Lesson 48 August 10, 2003
Summary observations on Spiritual gifts
1. DEF: A God given special ability to function, for serving the body of Christ, the church.
2. Distribution of the gifts
Every believer has one. 1 Cor 12:6,7,11; also 1 Pet 4:10
3. Existence of the gift is the result of a sovereign choice of God.
- just as He wills 1 Cor 12:11 also in vs:18 just as He desired.
4. A distinction should be made. A Spiritual gift is not spirituality.
5. There is variety; many types of gifts.
6. The goal of the gifts, always the same; there is a definite purpose!
7. Value or Priority of the gifts;
- All gifts are necessary; but not all are equally important.
8. Classification of the gifts.
How do we look at those gifts that are also named as normal expected of us as believers?
Questions to answer!
- Does the gift serve an age long purpose?
- Or has the specific purpose of the gift been fulfilled? Has it served its intended purpose!
- Some are Permanent, age long gifts
- Some were Temporary, fulfilled a purpose for a specific period of time
How do we know which are which? Permanent or temporary?
When we examine the Church age, must evaluate and look at it as being in two parts.
Pentecost to 95 AD.; 95 AD. to End of the Church Age. [Rapture]
33 A.D.
Pentecost 95 A.D. Church age 1 Ths. 4
Pre-canon Post-canon
4:11 "And He gave some.." then gives a list
* The first 3 gifts are given to the church at large; Apostle, prophet, evangelist.
- In this epistle we have established the premier reason for the temporary nature of the gifts of apostle and prophet. Saw this in 2:20
** The gift of Apostle; some observations:
avpostolojs (n.) avpostellw (vb.)1. Paul uses this term 2 ways; a narrow and a wider application first the narrow is used of those specifically commissioned by Christ;
- Mk 3:15-19
2. They were first disciples, learners/followers who were sent to Israel but also identified as apostles. Mt 10:1-11
3. A second, wider application of the term apostle was used by Paul to some of those who were closely associated with an apostle and were given delegated authority by the apostle for ministry; gift not office.
- examples: 1 Ths 2:6 editorial "we" refers to Silvanus [Silas] & Timothy
- James, Jesus' half brother Gal 1:19; 1 Cor 15:7
- Barnabas Acts 14:14; 1 Cor 9:6;
- Apollos 1 Cor 4:6,9
4. Since apostleship is a gift and an office to which one is appointed by Christ, one is never elected to it by man, the one to fill the vacated slot of Judas's was Paul; Acts 9:15 "chosen"