THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
▸ Who He Is
▸ a Person
▸ a Divine Person
▸ Always a "He"
▸ Who He Isn't (an "It")
▸ not an impersonal force
▸ not to be "used" (HE uses US)
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
PERSONHOOD
▸ 1 Corinthians 2:9-12
▸ has knowledge and will
▸ reveals, searches, enables our understanding
▸ Rom 15:30 loves
▸ Neh 9:19,20 teaches
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
DIVINE ATTRIBUTES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
▸ Heb 9:14 He is eternal
▸ Ps 139:7-10 He is omnipresent
▸ 1 Cor 2:11, John 14;26 He is omniscient
▸ Luke 1:35 He is omnipotent (Virgin Birth)
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
DIVINE WORKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
▸ Creation
▸ Gen 1:2
▸ Psalm 104:25-30
▸ Imparting life
▸ John 6:63
▸ Rom 8:11
▸ Speaks to the churches Rev 2,3
▸ Spirit of Sonship Gal 4:6
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
THE SPIRIT'S AUTHORITY IN THE CHURCH
▸ Took Jesus' place John 14:16,7/16:7
▸ Forbids Acts 16:6,7
▸ Ordains and appoints Acts 13:2, 20:28
▸ Leads us, intercedes for us Rom 8:14, 26,27
▸ Teaches us Jn 14:26, guides us Jn 16:12-14
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
CO-EQUALITY WITH THE FATHER AND THE SON
▸ 1 Cor 12:4-6
▸ gifts/service/working
▸ Spirit/Lord/God
▸ Mt 28:19 formulation for baptism
▸ Is 6:8-10
▸ "The Lord (Yahweh)"
▸ Jn 12:39-41 attributed to Christ
▸ Acts 28:25-27 attributed to the Holy Spirit
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
CO-EQUAL, YET DISTINCT
▸ Luke 3:21-22
▸ Jesus going up from water
▸ Holy Spirit descending from the Father
▸ the Father sending and speaking from heaven
▸ Jn 16:7-13
▸ Jesus must go away
▸ so the Spirit can come
▸ Jesus will be with the Father
▸ Jn 15:26 Jesus sends the Spirit from the Father
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
THE INTERRELATIONSHIP
▸ Father
▸ the Invisible One, Head of all
▸ Son
▸ The Word made flesh
▸ The Visible One, the revealer of the Father
▸ Holy Spirit
▸ the Spirit of life, the author of the Resurrection
▸ the Revealer of Christ, the indweller of men
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
"THE SPIRIT 'OF GOD'"
▸ 1 Cor 3:16 God's Spirit lives in you
▸ possessive language
▸ the Spirit "of God" and no other
▸ 2 Cor 33:3 Spirit of the Living God
▸ God is ALIVE
▸ The Spirit shows us that God is alive
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
"THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST"
▸ Rom 8:9 belonging to Christ
▸ The Revealer of the Christ (TO us)
▸ 1 Cor 2:9-16
▸ John 15:26, 16:14
▸ The Revealer of the Christ (IN us)
▸ John 14:16-18
▸ Ephesians 3:16,17
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
HIS ROLE IN OUR LIVES
▸ Convicts of Sin, Leads to Repentance and Faith
▸ Teaches & Guides
▸ Enables us to Pray
▸ Empowers for Service
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
"WALKING IN THE SPIRIT"▸ Reproduces the Life of Christ
▸ John 15 the Vine and the Branch
▸ "I am the vine, you are the branches"
▸ Fruit-bearing comes from the life within
▸ Galatians 5 the fruit of the Spirit
▸ Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control
▸ "Walk in the Spirit" Gal 5:16
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
HIS ROLE IN THE CHURCH
▸ To form Christ corporately
▸ 1 Pet 2:4-10 built into a temple
▸ Ephesians 2:20-22 built into a habitation for God
▸ The Body of Christ 1 Cor 12:12, 27
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
FRUIT AND GIFTS
▸ "Fruit"--the Holy Spirit working to manifest Christ in ME
▸ "Gifts"--the Holy Spirit working to manifest Christ in His body
▸ gifts not given to ME
▸ gifts given to others THROUGH me
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
▸ Manifestation 1 Corinthians 12
▸ Motivation Romans 12
▸ Ministry Ephesians 4
▸ A Summary Statement 1 Pet 4:10,11
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
THE BASICS
▸ Everyone is gifted in some way 1 Pet 4:10-11
▸ Each of us functions differently
▸ Our gifts are not hierarchical
▸ The kingdom depends on each gift being developed and used
▸ The motivation of each gift is love
▸ Spiritual gifts are NOT natural gifts, although they may overlap
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
MANIFESTATION GIFTS (1 COR 12)
▸ v3 How to know the true from the false
▸ Provides understanding
▸ Provides caution
▸ Must exalt Christ
▸ Manifestations must be tested
▸ v 4-6 Commonalities of the gifts
▸ v7 Given to EACH ONE, but for the common good
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
WHY WE CALL THEM "MANIFESTATION" GIFTS
▸ Fast forward to 1 Cor 14
▸ Public assembly of the Corinthian church
▸ Gifts were visible/audible
▸ "Utterance" gifts being misused
▸ Assembly disorderly, confusing
▸ v18 Paul spoke in tongues
▸ "yet IN THE CHURCH"
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
MANIFESTATION GIFTS LISTED 1 COR 8-10:
▸ Word of wisdom
▸ Word of knowledge
▸ Faith
▸ Gifts of healing
▸ Miracles
▸ Prophecy
▸ Discerning of spirits
▸ Tongues
▸ Interpretation of Tongues
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
THREE CATEGORIES OF MANIFESTATION GIFTS
▸ Insight (Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Discerning of Spirits)
▸ Power (Faith, Healings, Miracles)
▸ Utterance (Prophecy, Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues)
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
GIFTS OF INSIGHT (1)
▸ Word of Wisdom
▸ Often improperly "wisdom"
▸ Instantaneous insight as to a course of action
▸ Acts 6:3-10; 15:13-21
▸ Word of Knowledge
▸ Often improperly "knowledge"
▸ Instantaneous impartation of significant knowledge
▸ Acts 5:1-11; (some say Acts 17:16-34)
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
INSIGHT GIFTS ARE "MANIFESTATION" GIFTS
▸ Some would view any exercise of "wisdom" or "knowledge" as reflecting these gifts
▸ Yet they are listed among the manifestation gifts
▸ Must be visible and/or audible
▸ Not a general disposition to knowledge or wisdom
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
GIFTS OF INSIGHT (2)
▸ Discerning of Spirits
▸ not all supernatural manifestations issue from God
▸ some are devilish or demonic
▸ not all of those are obviously evil
▸ Satan's intent is to deceive and mislead
▸ This is a gift of an instantaneous knowledge of which is which
▸ Acts 5:1-4; 10:19-20; 13:9 1 John 4:1
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
GIFTS OF POWER (1)
▸ Gift of Faith
▸ To be distinguished from "saving faith"
▸ Special ability to trust God to do remarkable things in the face of seeming impossibility
▸ Comes to this moment instantaneously
▸ Peter walking on water Mt 14:29
▸ Acts 14:9 "perceiving he had faith to be healed"
▸ Abraham the model Rom 4:18-25
▸ The heroes of faith Heb 11:1-40
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
GIFTS OF POWER (2)
▸ Gifts of Healings
▸ Greek text, both words are PLURAL
▸ Varies in interpretation, especially by those who do not accept present-day manifestations of the Holy Spirit
▸ Otherwise obvious--a supernatural gift to administer the healing power of Jesus Christ
▸ We are all commanded to pray for the sick--but not all have this gift
▸ Many examples including Acts 3:1-8; 5:15-16
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
GIFTS OF POWER (3)
▸ Miracles
▸ By definition, a miracle is an event that transcends or violates the rules of nature
▸ Viewed in the Old and New Testaments as a manifestation of God's presence and power
▸ Seen by some as a necessary attestation of the validity of one's calling
▸ Acts 9:40; 13:6-12; 16:24-32
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
GIFTS OF UTTERANCE (1)
▸ Prophecy
▸ widely misunderstood as only a foretelling of the future
▸ while it MAY be so (especially in the OT) the Greek verb means "a speaking forth"--a "forth-telling"
▸ while characteristic of "prophets", the gift not limited to them
▸ The "simple" gift of prophecy is best understood in conjunction with other utterance gifts 1 Cor 14
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
GIFTS OF UTTERANCE (2)
▸ Tongues
▸ a spontaneous utterance prompted by the Spirit in a language unknown to the speaker
▸ may be an earthly language hearers know (Acts 2:1-11), or not as in 1 Cor 14
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
GIFTS OF UTTERANCE (3)
▸ Interpretation of Tongues
▸ not "translation"
▸ still a language unknown the hearer
▸ rendering a message that was delivered in an unknown tongue into the common speech of the congregation
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
RULES FOR CONGREGATIONAL ORDER 1 COR 14
▸ v1 A. Love B. Desire C. Emphasis prophecy
▸ v2 speaking in tongues is "to God"
▸ v3 prophecy "strengthens, encourages, comforts"
▸ v4 speaking in tongues "edifies oneself", but prophecy "edifies the church" (so fulfilling love, as in v1)
▸ v5 prophecy greater than tongues, unless interpreted
▸ implication: tongues + interpretation = prophecy
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
RULES FOR CONGREGATIONAL ORDER (2)
▸ some argue vs6-13 render tongues meaningless in today's church
▸ yet v 14 "If I pray in a tongue my spirit prays"
▸ v16 "praising God in the Spirit"
▸ v17 "you are giving thanks well enough"
▸ v18 Paul spoke in tongues "more than all"
▸ v19 "yet in the church..."
▸ Implication: a distinction between 1. the gift of tongues as a congregational utterance gift, and 2. speaking in tongues as a private means of devotion
▸ vs 26-28 indicate the Corinthian church had become disorderly by confusing the two
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
MANIFESTATION GIFTS SUMMARIZED
▸ Setting--congregational gathering
▸ To each one the manifestation of the Spirit given 1 Cor 12:7
▸ visible or audible
▸ governable and to be orderly
▸ Each represents a different part of the Body
▸ We are v30 "desire the greater gifts"
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS ROM 12
▸ Setting--larger congregational life
▸ v4 associates these gifts with FUNCTION
▸ v6 gifts differ according to grace given us
▸ these gifts relate to "how we are wired"--hence "motivational"
▸ many of these gifts have both natural elements (inborn talents) along with a spiritual quickening
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS (1)
▸ Prophecy
▸ same meaning as 1 Cor 12
▸ "to speak to edify, exhort, comfort"
▸ Yet here, based on the idea of function in the body
▸ implication: hear from God, and speak
▸ as a matter of regular or expected activity
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS (2)
▸ Serving
▸ Often one of the least-appreciated of the gifts
▸ that is, by everyone except God
▸ all should serve in some way
▸ but some do so with unusual ability and grace
▸ Often out of the public eye
▸ Some translations "helps"
▸ Yet the King James version "ministry"
▸ A "servant's heart"
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS (3)
▸ Teaching
▸ along with prophecy, implies speaking
▸ less instantaneous, more prepared and systematic
▸ some are wired this way
▸ James 3:1 "Not many of you should become teachers....because you know that we who teach will be judge more strictly."
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS (4)
▸ Exhortation/Encouragement
▸ one who comes alongside saying "come on, you can do it!"
▸ so refreshing to receive encouragement
▸ example Barnabas--
▸ Acts 4:36,37
▸ Acts 9:25-27
▸ Acts 11:22-30
▸ became a prophet/teacher, companion to Paul
▸ eventually the champion of John Mark
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS (5)
▸ Giving
▸ not appreciated as being a gift
▸ but generosity is a reflection of the character of God
▸ they are "wired" this way
▸ may be placed in the church to provide for the poor or underwrite costs of ministry
▸ Those used in this way must exercise restraint and wisdom
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS (6)
▸ Leadership
▸ Some are born natural leaders
▸ This often emerges in God's kingdom but is strengthened
▸ Paul was both (the leader of the church's persecutors becomes an apostle)
▸ Joshua among the leader of the Twelve Spies, later led the nation
▸ Gideon and man others were not born leaders, but became so by the Spirit
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS (7)
▸ Mercy
▸ empathy, compassion for the suffering
▸ take action to alleviate suffering
▸ may be private, one on one
▸ may relate uniquely to social justice
▸ Showing love grace and dignity even to those undeserving
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS SUMMARIZED
▸ Each motivational gift is a reflection of some aspect of the divine character
▸ In that sense together they represent the corporate character of Christ
▸ when each person performs his or her form of service, the church fully reveals God in the earth
▸ God has distributed these gifts to us to serve each other and the world
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
MINISTRY GIFTS EPHESIANS 4
▸ Setting of Eph 4:7, 11-13--
▸ these "gifts" are PEOPLE
▸ God has set SOME in the church
▸ Role of these individuals:
▸ equip God's people to serve
▸ so that their serving builds up the Body of Christ
▸ unity of faith, knowing Christ, becoming mature
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
MINISTRY GIFTS (1)
▸ The Apostle
▸ everywhere listed, apostle comes first
▸ Greek APOSTELLO "one who is sent on a mission"
▸ Jesus named Twelve--some assume that's all there ever were
▸ Yet Judas was subtracted
▸ Mathias was added Acts 1:26
▸ Paul and Barnabas Acts 14:14
▸ James, the Lord's brother Gal 1:19
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
THE APOSTLE
▸ Missionary
▸ Church-Planter
▸ starts new works
▸ raises up next-generation leadership
▸ moves on
▸ a father-figure in faith
▸ the model is Paul
▸ Visionary leader
▸ Incorporates elements of each of the other ministry gifts
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
MINISTRY GIFTS (2)
▸ The Prophet
▸ exercises the gift of prophecy, to be sure
▸ but this goes beyond
▸ Many OT but fewer NT examples
▸ Agabus Acts 11:27
▸ Act 13:1 lists "prophets and teachers" including Paul, Barnabas
▸ Acts 15:32 Judas and Silas
▸ Acts 21:10 Agabus again
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
MINISTRY GIFTS (3)
▸ The Evangelist
▸ one uniquely gifted to proclaim the EUANGGELION--"the good news"
▸ distinctly the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ to a lost person
▸ Philip the only person so called in the Bible
▸ one of the original seven deacons
▸ Acts 8:5-13
▸ Acts 8:26-40
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
MINISTRY GIFTS (4)
▸ The Pastor
▸ so-called because both English word and the Greek relate to shepherding
▸ a pastor is a shepherd of "sheep"
▸ Imagery
▸ Psalm 23 Jesus is the model
▸ John 21:15-17 Peter called
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
THE PASTORAL GIFT
▸ Feeding
▸ the ability to provide spiritual food through teaching and preaching
▸ Caring
▸ a shepherd leads sheep, he does not drive them
▸ he speaks gently to them
▸ he protects them from wolves
▸ he seeks out the wandering ones Mat 18:12,13
▸ Of all gifts, the one most likely to remain in one place with one flock for lengthy periods
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
MINISTRY GIFTS (5)
▸ The Teacher
▸ 1 Corinthians 2:6-16
▸ not words taught by human wisdom
▸ but words taught by the Spirit
▸ a person with unique and gifted insight into God's Word
▸ both seeing deep truths
▸ and having a unique gift to communicate them
▸ Often prepared or accompanied by considerable human learning (as Paul was)
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
EPILOGUE: "THE COMFORTER"
▸ John 15:26 "When the Comforter comes, whom I will send to you from the Father"
▸ John 14:26 "But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name....."
▸ Greek word is PARAKLETOS
▸ the "Paraklete"
▸ "one called alongside to help"
▸ Jesus was our Comforter, our Paraklete
▸ He is with the Father now, but has sent another Paraklete
▸ Translated in the Amplified Version by SEVEN words
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
THE PARAKLETE (WEBSTER DEFINITIONS) (1)
▸ Comforter--one who soothes, eases in distress, sorrow or pain; who produces a state of ease and quiet enjoyment
▸ Counsellor--one who gives advice, ideas, opinions, wisdom, judgment, or a plan
▸ Helper--one who gives what is necessary or shares in labor, who makes another more effective or causes improvement
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS GIFTS
THE PARAKLETE (WEBSTER DEFINITIONS) (2)
▸ Intercessor--one who pleads of makes request on behalf of another
▸ Advocate--one who pleads another's cause or speaks in support of another
▸ Strengthener--one who causes to increase in the power to resist stress, strain, or attack
▸ Standby--one that can always be depended on