100114: Gifts of the Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:1-13
Spiritual Gifts

2You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.3Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,^a and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

- “To speak in tongues” = to speak in the Heavenly language, or to speak in a foreign Earthly tongue (babble) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azusa_Street_Revival)

- “To distinguish between spirits”: the gift to naturally distinguish between the work of God vs. the work of evil spirits (notice here the word “spirits” was not capitalized in the text); however, those without this gift can try to make this distinction by 1) knowing that those who are with God will never curse God (1 Corinthians 12:2-3); 2) testing the spirits as instructed in the text

One Body, Many Parts

12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by^c one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be?20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues^d? Do all interpret? 31But eagerly desire^e the greater gifts.

Romans 12:3-7
Living Sacrifices

2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.

1 Corinthians 14:1-5 and 21-24

Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues

2For anyone who speaks in a tongue^a does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.^b 3But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,^c but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues,^d unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

- Gift of Prophecy: for Christians; edifies the Church b/c the message is understood by all

- Gift of Tongues: for non-Christians (the unbelievers) and for exalting God; edifies the person who speaks it b/c it is not understood by all (including the speaker), yet the speaker is edified b/c the Spirit has worked through him/her

22Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.