The Strand Study Bible

I CORINTHIANS “MINI” SERIES The Doctrine Of Spiritual Gifts

I. CHRIST’S Gifts to the Church

Lesson #1. The four gifts CHRIST gave to the Church (Eph 4:11-12)

Our Lord gave to the Church four different kinds of specially gifted believers ( apostles , prophets , evangelists , and teaching pastors ) in order to bring about three different areas of growth within the body of Christ: 1. Growth in unity amongst believers ( For the perfecting of the saints - Eph 4:12) 2. Growth in unity within the work ( for the work of the ministry - Eph 4:12) 3. Growth in numbers within the body of Christ ( for the edifying of the body of Christ - Eph 4:12) The following four different kinds of specially gifted men were given to the Church so that the saints of God within the body of Christ could learn to cooperate with each other ( perfecting of the saints ) in order to work out God’s plan and purpose for the Church ( work of the ministry ), which would result in souls saved ( edifying of the body of Christ ). Question is: who are these specially gifted believers? 1. Apostles - Apostles are believers within the work of God who are sent forth as special messengers to liberate and thus motivate the Church that it might move forward for God (Acts 2:40-47 & 4:33 & 5:12-14). They are normally sent in wherever God needs a church started (Acts 13:2 & 14:14). Apostles are used to bring about a growth in unity amongst believers and within the work . 2. Prophets - Prophets are believers within the work of God who proclaim the Word of God without apology. They are used to help the body of Christ to mature. Prophets are used to cleanse the Church and to keep it fit for the Master’s use (Jere 1:4-10). They are certainly disliked the most amongst the gifts Christ gave to the Church and are normally persecuted. Prophets are used to bring about a growth in unity within the work . 3. Evangelists - Evangelists are believers within the work of God whose heart and soul is in reaching the lost with the Gospel of Christ. They are used to help the Church to grow. The word “ evangelist ” means “ messenger of good news ” and is used three times in the NT: Eph 4:11, Acts 21:8 and II Tim 4:5. Evangelists are used to bring about a growth in numbers within the body of Christ . 4. Teaching pastors - Teaching pastors are believers within the work of God who not only feed the flock There are two different kinds of gifts that the indwelling Holy Spirit (Jn 14:26 & 15:26 & 16:7-8, I Cor 3:16 & 6:19 and Eph 4:30) bestows upon believers when they get saved: 1. The temporary gift of power – This gift enables Christians to witness for Christ with power (Lk 11:13 & 24:49, Acts 1:4-8 & 4:29-31 & 8:14-20 & 9:27-29 & 10:44,45 & 13:44- 46 & 14:1-3 & 19:8, Eph 6:19, I Tim 4:14 and II Tim 1:6) and is given to every believer who continually asks for it (Lk 11:13). The evidence of this power is a boldness to prophesy (Acts 2:17-18, Num 11:25-27, I Sam 10:6,10 & 19:20-23, Lk 1:41-42,67, Acts 4:29-31, Ezk 11:4-5 & 37:1-4, Rev 11:3, Mic 3:8, Acts 19:6 and Isa 61:1). 2. The permanent gifts of service – These gifts enable Christians to fit and function properly within the body of Christ (I Cor 12 and Rom 12:6-8) Whenever someone is born physically into this world he receives what is commonly called a “natural talent” (or, natural ability). Whenever someone is born-again spiritually into God’s family he/she receives what God terms a “spiritual gift” (or, spiritual ability). A spiritual ability is a supernatural capacity (or, potential) to develop a spiritual attribute in order to serve God better. Spiritual gifts are for service only and are not for the benefit of the believer. Spiritual gifts, therefore, are spiritual abilities enabling Christians to do something supernatural for God for the sake of others. 1915 but tend to the flock as well (Acts 20:17,28 and I Pet 5:1-3). They are used to help the body of Christ to unify. Whereas a prophet tears down in order to rebuild, a teaching pastor instructs in order to maintain. Teaching pastors are used to bring about a growth in unity amongst believers and within the work .

II. The HOLY SPIRIT’S Gifts for the Church

Lesson #2. The two gifts the HOLY SPIRIT bestows upon the Church (Jn 7:37-39)

Lesson #3. Twelve truths concerning the permanent gifts of service (I Cor 12)