By the same token, Paul states that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost, because one has to first believe that Jesus is indeed Lord (and Christ) in their heart, before those words can be uttered. Just as the first 3,000 souls saved on the day of Pentecost believed, when they gladly received the Word. (Acts 2:36-47)
When it comes to the gifts of the Holy Ghost, Paul tells us that even with the diversities of gifts, the differences of administrations, and the diversities of operations, it is the same Spirit, the same Lord, the same God which works all in all. One Spirit which is given to every man to profit withal. (I Corinthians 12:1-7) The one and same holy Spirit of Jesus that imparts them all.
As background, it is important to note that these Spirit gifts are given for the application of various ministries within Jesus' own body. The body or church is the temple and habitation of the Spirit of Jesus. For those of you who are new to the gospel, there is only one body and there is only one Spirit. And, it is the same Christ in God who achieves His purposes through them all.
Therefore, each believer who is born again of God, (born of water and of spirit) becomes a living member of the temple of God. In this new capacity, believers become functioning members in the body of Christ, wherein Jesus as both Lord and Christ, is the Head of the body of Christ church.
Moreover, in learning from the Word of God (studying to show ourselves approved unto God, as doth a workman) believers in Jesus by faith become adequately equipped, desiring to put on the whole armour of God. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
Herein, we become equals in the body of Christ, desiring to serve one another, so that no one is without. To that end, we strive also to become a flow through for the love of our Lord God in everything we do, in both word or deed. Not our intellect (as the world claims as the key to success) but rather our hearts reaching out to others because of Jesus' love in our hearts. Because He willingly shed His blood for our sins, even whilst we were still His enemies, we begin to understand the price that was paid once and for all, so that we might experience salvation.
But our Lord God, having walked on this earth knows the struggles that we will have, when Jesus is our Saviour. Indeed, Jesus told us that we would experience tribulation and persecution because these hated Jesus first. This is why spiritual gifts are so critical to our faith journey, because these help us to serve willingly all of those within the body of Christ.
This is why there are diversities of gifts, and differences of administrations, and diversities of operations. The administrations and operations are often overlooked when counting the spiritual gifts but that will be a topic for a different day. For now, let's examine the nine spiritual gifts most referred to by religious circles. From I Corinthians 12:
"For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another diverse kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these work that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will." (I Corinthians 12:8-11)
Simplified -- to one is given by the holy Spirit of Jesus the ability to speak wisdom. To another is given by the holy Spirit of Jesus the power to express knowledge. To another is given by the same holy Spirit of Jesus, special faith. To another is given by the same holy Spirit of Jesus, the gift of healing. To another is given by the same holy Spirit of Jesus, the power to work miracles. To another is given by the same holy Spirit of Jesus, prophetic insight. To another is given by the same holy Spirit of Jesus the power to discern between true spirits and false spirits. To another is given by the same holy Spirit of Jesus, the ability to speak in languages that he never formally learned. These tongues of men and of angels, both unknown or unheard of. To another given by the same holy Spirit of Jesus is the capacity to interpret languages spoken through the gift of spiritual tongues.
[As an aside, note that when we repent, and are water baptized in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost -- His Spirit within.]
But I digress. Continuing, these nine gifts are the gifts of the Spirit of Jesus given for the edification of His own body (HIS TEMPLE). Jesus empowering each member and Jesus apportioning to each believer as He chooses and wills. Or, as the scriptures state, giving "severally as He will." For there is only one body.
But within the body, there are many organs that work together in unity. In the same fashion, we are members of the body of Christ. We were all brought into that one body by water baptism in Jesus name and by the purifying baptism of His holy Spirit. We have all been added to His body, which is the body of the Christ. Because we are all members of Jesus' body, we all drink the same drink, and we all eat the same meat. And we do so in one accord.
"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.
If the foot shall say, "Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, "Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?" If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him.
And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, "I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you." Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary. And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked ... that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
And [therefore, when] one member suffers all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it." (I Corinthians 12:12 -26) But apostle Paul does not stop there. He continues, saying,
"Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way." (I Corinthians 12:27-31)
In other words, as you grow in your relationship with the Lord Jesus, studying His Word for your own learning and understanding, He will give you the gifts that you will need to endure the hardships and toils of this world -- severally as He will. In this context, you will be instructed to put on the whole armour of God, so that when the wiles of the enemy come in like a flood, the Lord can lift up a standard against it. And in the same way, He parted the waters for the Israelites, He will pave the way for you to be victorious too (in Him) our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ.
Step into your intended calling. Covet the best gifts, but be aware of a more excellent way -- charity, wherein we can become the blessing we were intended to be to those around us. Stand in the offering plate.
Therefore, each believer who is born again of God, (born of water and of spirit) becomes a living member of the temple of God. In this new capacity, believers become functioning members in the body of Christ, wherein Jesus as both Lord and Christ, is the Head of the body of Christ church.
Moreover, in learning from the Word of God (studying to show ourselves approved unto God, as doth a workman) believers in Jesus by faith become adequately equipped, desiring to put on the whole armour of God. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
Herein, we become equals in the body of Christ, desiring to serve one another, so that no one is without. To that end, we strive also to become a flow through for the love of our Lord God in everything we do, in both word or deed. Not our intellect (as the world claims as the key to success) but rather our hearts reaching out to others because of Jesus' love in our hearts. Because He willingly shed His blood for our sins, even whilst we were still His enemies, we begin to understand the price that was paid once and for all, so that we might experience salvation.
But our Lord God, having walked on this earth knows the struggles that we will have, when Jesus is our Saviour. Indeed, Jesus told us that we would experience tribulation and persecution because these hated Jesus first. This is why spiritual gifts are so critical to our faith journey, because these help us to serve willingly all of those within the body of Christ.
This is why there are diversities of gifts, and differences of administrations, and diversities of operations. The administrations and operations are often overlooked when counting the spiritual gifts but that will be a topic for a different day. For now, let's examine the nine spiritual gifts most referred to by religious circles. From I Corinthians 12:
"For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another diverse kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these work that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will." (I Corinthians 12:8-11)
Simplified -- to one is given by the holy Spirit of Jesus the ability to speak wisdom. To another is given by the holy Spirit of Jesus the power to express knowledge. To another is given by the same holy Spirit of Jesus, special faith. To another is given by the same holy Spirit of Jesus, the gift of healing. To another is given by the same holy Spirit of Jesus, the power to work miracles. To another is given by the same holy Spirit of Jesus, prophetic insight. To another is given by the same holy Spirit of Jesus the power to discern between true spirits and false spirits. To another is given by the same holy Spirit of Jesus, the ability to speak in languages that he never formally learned. These tongues of men and of angels, both unknown or unheard of. To another given by the same holy Spirit of Jesus is the capacity to interpret languages spoken through the gift of spiritual tongues.
[As an aside, note that when we repent, and are water baptized in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost -- His Spirit within.]
But I digress. Continuing, these nine gifts are the gifts of the Spirit of Jesus given for the edification of His own body (HIS TEMPLE). Jesus empowering each member and Jesus apportioning to each believer as He chooses and wills. Or, as the scriptures state, giving "severally as He will." For there is only one body.
But within the body, there are many organs that work together in unity. In the same fashion, we are members of the body of Christ. We were all brought into that one body by water baptism in Jesus name and by the purifying baptism of His holy Spirit. We have all been added to His body, which is the body of the Christ. Because we are all members of Jesus' body, we all drink the same drink, and we all eat the same meat. And we do so in one accord.
"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.
If the foot shall say, "Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, "Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?" If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him.
And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, "I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you." Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary. And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked ... that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
And [therefore, when] one member suffers all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it." (I Corinthians 12:12 -26) But apostle Paul does not stop there. He continues, saying,
"Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way." (I Corinthians 12:27-31)
In other words, as you grow in your relationship with the Lord Jesus, studying His Word for your own learning and understanding, He will give you the gifts that you will need to endure the hardships and toils of this world -- severally as He will. In this context, you will be instructed to put on the whole armour of God, so that when the wiles of the enemy come in like a flood, the Lord can lift up a standard against it. And in the same way, He parted the waters for the Israelites, He will pave the way for you to be victorious too (in Him) our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ.
Step into your intended calling. Covet the best gifts, but be aware of a more excellent way -- charity, wherein we can become the blessing we were intended to be to those around us. Stand in the offering plate.
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