SPIRITUAL GIFTS

SS1 CRS
2nd Term

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Definition of spiritual gifts and talents (I Cor 12:4-8, Eph 4:11-13): Talent can be defined as a natural ability to do something well. People are born with different talents. As one grows up, one discovers one’s talent, and starts improving on it by constantly using it. E.g. a talented singer becomes better and better in singing by constantly singing. On the other hand, spiritual gifts are not natural i.e. one is not born with it. Rather, one acquires it as an unmerited favour from God. When one is baptized, he becomes part of the body of Christ. Every part of the body should have a function. Thus, when the Holy Spirit comes upon the person, he or she receives a particular gift. That gift becomes his or her function in the body of Christ. Thus, a spiritual gift is strictly for the edification of the body of Christ, not for personal aggrandizement.

Distribution of spiritual gifts (I Cor 12: 7-11):Now, there is diversity of gifts, but it is the same spirit that manifests as follows:  (1) Word of wisdom (2) word of knowledge (3) prophecy (4) discerning of spirits (5) speaking in tongues (6) interpretation of tongues (7) the gift of healing (8) working of miracles (9) faith

Differentiate between spiritual gift and talent (I Cor 12: 7, 11, Eph 4)

Talent	Spiritual Gift
1.       It is natural	It is spiritual
2.       It is possessed before conversion	It is possessed after conversion
3.       It can be used for personal gain	It should be used strictly to edify the church

Spiritual gifts and Hierarchy (Rom 12:6-8, I Cor 12:28 , 31; I Cor 14:1-5):Every spiritual gift is equally important, but for the purpose of organization, they are put in the following hierarchical order: Apostle > Prophets > Teachers > Miracles workers > Gift of healing > Helps > Governments > Speaking in tongues

How to identify and exercise your own spiritual gifts

Since spiritual gifts are distributed as the Spirit wills, and not as the individual wills, then one needn’t insist on a particular gift, but rather discover the gift which the spirit has given him or her and use it to the glory of God. Identification of one’s spiritual gift is intuitive. One can identify one’s own spiritual gift by being conscious of what he or she does spontaneously.