Guidelines for the Use of the Gifts

Is anything we offer to God, in worship, acceptable to Him? Should it be? The first acts of worship recorded in the Bible indicate that one man's offering was accepted and one man's was rejected. Acceptable worship will prove to be that which is according to the guidelines in the Word of God and offered on the basis of the finished work of Jesus Christ as the perfect Sacrifice. God is not looking for anyone and everyone He can get, but for those who will worship Him in in the realm of the spirit and according to the Truth.

In this section Paul will address the problem of the attitude of the Church at Corinth when they assembled and the problems caused by improperly using their gifts. He will point out the results from improperly using the gifts included their worship being unacceptable to God and their spiritual growth and edification thwarted. He then will give them instructions from God on the proper use of their gifts, particularly in the context of worship.

How do these fit into the church today?

1. All the gifts are not present today - neither tongues nor prophecy. 2. With the canon of Scripture complete, the foremost gift is teaching.
2. The gift of teaching is diverse so the communication to hearers, who are diverse, is edifying.
3. The only worship that is acceptable to God is that which is done His way - 'in spirit and in truth.'