Lesson 14: Spiritual Gifts

A Definition of Spiritual Gifts

A spiritual gift is an ability given to a believer by the Holy Spirit for use in the ministry of the church. It is the work of the Spirit through the believer, yet the believer makes choices in how he uses his gift and may use it improperly. A spiritual gift is not the same as a natural ability, but gifts may accompany natural abilities and cannot easily be distinguished.

Spiritual gifts and ministry roles are listed several places in the New Testament. The lists are similar but not identical. The Bible does not give us a list of all spiritual gifts.

► A student should read Ephesians 4:7-12 for the group.

Verses 7-8 tell us that the grace of God is given to every person in the form of spiritual gifts. The apostle apparently is not talking about the grace of salvation, because in verse 11 he listed several ministry roles that God has given.

God calls people to special ministries and gives the spiritual gifts they need. Paul listed some ministries, rather than listing spiritual gifts like he did in 1 Corinthians. The ministry roles listed are apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher. Obviously, this is not meant to be a complete list of all ministry roles.

Apostle

The apostles were specially chosen to extend the church after the earthly ministry of Jesus. They were known for miracles in their ministry (2 Corinthians 12:12). They all knew Jesus personally during his earthly ministry (1 Corinthians 9:1, Acts 1:21-22).

In the book of Revelation we read that the twelve foundations of the city represent the twelve apostles, which means that they were unique in the history of the church (Revelation 21:14). Other verses that imply that there are only twelve apostles are Matthew 10:2 and Acts 1:26. Jude 17 implies that apostles were in the past. There are not living apostles today.

Prophet

Some people assume that prophecy is prediction of future events, but the New Testament refers to preaching as prophecy. In the Old Testament, prophecy often included prediction, because that was one way that the prophet proved that his message was from God. In Old Testament times, much of the Bible had not been written.

A prophet is a person who receives a message from God, which might, or might not, include prediction. His message should always be consistent with the teachings of the Bible.

Evangelist

An evangelist is a person who communicates the gospel, either to individuals or to congregations. Every Christian should share the gospel, but some are specially gifted for this work. A pastor should do evangelism as part of his ministry (2 Timothy 4:5).

Pastor

A pastor is not just a preacher, but a person who provides spiritual care for a specific group of people.

Teacher

In the church, a teacher is one who explains biblical and spiritual truth to others. Every pastor should be a teacher (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:9), but others who are not pastors are also gifted to be teachers.

► A student should read Romans 12:6-8 for the group.

Here the apostle says that a person should focus his efforts with the gift God has given him, rather than scattering his effort and time among many kinds of ministry.

Some special exhortations are given for certain ministry types. For example, the one who leads must be diligent, not leading only when he wants to, but making sure that responsibilities are fulfilled always. The one who gives should not do it in a way that gets attention for himself but should give in a simple way. The person who performs acts of mercy, helping people with urgent needs, should do it cheerfully, not grudgingly.

► A student should read 1 Corinthians 12:28 for the group.

Paul apparently did not intend to give a complete list of all gifts or ministry roles in this verse. For example, he did not mention pastors in this list, though he mentioned them in the list in Ephesians.

Apostles, prophets, and teachers have been discussed previously in this lesson.

Some people are called to ministries of miracles and healing. Every believer has the privilege of praying for miracles, and God will respond to faith (James 5:15). However, some believers have a gift of discerning the will of God and exercising faith for miracles.

Some people have the gift of helps. They see needs more quickly than other people. They notice opportunities to help with individual needs or the work of the church. They have various practical abilities.

Some are given special abilities to lead and administrate. Many people think that the leaders are the most important people, but leadership would be worthless without the other gifts in the church.

The gift of languages is listed last. Maybe the apostle wanted to correct those who thought it was the most important gift.

The Apostle Peter stated briefly the most important principles about spiritual gifts.

► A student should read 1 Peter 4:10-11 for the group.

We can see at least six important points about spiritual gifts in these verses.

1. Believers are entrusted with spiritual gifts given by God. Therefore, they are obligated to use them for God and not as personal owners. We are accountable to God for our use of spiritual gifts.

2. Gifts are to be used for others. They are not for personal promotion or profit.

3. The grace of God is diverse. There is a great variety of gifts.

4. A person’s speaking should be consistent with the Bible.

5. A person should depend on power from God as he serves.

6. All ministry should have the goal of glorifying God.

The Corinthian church was blessed with many spiritual gifts. They had some misunderstandings, so the Apostle Paul gave them explanation about spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12-14.

These chapters of scripture teach us many principles about spiritual gifts. A few of the principles are written here for us to study.

► A student should read 1 Corinthians 12:1-3 for the group.

(1) The principle of the doctrinal test: Spiritual experiences should be evaluated by the truth that we know.

The Corinthian believers had been idol worshippers before. Idols do not speak, but spirits do. The followers of many heathen religions open themselves to the actions of spirits. They seem to think that any spiritual experience is good. They seek mindless trances or emotional frenzies. They are glad to come under the control of a spirit, even if it makes them speak or act in ways that are crazy or obscene.

The apostle warned that no person speaking by the Holy Spirit will say bad things about Jesus. If an evil spirit takes control of worship, it will cause people to dishonor God by the things they do and say. The Holy Spirit will not lead in a way that dishonors God.

[1]We should not assume that spirit activity is a good thing just because it is supernatural. The test here is comparable to 1 John 4:1-3. If a spirit says something contrary to God’s Word, it is not to be accepted.

► What religions allow evil spirits to control worshippers?

► A student should read 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 for the group.

(2) The principle of the diversity of gifts: The Holy Spirit works in every believer, but in different ways.

These verses emphasize that one Holy Spirit works in many different ways. He chooses how to distribute spiritual gifts. Every believer has at least one spiritual gift. No one has every gift.

A member should use his gift to benefit the body. God did not give him a gift for his own benefit.

► A student should read 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 for the group.

(3) The principle of the body: Each member is important, and each member needs the others.

The apostle compared the members of the church to members of a physical body. They have different abilities and purposes. No member of the body should think that he must be like another member to be in the body. For example, the ear should not think that it must be an eye in order to be in the body. There is not a certain gift that a person must have to be in the body.

No member should think that because of his gifts he doesn’t need the other members. The body cannot function well without all the members.

Some gifts get more attention than others. People think certain gifts are signs of spiritual status. God decides how to give the gifts, and there is no inherent status because of a gift.

► What would you say to someone who thinks that a person who preaches is always more spiritual than the person who cleans the church building?

► A student should read 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 for the group.

(4) The principle of ministry roles: God gives each member what he needs to fulfill his particular ministry.

This section of scripture summarizes chapter 12. God calls people to fulfill various ministries. A ministry is not for a person to use for his own promotion, but to serve the church.

You should read the questions in 1 Corinthians 12:29-30, and the class should answer. For example, when you read the question “Are all apostles?” the class should say, “No.”

Because ministries are different, gifts are different. Paul asked a series of questions, each implying the answer “no.” He is plainly saying that there is no gift that can be expected of every believer.

► A student should read 1 Corinthians 13 for the group.

(5) The principle of love: Love is the eternal priority, and spiritual gifts are not permanent.

The first three verses show that we cannot compensate for a lack of love with great natural talent, spiritual gifts, or personal sacrifice.

For personal examination, try putting your own name in place of love in verses 4-7 and consider how well it fits.

Verse 11 is not a call to maturity. The apostle compared our earthly life to childhood and compared life in heaven to adulthood. Someday we will not need the things we need now. Prophecy and gifts of knowledge are needed now because our understanding is incomplete. In eternity, those spiritual gifts will not be needed and will be put away like “childish ways.” Even faith and hope will someday be unnecessary because everything will be fulfilled, but love will still be the supreme value.

Chapter 14 of 1 Corinthians emphasizes one principle: the principle of communication. Other truths are taught in the chapter also, but the apostle explained and illustrated this principle many times.

(6) The principle of communication: Ministry depends on communication of truth in an understandable way.

► A student should read 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 for the group.

Preaching is more important than speaking in other languages.

As explained earlier in this lesson, to prophesy does not just mean to predict future events. Prophecy is preaching.

Today a preacher can preach from the Bible and show that his message is from God. There is still the supernatural aspect because God gives the preacher special understanding and applies truth to situations.

Speaking does not help unless people understand the language being spoken. If a man speaks in a language others do not know, only God understands him.

Some people take the words “no one understands him” to mean that the speaker does not understand even himself, but that is not the natural meaning of the sentence. If a German testified in a non-European church and later people said, “Nobody understood him,” we would not mean that he did not understand himself.

Unless the words are explained, the church is not edified.

► What should a pastor do about a person who often speaks in the church in a language nobody understands and nobody translates?

In verse 5, Paul said that it would be good if all of them had the gift of tongues; but see also 1 Corinthians 4:8 and 1 Corinthians 7:7. He said in 4:8 that it would be good if they reigned like kings, but he did not really expect them to because even the apostles were suffering. He said in 7:7 that it would be good if all of them were celibate like him; but he said that not all are called to that, and we know that marriage is God’s design for most people. In 14:5, he simply affirms that it would be good for everyone to have the gift of tongues; he does not imply that everyone will. In 1 Corinthians 12:29-30, he clearly demonstrates that there is no certain gift that everyone should have.

► A student should read 1 Corinthians 14:6-19 for the group.

Speech is worthless if it is not understood.

[2]In verse 6, the apostle asked the question, “What good will it do?” Unless something is understood, it does no good. Even musical instruments must be played according to some pattern or tune or they have no meaning, only noise. Trumpets are used to signal to an army. If the trumpet makes noises that are not arranged signals, nobody will know whether to charge the enemy or to pack the tents. Communication is the emphasis of this whole chapter.

Words that are not understood just go “into the air” (9). This is saying that such words are worthless.

Paul said that if people do not understand each other, they seem like uncivilized people to each other (11). If a person wants to keep speaking without being understood, he is not trying to build up the church but trying to accomplish some purpose of his own (12).

► What reasons could a person have for speaking things that nobody understands?

Paul said that if a person speaks in a language unknown to the other people, his own understanding does not bear fruit (14). Paul was not saying that the person could not understand himself, but that his own understanding would do no good for others.

He said the best way is to do ministry in the Spirit and with understanding at the same time (15). To be in the Spirit does not mean that a person cannot be understood.

He said that an uneducated person is most likely to not understand what is being said (16). This confirms that he is talking about real languages. He said we are not supposed to say “amen” to something we do not understand.

Paul said that he was glad he could speak in many languages. However, he said that five words that are understood are better than 10,000 that are not understood (18-19).

► A student should read 1 Corinthians 14:20-25 for the group.

Spirit-anointed words that are understood glorify God.

The purpose of the gift of tongues is communication of the gospel (see Mark 16:15-17).

If a visitor to the church hears believers all speaking and not understanding, he will think they are crazy. But if an unbeliever hears truth that convicts his heart, he will realize that God is there.

► A student should read 1 Corinthians 14:27-35 for the group.

(7) The principle of order: The church must keep order in worship.

The apostle asked, “Why does everyone think they need to do something in the service?” The Corinthian believers thought that a person was important if he spoke or led worship, so everyone wanted to do it.

He said that if a person is speaking in a language the others don’t know, it should be translated. They should not take a lot of time during worship for things that have to be translated (27).

A person who speaks a language the others don’t know should not speak if there is no one to translate (28).

There should never be more than one person speaking at once (31). Apparently because everyone wanted to speak, several people were speaking at once. The worship was in chaos.

Some of them might have said that they could not be under rules because when the Spirit moved them they could not control themselves. Paul said that the prophet can control himself (32). He said that God will not cause chaos in the church (33). The Holy Spirit will not move a person to do something that is against the Bible’s teaching.

► What are some good procedures for keeping order in worship?

Apparently, women in the Corinthian church were causing disorder. They may have been asking questions and arguing, because Paul said they should be under authority and should wait to ask their questions at home. Under better circumstances, women may be allowed to have ministries and participate in worship, but they should be orderly.

► A student should read 1 Corinthians 14:36-40 for the group. What did Paul imply about their relationship to other churches?

(8) The principle of apostolicity: Every church should submit to original doctrine of the apostles.

The Corinthian believers were blessed with spiritual gifts. Maybe they started thinking that they did not need to listen to any other authority. Paul reminded them that the gospel came to them from others. They needed to submit to the doctrines of the whole church of God. If a person says that he knows better than the directions of the apostle, he is ignorant and should not be considered wise or spiritual.

Paul told them not to forbid the use of various languages. The gift of tongues is important, especially in places where different languages are used; but the gift must be used in the way that the Bible directs.

There are some churches that try to attract attention with demonstration of spiritual power. They believe that miracles and spiritual gifts identify the best church. They claim many miracles of healing. Some of the members claim to get frequent words of revelation from God. Their worship services focus on the demonstration of spiritual gifts more than on the Bible. Their leaders try to become famous, bragging about their spiritual power and criticizing other churches.

Several problems exist in churches that compete with spiritual demonstration. Many of their members, and even leaders, live in open sin. They do not understand mature spirituality that is demonstrated by faith that endures the problems of life. Many of their leaders are young people who do not live in victory over sin and do not respect older, faithful believers. They have unscriptural practices of the gift of tongues. Most of their people have not actually experienced miracles, but are hoping to.

A church that is truly anointed with the Holy Spirit should demonstrate faith and spiritual gifts in scriptural practices. A church should lead their members to develop mature faith that endures hard times and provides victory over sin. Rather than demonstrating spiritual gifts like a performance, the church should use spiritual gifts to serve the needs of the family of faith.

► What are some signs of a church that is trying to compete with other churches by demonstrating spiritual power?

1. A spiritual gift is an ability given to a believer by the Holy Spirit for use in the ministry of the church.

2. Every believer receives spiritual gifts, but not every person can be expected to have one certain gift.

3. The various members of the church should function together as one body with every gift needed and important.

4. Spiritual gifts accompany ministry callings.

5. Spoken words have no value if they are not understood.

6. The believer must use his gift carefully to glorify God and edify the church.

7. Love for God and people is most important now and forever.

1. Memorize the Seven Summary Statements for Lesson 14. Write one paragraph explaining the meaning and importance of each of the Seven Summary Statements (seven paragraphs) to someone who is not in this class. Turn this in to the class leader before the next class. Be ready to share a paragraph with the group if the class leader asks you to during discussion time. Write the statements from memory at the beginning of the next class session.

2. Remember to schedule your own outside-of-class teaching opportunities and report to the class leader when you have taught.

3. Test: At the beginning of the next class session, you will need to write from memory at least seven of the eight principles from Paul about spiritual gifts.