Spiritual Gifts | Service
At the moment of salvation, when the Holy Spirit moves in, God gives us spiritual gifts to be used to further His Kingdom. It is up to us identify what those gifts are, to use them effectively to honor God, and to help others do the same. Our spiritual gifts are not given to us for our own benefit or self-promotion, but rather for the benefit of others and the glory of God. In this way, our spiritual gifts are an essential part of our Christian identity and mission.
"Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are various kinds of ministries, and the same Lord. There are various kinds of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good" (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).
Our gifts are not given to us for our own benefit, but rather for the benefit of the whole body of Christ. The diversity of gifts and ministries is intended to serve the common good, and the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person according to God's will.
"As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God. Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 4:10-11).
Our gifts are a reflection of God's grace, and we are to use them to serve one another as good stewards of that grace. Whether we speak or serve, we are to do so in the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified through our actions.
In 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Paul compares the body of Christ to a physical body, with each believer serving as a different part of the body. Paul emphasizes that just as a physical body is made up of many parts, each with a unique function, so too the body of Christ is made up of many members, each with a unique spiritual gift.
"For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one part, but many" (1 Corinthians 12:12-14).
Paul goes on to say that each member of the body is important, and that the body cannot function properly if any one part is not fulfilling its function.
"If the foot says, 'Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,' it is not for this reason any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, 'Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,' it is not for this reason any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the parts, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired" (1 Corinthians 12:15-18).
In other words, each believer has a unique spiritual gift that is essential to the functioning of the body of Christ. Just as a physical body cannot function properly if any one part is not fulfilling its function, so too the body of Christ cannot function properly if any one believer is not using their spiritual gifts to serve others.
Paul concludes the analogy by saying that the body of Christ is meant to function in unity, with each part caring for the other.
"But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it" (1 Corinthians 12:24-26).
What are your spiritual gifts? How are you using your gifts to serve the body of Christ?
Verses for study
Spiritual gifts
Romans 12:6-8: However, since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them properly: if prophecy, in proportion to one’s faith; if service, in the act of serving; or the one who teaches, in the act of teaching; or the one who exhorts, in the work of exhortation; the one who gives, with generosity; the one who is in leadership, with diligence; the one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Prophecy (in proportion to your faith)
Serving
Teaching
Encouragement/Exhortation
Giving
Leadership
Mercy
1 Corinthians 12:4-11: Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are various kinds of ministries, and the same Lord. There are various kinds of effects, but the same God who works all things in all people. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the benefit of all. For to one is given a word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another a word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.
Wisdom
Knowledge
Faith
Healing
Miraculous powers
Prophecy
Distinguishing between spirits
Tongues
Interpretation of tongues
1 Corinthians 12:28-31: And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, and various kinds of tongues. All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? But earnestly desire the greater gifts.
Apostleship
Prophecy
Teaching
Miracles
Healing
Helping
Guidance/administrations
Tongues
Ephesians 4:11-16: And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
Apostleship
Prophecy
Evangelism
Pastoring (literally Shepherding)
Teaching
1 Peter 4:10-11: As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God. Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking actual words of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Speaking
Serving
Compiled
Prophecy
Serving
Teaching
Encouragement/Exhortation
Giving
Leadership
Mercy
Wisdom
Knowledge
Faith
Healing
Miraculous powers
Distinguishing between spirits
Tongues
Interpretation of tongue
Apostleship
Helping
Guidance/administrations
Evangelism
Pastoring (Shepherding)
Speaking
Article: General Revelation and Special Revelation and their Relationship to One Another by Bryan Carlson
General revelation and special revelation are two ways in which God reveals Himself and His truth to humanity.
General revelation refers to the knowledge of God that is available to all people through creation, conscience, and the observation of natural laws. This type of revelation is general in the sense that it is not limited to any specific time or place, and it is accessible to all people regardless of their culture, background, or beliefs. General revelation can be seen as the natural means by which God makes Himself known to all people, and it serves as a witness to His existence and character. Psalm 19:1-6 tells us, “The heavens tell of the glory of God; and their expanse declares the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.” “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:18-20). “Conscience seems to be the built in awareness of guilt as a part of the image of God in man. In other words, God has made man with a sense of what is right and what is wrong” (Faith notes 88). “In that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts; their conscience bearing witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them” (Romans 2:15). “Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for the sake of conscience” (Romans 13:5).
Special revelation refers to the specific and supernatural ways in which God reveals Himself and His truth to individuals or groups of people. This can include direct communication from God, such as at creation (Genesis 2), through prophecy or dreams (i.e., Joseph, Isaiah, Ezekiel), through Theophanies/Christophanies (Exodus 40), as well as through the written Word of God, the Bible. Special revelation is more specific and authoritative than general revelation, as it provides a more direct and clear understanding of God's truth and will for humanity. “All Scripture is inspired by God” (2 Timothy 3:16).
The relationship between general and special revelation is complementary. General revelation provides a basic understanding of God's existence and character, while special revelation provides a more complete and specific understanding of His truth and will. The nature of the authority of general and special revelation can be seen as follows: general revelation is authoritative in the sense that it serves as a witness to the existence and character of God, and it is used by God to convict people of their sin and to lead them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Special revelation, on the other hand, is authoritative in the sense that it provides a direct and clear understanding of God's truth and will for humanity, and it is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. Special revelation is required for salvation.
Faith Biblical Counseling, ACBC Exam Track 5, 88.
Resources
“A Theology of Biblical Counseling, The Doctrinal Foundations of Counseling Ministry” by Heath Lambert
“Our Sufficiency in Christ” by John MacArthur
