19 Aug Three Lists of Gifts
There are three obvious places that list gifts in the New Testament:
Romans 12:6–8 – The Motivational Gifts
‘We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.’
The gifts listed here are:
- Prophesying
- Faith
- Serving
- Teaching
- Encouraging
- Giving
- Showing Mercy
1 Corinthians 12:7–11 – Spiritual Gifts
‘Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.’
The gifts listed here are:
- Message of wisdom
- Message of knowledge
- Faith
- Healing
- Miraculous Powers
- Prophecy
- Discernment of spirits
- Tongues
- Interpretation of Tongues
Ephesians 4:11–13 – Ministry Gifts
‘So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.’
The gifts listed here are:
- Apostles
- Prophets
- Evangelists
- Pastors
- Teachers
Differences Between the Three Lists
The last list, the ministry gifts, are gifts given by Christ to the entire church. Pastors/Prophets/Apostles etc are gifts given collectively by God to serve His people. Thus the Church together receives these gifts. And, the gifts are other people.
However, those church leaders who are the ministry gifts, like all of God’s people, have their own gifts, talents and abilities, and this is where the other two lists come in.
Each believer has a calling or a direction given by Christ. The Romans list is getting at this. Some are called to teach, some to serve, some to give. It has to do with the purpose of one’s life. This is why are they are called the motivational gifts.
But additionally, each believer should in theory have spiritual gifts that help them to do the thing that God has called them to do.
So in summary. The Ephesians gifts are the gifts of leaders to the Church. But then every person (both leaders and non leaders) have a calling/purpose summarised in the motivational gifts. On top of that each person (leader or not) have spiritual gifts to help them fulfil their purpose.
NOTE: The gifts are not (mostly) automatically given. Most believers receive them by asking and seeking God for his leading and blessing. Hunger for God and what he gives is important, along with trusting Him.
No Comments