Discipleship Series-THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT Part 1

Tonight, Bro. Jonathan Walker taught part one of the Discipleship Series on The Gifts Of The Spirit. The content in its entirety can be found via the Bethel App. I will share portions of it with you here on my blog and it will come directly from the App.  Thursday Bible Study is so important, make it a part of your lifestyle. 

1 Corinthians 12:1-31 – “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 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. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 –“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” 1 Corinthians 14:1-33 –“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. 6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? 7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? 8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? 9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. 11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. 12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. 13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? 17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19 Yet n the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. 20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. 21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. 22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. 26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”

The Gifts of the Spirit are supernatural endowments given by God to bless and edify the Church. They are abilities that God bestows upon specifically chosen individuals. The gifts of the Spirit should not be confused with natural abilities and talents. Natural abilities are given to us by means of our genetic composition – gifts of the Spirit are given to us by a supernatural bequest of God. As with anything placed under human supervision, these gifts can sometimes be misused and abused. However, just because gifts of the Spirit have on occasion been used incorrectly does not mean that we should forbid them altogether. The Apostle Paul gives us clear instructions on how these gifts are to be properly operated and regulated so that the church can be blessed.

The gifts of the Spirit discussed in 1 Corinthians 12-14 should not be confused with the fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22-23. Notice the differences: 1. The gifts of the Spirit are divine abilities given to specific members in the church to provide knowledge, strength and encouragement to the body. They are actions, works, and deeds (external). These gifts are not to be used for self-aggrandizement, self-advancement or personal glory – they are designed to bless others.

. The fruit of the Spirit are the qualities and characteristics of the nature of Christ. They involve our attitude, disposition and character (internal). These fruit benefit us personally as they perfect and build up our relationship with Christ. Each member of the body should endeavor to cultivate all of the fruit of the Spirit in his or her life.

The nine gifts of the Spirit are listed in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 and can be organized into three categories:1. The Gifts of Revelation – the “To Know” gifts: • Word of Wisdom • Word of Knowledge • Discerning of Spirits These gifts involve revelations from God – things that are supernaturally revealed by God. 2. The Gifts of Utterance – the “To Speak” gifts: • Prophecy • Divers kinds of Tongues • Interpretation of Tongues These gifts involve anointed utterances. They are vocal, conspicuous and very easily recognized. 3. The Gifts of Power – the “To Do” gifts: • Faith • Gifts of Healing • Working of Miracles 

These gifts involve activating the divine power of God. 

The Word of Wisdom – Natural wisdom is the ability to properly apply knowledge. 1. Wisdom is not mere knowledge; it is knowing how to use knowledge. Some individuals are by nature “wiser” and more insightful than other individuals. The Word of Wisdom, however, is not just natural wisdom – it is “divine wisdom” supernaturally imparted to meet a particular need. • James 3:17 – “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” a. The gift of the Word of Wisdom exists on a plane far above “natural” or “human” wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 1:17 – 2:13 and James 3:13-18, the scriptures clearly reveal the differences between natural and supernatural wisdom – between earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom. b. The Word of Wisdom is the supernatural ability to understand what God would have us to do with the facts of a given situation or circumstance. c. This gift is one of the ways in which God reveals His mind to us; His way of doing things. It is a way in which He divulges His commands and His will. 2. It is important to note that both the Word of Wisdom and the Word of Knowledge begin with the phrase “the word.” This indicates that the people who receive these gifts do not possess all wisdom or all knowledge, but instead they receive a specific portion. They receive a “word” of wisdom or a “word” of knowledge as God imparts it to them in various situations. 3. While all of us will not receive the supernatural gift of the Word of Wisdom, all of us should sincerely seek God’s wisdom. • James 1:5 – “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” • Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom…” 4. While each Christian should continually grow in the wisdom of the Lord, there will be specific individuals in the body to whom God will impart this unique gift to supernaturally provide counsel to His children in various situations.

The Word of Knowledge – This gift involves the supernatural revelation of specific knowledge to meet a particular need. 1. The Word of Wisdom and the Word of Knowledge are sometimes called “companion gifts” because they frequently work together to accomplish the same purposes. 2. Again, the title of this gift begins with the phrase, “the word.” Those who receive this gift do not possess all knowledge, but only a small portion of the mind of God. 3. The Word of Knowledge involves the revelation of facts from God about people, places, things, and events that an individual could not possibly know through natural means. 4. Through the gift of the Word of Knowledge Peter knew that Ananias and Sapphira had lied to the Holy Ghost (Acts 5:1-4) and Paul knew that no lives would be lost of those who sailed with Him. (Acts 27:21-25).

The gift of Discerning of Spirits – This is the supernatural ability to know if a spirit or a spiritual work is of God, of Satan, or of human nature. • 1 John 4:1 – “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (discern, examine) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1. First, it is important to note that this gift is called discerning of spirits – not the gift of discernment. The Bible does not list a gift called “the gift of discernment.” 2. The purpose of this gift is to determine and distinguish what is true and what is false in the dimension of human activity and operation. 3. Through the use of this supernatural gift, God allows us to ascertain and identify whether or not the spirit, actions, or motives of individuals are truly of God. a. There are many self-serving, self-seeking people in the world today. Some of these profess to be ministers or religious leaders when in reality they are “grievous wolves,” desiring to profit personally by harming the flock of God. b. There are also evil spirits of Satan in the world today. Some of these have attached themselves to individuals in an effort to harm or destroy other believers. c. Of course, there are also many anointed and ordained ministries of God, genuinely fulfilling God’s will and proclaiming His gospel throughout the world. d. But how are we to know which is which? There are so many voices calling out to us – how can we discern which are true and which are false? It is through the operation of the gift of Discernment of Spirits that the church is enabled to know the true voice of God. • John 10:4-5 – “And when he (the Good Shepherd) putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” 4. It is through this supernatural gift that we are able to recognize, identify, and discern the voice of the Good Shepherd when He speaks through other people. 5. Through the gift of Discerning of Spirits Paul knew the young girl in Acts 16 was possessed with an evil spirit and he cast it out of her. (Acts 16:16-18) Through this gift Paul also discerned the evil spirits in Elymas the sorcerer. (Acts 13:6-12) 6. The purpose of this gift is to guard, protect and guide the church, keeping it safe from false prophets and “wolves.” 

Next week, Bro Walker will cover the second half of this lesson.

God is good.