Spiritual Gifts Part 1

Thesis: The first letter by Paul to the Corinthians addressed a number of wrong, heretical, misled and anti-biblical practices, of which were various misconstructions and usages of the spiritual gifts.

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

CONTEXT

• History of Christian malpractice of
  spiritual gifts born in various greek
  and pagan cultic practices.

• Paul attempting to introduce truth in
  correcting non-Christian religious
  practices that lacked doctrine.

• Paul infusing theology to drive actions,
  not "what I feel"

CONTENT

• Spiritual gifts are :
  • gifts, services, powers
  • given by Spirit, not earned/developed
  • for serving others, not self
• Purpose of gifts :
  • given for common good - not for show
  • they are evident, obvious endowment
  • church and other edification
  • One-Anothering,fellowship, communion

CLASSIFIED

• word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith
• healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment
• tongues, interpretation of tongues
• service, administration, leadership
• EVERY believer has at least one

CONCLUSION: Spiritual gifts are given by God for the mutual benefit and edification of the church.