The Moral Glories of Our Lord| Assembly Characteristics - 11 Spiritual Gifts in the Church |
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Chapter 11 Joel Portman Spiritual Gift in a Local Assembly 1Corinthians 12-14 We have been looking at the Epistle to the assembly at Corinth to learn some of the characteristics of a New Testament assembly. We have seen that Divine teaching gives principles that will direct the practices of any assembly. If Christ is to be recognized as Lord in the assembly, all must yield to His authority and will. That yielding will cause us to practice the teaching He has given us in His Word. To set that teaching aside or disregard it is to deny His authority. The confusion of Christendom comes from the rejection of Divine prerogatives and the assertion of man's opinions and will. Our preservation today lies in continued obedience to the pattern of Holy Scripture. Of course, it has always been this way. Obedience to God’s Word will preserve God’s people and Holy Scripture places great emphasis on simple obedience from the heart. If we believe, as we profess, that the Lord knows best what His people need, and since it is His will that is involved, then our responsibility is to seek, as best possible through the enabling power of His Holy Spirit, to carry out His Word. “He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me..” (John 14:21). Dependence on the Holy Spirit to work for the honor of the One in our midst is what will maintain us and give power to go on in these days. An assembly is a spiritual entity, the result of a work of God, and it is a gathering of saints occupied with spiritual activities. Since this is true, it is impossible to carry out this work by natural or fleshly means. One may have great abilities naturally, but ultimately, we must depend on spiritual power and spiritual guidance so that the assembly will function effectively as God intends. 1 Corinthians 12-14 deals with this aspect of spiritual things. They are chapters dealing with “spirituals” (literal rendering), the things that belong to the Holy Spirit and the spiritual realm. This deals with either spiritual men or spiritual things (including gifts), possibly both. Paul introduces the subject by suggesting that these Corinthian saints, though divinely gifted in every area (1 Corinthians 1:5-7), failed to understand the principle of how God gives those gifts and how they should function in the assembly. Spiritual intelligence must accompany the exercise of a spiritual gift, and these carnal Christians, though gifted, were ignorant of how God desired them to use those gifts. We should seek to be intelligent in this area, particularly in view of the confusion that exists all around us regarding spiritual gifts. Ignorance abounds, and many fail to see the purpose for certain gifts to the church and why some of them passed away while others remain. In such cases, those involved do not discern what activities are truly of God, and they cannot discriminate between emotional excess and spiritual enablement. We must be settled in these things, or we will be swept up with the tide of confusion that is increasing in these days. In addition, in most church gatherings, men who may have spiritual gift and who could be used of God in that capacity are not ever given the opportunity to exercise that gift. As a result, the Holy Spirit is quenched and cannot function as He would. This has been called a great sin against the Holy Spirit. Individuals Possessing Gift These chapters show us that the local assembly has members who possess spiritual gift. We find the same teaching in Romans 12:4-8. Other kinds of activities in the world may depend on the power of human intellect or the force of human strength. The believers in Corinth were evidently being influenced by that kind of thinking that exalted man’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:19-21, 1 Corinthians 2:1-8). We notice that they were impressed by certain displays of power or oratory and were failing to recognize the essential importance of every spiritual gift functioning properly in an assembly. The work of the assembly is primarily a spiritual work and as a result, it requires spiritual resources to accomplish it. Those gifts should be exercised by believers who are spiritual, or under the control of the Holy Spirit. We would never make progress spiritually, nor would we accomplish any work for God without spiritual enablement, whether individually or collectively. This is why spiritual exercise in every believer is so essential for the proper functioning of the assembly. Gift versus Natural Abilities We should distinguish spiritual gift from natural ability or talent. Some talk about a gift in some area of activity, but it is not a spiritual gift if it is an ability that an unsaved person may also have. Such abilities as singing, musical performance, administration, etc., are abilities that one may have, but they are not spiritual gifts. A spiritual gift is a God-given ability in the spiritual realm, not a natural ability which may or may not be used for God. We do not argue that God can also use natural abilities in His service, but God gives lists of spiritual gifts in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4. We doubt if there are any gifts outside those listed. Sovereignty of the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit gives gift sovereignly (1 Corinthians 12:11); that means that we do not choose the gift or the channel to be used. It is the prerogative of the Holy Spirit, “as HE will.” We must allow the Spirit of God to give gift and to enable its use in an assembly as He sees the need and supplies it. He may supply that need through God giving a member of that assembly the gift needed; it may be through the salvation of a person who is then brought into the assembly, or it may be through a believer moving into the assembly from another one. The passage tells us to “covet earnestly the best (better) gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:31). Paul is telling the saints in Corinth that they were emphasizing the lesser gifts, whereas they should have been seeking the exercise of those gifts that were more profitable. There should also be a desire for those gifts to be found within and exercised in the local assembly. This does not mean that we should necessarily want them for ourselves, but rather that God might raise up the better gifts as the assembly needs them. The Grace of God Displayed The gifts are given graciously, (1 Corinthians 12:7) and the word “gifts” or “given” (coming from a word meaning “gift of grace”) indicates their character. We do not have them because we deserve them or earn them, but they are a gracious bestowal in God’s purposes. He has given gifts and has given gifted men to the church (Ephesians 4:10-11). As such, no one has anything to boast in or seek glory for self (1 Corinthians 4:7). It seems evident that in Corinth, that is exactly what they were doing, and this condition can exist among us as well. Even a carnal (fleshly or unspiritual) believer has a gift, and in that person, there is often the tendency to boast of having it. That attitude will usually result in the misuse and abuse of the spiritual gift. The Purpose of God in a Gift God gives the gifts purposefully (1 Corinthians 12:3, 7, 18) so that He might meet particular needs and so that He will further His purposes. The purpose of spiritual gift is not self-edification (or self-anything). Saints will clearly understand God's purpose in giving the gift by examining His Word with exercise of heart. Spiritual gift is given to edify believers, to build up the body of Christ, and to bring blessing to the local assembly (1 Corinthians 14:3, 5, 19; Ephesians 4:12). Gift is essential for all service for God. However, we must emphasize once again that there is no gift connected with worship. Worship is an exercise of heart and spirit, but failure in our worship will hinder our spiritual service. The exercise of spiritual gift honors Christ (1 Corinthians 12:3), not self. It promotes unity and harmony in the assembly (1 Corinthians 12:14-27). The assembly is not the body of Christ but it is to function in these aspects as a body would with its members working harmoniously for the good of the entire body. Gift edifies the saints (1 Corinthians 12:7) and builds up the assembly as believers exercise various aspects of spiritual ministry in a scriptural, spiritual manner. Proper expression of spiritual gift also convicts the unsaved (14:22-25). These issues are so essential for the preservation of assemblies that we must seek to be fully aware of them. As a result, we also should be spiritually exercised regarding our responsibility toward the exercise of the gifts that God has given. Only in this way will a local assembly prosper, grow, and be in the condition the Lord desires. Vital Necessity of Spiritual Gift A New Testament assembly depends on the spiritual exercise of spiritual gift that, as we have been seeing, the Holy Spirit has given to every believer. He gives the needed gifts to carry on that work in an assembly for the glory of God, the edification of the saints, and outreach in the gospel. An assembly in a proper condition allows and encourages the proper exercise of gifts. Most religious gatherings today depend on one man (or a few men) to do all the public work needed for that gathering. They call one man the pastor or teacher and he receives titles, many of which belong only to the Lord. He is responsible to do all the work of visiting, instructing, preaching and administration in whatever capacity on behalf of that group. That is not the pattern of an assembly given us in the Word of God. In the New Testament we see the Harmonious Exercise of Gift Consideration of 1 Corinthians 12 makes it clear that an assembly, in its body-like function, recognizes the importance of every member and the part each one has to contribute. In a physical body there are many different functions needed for its well-being, both those that are contributed by the more obvious members and also by the hidden ones. There are comely and uncomely parts, outwardly seen and unseen inward parts, there are feeble or strong members, but the body needs all of them for its proper function. The practical application of this truth to an assembly should be obvious. The overall welfare of the assembly depends on the contribution everyone makes. Each believer also needs to use the spiritual ability and other abilities that he or she possesses to contribute to the welfare of the assembly. If one is not exercising that gift or is not functioning as God intends, it affects the entire assembly to that extent. The strength of an assembly depends on each one seeking to be and do whatever is possible in a spiritual way. Those who are in assembly fellowship cannot casually sit back and assume that others will do the work needed, and then criticize when others do not do it. The unique character of a scriptural assembly is that there is a work for everyone to do, and the assembly needs everyone to accomplish that work. Sometimes there are Christians in assemblies who seem to think that they cannot do anything. That thinking results from wrong teaching, or it may come from a wrong attitude on the part of others in an assembly. However, it is not the teaching of the Scriptures. When brethren do not take part and saints do not contribute, it results in some believers having to do more than they should. To that extent, it can develop into a form of one-man ministry if allowed to progress. In a body, all the members function together with no jealousy between them. The same condition is to prevail in an assembly (12:15-16). How could one ever be jealous of the gifts of others if we realize that all gift is given by God (12:7, 11; 4:7)? Why should one be envious of another's ability if every gift is important to the welfare of the assembly? A spirit of jealousy only hinders the proper functioning of the gifts and limits the effectiveness of the work of the Holy Spirit in that assembly. Another situation may arise when one believer seems to think he possesses all the gifts, but 1 Corinthians 12:17-18 makes clear that there is to be no monopoly of gift by one member. We can have too high an estimation of our abilities and ourselves so that we do not make room for others and the exercise they may have. There is a warning regarding this in Romans 12:3. We are to think soberly, having a proper and reasonable understanding of what God has given and how we are to exercise it. There is diversity seen in the abilities of the various members of a body (Romans 12:4-6), and the same is true in an assembly. One person is never to exercise his gift so as to monopolize and dominate other believers in the gatherings of the saints. Harmonious and unified functioning of all spiritual gift is always the mind of the Spirit of God for the saints of the assembly. No doubt, chapter 13 appears at this point to show that for proper functioning of gift in the assembly, love must be involved. Only when genuine love is the motivation for all service, including the exercise of gift, will it function as God intends. If the principles of love for the Lord, for His truth and for His people motivate each of us to use what He has given, then there will not be any room for envy or jealousy between saints. Appreciation of Spiritual Gift Spiritual believers and an assembly in an exercised state will appreciate the various gifts God has given. Only when we get into a carnal condition do we fail to appreciate properly the variety of gifts and their need in the assembly. Carnality produces a state of self-sufficiency in which we do not see our absolute dependence on God for everything to be done according to His will. As we know, a carnal condition can coexist with the possession of spiritual gift (as in Corinth), and if so, it will result in its improper exercise. In 1 Corinthians 12:28-30, God gives a list of gifts that were exercised in Corinth, some of which have passed away. In this list there is great variety, but the point is that not all have the same gift, and that the possession of a particular gift is not an indication of superiority over others. Then follows the exhortation in verse 31 that they should covet (earnestly desire) the better gifts, likely the gifts that are listed at the beginning of this section. They had been emphasizing the very things from which God was seeking to turn their minds at this point. His purpose was that they would appreciate the superiority of those gifts that He could use to impart His truth to them, not those gifts that appealed to the flesh. The application to us today is that when there is a lack of a needed gift in an assembly, discerning believers should be exercised that God would raise up that gift in the assembly for its benefit. If there is a lack of good teachers in an assembly, we should pray that God would raise up and equip men who can teach the truth of God for the help of the saints. We need a balance of all the gifts in the assembly, and the exercise of those gifts is important. In 1 Corinthians 14:26, we see that the assembly makes room for the exercise of gift. There are varieties of activities listed here, and in all things that can be done for edifying of the assembly, there is to be room for them. The sin against the Holy Spirit in Christendom today is that normally it is not possible for a believer who may have a spiritual gift to exercise it within the confines of that system unless he has some official status. We need to be careful that we do not fall into a form that is like that. We must allow the Spirit of God to guide and control in the assembly functions. The assembly should be able to recognize gift and its proper use. In 1 Corinthians 14:27-32, there is instruction regarding the exercise of gift. It is to be orderly, profitable, and convey the mind of God clearly. Others who are spiritually able are to discern the character of such ministry, whether it is of God or not. The platform of an assembly is not open to every man. We do not believe in a one-man ministry; neither should we think that the Scripture teaches an every-man ministry. Brethren are responsible to encourage development of gift when they recognize it, but they need to have wisdom and discernment to know when one is seeking to exercise something he does not possess. We find an example of one who recognized gift in another man and put it to use in Acts 11:25-26 when Barnabas (an exhorter, v 23) seemed to realize the need for someone to teach the believers at Antioch. He went searching for Paul, brought him there, and the effect of his spiritual ministry brought blessing to that assembly for many years. They worked harmoniously and in a complementary way so that the assembly was edified and blessed as a result of their interaction. Again, in Acts 18:24-28, we see that Priscilla and Aquilla saw a gift in Apollos that had great potential for God, yet he needed more perfect knowledge along with it. They helped him privately by bringing him into their home so that they could encourage and teach him in the right ways of the Lord, with the result that his ministry brought blessing and edification to many assemblies. If these saints would have had jealousy or a lack of appreciation for the gift that another possessed, the result would have been to deprive others of blessing that they might otherwise have received. It would also have quenched the Spirit of God concerning the work He purposed to accomplish through that man (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21). It seems that some Christians fail to realize how God can bring His Word to them through instruments they may not fully appreciate. We know of some who follow certain preachers whom they like, and if those certain men are not at a particular meeting or a conference, they do not attend. While we recognize that some brethren may be more able to convey spiritual truth than others, we also see that in doing this, they deny the Holy Spirit His prerogative to speak to their souls as He chooses, and they are the losers. We should expect God to speak to us whenever His truth is ministered, and not be over-occupied with the man who might be used to this end. Relative Value of Gifts Even while we can see that all gifts are important to the assembly and their exercise is essential, it is also true that not all are of equal value in the results they produce. In 1 Corinthians 14:5 (perhaps the entire section from verse 1 to 19), the apostle is teaching that while there were different gifts in that assembly, prophecy was far more important and more valuable than speaking in tongues. What is in view is the effect and results produced through its exercise. The Corinthians were exercising the gift that, to them, seemed more interesting, attractive and desirable. However, the apostle was showing that if the gift was not imparting truth to the assembly, it was only a waste with no effect. We need to consider the results of any ministry, the fruit of any exercise of gift, and seek to keep all things in perspective according to the Word of God. May the Lord enable us in these days to understand and exercise spiritually the continuing gifts that we surely need for the blessing and welfare of the assemblies of the saints! If testimony is to be maintained, we dare not drift away from dependence on the Holy Spirit and the enabling power He gives to carry on the work of God. Other pages in this section
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