![]() Paul also reminded the church at Rome that we are one body with many members. Thus believers are to use their gifts for the benefit of others. The New Testament stresses that everyone is supposed to get involved in the work of the ministry. Gifts have been given for the “common good.” They are not for pride or individual glory. According to the Apostle Paul, the purpose of the gifts of the Spirit is to build up and encourage other believers. It is also important that we understand the purpose of the gifts. Indeed, a study of the subject of spiritual gifts highlights how much we do need one another. God has given different spiritual gifts to the church so that believers might depend upon one another. If your gift is speaking God’s word, make sure what you say agrees with the Christian faith ( Romans 12:4-6 God’s Word). ![]() God in his kindness gave each of us different gifts. In the same way, even though we are many individuals, Christ makes us one body and individuals who are connected to each other. Our bodies have many parts, but these parts don’t all do the same thing. Paul also compared the function of the gifts with the function of the human body. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body ( 1 Corinthians 12:18-20 NRSV).Įach member of the body needs the other there are no unimportant spiritual gifts. He gave this analogy.īut as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. There are a variety of gifts, and the Apostle Paul likens them to the components of a human body. Paul makes it clear that while all of us have spiritual abilities in certain areas, these abilities are limited. While a believer in Jesus Christ may have more than one spiritual gift, no believer has all the gifts. At the minimum, each believer has at least one gift. Therefore it is possible that believers may have more than one gift. For example, the Apostle Paul had the gift of Apostle, prophet, and teacher. It is also possible that the believer may have more than one spiritual gift. A believer may not know what their spiritual gift is, but they have one regardless of whether they exercise it. The word translated, “each” or “each one” is emphatic in the original Greek. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good ( 1 Corinthians 12:7 ESV). Paul said the same thing to the Corinthians. He wrote these words to the Ephesians.īut grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift ( Ephesians 4:7 ESV).Īgain, there is the emphasis that each person has been gifted by Christ. The Apostle Paul also taught that each person has at least one spiritual gift. ![]() Notice that he said that each believer has been given a spiritual gift. Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through you ( 1 Peter 4:10 NLT). God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Indeed, these gifts are not merely the possession of ordained clergymen or any special group. To begin with, we find that every Christian has at least one spiritual gift. From these passages we learn the following truths.Įvery Believer Has at Least One Spiritual Gift The Bible includes many references regarding the believer and spiritual gifts. Introduction to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit – Question 9 Together, we can achieve the justice and liberation that we so long for, affirm the lives of our gay and transgender brothers and sisters, and call the Black church into the full expression of God’s unconditional love.What Does the Bible Have to Say about the Christian and Spiritual Gifts? Please spread the word about Many Voices.Īnd donate today, at whatever level you can.
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