The very fact that spiritual gifts are mentioned in Scripture (and in several locations no less) makes the issue worth studying 1 Timothy 2:6-7 states that all scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and for training in righteousness. That the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

 

Paul wrote to the Corinthian church that he did not want them to be unaware or ignorant concerning spiritual gifts 1 Corinthians 12:1. If Paul felt spiritual gifts were an important issue, does it not follow that we should also?

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By studying spiritual gifts, the hope is that as Christians, we will come to learn what our spiritual gift is and seek opportunities to use it. The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 1: 11;

 

“For I long to see you in order that I may share some spiritual gift with you that you may be established. Thus, as you use your gift you will help others in the church to be established and encouraged.”

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We each have vital roles to play in the lives of other Christians. 1 Peter 4:10 states;

 

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”  

 

Likewise, Charles Swindoll writes “I exhort you to cultivate your gift so you can play your part in His phenomenal plan. It is necessary to understand and deploy our spiritual gift to better follow Christ’s example in serving the body.” Thus, to be an informed, established, effective, and encourage follower of Christ, it is imperative that we study spiritual gifts.

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We will be held accountable if we fail to use our gift Romans 14:12 states, “So then, each one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Paul exhorted Timothy to not neglect the spiritual gift within him. Walt Henrichsen writes in Disciples are Made, Not Born, “As we train young Christians to become disciples, one of our primary objectives should be to help them discover and develop their gifts. Christ commands us in Matthew 28:19 - 20 to make disciples. To be obedient to that call, the issue of disciples’ gifting and how he or she fits into God's plan cannot be ignored.”

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Consider the following quote from Dr. Howard Hendricks: “What more effective way to spiritual impotence could Satan devise than to lead Believers into the notion that they are useless? To confuse Christ’s own followers on the subject of spiritual gifts is to cripple His cause. God gives gifts to men and gifted men to the church. Certainly, the entire area of spiritual gifts needs reexamination in today's churches.”

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A WORD OF CAUTION: Scripture is somewhat vague on many issues concerning spiritual gifts.   While we can use sound, biblical hermeneutic principles to draw some conclusions, we must remember that this is not an area where we need be (or should be) dogmatic. Many brilliant, scholarly men have drawn different conclusions. The number of interpretations is as varied as the number of books and articles on the subject. We must be careful that the issue of spiritual gifts given to edify and serve the church does not instead cause division and strife among members. God does work uniquely in the lives and ministries of different people, as well as in the lives and ministries of individual churches. Our job is to interpret scripture through the power and teaching of the Holy Spirit as well as apply sound hermeneutic principles that we may reach some conclusions as to what God has said and to act upon those conclusions.

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Definition of a Spiritual Gift

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A spiritual gift is a permanent ability given by God to all Christians at the time of their salvation to serve and assist other Christians. Romans 11: 29 states that the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. God's gifts are given permanently. Both Romans 12:6 and 1 Corinthians 12:6-7 indicate that every Christian has a spiritual gift. The one experience that all Christians have in common is a point of conversion. It would stand that since this is the point that all Believers receive God's indwelling Spirit that this would also be the point at which God bestows His spiritual gifts all Believers. In the phrase “spiritual gifts” of 1 Corinthians 12:1, the word “gifts” is implied. The Greek word for spirituals, translated there as spiritual gifts is “pneumatikon”, a composite of 2 words, “pneuma” and “ikos.” These Greek words mean “spirit” and “characterized by or controlled by” respectively. Thus, “pneumatikon” in the context means characterized or controlled by the Spirit. It would follow then that the spiritual gift is given at the same time as the Holy Spirit is given to indwell the new Believer. 1 Corinthians 12:7 states, “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” The gifts are given for the common good of the body (church). A reading of 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 reveals the analogy of physical members of a body working for the common good and purposes of the body. Likewise, spiritual gifts are given to individual members of the spiritual body (church) for the benefit of the church body. Peter writes, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1Peter 4: 10). Spiritual gifts are given to benefit other Christians in the body of Christ as a whole. They are not given to benefit the world or non-Christians.