• God gave us spiritual gifts to use by example to serve other believers. We are to use them to train others to minister, since they themselves are not gifted in the same way. We are also to learn from others’ spiritual gifts as well. Ephesians 4:11-12

A listing of SPIRITUAL GIFTS

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• The sign gifts of the early church:

  • Before the church began, God the Father explained to Israel the grounds on which to confirm the legitimacy of a prophet.

    • The prophets of the Old Testament received revelation of God’s Word through visions and dreams. Numbers 12:6 God put His words in the prophets’ mouths for them to speak to His people. Jeremiah 1:4-10; Micah 3:8 God sent prophets in response to the prayers of His people Judges 6:7-10 and the prophet would pray for them. Genesis 20:7 The prophets were confirmed by God’s people. None of their prophecies failed. 1 Samuel 3:1-20 A prophet prayed for God to do extraordinary things. 1 Kings 17:1; James 5:17-18; 1 Kings 18:20-46 God provided for prophets in extraordinary ways. 1 Kings 17:2-16 A prophet could do signs and miracles such as raise the dead. 1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:1-7; 2 Kings 4:8-37; 2 Kings 4:38-44; 2 Kings 5:1-14; 2 Kings 5:15-27; 2 Kings 6:1-7

    • Even though a prophet performed a sign or wonder and it came to pass as he had said, if he told Israel to follow after other gods, he was considered a false prophet. Deuteronomy 13:1-18

    • Israel was forbidden to practice witchcraft, interpret omens, or consult a sorcerer, medium, spiritist, diviner, or anyone who casts spells or speaks to the dead. Deuteronomy 18:9-14

    • Israel expected God to send a prophet like Moses. God told them how to know if the prophet was sent from Him. He said that the prophet must tell them to follow Him and his prophecy must come true. Deuteronomy 18:15-22 Jesus is the prophet like Moses about Whom God the Father spoke. John 1:17-18; Acts 3:1-26; John 5:17-47

  • God gave spiritual gifts to the early Church as a sign to assist in the establishment of the Church.

    • These sign gifts were given to the early Church to authenticate that the Message of the Gospel spoken by the apostles and prophets truly did come from God. Hebrews 2:3-4 God gave sign gifts to the apostles and prophets. In similar fashion, God gave signs to Moses to demonstrate that He truly did send him to lead Israel. Exodus 4:1-9 Also, Jesus performed signs to demonstrate that He was sent from God the Father. Acts 2:22

    • God specifically supplied spiritually-gifted men called apostles and prophets to lay the foundation of the Church. Ephesians 2:19-22

      • Apostles were spiritually gifted with the ability to perform signs, wonders, and healings. Matthew 10:1; Mark 6:7; Luke 9:1-6; 2 Corinthians 12:11-12; Acts 2:43; Acts 4:27-31; Acts 19:6; Romans 15:18-20 These signs included: speaking in tongues Acts 2:1-13; 1 Corinthians 14:18-19, healings Acts 13:9-18; Acts 20:7-12; Acts 27:7-10, causing the lame to walk again Acts 3:1-26; Acts 9:32-35; Acts 14:8-22, pronouncing immediate judgment Acts 5:1-16, authorizing someone to receive the Holy Spirit, thus enabling the person to do some of the same signs (Acts 6:8; Acts 8:4-24; Acts 19:1-7), raising the dead Acts 9:36-42, using mere words to cause someone to be blind Acts 13:6-12, casting out demons Acts 16:16-40; Acts 19:13-20, being supernaturally transported to another location 1 Kings 18:7-16; 2 Kings 2:11-12; 2 Kings 2:15-18; Acts 8:39-40, and surviving venomous snake bites. Acts 28:1-10 Even Paul’s handkerchief was used to heal others and to cast out demons. Acts 19:11-12 Others even hoped for Peter’s shadow to fall on them to heal them. Acts 5:12-16 They could also transfer their powers and other spiritual gifts to someone else. 2 Kings 2:9-14; 2 Kings 2:19-25; Acts 8:14-24; Acts 19:6; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6; Romans 1:11 The apostles received visions as well. Acts 10:9-17; Acts 11:1-18; Acts 16:6-10; Acts 18:9-10 These signs were given to authenticate the message of the Gospel that they proclaimed. Acts 4:1-22; Acts 4:32-33 Some believe that each of the twelve Apostles had all of the spiritual gifts. Believers may have more than one gift. 1 Corinthians 12:27-31

      • There were 12 specific Apostles that were handpicked by Jesus Matthew 10:1-15; Luke 6:12-16; Revelation 21:10-14; Acts 1:1-3 to start the Church. In addition, He chose Paul as an Apostle. 1 Corinthians 15:3-10; Ephesians 3:5 To be one of the Twelve, an Apostle had to meet specific requirements such as: being with Jesus from the time of His baptism until His ascension, witnessing His resurrection, and being with Him after He rose from the dead. Acts 1:16-26; 1 Corinthians 9:1; Acts 10:36-43 They taught the foundational doctrines of the Church, Acts 2:42-43; 1 Timothy 3:14-16 and they helped raise up leaders. 1 Corinthians 3:10-11; Acts 13:2; Acts 14:21-23 Now that the foundation of the Church has been laid, there are no twelve Apostles on earth today, because they all have died. Jude 1:17

      • Prophets were spiritually gifted in the early Church to reveal what God would bring to pass in the future. Acts 21:1-5; Acts 21:8-13; Acts 27:21-44 They revealed God’s will for the Church. Exodus 7:1-2; Acts 11:27-30; Acts 13:1-3 They also received visions and healed people. Acts 9:10-19 The gift of prophecy was a temporary gift. Acts 11:27-30 Now that the foundation of the Church has been laid, there are no more prophets in the Church, because the New Testament is complete and all the prophets have passed on. 1 Corinthians 13:8 God is not sending apostles or prophets any more to testify to Israel either. Hebrews 1:1-2; Luke 11:37-54

      • The prophecy of a prophet during the New Testament period was to agree with the Scriptures, the other prophets of the Church, and the teachings of the apostles and Jesus. Isaiah 8:20; 1 Corinthians 14:29; 1 Corinthians 14:37-38; 2 Peter 3:1-2; Jude 1:17; 1 Corinthians 12:1-3 The Church was required to compare what the prophets said to biblical doctrine to determine if they were truly from God. 1 John 4:1-6; 1 John 2:18-29; 2 John 1:7-11; 1 Corinthians 14:29-33; Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-15; Matthew 7:15-28 The Church was warned that there will be false prophets until Jesus returns. Matthew 24:11 In the Old Testament, Israel was warned that a prophet could deceive them into following a false god. Micah 3:5-7 In the New Testament, as the foundation of the Church was almost completely laid by the apostles, Peter warned the Church to watch out for false teachers who would distort what the Apostles already taught. 2 Peter 2:1-2; Jude 1:3-4 Similarly, Micah rebuked Israel for wanting prophets who spoke only what Israel wanted to hear. Micah 2:6-11 In one of the last books of the New Testament, Paul warned Timothy that the Church will later want teachers who say only what the people want to hear. 2 Timothy 4:1-4 The Apostles likely warned of false teachers instead of false prophets, because it was understood that prophecy was a temporary sign gift for the Church.

    • Some disciples in the early Church were given other sign gifts such as the word of wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, the ability to discern prophets, the ability to speak in tongues, and the ability to interpret tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:8-10; 1 Corinthians 12:28-31

      • The word of wisdom/message of wisdom/wise advice was possibly the ability to speak with such wisdom concerning the Gospel in that it could not be refuted. Matthew 13:54-58; Mark 6:1-6; Luke 21:12-15; Acts 6:8-10; 1 Corinthians 2:1-8; Colossians 1:28 Some believe that this is not a sign gift and that it could exist today in the ability to give wise, sound advice.

      • The word of knowledge/message of knowledge/message of special knowledge might have been similar to prophecy in that it was the ability to reveal special knowledge from God, possibly in the form of doctrine. This gift likely was very valuable before the New Testament was completed and before the completed Bible was fully circulated to the churches. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13; Ephesians 1:15-17; 1 Corinthians 14:6; 1 Corinthians 14:26; 1 Corinthians 14:29-31; Galatians 1:11-12; Galatians 2:1-2; Ephesians 3:1-12; 1 Corinthians 1:4-5; 1 Corinthians 13:2; 2 Corinthians 8:7 There were some believers who tried to claim falsely that they had this gift. 1 Timothy 6:20; Colossians 2:1-8

      • Faith/great faith was the ability to trust God to provide and work in extraordinary ways. This usually accompanied the gift of miracles or healings. Acts 3:16; Acts 6:5; Acts 11:22-24; Acts 14:8-10; 1 Corinthians 13:2; Galatians 3:5 Some believe this is not a sign gift; rather, some missionaries have displayed this gift throughout Church history as they accomplished great works for God. 1 Corinthians 13:13

      • Gifts of healings was the ability to heal someone instantaneously and fully, merely by declaring it or touching the person. Acts 3:1-26; Acts 9:32-35; Acts 14:8-22; Acts 19:11-12; Acts 28:7-10; Matthew 4:23-24; Matthew 8:1-17; Matthew 9:35; Matthew 12:15-16; Matthew 12:22-23; Matthew 14:14; Matthew 15:21-31; Matthew 19:1-2; Matthew 21:14; Mark 1:34; Mark 3:9-12; Mark 5:1-43; Mark 6:4-6; Mark 6:13; Luke 4:40; Luke 6:1-11; Luke 6:17-19; Luke 7:1-17; Luke 8:40-56; Luke 9:1-11; Luke 9:37-45; Luke 22:50-51; John 4:46-54; John 5:1-17; Acts 10:38

      • Miracles/working of miracles/the power to perform miracles/works of power was the ability to perform signs and wonders such as raising the dead, casting out demons, and other spectacles which authenticated that the message being spoken was from God. Acts 9:36-42; Acts 13:6-12; Acts 16:16-40; Acts 19:13-20; Acts 28:1-10; Acts 19:11-12 People in the past, present, and future have tried and will try to imitate this gift deceitfully. Exodus 7:10-13; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 24:24-25

      • Prophecy/ability to prophesy was the gift that enabled prophets and prophetesses to speak to people for God (see explanation above). This was highly valuable before the New Testament was completed and fully circulated among the Churches. Acts 21:8-13; Acts 11:27-30; Acts 13:1-3; 1 Corinthians 14:29-40; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

      • Discerning of spirits/distinguishing of spirits/the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit was the ability to discern if a prophet truly spoke from God. This was highly valuable before the New Testament was completed and fully circulated among the churches. The gift of discernment was needed as long as there was a gift of prophecy. In like manner, the gift of interpretation was needed as long as there was a gift of tongues. This gift of discernment was likely beginning to cease by the time John wrote 1 John. In that letter, he warned the readers to watch out for false prophets. Instead of encouraging them to consult someone with the gift of discerning of spirits, he instructed his readers to remember what they had already learned from the Apostles in the beginning. 1 John 4:1-6; 1 John 2:18-29; 2 John 1:7-11

      • Divers kinds of tongues/various kinds of tongues/ability to speak in unknown languages/different kinds of tongues/diversities of tongues was the ability to speak in languages and dialects that were foreign to the speaker. Acts 2:1-13

      • The interpretation of tongues/the ability to interpret what was being said/translation of tongues was the ability to interpret a language that the interpreter himself did not know. A believer would use the gift of tongues to speak to an unbelieving Jewish person in a language that was foreign to himself, yet was known to the Jewish unbeliever. When one spoke in tongues, the gift of interpretation was edifying for others in the audience to understand what was actually being said to the unbelieving Jewish audience. The gift of interpretation was needed as long as there was a gift of tongues, much like the gift of discernment was needed as long as there was a gift of prophecy.

      Concerning the gift of tongues…

      • The word for tongues, simply means “human languages”. Genesis 11:1-9

      • God prophesied that He would speak to Israel through a non-Hebrew language as a sign of His judgment upon Israel for rejecting Him. Isaiah 28:1-13

      • God initially gave the spiritual gift of tongues to the Apostles on the Day of Pentecost as a sign to the Jewish leaders who rejected and crucified their Messiah. Acts 1:13-15; Acts 1:26-2:1; Acts 2:14; Acts 2:36-20; 1 Corinthians 14:21-22 Even though the Apostles were Galileans, the Jewish crowd coming from different regions all heard the Apostles speaking in languages that the Apostles could not have learned in Galilee. They spoke in at least 15 different languages/dialects as Jewish people and Gentile proselytes each heard the Apostles speak in their own language/dialect. Just like the context of Isaiah 28:1-13; the crowd accused the Apostles of being drunk. Acts 2:1-13

      • When someone spoke in tongues, it was in an authentic language Acts 2:11; but it was only useful if the people who heard it actually spoke it. When the person spoke in tongues, the language was new Mark 16:17 or different Acts 2:4 to the one speaking. Tongues were never meant to be a sign for believers, but instead, they were a sign for unbelievers as the Apostles were laying down the foundation of the Church. Both believers and unbelievers could understand prophecy even though it was a sign for believers. 1 Corinthians 14:10-33; 1 Corinthians 13:1

      • Some believers misunderstood the purpose of the gift of tongues and misused it. Others pretended to have it when they did not. 1 Corinthians 14:1-19 Some pretended to be spiritual by speaking in a tongue that neither the speaker himself nor his audience understood. Thus, he was selfishly “edifying” himself instead of other believers. 1 Corinthians 14:1-4 Paul rebuked them by explaining that the gift of prophecy was better than the gift of tongues, because other believers could understand it and thus, be edified by it. 1 Corinthians 14:5 The gift of tongues was only useful if people could understand what was being said. 1 Corinthians 14:6-10 Paul also explained when a believer tried to speak in tongues, that it was only useful if what was being spoken was an actual language that had meaning and made sense. 1 Corinthians 14:10-11 Paul urged them to stop trying to edify themselves by pretending to speak in tongues or by speaking in a language that no one understood. He said that the Corinthians should pray for the interpretation of the tongue in which they spoke so that others would know what they said. 1 Corinthians 14:13 He said that if someone prayed in tongues, no one including himself would understand his message. 1 Corinthians 14:14-17 Paul commended them for their desire to speak in tongues 1 Corinthians 14:18; but he also strongly encouraged them to speak words that could be understood ordinarily 1 Corinthians 14:19 or through an interpreter 1 Corinthians 14:26-28 in an orderly manner and only words that would edify other believers. 1 Corinthians 14:16-17; 1 Corinthians 14:26; 1 Corinthians 14:39-40 He explained that even though he spoke in tongues more than all of them, 1 Corinthians 14:18 and even if he could somehow speak in the tongue of an angel 1 Corinthians 13:1, if he didn’t love others by speaking words that they understood, 1 Corinthians 14:5-9 then he would be just making obnoxious noises at them to bring attention to himself for his own selfish pride. 1 Corinthians 13:1

      • Now that the foundation of the Church has been laid, the spiritual gift of tongues is no longer in use, because now that the Apostles have died, there is sufficient testimony for the Jewish people to believe the Gospel. They have the authoritative testimony of the Old Testament Scriptures, the resurrection of Jesus, the existence of the Church, and the signs of the Apostles that are recorded in the completed New Testament. Luke 16:30-31; Matthew 12:38-42; Matthew 16:1-4; Mark 8:11-12; Luke 11:29-32; John 20:29-31; Acts 2:43; Acts 5:12; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; 1 Corinthians 13:8; Hebrews 1:1-2; Hebrews 2:1-4

  • Now that the foundation of the Church has been fully laid 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, the New Testament is complete, and the Apostles have died. Acts 2:43, Acts 5:12 The above-mentioned sign gifts (such as: healings, word of knowledge, prophesying, discernment, tongues, the interpretation of tongues) are no longer needed and are not active today. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13; 1 Timothy 5:23

• The Remaining Spiritual Gifts:

  • 1 Peter 4:10-11

    • We are to be faithful, good stewards of our spiritual gifts by serving one another with them.

    • Spiritual gifts are broken down into two groups: speaking gifts and serving gifts.

    • If we have a speaking gift, then we are to speak enthusiastically.

    • If we have a serving gift, then we are to serve one another by the strength that God supplies.

    • Our gifts are meant to be used to glorify God.

  • Romans 12:3-8

    • In His grace, God has given us our spiritual gift to use by the measure of faith that He has given us. We are to think of our spiritual gift realistically and without exaggerating our importance.

    • Not all are supposed to function in the same way, although we are all to walk worthy of our calling.

    • We do not all have the same spiritual gifts. Those in the early church who had the gift of prophecy (see explanation above) were to use it according to their measure of faith. Some believe this gift still exists in a different form today. (See explanation below)

    • The gift of serving/ministering suggests that those who possess it get so energized by helping others thrive that they “kick up dust” because they are so busy. If we have the gift of serving, we are to serve by faith. It is possible that Euodia, Syntyche, and Clement were gifted in serving and assisted Paul in evangelism. Philippians 4:2-3 The following people may have had the gift of serving as well: Phoebe Romans 16:1; Prisca/Priscilla and Aquila Romans 16:3, Urbanus Romans 16:9, also Titus in 2 Corinthians 8:16-24, Aristarchus and Jesus Justus Colossians 4:10-11, John Mark Acts 13:5, Philemon and Archippus Philemon 1:1, Demas and Luke Philemon 1:24, Timothy Romans 16:21, Tychicus Ephesians 6:21-22, and Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas. Acts 6:1-7

    • The gift of teaching is the ability to teach and explain God’s Word to His people. If we have the gift of teaching, we are to exercise our faith in it (The gift of teaching is explained below).

    • The gift of encouragement/exhortation is the ability and strong desire to encourage/exhort/urge believers to obey God and to persevere. If we have the gift of encouragement, then we are to encourage/exhort others by faith. Acts 11:22-24

    • The gift of sharing/giving/contributing is the ability to give whatever one has for someone else who needs it. This is to be done without second guessing one’s self with simplicity/generosity. If we have the gift of sharing, then we are to share it freely by faith with sincerity. 1 Corinthians 13:3 The following people may have had the gift of giving/contributing: Gaius Romans 16:23, Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus 1 Corinthians 16:17-18, Barnabas Acts 4:34-37, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Suzanna Luke 8:1-3, Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome. Mark 15:40-41

    • The gift of leading/ruling/managing is the ability to lead and help the church function in an organized fashion. If we have the gift of managing in leadership, then we are to manage by faith with eagerness. Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas may have had the gift of managing. Acts 6:1-7 Judas Barsabbas and Silas were likely gifted as leaders as well. Acts 15:22

    • The gift of mercy/showing compassion is the ability to show extraordinary mercy to others. This includes those who cannot help themselves and/or those who do not deserve it. The gift of compassion should be demonstrated by faith with cheerful readiness. 1 Corinthians 13:3 Dorcas/Tabitha had the gift of mercy. Acts 9:36-39

  • 1 Corinthians 12:8-9

    • The word of wisdom/message of wisdom/wise advice is explained as the ability to speak with wisdom concerning the Gospel so that it cannot be refuted. Matthew 13:54-58; Mark 6:1-6; Luke 21:12-15; Acts 6:8-10; 1 Corinthians 2:1-8; Colossians 1:28 Some believe that this was a sign gift and that it only existed before the New Testament was completed and the church was established.

    • Faith/great faith is the ability to trust God to work in extraordinary ways. It usually accompanied the gift of miracles or healings. Acts 3:16; Acts 6:5; Acts 11:22-24; Acts 14:8-10; 1 Corinthians 13:2; Galatians 3:5 Barnabas and Stephen likely had the gift of faith. Acts 11:22-26; Acts 6:5 Some believe that this is a sign gift that ceased with the other sign gifts such as miracles and healings.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:28

    • The gift of helping/helps is the ability to perceive and lay hold of any needs that the poor and outcast might have. The household of Stephanas may have had the gift of helping. 1 Corinthians 16:15-16 Timothy and Erastus may have had this gift as well. Acts 19:22

    • The gift of administration/leadership/governing is the ability to direct the church to where Christ wants her to be. The household of Stephanas may have had the gift of administration. 1 Corinthians 16:15-16 Paul and Barnabas may have had this gift as well Acts 14:23 and maybe even James. Acts 15:13-22 This gift may be equivalent to the gift of leading/ruling/managing mentioned above and in Romans 12:8.

  • Ephesians 4:7-16

    According to verses 11-12, Christ gave gifted men to the church:

    • Apostles- Along with prophets, they were gifted to lay the foundation of the early church. Ephesians 2:19-22

      • The word “Apostle” refers to one who is sent by Christ to start a local church by being a messenger of the Gospel Hebrews 3:1. The word for “apostle” is usually translated as “messenger” in many English translations when it is not referring to the twelve Apostles.

      • During the time period of the New Testament, there were also other apostles (sent-ones) besides the Twelve and Paul, which is why the church had to be careful concerning imposters. Revelation 2:2; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Jude 1:3-4, 17; 2 Peter 3:2

        • Apparently, there were other men who were apostles (possibly 120 to 500 Acts 1:15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-6) who were qualified to be one of the Twelve; even though they were not selected for that position. Acts 1:20-26

        • During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He sent out 70 men apart from the Twelve to minister in a similar way as did they. Luke 9:1-6; Luke 10:1-12

        • Barnabas was sent out along with Paul by the church to preach and teach the Gospel to which the Holy Spirit called him. Acts 13:1-7; Acts 14:14

        • James was called an apostle, having the same authority as Paul; but he was not numbered with the Twelve. 1 Corinthians 15:7; Galatians 1:19; Acts 15:12-21; Galatians 2:7-10; 1 Corinthians 9:5; John 7:5; Acts 1:13-14

        • Apollos was called an apostle, having the same authority as Paul. 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 1 Corinthians 4:6-9

        • Other apostles (apart from the Twelve) were Silvanus, Timothy, and other brothers, who were sent out to assist other apostles in preaching, teaching, and raising up leaders for the sake of the Gospel ministry. Compare the Greek word “ἀπόστολος” in 1 Thessalonians 1:1 and “ἀπόστολοι” in 1 Thessalonians 2:6; Compare the Greek Word “ἀπόστολος” in 2 Corinthians 1:1 and the Greek word “ἀπόστολοι” in 2 Corinthians 8:23. Compare the original Greek language and see that the word “messengers” in 2 Corinthians 8:23 is translated from the Greek word for “apostles”.

        • Some apostles such as James and Peter served as elders. Acts 21:18; Galatians 2:9; 1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 5:1 Some such as Philip served as deacons and evangelists . Matthew 10:1-3; Acts 6:1-8; Acts 8:4-8; Acts 21:8 Note: Some believe that Philip the apostle and Philip the evangelist were two different men. Acts 8:1, 4-5 Still others do not believe that the men in Acts 6 were deacons. Rather, they simply were selected for a work similar to that of a deacon.

        • Notice that Barnabas was not called an apostle until he was sent out by the church of Antioch. Acts 4:36-37; Acts 9:27; Acts 13:1-5; Acts 14:14 He was not one of the Twelve. Perhaps a believer was called an apostle when being commissioned by a sending church. 2 Corinthians 8:23; Philippians 2:25; Philemon 1:13; Ephesians 6:21-22; Acts 26:16-18; Romans 10:15; 2 Corinthians 12:17-18; 2 Timothy 4:12; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 8:18; Philippians 4:16-18; Colossians 4:7-13; 1 Thessalonians 3:2-5; Acts 15:22; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 For example, maybe Epaphroditus was merely gifted in serving. It could be that he was a deacon from the Philippian church who was sent out (as an apostle) to serve Paul Philippians 2:25 in his missionary work, bringing a financial gift to him on behalf of the church. Philippians 4:14-18 Obviously, any such “apostle/missionary” would be distinct from the Twelve or other apostles who witnessed Jesus’ resurrection. They may have served as evangelists, prophets, teachers, elders, deacons, assistants, or carriers of financial gifts. If it was possible for women to be gifted as prophetesses, maybe women could have been sent out as apostles/missionaries in this way too. Romans 16:7; Romans 16:1

        • Epaphroditus Philippians 2:25, Andronicus and Junia/Junias Romans 16:7, Euodia, Syntyche, and Clement Philippians 4:2-3, and Phoebe Romans 16:1 were sent out to assist with the material needs of the other apostles and churches for the sake of the Gospel ministry, while they themselves also shared the Gospel. Philippians 2:25. Compare the original Greek language and see how the word “messenger” “ἀπόστολον” in Philippians 2:25 is translated from the Greek word for “apostle”. Also consider the Greek word “ἀποστόλοις” in Romans 16:7. Compare the original Greek language, and see how the word “servant” in Romans 16:1 is translated from the Greek word for “deacon” “διάκονον”. Notice how Paul calls Euodia, Syntyche, and Clement his fellow workers in Philippians 4:2-3 like he does Priscilla and Aquila in Romans 16:3 and Urbanus in Romans 16:9 and Timothy in Romans 16:21 and Titus in 2 Corinthians 8:23 and Epaphroditus in Philippians 2:25 and Aristarchus, John Mark, and Jesus Justus in Colossians 4:10-11 and Philemon in Philemon 1:1 and Demas and Luke in Philemon 1:24.

      • The closest ministry that we have to an apostle today is a missionary (sent-one) who does not have the same authority as the original Twelve Apostles. The missionary is sent out by the authority and approval of a local church to serve in another location as an elder, deacon, assistant, or other capacities. There are no men or women today who have the sign gifts nor the authority of the Twelve Apostles. 2 Corinthians 11:3; 2 Peter 3:2; Jude 1:17

    • Prophets- Prophets in the early church were given to reveal God’s will for the church.

      • The word for “prophet” means to speak forth. Prophets spoke forth the word of God. They were the verbal equivalent of the Scriptures.

      • There were other prophets who preached sermons to encourage the church, especially by exposing the hearts of believers. Acts 15:32; 1 Corinthians 14:3-4; 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 It was good and right for the early church to desire for their local church to have certain gifts, especially prophecy 1 Corinthians 14:1, but not at the expense of order 1 Corinthians 14:39-40, the edification of others 1 Corinthians 14:2-19, faith, hope, and especially love. 1 Corinthians 12:31- 1 Corinthians 13:13 Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, Saul were gifted as prophets and teachers. Acts 13:1-3 Judas Barsabbas and Silas Acts 15:32-33, and Philip’s daughters Acts 21:8-9 were gifted as prophets/prophetesses as well. Epaphras Colossians 4:12-13 and maybe the noble lady of 2 John 1:1-11 might have been gifted as a prophet/prophetess as well.

      • Women prophetesses were to have their head covered when they prophesied, were not permitted to prophesy during a church service, and had no authority over men. Acts 21:8-9; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16; 1 Corinthians 14:29-40; 1 Timothy 2:9-15; Acts 2:16-33

      • The closest ministry that we have today that could be similar to a prophet, is when a preacher publicly or privately speaks forth God’s Word with such insight and authority from the Bible that it powerfully convicts the audience and specifically applies to their situation. 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 There are no men or women today who have the sign gifts nor the authority of the prophets of the New Testament.

    • Evangelists- An evangelist is a gifted man who enthusiastically feels compelled to share the Gospel with the lost wherever they may be Romans 15:20-21; Romans 10:14-15 and eagerly does so. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 His focus is not baptizing people, but rather preaching the Gospel to the lost. 1 Corinthians 1:17 However, his gift is not for himself nor for the lost, his gift is for the church. He is called to train and equip believers to share the Gospel with the lost biblically, effectively, and enthusiastically. He does this through teaching Ephesians 4:11-16 and by his example through publicly preaching the Gospel to the lost Acts 8:12; Acts 14:21-22 and encouraging believers with stories of private Gospel conversations Acts 8:26-30 until believers become fully mature in this area of ministry. Philip was an evangelist and possibly Stephen John 1:43-46; Acts 8:4-40; Acts 21:8; Acts 6:5-15. Timothy was urged to do the work of an evangelist and might as well have been an evangelist whose evangelistic zeal was being quenched while serving as a pastor. 2 Timothy 1:6-8; 2 Timothy 4:1-5 Paul likely was gifted as an evangelist as well as an apostle. 1 Corinthians 9:14-23; 1 Corinthians 10:33; Romans 9:1-5; Romans 10:1 Acts 9:19-22; Acts 9:26-31 Paul was probably referencing “evangelist” when he called himself a preacher. 1 Corinthians 1:17; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 1 Timothy 2:1-7; 2 Timothy 1:11 Apollos likely was an evangelist. Acts 18:24-28; 1 Corinthians 3:4-6. Maybe Timothy and Silvanus/Silas were both evangelists along with Paul. 2 Corinthians 1:19 It is also interesting to note that both Paul and Timothy struggled with the fear of public speaking. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 2 Timothy 1:6-8; 1 Timothy 4:12-15 Barnabas may have been an evangelist as well. Acts 13:2-5 It is possible that Euodia, Syntyche, and Clement were evangelists. Philippians 4:2-3 If the word for fellow worker is understood as possibly a fellow evangelist 1 Corinthians 3:5-9; 3 John 1:5-9, then Prisca, Aquila, Urbanus, Titus, Aristarchus, John Mark, Jesus Justus, Philemon, Archippus, Demas, Luke, Tryphaena and Tryphosa, Persis and Timothy might have been evangelists. Romans 16:3, 9, 21; 2 Corinthians 8:23; Colossians 4:10-11; Philemon 1:1; Philemon 1:24; 1 Thessalonians 3:2; Romans 16:12 If it was possible for women to be gifted as prophetesses without having authority over men, maybe women could be gifted as evangelists in this way too?

    • Pastors- A pastor is a gifted man who enthusiastically feels compelled to shepherd the hearts of believers and eagerly does so. However, his gift is not for himself nor for the lost, his gift is for the church. He is called to train and equip believers to edify believers with their gifts, resources, love, and time, biblically, effectively, and enthusiastically. He does this through preaching 1 Timothy 5:17; 2 Timothy 4:1-5, teaching Acts 15:35; 1 Timothy 4:13, and example 1 Timothy 4:16, 11-12 until believers become fully mature in their ability to edify one another Acts 18:7-11. Peter and James may have been gifted as pastors as well. Acts 15:6-21; 1 Peter 5:1

    • Teachers- A teacher is a gifted man who enthusiastically feels compelled to teach and explain God’s Word to God’s people and eagerly does so. However, his gift is not for himself nor for the lost, his gift is for the church. He is called to train and equip believers to explain the Bible to other believers biblically, effectively, and enthusiastically. Acts 11:25-26 He teaches through public and private speaking Acts 20:18-21 and writings 2 Thessalonians 2:15 until believers become fully mature in their understanding in sound doctrine Colossians 1:28-29 and are able to teach others also. 1 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Timothy 2:1-2 Some thought that they had the gift of teaching when they did not. 1 Corinthians 14:26; James 3:1-2 Others should have been able to teach, but still struggled to understand basic doctrine. Hebrews 5:11-13 It is possible that evangelists and pastors are teaching gifts. Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, Saul were gifted as prophets and teachers. Acts 13:1-3

  • Additional Thoughts:

    • We all look at the local church through the lens of our spiritual gift. For example: if we think the local church is likely not sharing or giving enough, then we might have the gift of sharing. Or if we think that the church is not preaching the Gospel to the lost frequently enough, then we might be an evangelist.

      • God gave us our gift to serve the church, not to complain about the church.

      • Our observations, should humble us and cause us to encourage other believers with a humble, servant’s heart.

    • As you ponder which spiritual gifts that you might have, consider the following:

      Discovering your spiritual gifts…

      • If we are busy obeying the Spirit by serving our local church, then we will be led by the Spirit to minister to them in such a way that we are maximizing the use of our spiritual gifts. Ask your pastor how you can help serve in the local church. Start serving wherever while you pray for God to show you which spiritual gifts you might have.

      • The Word of God and the people of God help us to discover our spiritual gifts. Oftentimes the church will recognize our spiritual gifts before we ourselves do. Write down the list of spiritual gifts and ask your pastor and other mature believers at your church which gifts they think that you might have. These are the remaining spiritual gifts: serving, teaching, encouragement, giving, leading, mercy, wisdom, faith, helps, administration, evangelist, pastor, and teacher. Note that the gifted men who occupy the office of evangelists, pastors, and teachers are distinct speaking gifts for leadership.

      • When you look at the gifts, imagine if God said that you could spend the rest of your life using only one of them; which one would you pick? Maybe that is your spiritual gift or maybe not.

      • When you look at the gifts, imagine if God said that you could spend the rest of your life using all of the gifts, except one. Which gift would bother you the most to “give up”. Maybe that is your spiritual gift or maybe not.

      Developing your spiritual gifts…

      • With an elder’s/pastor’s help, identify which members of your church have the same spiritual gifts that you have.

      • Spend a considerable amount of time with those who have the same spiritual gifts that you do, learning from them and their spiritual gifts. Ask them lots of questions and carefully watching how they live their lives. Maybe learn from other church members who has the same gifts too so that you can see how different people use the same gifts. If no one at your church has the spiritual gifts that you have, ask you pastor who else he might know has the same spiritual gifts.

      • Use the insight that you gained to hone the use of your spiritual gift.

      Discerning the best use of your gifts…

      • When we are not using our spiritual gifts, then we are robbing the church from experiencing God’s work through us.

      • Is your gift a speaking gift or a serving gift?

      • How might your gift(s) best fit you as an elder or deacon?

      • How does your gifting relate to your calling?

      • How have others been edified by the use of your spiritual gifts?

      • How could you devote more time to the use your spiritual gifts?

    • We need to go out of our way to learn and benefit from the spiritual gifts of others.

      • Do not overvalue your own spiritual gifts at the expense of learning from others. 1 Corinthians 4:7 Take opportunities to serve in ways that you are not gifted in, so that you can learn from those who are. For example, if you are a pastor, do not shy away from joining an evangelist on the streets. Or if you are an evangelist, do not shy away from joining a pastor in shepherding or discipling others. Take opportunities to stretch yourself by ministering out of your comfort zone. This will enrich your ministry. It will help you to see things outside of the lens of your own spiritual gifts and become more appreciative of others. It will also help enhance how you use your own spiritual gifts.

      • How are you encouraging people within your church to maximize the use of their spiritual gifts?

REPRESENTING CHRISt By Using Our Spiritual Gifts

• Remember that we do not exist simply to live for ourselves. We were created to represent God.

• When we use our spiritual gifts; it is not about us primarily. It is about God being represented well in how we use our spiritual gifts. His reputation is on the line because we represent Him.

• God wants us to enjoy fellowship with Him. We must demonstrate the importance of enjoying fellowship with God by use our spiritual gifts.

• If we make it a priority to use our spiritual gifts regularly and in a biblical way, we will be more like Christ and represent Him well.

• When we share the Gospel, it shines a light on our lives. If we are not using our spiritual gifts, then we will be tempted to shrink back from sharing the Gospel.

• When we use our spiritual gifts, it gives us boldness in our faith. This boldness will enable us to be transparent with anyone and let other believers into our lives to disciple them.

• We must let the reputation of God and His love for people motivate us to grow in our ability to use our spiritual gifts.

• The love of Christ is enough to motivate us make using our spiritual gifts a priority.

Conclusion

Now that you have studied this topic, we encourage you to...

• Ask us or any of your church leaders about any questions or concerns you still have about this topic.

• Pray for yourself to grow in maturity regarding this topic.

• Do your best to practice what you have learned.

• Tell someone else about what you have studied.

• Ask one of your church leaders to help you overcome your weaknesses regarding this topic.

• Teach this subject to others.

• Consider reviewing this topic once each year.

• Commit to growing in this area together with other members of a local church.

• Trust the Holy Spirit to change you as He uses His Word, others, and circumstances to make you more like Christ.