SPIRITUAL GIFTS

1 Corinthians 12:1-7 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 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. 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. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

It is not expressly stated here, but Paul, as he had previously responded to questions posed to him in writing (See 1 Cor. 7:1), continues to answer the questions of the church of Christ at Corinth. In the first eleven verses of this chapter, Paul replies to their questions concerning spiritual gifts. The first 7 verses contain the understanding of spiritual gifts in general, and, in verses 8 through 11, Paul refers to specific spiritual gifts that had been given to various Christian men. This is an important issue that must be understood by all Christians, both at the time of this writing, as well as in present times. Paul did not want the church at Corinth to remain ignorant about spiritual gifts, as they relate to New Testament Christianity.

Except for the members of their congregation that were formerly Jews, Paul reminds them that the rest, at one time, were Gentiles. They were considered to be heathen worshippers of pagan gods represented by dumb idols that could neither hear them, speak to them, nor, in any other way, answers their pleas. Under pagan religions, they were carried away into spiritual bondage, being led by deceptive "priests" professing to be able to communicate with the spirit of their gods. While under the influence of these heathen religions, and their vain imaginations, as idolatrous Gentiles, they could not comprehend the fact that all true spiritual gifts came from God.

Only those within the body of Christ have access to the Holy Spirit. Outside the body of Christ, and without guidance of the Holy Spirit, both Jews and Gentiles refused Jesus as the Messiah, the Savior of the world. They, without access to the Spirit of God, calleth Jesus accursed (Vs. 3). This fact is further demonstrated as verse 3 continues: ...no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. It is not possible for anyone to believe, and accept Jesus Christ as the Savior sent from God, but by the Holy Ghost (the Holy Spirit of God). Christians today can say we believe in Christ because we have the bible - God's holy word. However, Paul writes that God's word is the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17), and that it was given through His inspiration (2 Tim. 3:16). God spoke to His people through Old Testament prophets that were inspired by the Holy Spirit (See Acts 28:25-27). Today, God speaks to His people through New Testament writers that were inspired and guided by this same Holy Spirit. It is through the Holy Spirit that Jesus Christ was confirmed to be the Messiah, the Son of God, and the Savior of all that believe and obey God's will.

It was during the transition from the Old to the New Covenant, that it was necessary for the Holy Spirit to act differently. It was necessary for Him to confirm God's written word. The first century church of Christ did not have access to God's complete word, which we call the New Testament. In order to confirm the teaching of Jesus, His apostles and other inspired preachers, to which the Holy Spirit was given, not only lead them, but also granted them miraculous spiritual gifts that could be observed by their hearers as proof that they were, indeed, teaching God's holy word (See Luke 4:1; Acts 4:8; 7:55; 11:22,24; 13:9,52). With the completion of the Holy Spirit inspired New Testament, we, not only have word of God - His plan of eternal salvation through His Son Jesus Christ, but we also have, recorded for our learning, the miracles performed by those that were given spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit, which confirmed God's word to the first century church, and now confirms it to all Christians today.

We have evidence that, not only did the apostle Paul confirm his teaching through miraculous spiritual gifts, but he, as were all other apostles, was able to impart them to others in order that their labor for the cause of Christ might by confirmed as well (See Rom. 1:11). These spiritual gifts were not all the same for all to whom they were imparted. 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. These verses tell us that there were diversities of gifts; all were not the same. Not all received the same spiritual gift; not all spiritual gifts served the same purpose; not all spiritual gifts performed the same works. Each spiritual gift was given for a particular purpose, or to confirm the use of a certain talent of the individual receiving the gift. This, Paul confirmed to the Christians at Rome when he wrote, Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness (Rom. 12:6-8).

In order to profit others by their teaching, the apostles, and other inspired teachers that also received spiritual gifts, used these gifts to establish and confirm the word of God through works of the Holy Spirit. They did so by imparting or using the word of wisdom, ...the word of knowledge, ...miracles, ...prophesy, ...discerning of spirits, ...divers kinds of tongues, ...interpretation of tongues - all different gifts, but given to them by the same Holy Spirit of God (See Vss. 7-11 following the lesson text). Also, refer to the closing verses of this chapter, where Paul confirms the thought of this message by saying, And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way (1 Cor. 12:28-31).

Finally, let us also observe that Jesus, as let by the Holy Spirit, imparted numerous spiritual gifts. And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers. And why were they given? For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. And for how long were they to be given? Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:11-13). Here in one passage, Paul tells us that spiritual gifts were given to establish God's will to the first century churches of Christ, and that they were used to unify their faith and knowledge of the Son of God, until they had perfect understanding of God's will - that is, until the fullness of Christ was completed, that is, until the New Testament gospel of salvation had been completed, and made available to the world. From that point in time, and for all times thereafter, the need for spiritual gifts to confirm God's word was unnecessary.

From the beginning of time, spiritual gifts were necessary to establish and confirm God's holy word. In the Christian Dispensation, those that were privileged to hear the inspired teachers of the gospel of Christ personally observed these spiritual gifts. Those of us today read of them through the inspired writers of the New Testament. Whether personally witnessed, or read about in God's word that has been preserved for our learning, God, through His Holy Spirit, gave all necessary spiritual gifts. This truth we find in the lesson text which states, 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. No god, or idol, which represented him, or no other "religion" founded by the wisdom of man, can point to, explain, or be confirmed by spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts came from our Creator, given through the Holy Spirit, in order to confirm Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Messiah, and the Savior of the world. It is only through Jesus Christ that obedient children of God can find the hope of eternal salvation. For these Spiritual Gifts, dear God, we give you thanks.