When Jesus Christ enters a person’s life, He doesn’t just save that person so he will go to heaven. He also equips that person whereby he can serve Him effectively and minister to his fellow man. He does this by bestowing upon him the gift (s) of the Holy Spirit. The “gifts of the Holy Spirit” appear in six separate lists in the New Testament: 1 Cor. 12:8-10, 28-30; Romans 12:6-8; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Peter 4:11; and 1 Cor. 7:7. The following questions introduce one to the fundamentals of Spiritual Gifts:
- What is the meaning of “spiritual gifts?” A spiritual gift is a special, supernatural ability bestowed upon every born again person, enabling that individual to serve Jesus and to minister to his brothers in a wonderful and effective way.
- When does a person receive his spiritual gift(s)? 1 Cor. 12:7; 1 Peter 4:10.
- Can a person choose his gift(s)? 1 Cor. 12:11, 18.
- Is there such a thing as an ungifted child of God? 1 Cor. 12:7.
- What is the difference between spiritual gifts and talents or spiritual gifts and fruits? Compare Galatians 5:22-23 an 1 Cor. 12 and Romans 12.
- Why is it imperative that a Christian know and use his gifts? Ephesians 2:10.
- Can you exercise your spiritual gift(s) without being filled with the Holy Spirit?
- Do spiritual gifts make a person more spiritual? No, the Corinthian Church enjoyed an abundance of spiritual gifts but was carnal (1 Cor. 3).
- If one exercises his spiritual gift(s) without the fruit of the Holy Spirit, especially love, what are the results? 1 Cor. 13:1-3.
- What are the wrong attitudes toward “spiritual gift?”
- Charis-Phobia – a fear of the gifts because of their abuse and misuse.
- Charis-Mania – an over obsession with the gifts until one looses spiritual balance and effectiveness.
What is the right attitude toward spiritual gift(s)? To take the biblical view, avoid both Charis-Phobia and Charis Mania and the popular interpretation of the New Testament Charismatic which is fleshly and unproductive. But the New Testament teaching on spiritual gifts (the Charismata) Greek – 1 Cor. 12:4; Romans 12:6) is a major emphasis of the Apostle Paul and should be taken seriously by every local church which would be effective in reaching the lost and building up the saints.
What are the characteristics of true spiritual gifts?
They are SALVATION gifts – 1 Cor. 12:7; 1 Peter 4:10.
They are SUPERNATURAL gifts – 1 Cor. 12:11; Romans 12:6.
They are SOVEREIGN gifts – 1 Cor. 12:11; Heb. 2:4.
They are SELECTIVE gifts – 1 Cor. 12:8-10.
They are SUBMISSIVE gifts – 1 Cor. 14:12.
They are SATISFYING gifts – 1 Peter 4:10.
They are SUFFICIENT gifts – 1 Cor. 12; Romans 12.
They are SERVICE gifts – 1 Cor. 12
What is the most important factor in knowing and using your gift? 1 Cor. 14:12.
Do you agree with this statement? If the average automobile had as many non-functioning parts as the average church, it would not run down hill.