God established a single Church. AND within that Church, God has distributed several different gifts. Although there are many gifts, there is a gift that is better than the other, nor a person who is in a category higher than the other. There is, within the Church, believers in first, second or third category; all are equal. All who are in the Church were baptized in one Spirit, drank from a single Spirit. The apostle Paul talks about this in I Corinthians 12.12 -30.
"Gift and special attribute, given by the Holy Spirit, to each member of the body, according to the grace of God, for use in the context of the body" (C. Peter Wagner).
1- TO WHOM IT IS GIVEN A SPIRITUAL GIFT?
Each one of us was given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ (Ephesians 4:7).
2- WHAT FOR US IS GIVEN A GIFT?
To serve. "Serve one another, each one as the gift that you received, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Peter 4:10).
3- WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF THE BELIEVER DISCOVER, DEVELOP AND EXERCISE THEIR GIFTS IN THE CHURCH?
- The body works best, because each member knows his place in the body (Eph 2:10; 1Co 12:12-27). - There will be harmony, and they can all work together in love, without jealousy, envy, pride or false modesty (Rom 12:3). - Building: there will be spiritual development and character; consequently the state better serve (Eph 4:16). - God will be glorified (1Pe 4:10,11 ).
4- AS THE SPIRITUAL GIFT AFFECTS THE BEARER?
The exercise of the gift brings joy and satisfaction, and he feels relieved and safe to be himself (self-acceptance).
5- AS THE MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF GIFTS AFFECTS interpersonal relations?
"When a believer recognizes that God operates in a very particular way through each member of the body, then he will have more consideration and nourished a love more sincere to other believers. This will help you to understand also the mode of thinking and acting of other people. The mutual recognition of the spiritual gifts (personal) promotes coordination and unity between the members of the body of Christ" (Larry coy).
6- HOW TO FIND MY SPIRITUAL GIFT?
We can discover our gifts through certain evidence: - our basic motivation behind it. The gift is connected directly to a motivation after the conversion. It is revealed in what we really like to do. In this activity we feel happy and fulfilled. - The gift is also performed in what we do in full, what do we do until the end without wavering. In a favorable situation the task will be accomplished.
7- HOW TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN SPIRITUAL GIFT OF NATURAL TALENTS?
IT IS often said that we are born with certain talents, natural abilities, but when we were born again and in given spiritual gifts - talents being natural and gifts being supernatural. It is interesting that such brilliant distinction is never described in the Scriptures. It is often inferred or only suspected, today, but never declared this way in the Scriptures.
Galatians 1:15-16 declares, effectively, that Paul was given to preach since before his birth. But this gift, of course, was not exercised until many years later. Certainly, he, no doubt, preached and taught before believing, but such preaching or teaching has received an entirely new dimension when he was saved. He had the gift (talent) from the beginning; it became the "spiritual" when he became spiritual. (A man "spiritual" and a Christian. This is the terminology of Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:14-15). His "natural" gifts (which, no doubt, were Sovereignly given ) have become spiritual simply because he himself has become spiritual. Or look at this another way: what is the difference between what your teacher of Sunday School does to you every Sunday morning and that his professor of the faculty makes him? The difference is obvious: the teaching of his teacher of Sunday School, or his pastor - although the same talent, gift, can be used in a secular classroom - has a totally different dimension. This teaching is spiritual and is to be ministered for the church. The talent is the same, but received a new dimension and a new capacity - the capacity for spiritual things. Many teachers have become "spiritual" and thus gained the ability to teach for the church with the same talent, the same gift that he had from the beginning. God wisely and providentially equip at birth; the spiritual dimension is added to the new birth, but the talent itself is basically the same.
8- THE GIFTS OF GOD CAN BE DRAWN FROM?
The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable (Rom 11:29). However, when the believer is in sin or in rebellion, he will not develop his gift. He can continue doing all the work, the less use with effectiveness the power of God. The gift without anointing and only an ability that does not produce life. The gifts of God are recognized in us by our brother, that are built through them. Nobody is going to be built only by abilities.
CONSIDERATIONS:
- the gifts are distributed by the will of the Holy Spirit (1Co 12:11);
- the gift is given for the common good(1Co 12:7);
- we should not be jealous of the other brothers(1Co 12:14-25 );
- to each was given different gifts (1 Cor 12: 28-30);
- members have gifts to exercise the work of Christ (1Co 12:1-31);
THE PURPOSE OF THE GIFTS (Eph 4:12-14) -
THE perfecting of the saints;
- for the work of the ministry;
- for building up the body of Christ;
- to achieve the unity of the faith(Eph 4:13);
- to arrive at the knowledge of the Son of God;
- to reach the stature of perfect man.
Heliene Lobato and Nivea Cólon
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