Topical Bible: The Gifts of God: Spiritual are Through Christ

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of spiritual gifts is a significant theme in the New Testament, emphasizing the divine empowerment bestowed upon believers through Jesus Christ. These gifts are manifestations of the Holy Spirit, intended for the edification of the Church and the fulfillment of God's purposes on earth.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul provides a comprehensive discussion of spiritual gifts in his epistles, particularly in 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 , Paul writes, "There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." This passage underscores the diversity of gifts and their unified purpose under the sovereignty of God.

Types of Spiritual Gifts

Spiritual gifts are varied and serve different functions within the body of Christ. They can be broadly categorized into gifts of revelation, power, and inspiration:

1. Gifts of Revelation: These include wisdom, knowledge, and discernment. They enable believers to understand divine truths and apply them to life situations. For instance, the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge are mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8.

2. Gifts of Power: These gifts demonstrate God's power through acts of faith, healing, and miracles. They are visible signs of God's presence and authority, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:9-10, which lists faith, healing, and miraculous powers.

3. Gifts of Inspiration: These include prophecy, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues. They are primarily communicative, intended to convey God's message to His people. Paul emphasizes the importance of prophecy in 1 Corinthians 14:1, "Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy."

Purpose and Function

The primary purpose of spiritual gifts is the edification of the Church. Ephesians 4:11-12 states, "And He gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ." This passage highlights the role of spiritual gifts in equipping believers for service and promoting unity and maturity within the Church.

Distribution and Diversity

Spiritual gifts are distributed by the Holy Spirit according to His will. 1 Corinthians 12:11 affirms, "All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines." This divine distribution ensures that no individual possesses all gifts, fostering interdependence among believers and encouraging the collaborative functioning of the Church as the body of Christ.

Christ as the Source

The New Testament consistently presents Jesus Christ as the source of spiritual gifts. In Ephesians 4:7-8 , Paul writes, "But to each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. This is why it says: 'When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.'" This passage connects the giving of spiritual gifts to Christ's ascension and His victory over sin and death.

Stewardship and Responsibility

Believers are called to be faithful stewards of the spiritual gifts they receive. 1 Peter 4:10 instructs, "As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another." This stewardship involves recognizing the source of the gifts, using them in love, and seeking to glorify God through their exercise.

Conclusion

The spiritual gifts given by God through Christ are essential for the life and mission of the Church. They reflect the diversity and unity of the body of Christ, equipping believers to serve effectively and to manifest God's presence in the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 68:18
You have ascended on high, you have led captivity captive: you have received gifts for men; yes, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 4:7,8
But to every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 6:27
Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give to you: for him has God the Father sealed.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

From the Gifts of Divine Grace which we Receive through Christ He ...
... Chapter V. From the gifts of Divine grace which we ... the grace of Christ is contained
the whole grace of God. ... as it is certainly wanting in spiritual wisdom and ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter v from the gifts.htm

Man the Image of the Creator, and Christ the Head of the Man ...
... as to a God who judges. Now, on the subject of "spiritual gifts," [5540] I have
to remark that these also were promised by the Creator through Christ; and I ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter viii man the image of.htm

Of a Spiritual Meeting of God and Ourselves
... OF A SPIRITUAL MEETING OF GOD AND OURSELVES. ... shall have God in mind in all things
through which we ... God, above all creatures and above all God's gifts, above all ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xxv of a spiritual.htm

Spiritual Gifts.
... increasing still by the ever-renewed additions of spiritual gifts. ... will be jealous
of his brother's gifts and fear ... Lord and one flock, and bless God for giving ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxvii spiritual gifts.htm

Of the Ordering of all the virtues through the Seven Gifts of the ...
... himself, powerful and free, through the gift of spiritual Strength. ... he is steadfast
in praising God, seeking and meaning God above all His gifts, then God ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter lxiii of the ordering.htm

The Spiritual Gifts.
... and affection sanctified and raised to the spiritual sphere, or ... the experience of
the saving love of God in Christ ... but the soul of all the gifts, guarding them ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 45 the spiritual gifts.htm

Of a Three-Fold Unity which is in us by Nature
... The second unity, being in the spirit and wholly spiritual, is supernaturally adorned ...
and through the inflow of the grace and the gifts of God; and through ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter ii of a three-fold.htm

'All Spiritual Blessings'
... have our lives 'hid with Christ in God,' and sit ... cannot separate between Him and
His gifts, neither in ... and in the deepest analysis all spiritual blessings are ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/all spiritual blessings.htm

Access into Grace
... One of them tries to pass through, and recoils scorched; but when the other essays
an entrance ... How can God bestow inward and spiritual gifts upon any ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/access into grace.htm

The Communion of Gifts.
... It typified the communion of the spiritual goods which ... unto heaven, but only "to
receive gifts for men ... for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxvii the communion of gifts.htm