Note: I have taken the research of Norman Manzon of BibleStudyProject.org and thinned out the content for the use of home church. If you are reading this and you want to get the full study you can find it on http://biblestudyproject.org. If you feel led to contribute to Norman's ministry please visit his site.
What do you think your spiritual gifts are? We should pray that we are shown what are gifts are so that we may know.
19 Spiritual Gifts in the Bible named by Paul
Insight Gifts: knowledge, wisdom, distinguishing of spirits.
Communication Gifts: prophecy, teaching, exhortation, evangelism, tongues, interpretation of tongues.
Power Gifts: workings of miracles, gifts of healings.
Leadership Gifts: leading, pastoring-teaching, apostleship.
Service Gifts: serving, showing mercy.
Enablement Gifts: faith, celibacy, giving.
Where Are These Spiritual Gifts Named in Scripture?
Romans 12:6-8: prophecy, serving (ministry), teaching, exhortation (entreaty, encouragement), giving (sharing), leading (ruling, administration, presiding), showing mercy (comfort, sympathy, consolation).
1 Corinthians 7:1, 7: celibacy (singleness, eunuch for the kingdom of heaven [Matthew 19:12]). Celibacy is not named in these scriptures, but is clearly implied. A secondary implication is singleness as to the marital state.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11: wisdom (word of wisdom), knowledge (word of knowledge), faith, gifts of healings (gift of healing, healing, healings), workings of miracles (miracles, working of miracles, effecting of miracles), prophecy, distinguishing of spirits (discernment of spirits), tongues (speaking in tongues, various kinds of tongues, diversities of tongues, languages, diversities of languages, glossalalia), interpretation of tongues (interpretation of languages).
1 Corinthians 12:28-30: apostleship (apostles), prophecy (prophets), teaching (teachers), miracles, gifts of healings, helps, leading (administrations), tongues.
Ephesians 4:11: apostleship (apostle), prophecy (prophet), evangelism (evangelist), pastoring-teaching (shepherding-teaching, pastor-teacher, shepherd-teacher).
Insight Gifts
1) Knowledge
(1 Corinthians 12:8).In some circles, the word of knowledge is defined as a direct word from God revealing something about another person, or some other knowledge. Biblically, however, such revelation is not a word of
knowledge, but a word of prophecy.
1 Corinthians 12:8, the word translated knowledge in word of knowledge is gnosis. The same word is used in Romans 2:20 and 1 Corinthians 8:1, and refers to objective knowledge of the already extant Word of God.
Gnosis is also used in 1 Corinthians 13:2, in which it is described as the ability to know mysteries, knowledge revealed for the first time in the New Testament.
The gift of knowledge, then, is the pronounced motivation AND ability to search out and discern the literal meaning of a passage, or related passages, of Scripture. It is the ability to properly understand the truths revealed to the apostles and prophets. Teachers of the Word need this gift.
2) Wisdom
(1 Corinthians 12:8). In 1 Corinthians 12:8, the word for wisdom in word of wisdom is sophia. 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 and James 1:2-8 use sophia in the context of applied spiritual knowledge. The gift of wisdom, then, is the pronounced ability to understand the proper application of the literal meaning of a passage or principle of Scripture. The gift may be applied to one's own decisions or as words of encouragement or exhortation for others.
Exhorters:
Those who preach to move others to action, need this gift.
A word of wisdom is often misconstrued as direct revelation; but biblical wisdom is based on truth already revealed. Direct revelation is solely the domain of prophecy.
3) Distinguishing of spirits
(1 Corinthians 12:10). In 1 Corinthians 12:10, the word for distinguishing or discerning is diakrisis, which, according to Strong's, means judicial estimation, discerning, and is from diakrino, which is found in 1 Corinthians 14:29, and means to separate thoroughly... to discriminate... discern. 1 Corinthians 14:29 reads, Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment (diakrino).
Distinguishing of spirits, then, is the God-given ability to determine the nature of the spirit that motivates a declaration or an action, whether it be of God, the devil, or the human spirit.
In Acts 16:17-18, a slave girl publicly declared Paul and company to be the bond-servants of the Most High God; yet Paul discerned the demonic nature of the spirit motivating the girl, and cast the demon out of her. The prophet Nathan's first word to David was neither from God nor the devil, but from his own spirit
(2 Samuel 7:1-7, 12-14; 1 Chronicles 17:1-6).
Communication Gifts
1) Prophecy
Though all professed prophets needed to pass the test of accurate predictive prophecy, not all prophecies were of a predictive nature.
At least the following classes of prophecy are found in Scripture
1] future events: details of Messiah's crucifixion (Psalm 22:1-21; Isaiah 52:13 - 53:9); the Rapture (I Thessalonians 4:13-18).
2] direction from God: the call of Abram (Genesis 12:1); Paul's call to Macedonia (Acts 16:9-10 ).
3] newly revealed spiritual principles: God to Abram: I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse (Genesis 12:3), and the nature and test of true prophecy as revealed to Moses, above (Deuteronomy
18:20-22); that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body (Ephesians 3:4-7).
4] a timely message for a nation: Jonah's warnings to Nineveh (Jonah 1:2; 3:2); Peter's evangelistic message to the Men of Israel (Acts 2:22-39).
5] a timely message for a person: Nathan to David (2 Samuel 12:1-12); Agabus to Paul (Acts 21:10-11).
2) Teaching
(Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28).
The spiritual gift of teaching is the ability to communicate biblical truth clearly and persuasively. The possessor of the gift is characterized by a great desire to study the Word and teach it. He or she must first be able to search out
and perceive the truth of Scripture, and so must possess the gift of knowledge as a foundation. He or she must also possess the ability to think logically and organize clearly, both for their own understanding and the understanding of
their audience, which may be hearers, readers, etc. The gift was given considerable emphasis in the early church because of its importance in bringing believers to maturity, and must be given no less emphasis today (Acts 2:42; 4:2; 5:42;
11:26; 13:1; 15:35; 18:11, etc.). Paul's first eleven chapters of Romans is a great example of teaching.
3) Exhortation (Romans 12:8)
The ability to persuade an individual to act on the basis of a word or principle of Scripture;
BUT
sometimes, to the ability to comfort, console or encourage.
In Romans 12:8, Paul named the gift paraklesis. Dictionaries, translators and commentators variously render the meaning either as an appeal to the will (exhortation, persuasive discourse, entreaty), or as a word of comfort (comfort, consolation).
Encouragement is another word used that can refer to either meaning. The two basic meanings are hardly synonymous. What did Paul have in mind?
Among those verses that clearly refer to the gift of exhortation, there are a few cases in which paraklesis or its verb form, parakaleo (to exhort) is used of comfort, consolation or encouragement, as in 1 Thessalonians 4:18:
Therefore comfort (parakaleo) one another with these words; but in the overwhelming majority of cases they are used of persuasive discourse, as in Romans 12:1: Therefore I urge (parakaleo) you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice. In addition, in 1 Corinthians 14:3, exhortation is differentiated from consolation: But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation (paraklesis) and consolation (paramuthia).
Strong defines paramuthia as consolation, comfort, which is the result of the gift of showing mercy (eleeo).
4) Evangelism (Ephesians 4:11)
The word for evangelist is euaggelistes, which Strong defines as a preacher of the Gospel.
The gift of evangelism consists of a pronounced burden for the lost and the ability to present the Gospel clearly and in such a manner so that many people come to Messiah. In Acts 21:8,
Philip is named an evangelist. In Acts 8:5-40, he preached the Gospel in the desert and in all the cities between Azotus and Caesarea, to crowds and to individuals, with many conversions.
Peter and Paul clearly had this gift (Acts 2:14-42; Acts 14:19-21, etc.).
Power Gifts
One of the Greek words translated miracles is dunamis, which Strong's renders as force; specifically miraculous power. The understanding is that special power is released by God for the working of a miracle.
There are two miracle gifts:
the workings of miracles,
AND
the gifts of healings.
The second is a subset of the first. We will therefore view them together.
1) Workings of miracles (1 Corinthians 12:10, 28)
AND
2) Gifts of healings (1 Corinthians 12:9, 28, 30)
The gift of workings of miracles is the ability to act as an agent of extraordinary works of divine power. "Miracles is in the plural emphasizing that there are various categories of miracles.
The word workings is also plural emphasizing that like the gifts of healings, it is not with a person all the time. It came and went as God willed it" (Fruchtenbaum, Dr. Arnold G. Messianic Bible Study 071: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit, p. 14. San Antonio: Ariel Ministries Press).
The gifts of healings is the ability to act as an agent of extraordinary works of power in the realm of divine physical healing. "The word healings is plural because there are various classes of sicknesses," and "gifts is also plural.
In the Greek, plural often emphasizes repeated action. The statement gifts of healings shows that whereas with the other gifts, once one had them, it stayed with him and could be used at any time, in the case of the gifts of healings.... it is a gift that comes and goes" (Fruchtenbaum, Dr. Arnold G. Messianic Bible Study 071: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit, p. 14. San Antonio: Ariel Ministries Press).
Leadership Gifts
1) Leading
(Romans 12:8; 1 Corinthians 12:28). In Romans 12:8, the word is proistemi, which Strong defines as "to stand before, that is, (in rank) to preside." In 1 Corinthians 12:28, it's kubernesis, which means "pilotage, that is, (figuratively) directorship (in the church): - government."
The spiritual gift of leading, then, is the God-given ability to lead a group within the congregation, or the entire congregation. It is the ability to see the big picture, to establish priorities, to make wise decisions, to organize people, to give clear and authoritative direction, and to inspire confidence in those being led.
The gift of leading is foundational and essential to all in positions of group leadership, whether those positions have to do with pastoring, works of mercy, maintaining the physical plant, or some other form of ministry.
2) Pastor-teacher
(Ephesians 4:11). Ephesians 4:11 reads, And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers.
1. In pastors and teachers, "the word 'and' is not in the Greek text. A proper translation of this passage should be pastor-teacher" (Fruchtenbaum, Dr. Arnold G. Messianic Bible Study 071: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit, p. 6).
2. The word some precedes each of the following: apostles, prophets, evangelists and pastors. However, there is no some before teachers. In other words, there is a some before each of the first four gifts, and one before pastors [and] teachers. This, too, is evidence that pastors and teachers should be linked with a hyphen.
3. Vincent's Word Studies says, "The omission of the article from teachers seems to indicate that pastors and teachers are included under one class. The two belong together. No man is fit to be a pastor who cannot also teach...."
There are those with the gift of teaching who do not have the gift of pastoring; but there are those with the gift of pastoring-teaching, and the gift of teaching is part of the package. There is no pastoring gift without the accompanying teaching gift. If a person does not have the teaching gift, then they do not have the pastoring gift either.
Paul considered it crucial that pastor Timothy faithfully and consistently teach the Word (1 Timothy 1:3, 5; 4:11; 6:2, 17). One of the reasons the Western church is filled with immature, worldly believers is because of the abundance of pastors who do not have the gift of teaching.
We've examined the gift of teaching; but what is involved in the gift of pastoring?
The word for pastor is poimen, and it means "a shepherd." A shepherd's job is to lovingly lead the flock to green pastures and fresh water, retrieve the strays and the lost, protect it from predators, bind up the wounded, keep them from fighting among themselves, discipline the offenders, tend to the sick and the wounded, and shelter the flock from inclement weather (Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34).
One operating as a congregational pastor must care for his flock in the same way by teaching the Word, applying it in all situations, and facilitating the full operation of the gifts.
The pastoring gift is a leadership gift, and must, of necessity, include the gift of leading, as well.
To sum up, one with the teaching gift need not have the gift of pastoring and leading, but one with the pastoring gift must, of necessity, possess the gifts of teaching and leading, as well.
One more thing: As with all the gifts, pastoring-teaching is a gift, and its possessor may or may not hold a congregational office. Those with the gift may function in their gift without being the pastor of a congregation. Whether men or women, they may serve as youth leaders, home group leaders, principals of Christian schools, and the like. In these capacities they may lead, teach, and fulfill the roles of a shepherd.
Enablement Gifts
Enablement gifts enable the exercise of other gifts more effectively. Those with the gifts of faith or celibacy are enabled by those gifts to exercise other gifts more effectively. Those with the gift of giving enable others to exercise their gifts more effectively.
1) Faith
(1 Corinthians 12:9). All believers have saving faith, but not all have the spiritual gift of faith. The word is pistis, and it means persuasion... moral conviction (Strong). Saving faith results in salvation, which is not a work, but the gift of faith is directly responsible for the accomplishment of many great works. In 1 Corinthians 13:2, the gift of faith is essential for moving mountains: ... if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains....
In Acts 6:5, seven men were chosen by the apostles to oversee the fair distribution of food to the widows, but Stephen was distinguished from the others in that he was introduced as a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 11:24, Barnabas likewise was introduced as full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. As it would have been unnecessary to say that they had saving faith, we can conclude that they had the gift of faith. Look at the great works that these men accomplished.
Stephen performed great wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6:8) and stood his ground in argument with his opponents; and when they brought him before the Sanhedrin he stood fast and preached a message that cut to their hearts unto the point of his martyrdom, and then prayed for them with his very last words (Acts 6:8-7:60).
In Acts 4:35-37, Barnabas is noted for his magnanimous giving and great trust in the apostles so that the needs of all were met. In Acts 9:27, he had faith in former persecutor Paul and introduced him to the apostles. In Acts 11:22, he was sent by the apostles to oversee the large number of those coming to the Lord in Antioch; and he worked closely with Paul in preaching and in danger for the duration of Paul's first missionary journey (Acts 13:1 - 15:39).
Paul, too, must have had the gift of faith in order to persevere in his call to be an apostle of Gentiles (Romans 11:13) through all manner of severe persecutions and hardships (2 Corinthians 11:24-28).
The gift of faith, then, is an unusually large measure of trust given by God for steadfastness in the promises, commands and commissions of God.
In light of the persecutions and other challenges that they endured and overcame, these men and women must be among the many, both known to us and unknown, who had the gift of faith: Jan Hus, William Tyndale, Martin Luther, George Mueller, Mary Slessor, Hudson Taylor, William Booth, Corrie ten Boom, Richard Wurmbrand.
3) Giving
Giving (sharing spiritual things AND/OR material things). Spiritual things can be our own experiences and the Word of God also I believe.
(Romans 12:8). The word is metadidomi. Strong defines it as "to give over, that is, share" and Young's Concordance defines it as "to give a share of."
It is used equally of sharing or imparting things spiritual and things material.
Spiritual things:
Romans 1:11: ... that I may impart (metadidomi) some spiritual gift to you....
1 Thessalonians 2:8: ... we were well-pleased to impart (metadidomi) to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives.....
Material things:
Luke 3:11: The man who has two tunics is to share (metadidomi) with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.
Ephesians 4:28: He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share (metadidomi) with one who has need.
We have a situation here that is similar to the one we had with service/helps: The word is used broadly, yet, in Romans 12:8, the gift of giving is differentiated from speaking and other gifts: from prophecy, serving, teaching, exhortation, leading and showing mercy. Similarly, we can conclude that all Christian ministry must be done in a spirit of giving; but as a specific spiritual gift, it refers to the pronounced God-given desire to share materially or financially to meet a need. It is may be possessed by those of moderate or abundant means, but all who have the gift are to give with liberality (Romans 12:8).
The essence of the gift may be captured in Paul's soaring statement, And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor... (1 Corinthians 13:3); and as with Lydia (Acts 16:14-15), the Lord does raise up people of means in this gift to serve in the support of the ministry.
SIMPLE AND COMPOUND GIFTS
Certain gifts seem to be stand-alone gifts, such as the gift of knowledge, and may be thought of as simple gifts: They do not require the support of other gifts in their possessors.
Other gifts, however, require a combination of gifts, and may be thought of as compound gifts. Pastoring-teaching is a compound gift: It requires the gifts of leading, pastoring and teaching; and teaching, in turn, requires the gift of knowledge as well as the abilities to organize materials and communicate clearly.
How to Test the Spiritual Gifts:
TESTING THE GIFTS
Human claims and testimonies are subject to error in memory, wishful thinking and exaggeration, and are, at times, complete fabrications. They must therefore be taken with a grain of salt until they are proven to the satisfaction of unbiased and skilled scrutiny.
Certain tests may be applied to the professed use of any gift.
a. Objective Evidence
Does the person exhibit the characteristics of one who has the gift? If one who exhorts puts people to sleep rather than stirring them to action, then he does not have the gift of exhortation. If one has a very poor success rate in leading people to Messiah, he is not an evangelist. If one who claims to speak in tongues is fluent only in gibberish, then that person does not have the gift of tongues. And so on.
b. Discerning the Spirit of the Gift
Those who have the gift of discerning spirits can tell whether or not one is using a gift in the Holy Spirit or a demonic spirit. Congregational elders should identify such people and put them to work. Others need to test the spirits.
c. Testing the Spirits
A person may have a gift and yet use it in the wrong spirit, or he may not have a gift and profess to be using it. We may test the spirits (1 John 4:1) to determine whether or not a gift is used in the Holy Spirit or a demonic spirit. This has more than one aspect.
1) 1 Corinthians 12:3: Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed"; and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
If, while professedly using a gift, one confesses the deity of Jesus, then that confession is of the Spirit. If one declares, Jesus is accursed, then that confession is diabolic.
2) 1 John 4:1-3. 1. Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; 3. and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.
If, while using a gift, one confesses that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah and has come bodily, then that confession is of the Spirit. If the person denies it or refuses to confess it, that person is operating in a demonic spirit.
To sum up, if one confesses both the deity and the humanity of Jesus, then that confession is of God. If he denies either, or declares that Jesus is accursed, then the confession is of a demonic nature.
Testing the Speaking Gifts in General
Acts 17:10-11. 11. The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
12. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
These Berean Jews tested the word that they heard against the written Word, an example we all ought to follow. If the word heard contradicts Scripture, throw it out. If it is consistent with Scripture, receive it. However, the spirit in which a true word is delivered also needs to be tested by one of the above methods. The slave-girl in Thyatira spoke truth, yet her motive was demonic. Paul recognized the spirit of divination in her, and cast it out of her (Acts 16:16-18)
Testing Prophecy in Particular
Introduction
In Matthew 7:15-16, Jesus said, 15. Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16. You will know them by their fruits. (See also 2 Peter 2:1.)
There are a plethora of false prophets and prophecies, both inside and outside of churches and congregations. Some such prophets are sincere but mistaken, and others are bold-faced deceivers. What they have in common is false prophecy, and all false prophecy is dangerous. Lives have been uprooted and heretical cults have arisen on the basis of false prophecies. One must be exceedingly careful before receiving or giving a prophecy.
Two Tests
Scripture names two tests that are specific to prophecy.
1) The Fruit
Jesus said, You will know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:16). The fruits or deeds or of the flesh are named in Galatians 5:19-21. 19. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20. idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21. envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these.... If one's prophecy bears the fruit of things like these, it is a false prophecy.
2) The Mosaic Test
As was shown, no passage of Scripture indicates that the nature of prophecy changed from the Old Testament to the New. Therefore, the Mosaic test of a prophet is as valid today as is was in Mosaic times.
Deuteronomy 18:20-22: 20
But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die
21. You may say in your heart, "How will we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?"
22. When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.
One who claims to be a prophet needs to prophesy a near future event that cannot be determined by natural means, and is quite improbable. To pass the test, the prophecy must come to pass in every detail.
Bible verses that talk about Spiritual Gifts:
(Rom 12:6 [KJV])
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
(Rom 12:7 [KJV])
Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
(Rom 12:8 [KJV])
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.
(Eph 4:11 [KJV])
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
(Eph 4:12 [KJV])
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
(Eph 4:13 [KJV])
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
(Eph 4:14 [KJV])
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
(Eph 4:15 [KJV])
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
(Eph 4:16 [KJV])
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Each believer's gift(s) serves not only the local body, but the entire body of Jesus Christ from Pentecost to the Rapture
God the Father is the source of the spiritual gifts
(1Cor 8:6 [KJV])
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
(Rom 11:36 [KJV])
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
(Heb 2:10 [KJV])
For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
More about Spiritual Gifts
(1Cor 12:4 [KJV])
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
(1Cor 12:5 [KJV])
And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
(1Cor 12:6 [KJV])
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
The above three verses are constructed in a parallel manner
(1Cor 12:11 [KJV])
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Jesus Christ is the giver of the spiritual gifts
(Eph 4:8 [KJV])
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
The Spirit of Truth (Holy Spirit) serves to distribute the gifts
(John 16:13 [KJV])
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
(John 16:14 [KJV])
He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
1 Corinthians 12:5 declares that the Jesus is in charge of the ministries of the Spirit. As the builder of the church (Matthew 16:18), He decides where each of the living stones (1 Peter 2:5) is placed in it. He decides exactly where in
the worldwide body of Messiah each individual believer with his particular gift or gifts is placed. It seems likely, as well, that the sovereign Builder decides exactly when in the Church Age each one of us, unique as we are, are placed
in His spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5).
(1Cor 12:5 [KJV])
And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
(Matt 16:18 [KJV])
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
(1Pet 2:5 [KJV])
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
(1Pet 2:5 [KJV])
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Summary:
God the Father gives the gifts to Jesus, who gives them to the Holy Spirit, who then distributes them among believers as He sees fit, Jesus decides where in the body each believer is placed, and God the Father operates the gifts
through believers and brings about the results.
Spiritual gifts are not revocable:
(Rom 11:29 [KJV])
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance
Reference: notes and a lot of verbatim paragraphs were taken from the following site for home church use.
Norman Manzon's site: biblestudyproject.org
Always checked against the Bible (KJV is my preference)
