First Corinthians 12:1-11
Paul now turns his thoughts to the Holy Spirit--an issue that the Corinthians are concerned about, and a topic that will again direct the conversation back to worship.
For now, though, Paul's emphasis is on the gifts of the Spirit. The gifts themselves are unique aspects of our Christian character that did not appear before our conversion. The gifts cover various aspects of the work of the church, and every believer is equipped to serve in the body by the Spirit.
Thus, the Spirit controls the gifts. The gifts also are intended to unify the body, not divide it, because it is the One Spirit that gives the gift. Also, no one has every gift. Therefore we must depend on each other--the design of the Spirit for unity through humility. The Spirit exalts the name of Christ through the giving of the gifts, and the Church should exalt God through the exercising of the gifts God has given.
So, what gift(s) do you have, and are you able to fulfill your giftedness through your local church?
For now, though, Paul's emphasis is on the gifts of the Spirit. The gifts themselves are unique aspects of our Christian character that did not appear before our conversion. The gifts cover various aspects of the work of the church, and every believer is equipped to serve in the body by the Spirit.
Thus, the Spirit controls the gifts. The gifts also are intended to unify the body, not divide it, because it is the One Spirit that gives the gift. Also, no one has every gift. Therefore we must depend on each other--the design of the Spirit for unity through humility. The Spirit exalts the name of Christ through the giving of the gifts, and the Church should exalt God through the exercising of the gifts God has given.
So, what gift(s) do you have, and are you able to fulfill your giftedness through your local church?
Labels: First Corinthians, Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts
posted by Randy Rogers at
2:56 PM
2 Comments:
When one thinks of the gifts of the Spirit he should also think of the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, long suffering, goodness, kindness, gentleness, and self control. The exercise of the gifts will not be contradictory to the fruit.
Thanks for the reminder, Bill. The Fruits of the Spirit should be the outcome of the use of the gifts of the Spirit. Apparently, the Cornithians struggled to exercise their spiritual gifts and fellowship with the appropriate spiritual signs/fruit/outcomes. If the fruits aren't evident, then the exercise of the gifts is futile (see further 1 Corinthians 12-14, especially 13).
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