Gifts of the Spirit
1 Cor 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
There is much contention in the churches these days over the doctrines concerning the Holy Spirit. Some doubt the salvation of anyone who has not spoken in tongues while others consider tongues to be of the devil. Some dance, shout, and sing in the Spirit, while others believe such things have no place in church. This is not a new thing, though the debate is heating and at times gets down right hateful.
1 Cor 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the
same Spirit.
1 Cor 12:5 And there are differences of administrations, but the
same Lord.
1 Cor 12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the
same God which worketh all in all.
We all have Spiritual gifts, if we are filled with the Spirit, but those gifts vary. As our physical bodies are made up of many parts, each with its own unique function; so is the Body of Christ made up of many members, each with a unique purpose to serve. The legs can not be expected to shout any more than the tongue be expected to carry our weight.
1 Cor 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
Churches, denominations, are groups of like minded and complementary gifted individuals. We can not graft a tongue onto the end of our leg and expect it to be a foot. Nor can we expect our gifts to edify all churches. But all gifts are of benefit to the Body as a whole. Though the tongue can not be used by the leg directly, as part of the mouth it provides nourishment to the legs, and as the leg can not be a part of the mouth it provides mobility to all.
1 Cor 12:21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I
have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no
need of you.
1 Cor 12:22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem
to be more feeble, are necessary:
We must learn to respect the gifts of others as we seek how our gifts may be used to benefit all. The foot cannot aspire to be the head nor can the head distain the foot. All have their purpose in the Body and all have their place. 1 Cor 12:25 "That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another." 1 Cor 12:26 "And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it." We are One in the Lord whether we be Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Charismatic, or whatever our title. We each have Gifts and a Mission to serve GOD, both as individual members and as corporate groups. Let us not war one with the other.
Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days,
saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your
sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall
see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Acts 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour
out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
In these days of the end time the Gifts of GOD will become even more manifest that the sheep may be separated from the goats. Of this time, and speaking of Spiritual Gifts, Jesus said "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." Greater Works Than These ! ! ! What an awesome thought ! Just think of all that Jesus did in His earthly ministry, and we shall do even more. Read the book of Acts and multiply that a hundred fold, that will be the Body of Christ in the End Times.