Gifts and Ministries

by Missionary | Aug 16, 2021 | Bible, Simple Bible Truth

Gifts and Ministries

Gifts & Ministries

This blog is part three of a ten-part series on the church. We are going to take a brief look at the gifts and ministries given to the whole church and all believers, compared to certain roles of leadership that are given to only some, which we will look at in the following videos.

Have you ever asked yourself or even God, what your purpose in this life is and in the church? Or perhaps, what gifts you have been given?

We must understand and distinguish gifts and ministries given to the whole ekklesia, men, and women alike, and roles or “offices” established within local churches.

Gifts & Ministries Benefit the Church

First of all, GIFTS & MINISTRIES are given to the church, to each member of the body (not to a member of an organization). The Bible tells us that we can and should desire gifts, but ultimately, God or Jesus gives them, we don’t take them or just study to gain a new skill. The purpose of these gifts and ministries is for the benefit of the body, to equip the saints for works of ministry, and to build up the body of Christ. The purpose is to attain unity, knowledge of the son of God, and be a mature believer, that is, to be like Jesus.

There are spiritual gifts and ministries given to individuals in the church. God or Jesus gives them, we don’t decide what gift we will have, unlike how one would decide to be an elder or overseer. These gifts are God’s spirit manifested in all the people, the church, for the benefit of the whole church, all the people.

The Gifts

The GIFTS given are:

Message of wisdom
Message of knowledge
Faith
Gifts of healing
Performance of miracles
Prophecy
Discernment of spirits
Different kinds of languages
Interpretation of languages

The Ministries

Paul tells us that those members many consider less, are to be clothed with greater honor and dignity. The presentable members do not need this. Instead, God has blended together the body, giving greater honor to the lesser member,so that there may be no division in the body, and that there would be mutual concern for one another. (1 Corinthians 12:12-31)

The goal is maturity and unity!

The MINISTRIES given are:

first apostles
second prophets
third teachers
then miracles
gifts of healing, helps
gifts of leadership
different kinds of tongues

Be Transformed & Serve

Again, we are told to be eager for the greater gifts. We can yearn for them, but God or Jesus still gives them.

Therefore, I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice—alive, holy, and pleasing to God—which is your reasonable service. Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God—what is good and well-pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2)

We are called to service and transformation!

Use Your Gifts & Ministries to the Fullest

For by the grace given to me I say to every one of you not to think more highly of yourself than you ought to think but to think with sober discernment, as God has distributed to each of you a measure of faith. For just as in one body we have many members, and not all the members serve the same function, so we who are many are one body in Christ, and individually we are members who belong to one another. And we have different gifts according to the grace given to us. If the gift is prophecy, that individual must use it in proportion to his faith. If it is service, he must serve; if it is teaching, he must teach; if it is exhortation, he must exhort; if it is contributing, he must do so with sincerity; if it is leadership, he must do so with diligence; if it is showing mercy, he must do so with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:3-8)

We must use each gift we are give to its fullest with all that we have!

Christ’s Gifts

Ephesians 4 talks about gifts given to “men” (Anthropos), that is mankind, meaning to both genders.

444 (anthrōpos) relates to both genders (male and female) as both are created in the image of God – each equally vested with individual personhood and destiny (cf. Gal 3:28). Accordingly, the Bible uses 444 (ánthrōpos) of a specific man, woman, or class (type, group) of people – i.e. mankind in general (inclusive of every man, woman and child; see also 1 Cor 11:7). (435 /anḗr specifically refers to a male and 1135 /gynḗ to a female.)

It is according to Christ’s gift what and how much is given. The gifts mentioned in Ephesians 4 are:

Apostles
Prophets
Evangelists
Pastors
Teachers

Equip the Saints

The PURPOSE of these five gifts in the church is to equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God—a mature person, attaining to the measure of Christ’s full stature (to help us all become like Christ, living and serving as Christ did!)

As each one does its part, the body builds itself up in love. There is an order, as we do our part or use our gift, then the body is built up in love. Love is not just a feeling or an emotion. We must work together for one another and when we do this, the world will see Christ and we will grow up into Christ who is the head of the church (Ephesians 4:12-16).

All are Given Gifts and Ministries

The whole church is involved in this. It is not just for a select few or for those in offices of leadership. In order to have a healthy church, each member must be ministering to others with his or her gifts.

In part four we will take a look at the offices of elders, overseers and deacons.

Speaking in Tongues

by Missionary | Jan 29, 2020 | Simple Bible Truth

Speaking in Tongues

The Spiritual Gift of Speaking in Tongues

In 1 Corinthians 12:1 Paul said that he didn’t want people to be unaware of spiritual gifts. Unfortunately, when most people hear “spiritual gifts,” speaking in tongues is what comes to mind. Also, “filled with the spirit” is not equivalent to “speaking in tongues.” In fact, Paul and Jesus were FULL of holy spirit, and neither spoke in tongues at that time; and we have no record of Jesus ever speaking in tongues. (Acts 9:17-19, Luke 4:1)

I have been asked, “Do you want more of the spirit?” What Christian would not want more of God’s spirit in their life? I want everything that God has to give me! In fact, I have prayed earnestly for not only the gift of tongues if they are available, but for the gift of healing as well. I am sad to say that I have never healed anyone, raised a dead person, or spoken in tongues.

(Before I go much further, I would like to say that just because I don’t speak in tongues, does not mean that I am a cessationist.)

Unlearned Languages

So, what are “tongues?” The word that is translated as “tongues” means languages. In the context of Scripture, it refers to an “unknown” or “unlearned” tongue/language.

In 1 Corinthians 12 the gift of tongues is ONE of the variety of gifts given. Paul also says that all gifts come from the same spirit. There are a variety of ministries and effects, but the same God gives them to all persons. And, each given manifestation of the spirit is given for the common good (of the church).

Spiritual Gifts are Given to Edify the Church

In 1 Corinthians 14 we are encouraged to pursue love and desire earnestly spiritual gifts. We are to especially desire the ability to prophesy, so we can edify, teach and comfort the brethren.

Paul tells us that there are many languages in the world and he reminds us that none are without meaning. If speech isn’t clear, then it has no benefit and is “speaking into the air.” We are reminded again that we should seek to use the gifts that edify the church. Those gifts are called “greater gifts.”

Paul exhorts the Corinthians that if they would speak in unlearned languages and not have an interpretation, then their minds are unfruitful. He said that he would rather speak only a few words that people understood, than thousands in a tongue that nobody understood.

Paul also told us that tongues are for unbelievers, not for edifying the church, unless the message from God was interpreted.

Biblical Tongue Speaking

Most churches that claim to “speak in tongues,” do not follow biblical rules in exercising them. Paul emphatically tells the church that all people who have a gift, control that gift. If, tongues are spoken, only 2-3 people should speak (and not all at once), and if there is no interpreter, they should remain silent. God is not a God of confusion or disorder, and everything done in the church must be done properly and in an orderly manner.

Paul ends with a rhetorical question, and this question tells us that not all Christians have all the gifts. This is unlike some churches that say all Christians should speak in tongues. Another false teaching is that all believers have all nine gifts all the time. (1 Corinthians 12:29-31)

Why is speaking in tongues so enticing? Why do so many long for this “lesser” gift?

Unfortunately, many people seek the experience. They like the emotions and feelings. If we are feeling down and just hum a tune, the heaviness lifts and we feel better. We all like to have good feelings and uplifting emotions.

There are two groups of tongue speakers. One group agrees that some abuse the gift of tongues, that is, how they speak in tongues and “experience the spirit.”

The second group is like those who pursued the Toronto Blessing. Their tongue speaking mimics what is seen in other religions that claim to speak in tongues. Often, they seem “possessed” by some spirit and do crazy things, like barking, laughing, passing out and running around the room. These things are not biblical and the spirit that fills them is definitely not from God.

The question then arises, if as Paul says, there is only one spirit behind the gifts. How can one claim that the second group just “abuses” the gift when how they are acting is clearly not biblical? Perhaps it is not abuse of God’s spirit, but some other spirit in their lives?

We must diligently test the spirits of everything that we see and hear.

But how can we make the distinction as to what is from God and what is not? How can we know if it is from God, if it is fake, or if it is demonic?

We must evaluate any teaching we hear or any other gift that is practiced in the name of Jesus. This can be evaluated by first testing if the person speaking or doing miracles has sound biblical doctrine. We are also warned and told to test the spirits because many people are deceived by miracles. Many are misled by emotional experiences, as well. Even if someone raises a dead person, we must first ask ourselves if that person believes, preaches and practices solid biblical doctrine.

(On a side note, there is a difference in having the gift of healing (which is immediate healing), and someone being healed by God through prayer.)

After evaluating if sound biblical doctrine is behind the gift, then we look at the fruit in the person’s life. Are they becoming more like Jesus and does their spiritual gift minister to the body of Christ, or is it for personal gain or show?

Speaking in tongues, is it God?

Even if you hear of a spiritual revival going on, you must test the spirit behind it. If God is pouring His spirit out on someone or some ministry in an extraordinary manner, His truth must certainly be evident in their message.

So, the question should always be, “Is it God?” The main test is in 1 John 4:1-3. We are to see if the person acknowledges Jesus coming in the flesh, meaning, do they acknowledge Jesus as the human messiah. Does the speaker acknowledge Jesus as the son of God, not God the son?

The One God of Israel is not the same god as the “one” triune god. Both cannot be true, and both cannot be God. If the spirit and spiritual gifts are given from the One God, they cannot be given by the other god. And they certainly cannot be said to be by the same spirit.

If YHWH is pouring His spirit out in a trinitarian church and giving them the gift of tongues, don’t you think that He would give them words of truth so that they would know that He alone is God, as He emphatically states throughout Scripture? That would be a much greater prophetic word than “everything will be OK and Jesus loves you.” Can you imagine if someone spoke this truth and it was interpreted?! Maybe they would listen.

Seeking the Supernatural

Unfortunately, many are led astray by the supernatural because they desire greatly to experience something. If we look at books, movies and games on the market today, we see that people long for the supernatural.

If we claim to be a Christian, we must desire God and His truths more than a supernatural experience or an emotional encounter. In the end, we will experience the greatest supernatural event of all time, resurrection from the dead to immortality!