1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:13
“The Rule of Engagement”
Date: 2-Jan-11
Required Resources: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: 1 Corinthians; shiny crystal like object (to make point)
Purpose (Why am I teaching this lesson? What effect did the writer expect it to have on the recipients?)
The purpose of this lesson is to motivate the participants to exercise love in a more selfless way.
Theme (What central idea does this passage communicate?)
A gift exercised outside the context of love is meaningless
Introduction
Review & Homework:
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Outline
A. Salutations & Reminders (v1:1-1:9)
B. Divisions within the church (v1:10-4:21)
C. …of conduct unbecoming a believer (v5:1-13) {church discipline}
D. Dealing with offenses in The Body (v6:1-11)
E. The bondage of sexual sin (v6:12-20)
– Now For The Matters You Wrote About –
F. Marriage, Divorce & Singleness (v7:1-40)
G. Christian Liberty (v8:1-11:1)
H. Order in Worship (v11:2-14:39 )
1. Submission to established order (v11:2-16)
2. Order in the Observance of the Lord’s Table (v11:17-34)
3. About Spiritual Gifts (v12:1-11)
– Indentifying your Spiritual Gift(s) –
4. The functioning of Spiritual Gifts (v12:12-31a)
Ü 5. The rule of using Spiritual Gifts (v12:31b -13:13)
6. Proper use of the sign gifts (v14:1-25)
7. Orderly worship (v14:26-39)
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Homework
- Read 1 Corinthians 12:3b thru 13:13 and complete a page in your study booklet.
- See if you can come up with a unique title for this often taught passage
- Come to class with a list (and definitions) of the Greek words translated into English as love.
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Review Homework
¿: Is love a choice or a feeling?
Some believe that chapter 13 is a parenthetical passage designed to relieve the tension between chapters 12 & 14 as Paul speaks of the misuse of the spiritual gifts. On the contrary, this passage is vital to the proper use of gifts in the Body.
Throughout history it seems the church has found it difficult to be loving. It is easier to get our doctrine right than be loving. It is easier to be active in church work than to be loving.
To best understand this passage we must look at love in the context of where this chapter is located. To look at love in isolation is beautiful but it misses the point.
Review context of 1 Corinthians 13, sandwiched between chapter 12 and 14 on the exercise of gifts in the body.
The Text
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Scripture
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Observation
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1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:3
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Only Emptiness Can be Found Without Love
31b And now I will show you the most excellent way.
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
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READ MacArthur, pg 329 ¶ 2-5
Paul speaks in the first person, showing that this applies to himself as well as to his readers.
“tongues of men and of angels” – Paul may be saying there are separate languages OR Paul may be being all inclusive by all who spoke languages we know of. Since angels are appointed over men, it is reasonable that they speak the language of that respective nation.
The Greek word used for tongues is the literal tongue, it means language. It would be equivalent to you and I saying, “Jim enjoys speaking in his mother tongue.”
The implication is “known” languages. Although there is nothing in scripture that even infers an “angelic language,” and angels always speak in men’s languages when communicating with men, this does not preclude an angelic language – it just doesn’t seem to support it.
To help us interpret the meaning we have to look at the context of the teaching surrounding the text.
The central message of this passage is not to teach on language – these verses are obviously hyperbole in order to drive the point about love home. Any secondary teaching about known/unknown languages is only inferred, not taught in this passage.
The central message: Any supernaturally bestowed spiritual gift becomes useless without love.
Note that Paul is not simply saying tongues is unimportant – he also classes it with prophecy which is highly touted in 1 Cor. 14:1, 5. This will be important to our understanding of v13:8 where he says all the gifts will cease at some time.
The absence of love in ministry means that I am changed for the worse. “I have become hollow,” “I am nothing,” “I gain nothing for all my effort.”
The greatest truth, spoken in the most elegant way, falls short without love.
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1 Corinthians 13:4-7
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Qualities of Love
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
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Show SHINY CRYTALINE OBJECT to illustrate
WHITEBOARD
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¿: What is the source of our love? [Gal 5:22-23]
There are 15 QUALITIES of love mentioned. Each is like a color in a brilliant diamond. They are all active words, adding their individual hue to the whole.
Love does not “feel” these qualities, it is these qualities in their ACTIVE sense. Love does not feel patient is acts out in patience.
“patient” – “unwearied endurance under provocation”
Ü Love’s patience is the ability to be inconvenienced or taken advantage of by a person over and over again and yet not becoming upset or angry.
“kind” – “active goodness manifest toward the interests of others”
Ü Same root as used in Matt 11:30 (“easy” = “kind”)
Patience takes anything from others, kindness gives anything to others.
è == Love Does Not Exist With the Following == ç
“not envy” (or jealousy) – “to have strong desire for”
Ü Envy has two forms:
1) I want what you have
2) I wish you didn’t have it
¿: Have you ever talked behind someone’s back in jealousy? If so, you are trying to take something from them.
Ü Envy puts others down
A loving person is never envious. He is loving toward another even if their success works against his own.
“not boast” (or bragging) – “to parade oneself”
Ü Boasting is the other side of envy.
Ü Boasting builds self up
Envy is to want what others have. Boasting is making others want what you have.
C.S. Lewis called bragging the “utmost evil.” It is the epitome of pride which is the root of original sin.
“not proud” – “to be puffed up in ones own mind”
Ü Pride is taking what you have or do and glorifying yourself in your own eyes.
Ü Ezekiel 28:11-19 chronicles the pride of satan
“not rude” (or “act unbecomingly” NASB) – “to be inconsiderate of others feelings”
Ü Love is gracious
Ü Our attitudes and behaviors, especially in the name of righteousness, are less righteous than what we may be criticizing.
Our gracelessness is never excused even in light of behavior we may consider offensive.
“not self-seeking” – “wanting to have ones own way”
Ü Love is not preoccupied with it’s own things but with the interests of others
Ü Two tombstones on England that talk of self-seeking love
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Here lies a miser who lived for himself,
Who cared for nothing but gathering wealth.
Now where he is and how he fares;
Nobody knows and nobody cares.
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Sacred to the memory of General Charles George Gordon, who at all times and everywhere gave his strength to the weak, his substance to the poor, his sympathy to the suffering, his heart to God.
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“not easily angered” – “aroused to strong feelings of displeasure” (exasperated in Greek)
Ü Love does not get self-defensive or seek retaliation when someone displeases us or prevents us from having our way
“no keep record of wrongs” (or take into account) – a bookkeeping term that means to calculate or reckon. It’s purpose is to make a permanent record that can be consulted when needed
Ü Resentment is careful to keep books, which it reads and re-reads for one purpose – to settle the score
Ü Love does not forgive and forget, love remembers and still forgives
“not delight in evil” – to delight in evil is to justify it; to make the wrong appear right
Ü Isaiah 5:20 warns about this
¿: Name some movies where the protagonist “wins” by doing wrong? Do we cheer (or overlook) such behavior?
Ü Delighting in evil can be taking pleasure in misfortunes that befall our enemies
Ü Gossip is delighting in evil. Gossip that is true is still gossip
è ============= ç
“rejoice with truth” – God’s truth is consistent with love
Ü 2 John 6 compares love to God’s commands (truth)
“protects” – “protects others from exposure, ridicule, or harm”
Ü Proverbs 10:12 discusses loves protection
Ü Love never protects sin, but is anxious to protect the sinner
When a best friend does wrong, are we quick to cover her faults by saying, “She didn’t mean it”
Then when a person we don’t like sins are we quick to offer, “That’s typical of him?”
“trusts” – “believes all things”
Ü When there is doubt about guilt or motivation, love opts for the favorable possibility
Ü If guilty, love credits the best motives; love believes
¿: What did Job’s friends believe about him? [his misfortune was due to sin]
Hatred believes the worst
“hopes” – when love runs out of faith it still hopes in God’s never-ceasing grace.
Ü When our hope becomes weak, our love has become weak
“perseveres” – it endures all things, at all costs
The Greek for this word is a military term used of an army holding their position at all cost
Ü Love that preserves bears the unbearable, believes the unbelievable, and hopes in the hopeless
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1 Corinthians 13:8-12
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Permanence of Love
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
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“Love never fails” – does not mean it wins (as in success). It means it lasts.
The Greek word behind “fails” basically means to fall, like a flower petal at the end of the season
Love does not overpower human will -> It cannot always accomplish OUR purposes but without love the Kingdom is not advanced.
“prophecies… cease” & “knowledge… pass away” – [katargeō (grk)] – “to abolish” – passive tense means that someone or something causes it to stop
“tongues…stilled” – [pauō (grk)] – “to stop/come to end” – middle voice indicates a self-causing action. It will stop by itself.
“in part” – we can only partly comprehend with our finite minds.
¿: When does the partial become full?
¿: What is the “partial”?
Love does not end, all else is only for a time. All the gifts will cease when no longer needed. There is debate regarding the reference to perfection is accomplished.
Ü Is perfection when the New Testament was completed?
Ü Is perfection when the church reaches maturity?
Ü Is perfection when Christ returns?
Ü Is perfection when there’s a new heaven and new earth?
¿: How does the understanding of when the perfection coming affect our understanding of the gifts of prophecy, tongues and knowledge?
¿: How does v12 influence our understanding of “perfection?”
¿: Is v11 (“when I became”) implying perfection had occurred?
“poor reflection” – Corinth was known for it’s Corinthian bronze mirrors
V11-12 talk of our current state. Some day we will see Him face to face
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1 Corinthians 13:13
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The Greatness of Love
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
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“faith, hope and love” – one commentator call these “the main moral principles characteristic of Christianity.”
These are the “fruit of the spirit” of the Christian life. They will outlast the gifts of the spirit.
Faith & Hope have no purpose in heaven. Love remains.
¿: In the context of chapter 12-14 how do you apply “the greatest of these is love?”
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Conclusion
Personal Application:
Living Love now is of the utmost importance. The way to live love is in the actions/attitudes which define our life.
¿: Which of the 15 qualities do you most need to lean on the Lord to change in your life?
¿: Will willpower help make these changes?
Homework:
Appendix – Greek Names for Love
The English language only has one word for love and it is used interchangeably for almost everything. We can say I love my husband and I love Chocolate. Both are using the same word and it is only by the context that we can ascertain the difference. The Greeks, on the other hand, have four different words to describe love. Each word gives a different nuance to the word that helps us understand more fully what is being spoken of.
Eros
Eros is the first type of love we are all familiar with. Our English word Erotica is derived from the word Eros. Sadly, some people never get passed this type of love and base their relationships purely on sexual attraction. This is the type of love that merchandisers tend to play on with the public trying to get us to buy their products to make us more attractive to the opposite sex.
Erotic love is not a deep meaningful love but superficial and based on sexual attractiveness only.
Storge
Storge is what we find in families between the different members. It is the love of mother, father, brothers and sisters. This is a much stronger type of love and involves commitment. “Blood is thicker than water” and most people will do all they can to stand behind their families.
Philia
Philia is pertaining to what we might call a brotherly love. Not brotherly in the sense of family, but in the sense of kinsmenship. This is the type of love that makes us want to help the little old lady cross the street safely and watch out for our fellow man. It is a good type of love and helps us to see others as needing our love but, sadly, it can often also be a selfish love.
Agape
Agape is the highest form of love there is. This is an unconditional love for others in spite of their character flaws and weaknesses. It is a difficult love to obtain simply because we, as humans, are usually concerned more with ourselves and how the world and people around us affect us. In order to love in the agape way, we must overcome our selfishness and look to the needs of others.
The essence of agape love is self-sacrifice. Agape love is unique and is distinguished by its nature and character.
This word represents divine, unconditional, self-sacrificing, active, volitional, and thoughtful love.
God loves the unlovable and the unlovely (us!), not because we deserve to be loved, but because it is His nature to do so, and He must be true to His nature and character. God’s love is displayed most clearly at the Cross, where Christ died for the unworthy creatures who were “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1), not because we did anything to deserve it, “but God commends His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
The object of agape love never does anything to merit love.
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
The Functioning of Spiritual Gifts
Date: 19-Dec-10
Required Resources: Many Parts One Body – Survivor (comedy).mpg (4min 10sec)
Purpose (Why am I teaching this lesson? What effect did the writer expect it to have on the recipients?)
The purpose of this lesson is to cause the participant to consider their function and effectiveness within the Body of Christ.
Theme (What central idea does this passage communicate?)
Each part in the Body is essential to the functioning of the Body
Introduction
Review & Homework:
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Outline
A. Salutations & Reminders (v1:1-1:9)
B. Divisions within the church (v1:10-4:21)
C. …of conduct unbecoming a believer (v5:1-13) {church discipline}
D. Dealing with offenses in The Body (v6:1-11)
E. The bondage of sexual sin (v6:12-20)
– Now For The Matters You Wrote About –
F. Marriage, Divorce & Singleness (v7:1-40)
G. Christian Liberty (v8:1-11:1)
H. Order in Worship (v11:2-14:39 )
1. Submission to established order (v11:2-16)
2. Order in the Observance of the Lord’s Table (v11:17-34)
3. About Spiritual Gifts (v12:1-11)
– Indentifying your Spiritual Gift(s) –
Ü 4. The functioning of Spiritual Gifts (v12:12-31a)
5. The rule of using Spiritual Gifts (v12:31b -13:13)
6. Proper use of the sign gifts (v14:1-25)
7. Orderly worship (v14:26-39)
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Homework
- Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a and complete a page in your study booklet
- Come to class with a one sentence summary of what Paul is saying in this passage.
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WHITEBOARD ¿: Read v12:4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11. What is the source of our spiritual gifts?
This passage stresses the importance of diversity as the KEY to unity.
In 12:v1-27 the term “body” is used 13 times. As a metaphor it uniquely pictures the life of a believer. All parts are needed. If one part is not functioning or sick, performance will be less than optimal.
If a part is cut out it withers and dies.
Ü Life is in the body. Life is not in isolation.
¿: Did God give all the gifts required for this to be a healthy body?
¿: Do you see the variety of gifts in full use here?
¿: Are YOU fully exercising your gift (or gift mix) here?
WHITEBOARD: passage outline
The Text
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Scripture
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Observation
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1 Corinthians 12:12-13
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MANY PARTS IN CHRISTS BODY
12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.
13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
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Unit… many parts… work as one
“So it is with Christ” – This phrase equates the church to Christ
“baptized by one spirit into one body” - the baptism unifies us in headship as well as purpose.
Ü There are no partial Christians – either we’re baptized in the spirit or not
¿: Do you think Paul has stressed unity in the body throughout 1 Corinthians to now be saying there is a spiritual baptism after your salvation (manifested in some sign gift)?
Ü If so, wouldn’t this mean there IS reason for division if I can say, “I received a baptism you didn’t receive”?
READ Acts 8:14-17
¿: Why didn’t they receive the Spirit until Peter & John showed up?
READ Acts 10:44-46
¿: Why did tongues come with the receiving of the Holy Spirit?
¿: If you didn’t study these verses in the context to what was happening in the church at the time vs. today, what might you deduce from these verses?
READ Acts 11:1-3; 15-18
¿: What result did Peter’s relaying his experience have on those who criticized what he had done?
Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the divine operation which places believers into the Body of Christ.
Ü It is not water baptism (cf. Matt. 3:11; John 1:33; Acts 1:5)
Ü It is not a post-salvation work in which believers become more spiritual (cf. 1 Cor. 1:2, 7; 1 Cor. 3:1)
Ü It is not tongues, not all in Corinth were given this gift (v12:30)
Ü IT IS the salvation all receive at the moment of Salvation
“Spirit to drink” – cf. John 14:12-14
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1 Corinthians 12:14-20
“I’m not good enough…
so I’ll not participate in the Body”
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ALL PARTS BELONG TO THE BODY
14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.
16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
19 If they were all one part, where would the body be?
20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
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¿: Who arranged the parts of the body?
¿: Are there any parts which are unnecessary?
¿: What attitude does this passage address?
Ü There must be many members in order to have a body; variety is essential
Each part of the body should see itself as essential and be grateful for it’s God-given role.
Body example:
Is a finger as essential in the body as a lung?
Would a missing finger affect the body? How?
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1 Corinthians 12:21-26
“You’re not good enough…
So get out of my way while I make the Body work”
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ALL PARTS INDESPENSIBLE
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”
22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,
24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it,
25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.
26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
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¿: What attitude does this passage address?
God designed that members of the body would demonstrate mutual concern for the well-being of the others.
Ü Some parts were considered “weaker” cf. 12:22; 8:7-13
Ü Some parts were considered “less honorable” cf. 12:23; 11:22
God desired there be no division in the body
Ü cf. 1:10; 11:18; 12:26
¿: Why is it that in the human body we clearly see how each part is essential but in the body of Christ, such a distinction is not so evident?
¿: What are your thoughts on denominational distinctions in the greater body of Christ?
¿: Is there use for the Pentecostals, Presbyterian’s, Baptists and 7th Day Adventists in the body?
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1 Corinthians 12:27-31a
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CHRISTS BODY HAS MANY PARTS
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?
30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
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v27 – ¿: What is the emphasis based on redundancy in this verse?
¿: Is our unity based upon common function? What is it’s basis?
¿: Whose will does the body exercise?
“first… second… third…” – possibly ranked because these gifts were so undervalued in Corinth (see chapter 14) or could be because they are “truth” gifts
Ü These gifts ministered to the body at large in a way the other gifts didn’t
Ü Given the Corinthian desire toward self-centeredness (e.g. divisions, lawsuits, divorce, meat sacrificed to idols, women in worship, manner of partaking in Lord’s Supper) an honest respect for other gifts was an essential attribute to the functioning as a body.
¿: As a matter of review, what is each of these gifts in verse 28?
¿: As you read verses 29 & 30, what is the answer to the question?
¿: What does this say about these gifts? [none are given to everyone]
¿: How would you respond to someone that says a specific gift is a sign that you have the Holy Spirit?
“eagerly desire”
¿: Which gift is the best? How would you distinguish the “better” gifts from the others? [more of the body is edified]
¿: In the context of the letter based on the fact it is sandwiched between chapter 12 and 13, what does this say?
Ü The object of this phrase is the body (not the individual). The idea being that as a body our focus should be on the gifts that edify more of the body (lung vs. finger)
Ü Taken in light of a “most excellent way” Paul is about to show them, the idea is to hold in high esteem not “my gifts” but “your gifts”
¿: Does this meaning fit [WHITEBOARD] v12:4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11?
¿: How do you think the “body” picture holds true for a local body vs. the church universal?
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Conclusion
Personal Application:
- What does it mean if you’re not exercising your gift in the Body?
- What does it mean if you’re only half-heartedly exercising your gift in the Body?
Homework:
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
…Of Spiritual Gifts
Date: 28-Nov-10 & 5-Dec-10
Required Resources: #1 – About spiritual gifts.mpg (4min 37sec), #2 -Identifying your spiritual gift.mpg (2min 27sec),
“Talents-vs.-Gifts”, “The Gifts Defined”, “The Benefits of Speaking in Tongues (excerpt)”
Purpose (Why am I teaching this lesson? What effect did the writer expect it to have on the recipients?)
The purpose of this lesson is to inform as to the spiritual gifts listed in scripture, and the reason for those gifts.
Theme (What central idea does this passage communicate?)
Spiritual gifts are given for the common good
Introduction
Review & Homework:
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Outline
A. Salutations & Reminders (v1:1-1:9)
B. Divisions within the church (v1:10-4:21)
C. …of conduct unbecoming a believer (v5:1-13) {church discipline}
D. Dealing with offenses in The Body (v6:1-11)
E. The bondage of sexual sin (v6:12-20)
– Now For The Matters You Wrote About –
F. Marriage, Divorce & Singleness (v7:1-40)
G. Christian Liberty (v8:1-11:1)
H. Order in Worship (v11:2-14:39 )
1. Submission to established order (v11:2-16)
2. Order in the Observance of the Lord’s Table (v11:17-34)
Ü 3. About Spiritual Gifts (v12:1-11)
– Identifying your Spiritual Gift(s) –
4. The function of Spiritual Gifts (v12:12-31a)
5. The rule of using Spiritual Gifts (v12:31b -13:13)
6. Proper use of the sign gifts (v14:1-25)
7. Orderly worship (v14:26-39)
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Homework
- Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-6 and complete a page in your study booklet
- When does a believer receive their spiritual gift(s)? (back up your answer with scripture)
- Read 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 28 plus Romans 12:6-8.
- Make a list of the spiritual gifts you feel you are not even sure what it is. We’ll talk about your list in class.
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WHITEBOARD: The area of spiritual gifts is highly controversial in the Christian community. However, there are likely few other areas of doctrine that are MORE VITAL to believer’s and the body of Christ than the exercise of a believer’s spiritual gifts.
¿: What prompted Paul to write about spiritual gifts? [see chap 11-14 summary in 14:39-40]
Show video
Below are a few questions we will try to answer today…
- Why do the spiritual gifts exist?
- How many gifts are there?
- What is the meaning of each gift?
- When do you receive your gift(s)?
- Does everyone get one (or more)?
- What is the difference between a spiritual gift and talents/abilities I was born with?
The Text
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Scripture
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Observation
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DISCERNING
THE
SOURCE
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1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant.
2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.
3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
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It is likely Paul is not trying to teach about the existence of spiritual gifts but instead the proper exercise of the gift.
¿: Why is it that in the church today we need to teach the gifts exist?
¿: How were they led astray? How are we led astray today? [Influence runs deep]
Before coming to the Lord, those in Corinth were deceived by false gods. This would have included direct influence by evil spirits and “confirming” signs the spirits were real. In verse 3 Paul gives them a simple test to discern the true from the false spirits.
Test the spirits (cf. 1 John 4:1)
Ü TEST 1 – “Jesus be cursed” – to deny Jesus’ character, nature (divinity/humanness), or His work was claiming He was not who He said He was. This would be a case of a gift being utilized to claim a falsehood. (today that might be those false teachers who deny the deity of Christ)
- this phrase could possibly refer to Deut. 21:22-23 and the fact that Jesus body hung on the cross. The Gnostics denied the humanity of Christ and said that the divinity left the body prior to hanging on the cross. They believed that flesh was inherently evil, therefore Jesus could not have been fully human to be God.
Ü TEST 2 – “Jesus is Lord” – the ‘positive’ test. To say that Jesus is equal to God is refuting Gnosticism.
¿: Why would these tests be necessary? [spiritual gifts were being improperly used]
v3 – God, Jesus & Holy Spirit
Ü the unity of the Godhead as a proof that all must be present in spiritual gifts
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UNITY
OF THE
SOURCE
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4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
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Read
“Talents vs. Gifts”
WHEN?
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Unity re-emphasized – Holy Spirit, Jesus & God
Ü the Godhead repeated in reverse order
Ü Unity of source an example is unity in usage
“gifts” – charisma [grk] – a divine enablement
Used 19 times in NT – an example: “gift of salvation” (cf. Ro. 6:23)
Different gifts, different service, different working
- those with same gift may be called to use them completely differently.
- God may not even manifest the results in the same manner for the same gift from the same person.
Ü This seems to say that each gift is unique for a person and is used uniquely for each circumstance – as the Godhead sees fit.
“God works all of them” – Without God the gift cannot even be manifest
Spiritual gifts are NOT natural talents, skills and abilities.
Natural talents, skills and abilities are shared by believers and unbelievers alike.
¿: Can a spiritual gift be used wrongly?
¿: Can I “put on” a spiritual gift, I wasn’t given? How would that work?
¿: When are spiritual gifts given?
Ü [Not before believer (Acts 1:8, 2:1-4); also cf. Acts 19:6; 1 Tim 4:14; 2 Tim 1:6]
Ü Are spiritual gifts given to us when we receive Christ, or are they cultivated through our walk with God? [Both. Normally, spiritual gifts are given at salvation, but also need to be cultivated through spiritual growth.]
Ü Can a desire in your heart be pursued and developed into your spiritual gift? [only if God wills it]
The emphasis here seems to be a variety. The Corinthians were all clamoring for the “showy” gifts, possibly neglecting their own God-given gift.
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UNITY
OF
PURPOSE
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7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,
9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,
10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
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WHY?
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v7 – Unity of spirit & purpose can be maintained only through diversity of ministry.
Ü Not given for personal enrichment – nor where they given for “private use”
¿: Were these selected by the individual?
¿: If one were discontent in gifting, what’s it say about their relationship with God?
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WHITEBOARD:
WHAT?
Read
“The Gifts Defined”
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Spiritual gifts specifically called out in Scripture:
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1 Cor. 12:8-10
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1 Cor. 12:28-30
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Rom. 12:6-8
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Eph. 4:11
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1 Pet. 4:10-11
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- Wisdom
- Knowledge
- Faith
- Healing
- Miraculous powers
- Prophecy
- Distinguish between spirits
- Tongues
- Interpretation of tongues
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-Apostles
- Prophets
- Teachers
- Workers of miracles
- Gifts of healing
- Helps
- Administration
- Tongues
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- Prophecy
- Serving
- Teaching
- Encouraging
- Giving
- Leadership
- Mercy
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- Apostolic
- Prophetic
- Evangelic
- Pastoral
- Teaching
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- Speaking
- Serving
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Notice appointment of offices also in list
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These lists appears to be categories of gifts
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*Sign gifts, ***foundational gifts
¿: Are there gifts you feel are not on this list?
¿: Are these lists all-inclusive? Why do you think that? [since all were not mentioned in any list, why would I think the combination of lists would include all?]
¿: How important is it to know exactly what the definition of each gift is?
¿: How many times is the Holy Spirit mentioned in v1-11? What is the significance?
The SIGN GIFTS
Ü Acts 2:1-21 (prophesied by Joel 2:28-32);
Ü Acts 10:44-48; Heb 2:4 (as a sign for circumcised believers)
Cessationism claims that some spiritual gifts eventually ceased to operate (through individuals) early in Christian history. Its counterpart continuationism claims that they still operate today.
READ: “The Gifts Defined: The Sign Gifts”
READ: “The Gifts Defined: Cessation of Gifts”
Ü Knowledge, Healing, Miracles, Tongues, Apostles, Prophets
¿: What are your scriptural leanings toward these two ideas – and why?
¿: Why were the SIGN gifts given? [Confirmatory gifts for establishment of church Heb 2:3b-4] Does this preclude their ongoing use?
READ: “The Benefits of Speaking in Tongues”
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Conclusion
Gifts of the Holy Spirit are clearly distinguished from the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Jesus predicted the occurrence of false gifts, particularly in the end time (Matthew 24:24, 7:22, 23). Spiritual gifts are very important for a Christian; the fruit of the Spirit is a test of maturity of a believer.
Personal Application:
¿: Can you seek after certain spiritual gifts? [cf. v12:31 seems to indicate that this is possible. You can seek a spiritual gift from God and be zealous after it by seeking to develop that area. At the same time, if it is not God’s will, you will not receive a certain spiritual gift no matter how strongly you seek after it. God is infinitely wise, and He knows through which gifts you will be most productive for His kingdom.]
- No matter how much we have been gifted with one gift or another, we are all called upon to develop a number of areas mentioned in the lists of spiritual gifts: to be hospitable, to show acts of mercy, to serve one another, to evangelize, etc.
Homework:
Talents vs. Gifts
There are similarities and differences between talents and spiritual gifts.
- Both are gifts from God.
- Both grow in effectiveness with use.
- Both are intended to be used on behalf of others, not for selfish purposes. 1 Corinthians 12:7 states that spiritual gifts are given to benefit others and not ourselves. As the two great commandments deal with loving God and others, it follows that one should use his talents for those purposes.
To whom and when talents and spiritual gifts are given differs.
- A person (regardless of his belief in God or in Christ) is given a natural talent as a result of a combination of genetics (some have natural ability in music, art, or mathematics) and surroundings (growing up in a musical family will aid one in developing a talent for music), or because God desired to endow certain individuals with certain talents (for example, Bazeleel in Exodus 31:1-6).
- Spiritual gifts are given to all believers by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:7)
While one may develop his talents and later direct his profession or hobby along those lines, spiritual gifts were given by the Holy Spirit for the building up of Christ’s church. In that, all Christians are to play an active part in the furtherance of the gospel of Christ.
- All are called and equipped to be involved in the “work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:11-12).
- All are gifted so that they can contribute to the cause of Christ out of gratitude for all He has done for them. In doing so, they also find fulfillment in life through their labor for Christ.
- It is the job of the church leaders to help build up the saints so they can be further equipped for the ministry to which God has called them. The intended result of spiritual gifts is that the church as a whole can grow, being strengthened by the combined supply of each member of Christ’s body.
To summarize the differences between spiritual gifts and talents:
1) A talent is the result of genetics and/or training, while a spiritual gift is the result of the power of the Holy Spirit.
2) A talent can be possessed by anyone, Christian or non-Christian, while spiritual gifts are only possessed by Christians.
3) While both talents and spiritual gifts should be used for God’s glory and to minister to others, spiritual gifts are focused on these tasks, while talents can be used entirely for non-spiritual purposes.
Recommended Resource: The Wonderful Spirit-Filled Life by Charles Stanley.
The Gifts Defined
There are various opinions as to the number of Spiritual gifts. Many items appearing as spiritual gifts are also required by the Bible of all Christians, such as faith, evangelism and so on.
- The spiritual gift of Faith means faith despite the circumstances, or a particularly strong faith in God.
- All believers are encouraged to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with other people, but the gift of Evangelism could mean a particular gift to reach others.
Message of wisdom: Understanding God’s will and applying it obediently to make skillful and practical application of the truth to life situations.
Message of knowledge: SIGN GIFT* – A message, concept, or bit of knowledge that God reveals supernaturally to the recipient. Insight into the mysteries of God’s revelation that cannot be known apart from God’s revelation (cf. Rev. 22:18)
Ü Does 1 Cor. 13:8 say it will cease?
Faith: Knowing what you hope for, having a conviction about things you cannot see, trusting God in the most difficult and demanding of ways in the face human impossibilities, believing God’s Word, and obeying Him. (Hebrews 11) This is in addition to the “saving” and daily faith every believer is provided. (cf. 1 Cor. 13:2)
Gifts of healing: SIGN GIFT** – (note plural) The God-given ability to bring or release healing to a person in their body or soul. Paul had this gift (Acts 20:7-12) yet did not use it to heal many recorded (himself, Timothy & others).
Ü Some say proof this gift has ceased is that no one is walking around healing everyone today.
¿: Is that how it is used in Scripture?
Miraculous powers: SIGN GIFT** – The ability to perform supernatural acts. A miracle is defined as defying the natural order of things. At the wedding feast of Cana, the purpose of the miracle was as a sign, not to improve the party. (cf. John 2:11). See also 2 Cor. 2:12. Miraculous acts can be performed without God’s power (cf. Acts 19:14-16)
Prophecy: ½SIGN GIFT* – The God-given ability to receive a message from God to edify, exhort and comfort the Body of Christ or a believer. To speak the Truth as moved by the Holy Spirit. Most prophesying statements do not contain predictions about the future. An example of use is in 1 Cor. 13:2; 14:3
Ü Does 1 Cor. 13:8 say it will cease?
Distinguishing between spirits (discernment): The God-given ability to know what is from God and what is not from Him. The Divine ability to reveal an evil spirit or influence and bring God’s power (Jesus’ blood) and God’s love (Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection) in its place. Satan is the great deceiver, the father of lies (cf. John 8:44). Used to discern false teachers (2 Pet. 2:1)
Tongues: SIGN GIFT* – A gift from God and the ability to speak another language not known by the believer speaking it. The Spiritual gift to speak another language not known by the believer speaking it; to build up the Body of Christ when the message is interpreted. Purpose: Acts 2:1-21; 1 Cor. 14:6 (prophetic word for believers); 22 (a sign for unbelievers)
Ü Does 1 Cor. 13:8 say it will cease?
Interpretation of tongues: SIGN GIFT* – The God-given ability to make tongues a clear message to all who are present to edify, exhort and comfort the Body of Christ.
Ü Does 1 Cor. 13:8 imply it will cease?
—- from other scriptural lists (other than 1 Cor. 12)
Apostle: FOUNDATIONAL – One sent by God with a holy mission to fulfill; and the strong powers and Spiritual gifts to fulfill the mission. Apostolic ministry involves laying foundation(s). Use: Eph. 2:20
Prophet: FOUNDATIONAL – One who speaks, or communicates a message, authoritatively, as moved by the Holy Spirit Himself. Prophetic ministry involves laying foundation(s). Use: Eph. 2:20
Teacher: Someone able to understand the more difficult things of God and explain them in a way that is easy to understand and live by in daily life. Use: James 3:1
Helps/Serving: The God-given ability to do for others whatever needs to be done. Divine ability to carry the burdens or tasks of others without seeking notice or earthly reward.
Administration: The God-given ability to understand clearly the immediate and long-range goals of a particular unit of the body of Christ, and to devise and execute effective plans for the accomplishment of those goals.
Encouraging: the ability to motivate Christians to do the works of Christ.
Giving: being blessed by God with resources or time and being able to give them where and when they are needed with a cheerful heart.
Leadership: God-given insight into when something needs to be done, who can do it, how it can be completed, and how to lead those people to get it accomplished.
Mercy: A heart to care for and encourage those who are not able to care for themselves and whom no one else would care for. Knowing who to help and when to help.
Evangelist: Someone who desires that all should come to know the truth that God loves everyone so much that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to live a perfect life, die, and rise again for their redemption, or someone who is gifted to proclaim this message. Timothy was given charge (could apply to pastors?) (2 Tim. 4:5)
Pastor: A word that means ‘shepherd.’ Pastors are gifted to lead, guide, and set an example for other Christians.
Other Spiritual gifts
There is less consensus about other gifts not specifically mentioned in the usual lists of gifts, but that nonetheless seem to be hinted at in Scripture. Some are found in the New Testament such as:
- celibacy (I Corinthians 7:7)
- marriage (I Corinthians 7:7)
- Others are found in the Old Testament such as:
- craftsmanship
- worship (gift of music)
- interpretation of dreams (e.g. Joseph and Daniel)
Poverty (1 Cor. 13:3)
The Sign Gifts
Some of these gifts are considered by many to the “sign gifts” and are considered to be given for the purpose of providing credentials to the apostles and early believers. They were signs that these were authoritative agents of God in founding the church of God. The sign gifts were also provided to the laity as a confirmation of the spirit. Those that believe the sign gifts are for today – also see them as confirmation of the Holy Spirit.
Ü A test for the SIGN GIFTS would be to determine it’s use for the common good. Note: they are never used for personal edification or desire, although some believe that tongues can be a private prayer language. If the gift is given, is it being used properly?
The Cessation of Gifts
*re: Knowledge, prophecy, tongues – see 1 Corinthians 13:8
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
- “prophecies… cease” – [katargeō (grk)] – “to abolish” – passive tense means that someone or something causes it to stop
- “tongues…stilled” – [pauō (grk)] – “to stop/come to end” – middle voice indicates a self-causing action. It will stop by itself.
Cessation or Continuation?
- Not specifically referred to in 1 Cor. 13:10 as ceasing when “perfection comes”
- In 20 centuries of church history it has not been preserved and has appeared rarely and sporadically. In 95 A.D., Clement of Rome wrote a letter to the church in Corinth concerning problems (surprise?) and there is no mention of tongues Justin Martyr (2nd century) wrote volumes on the church but nothing on tongues – even though he wrote lists of spiritual gifts.
- Charismatic’s defend tongues speaking by “personal experience” and as a sign of the latter times. (cf. Joel 2:28-32). The Holiness Movement around the turn of the 20th century revived tongues in modern times with the Pentecostalism. In the 1960’s tongues spread into other denominations in the Charismatic Movement.
READ: “THE BENEFITS OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES”
**re: Healing – God has and does perform miracles throughout the history of mankind. However, the Bible records only 3 periods of history in which human beings were given the gift of performing miracles.
- Moses/Joshua
- Elijah/Elisha
- Jesus & the apostles
Interestingly each period lasted about 70 years.
It appears there will be a time of miracles in the end times (cf Heb. 6:5 & Revelation) as referred to in Joel.
***re: “foundational gifts” – God used these gifts in the first century to establish the church prior to His written Word.
THE BENEFITS OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES
By Andrew Wommack
(excerpted from 16_The_Benefits_of_Speaking_in_Tongues_condensed_verison.pdf)
One of the things that happened when the baptism of the Holy Spirit first came was that all the people who were there spoke in tongues. Acts 2:4 says that on the Day of Pentecost, they were filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Consistently all the way through the book of Acts, there was a manifestation of God’s presence when the people received the Holy Spirit.
Of course, there is much more to the Holy Spirit than speaking in tongues, but it is one of the important manifestations. First Corinthians 14:13-14 says, “Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he might interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.” When you pray in tongues, your spirit prays. Once you speak in tongues, pray that you interpret so your understanding will become fruitful.
I can give my own personal testimony that when I received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and started speaking in tongues, it changed my life dramatically. I believe when I got born again, Christ came to live inside of me and deposited everything there, but when the Holy Spirit came upon me, it started to manifest to me and other people. There are a couple of things that happen. The first year I prayed in tongues, my mind told me it was crazy, that all I was doing was wasting time. It took faith for me to pray in tongues, which is the reason Jude 20 says you build yourself up in your most holy faith. It takes you out of natural thinking and reasoning and puts you into a supernatural realm of faith.
Another thing I experienced was that when I prayed in tongues, people I hadn’t thought of for years would come to my remembrance. I’d start praying for them, and within a day or two, they would contact me and I’d find that something miraculous had happened. This happened so many times that I finally began to put these things together and realize that when I was praying tongues, I was praying with wisdom that went beyond my mental ability. My spirit that knew all things and had the mind of Christ was praying for people in ways that I could never do with my own physical understanding.
One day I was praying in tongues—as I said, it took faith for me to pray in tongues—and I was battling some thoughts like, You could be speaking in English and doing some good instead of speaking this gibberish. I had to deal with these thoughts and put them down, and I just kept praying. A guy I hadn’t seen for four years knocked on my door. He came in, didn’t say hello or anything, sat down, and began to cry and pour out his heart because he was having a lot of problems. I sat there thinking, Boy, I should have been praying in English. My next thought was, How would I have known to pray for him when I hadn’t seen him in four years? Finally, it just dawned on me that I had been praying, and God had been preparing me. I had been interceding for him in a way that I couldn’t have done if I were praying with my understanding. Suddenly, a revelation began to come to me and I told him, “I can tell you what your problem is.” I finished his story for him and gave him his answer.
You have to understand that this was back when I was in a denominational church. He didn’t know what had happened to me and I wasn’t sure. It scared us both. But it was the power of God in manifestation, and He used it supernaturally. That is what this means: When you pray in tongues, it’s your spirit praying. Your spirit has been born again, has the mind of Christ, and knows exactly what to do. It has an unction (anointing) from God so that you know all things, and there is no limitation in your spirit. If you could walk in the power and revelation of your spirit, it would transform your physical life. One way of doing that, though not the only way, is to just start speaking in tongues. Recognize and believe that when you do, you’re building yourself up in your most holy faith, that your spirit is praying the hidden wisdom of God, and the perfect revelation of God is coming. Then, according to 1 Corinthians 14:13, pray that you can interpret. That doesn’t mean you have to stop praying in tongues and pray in English to interpret; it just means your understanding becomes fruitful.
If you give a message in tongues in a church service, you have to stop and interpret in English. When you’re praying by yourself, what I do is pray in tongues and trust that God is giving me revelation. Sometimes my attitude just changes. I don’t have a specific word, but suddenly I see things clearly and get a different perspective. It may take a week before I get the full revelation, but I believe the time spent praying in tongues and believing I interpret is a part of it. Speaking in tongues is important for many reasons, certainly more than to prove you’ve received the Holy Spirit. It should be a part of everyday life. It is a way to communicate directly from your heart to the Father, bypassing your brain with its doubts and fears. It builds you up in your most holy faith and releases the hidden wisdom of God. I just pray that all of you will be able to flow in this, release your faith, and receive the full benefit of speaking in tongues.
