Who are the ones gifted by the Holy Spirit? by Juan Sanchez

Are the ones gifted by the Holy Spirit a select few? Is it only the leadership of the church or perhaps the more mature Christians? Do I have a spiritual gift?

Divisions in Corinth abounded (1 Corinthians 1:10-11) for various reasons, one of which was the idea that those who displayed spectacular gifts were spiritual, while others who did not display such manifestations were not.

In 1 Corinthians 12:1-3, Paul addressed the question of who was spiritual by stating that all who profess faith in Christ are spiritual, for no one is able to express genuine faith in Christ apart from the Spirit’s work.

Paul continues to undermine the basis for the boasting of the pneumatics (i.e., those who think they are spiritual because of the manifestation of spectacular gifts) by reminding them that All who have the Spirit are also gifted with gifts of the Spirit: charismata.

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. . . . All these (gifts) are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11)

In other words, no one has any basis upon which to boast about spiritual giftedness, because each Christian not only has the Spirit but also has spiritual gifts (charismata). This was, after all, part of the promise of the new covenant (Acts 2:39) – that ALL God’s people would manifest the Holy Spirit:

And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. (Acts 2:17-18, ESV)

Therefore, not only may no one boast about their giftedness, no one may excuse themselves from service, for each Christian is gifted FOR service, for the common good: i.e., the profitability of all.

So, if you are a Christian, you are gifted by the Spirit for ministry! Do you believe that? If so, then serve! We are not to be consumers; consumerism is contrary to the gospel and contrary to the Spirit’s work in us. May the Lord forgive us for our American evangelical McChurches, where we invite people to “sit back, relax and enjoy the show.”

Therefore, do not neglect the gift given to you by the Spirit (cf. 1 Timothy 4:12-14)!The use of spiritual gifts is a stewardship through which we not only build up the body but also glorify God!

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies-in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10-11

Lets Get Teaching 2 Timothy 2:2

Paul wrote to young Timothy, “The things ^which you have heard from me in the presence of ^many witnesses, ^entrust these to ^faithful men who will be ^able to teach others also.^” 2 Timothy 2:2. As I sit here and think upon these words I do so with a very full stomach. My family and I just finished eating our supper. For supper today I cooked one of my favorite meals not only to cook but eat, lasagna. The other favorite I love to cook and eat is chicken and dumplings. I learned to cook both of these meals from watching them being cooked over and over again by my step mom and mom. I thought about this as I came across this verse. Here Paul is teaching us a basic principle of Christianity. Just as I learned how to cook lasagna and dumplings among other things from watching and observing, we also can learn faith the same way. Paul taught Timothy and then he tells him the things I have entrusted to you, you go and teach it to others. I think a principle we see here is this; as we are taught biblical truths by Godly men and woman we should be taking what we have learned and we should be teaching it to other people in our life. This is not happening on a grand scale in our churches. Part of the reason why is because we are not encouraging it. Part of the reason is this doesn’t happen primarily on Sunday mornings, it is a process that involves more than the five minutes or so that you spend talking with someone at church. This process takes place best with one on one interaction and involves spending quality time with people. This process also involves the older getting involved with the younger. If we would all take this serious this idea of mentoring, or discipleship or whatever you want to call it, if we all would take it serious and just be responsible for one person we would see great growth within our churches. I don’t necessarily mean in numbers but in Christian maturity. So the question is who are you teaching? Who are you taking under your wing and entrusting them with what you have been taught about the Christian faith? If the answer is no one change that. Pray for God to show you a person you can mentor. And then just act like a shoe and just do it.