PRINCIPLES REGARDING SPIRITUAL GIFTS

WORD OF WISDOM
REVELATION ~ An uncovering, a bringing to light of that which had been previously wholly hidden or only obscurely seen. God has been pleased in various ways and at different times (Hebrews 1:1) to make a supernatural revelation of himself and his purposes and plans, which, under the guidance of his Spirit, has been committed to writing. The Scriptures are not merely the "record" of revelation; they are the revelation itself in a written form, in order to the accurate presevation and propagation of the truth.

Revelation and inspiration differ. Revelation is the supernatural communication of truth to the mind; inspiration (q.v.) secures to the teacher or writer infallibility in communicating that truth to others. It renders its subject the spokesman or prophet of God in such a sense that everything he asserts to be true, whether fact or doctrine or moral principle, is true, infallibly true.

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary


Source: ChristArt.com

God imparts spiritual gifts according to His divine grace; they cannot be earned through human merit. They are received not achieved. Ephesians 4:7-8 (King James Version) 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

God gives spiritual gifts according to His own discretion; He is not bound by man’s wishes. 1 Corinthians 12:11 (King James Version) 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. Hebrews 2:4 (King James Version) 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

God wills that every Christian exercise spiritual gifts; these divine enabling's are not limited to a few believers. 1 Corinthians 12:7 (King James Version) 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. Peter 4:10 (King James Version) 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

God provides spiritual gifts for the purpose of ministry [service]; they are not given in order to draw attention to man. Corinthians 12:7 (King James Version) 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. Peter 4:10-11 (King James Version) 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

God intends that the ministry of the church be accomplishes through spiritual gifts; human talents are not adequate for spiritual ministry.

By understanding which spiritual gifts have been entrusted to us, we can come to understand God’s perfect will for our life's. Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

God Bless,
rECj/LJG