Spiritual Gifts of Ministry
There has been such an overemphasis in the last few years on the miraculous spiritual gifts that other aspects of the Holy Spirit's work have been ignored. Miraculous spiritual gifts are not for today. However, the Holy Spirit does give Christians gifts of ministry.
Consider the Apostle Paul's teaching in Romans 12:5-8. He wrote, “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation; he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.''
These gifts are not miraculous gifts. When Paul mentions the gift of prophecy in this chapter, he is referring to proclaiming the truth not telling the future.
There are several important facts that we need to understand about these gifts of ministry. First, every Christian has some gift of ministry. The Apostle Peter wrote about the same type of gifts as Paul discusses in Romans 12. In 1 Peter 4:10,11, Peter wrote, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to Whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.''
Peter is not writing of miraculous gifts. There is nothing in the context that would support that. He is speaking about using gifts of ministry to support and help one another within the local community of believers.
Notice, Peter states that every Christian has one of these gifts of ministry. Every Christian has a part to play in serving God. It is not the job of clergy to do all the work of the Church. Every member has a part to play.
This is what Paul taught in Ephesians 4:11,12. Paul wrote, “And He gave some, apostles; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.''
According to the Apostle Paul, the leaders in a Church are to prepare God's people for the work. The leaders in a congregation are not to do all the work. They are to train, teach and encourage the membership to do the work.
Christian friend, God has given you a special capacity, a gift of ministry, to be used in His service. You will find joy and peace as you faithfully use God's gift to help others.
Consider the Apostle Paul's teaching in Romans 12:5-8. He wrote, “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation; he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.''
These gifts are not miraculous gifts. When Paul mentions the gift of prophecy in this chapter, he is referring to proclaiming the truth not telling the future.
There are several important facts that we need to understand about these gifts of ministry. First, every Christian has some gift of ministry. The Apostle Peter wrote about the same type of gifts as Paul discusses in Romans 12. In 1 Peter 4:10,11, Peter wrote, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to Whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.''
Peter is not writing of miraculous gifts. There is nothing in the context that would support that. He is speaking about using gifts of ministry to support and help one another within the local community of believers.
Notice, Peter states that every Christian has one of these gifts of ministry. Every Christian has a part to play in serving God. It is not the job of clergy to do all the work of the Church. Every member has a part to play.
This is what Paul taught in Ephesians 4:11,12. Paul wrote, “And He gave some, apostles; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.''
According to the Apostle Paul, the leaders in a Church are to prepare God's people for the work. The leaders in a congregation are not to do all the work. They are to train, teach and encourage the membership to do the work.
Christian friend, God has given you a special capacity, a gift of ministry, to be used in His service. You will find joy and peace as you faithfully use God's gift to help others.
posted by David Frank Wilson | 4:34 PM
2 Comments:
would we be limiting our view of God by saying that God does not bestow miraculous gifts today though? He certainly could if He chose to. It's not a question about if He does or doesn't. If He chose to, would we be open enough to recognize it as being from God?
I'm not a proponent that certain spiritual gifts are a sign of the Holy Spirit. Rather, I am ascertaining that God is big enough and able enough to do His will through whatever means He chooses. "...the ability which God giveth" can ultimately be whatever He chooses, miraculous by our standards or not.
For me though, forgiveness is sufficient miracle enough to testify to the truth about Jesus Christ.
God can do whatever He desires.
And my previous post on Miraculous Gifts may sound more rigid that what I actually think. I believe God can and does heal people. I believe that God leads people through visions or dreams, but rarely. I do not believe God bestows these Miraculous Gifts in the same way that He did in New Testament times, or in the way that some Christians today claim that He does.
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