Now read the following Bible passages:
1 Corinthians chapters 11 - 14
Romans 12:1 - 14
Ephesians 4:1 - 14
Ok, now that you have the proper background, let's get started.
A major reason we see a large number of false teachers and false prophets in American Christianity today is a lack of understanding about the purpose of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, both individually and collectively.
The Purpose of the Gifts
The core of Paul's teaching on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit is in 1 Cor. 12. But the context begins in chapter 11, where he gives instructions for the house gatherings they held.
In the first century, disciples did not have worship services like we do today. They didn't own buildings for worship and instruction.
They met in homes instead. They would have a community meal, much like a potluck dinner, have a time of worship, and then a teaching from an elder. The elder could be the host, but could have been any other elder from the congregation.
Sometime during the meeting a time would come for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
I capitalized the word 'gift' there because Paul in Romans mentions other gifts, and he says nothing about those gifts coming from the Holy Spirit, I wanted to draw some distinction between the two. I'm sure the HS has a role in them.
Paul does say that we are to exercise them according to the grace given to us (Rom. 12:6). What is the grace given to us? The New Birth! So, maybe we can call these Grace gifts...
No matter how we receive these gifts, Paul is clear about one thing: the gifts are for the benefit of the Body of Christ (Rom. 12: 4 - 5; 1 Cor. 12: 12 - 31; Eph. 4: 12 - 17).
In contrast, today we see too many "ministers" using gifts to exalt themselves in the eyes of others.
I have more to say, but I have given you enough to ruminate on while I prepare part two.
No comments:
Post a Comment