Bethel Church PCA Dallas, Texas

Understanding Spiritual Gifts
(based primarily on Romans 12:6-8)

There are many things God teaches us about how His people are given gifts which allow them to serve and glorify Him in unique ways.

Here are just some of the many areas in which God uses His people:

Prophecy:
A focus upon the "office" (a commissioning to a specific duty with conferred authority) leads us to the office of "prophet" (as in Ephesians 4:11). The office of prophet, like that of apostle, was foundational (i.e., used to establish, as opposed to a continuing office) for the New Testament church; it expired, like the office of apostle, upon the death of the 1st Century office holders. The rest of the New Testament identifies only the offices of minister/elder and deacon as continuing offices. However, there is a spiritual gift of prophecy that is ongoing, a gift to which I Corinthians 14:1, 3 makes reference. That gift is well defined by verses 3-4 of this passage: a "speaking forth" (not a "foretelling" or prediction) of God's Word with the result that others are "strengthened," "encouraged," "comforted," and "edified" (v 4). The gift is the Spirit's endowment to enable some believers to understand Scripture and apply it appropriately for the blessings described, or, to say it differently, the gift enabling some to be uniquely effective spokesmen (or women) from God, able to speak just the right Word from God at the right moment and in the right way.

Serving/Ministering/Helping:
An unusual capacity to serve faithfully behind the scenes in practical ways to assist in the work of the Lord and encourage, strengthen, and enable others' ministry. These folks might be uncomfortable in limelight but are backbone of local church ministry. A critical gift for deacons! (Romans 12:7, II Timothy 1:16, I Corinthians 16:15)

Teaching:
(Required of every Elder, but a gift given by the Spirit to others beyond the Eldership!) Such a gift will be marked by two characteristics: 1) keen interest in personal study of the Word and in the disciplines involved in studying the Scriptures, 2) an obvious capacity to communicate clearly the truths and applications of the Word so others may learn and profit. After you have heard a teacher, you respond: "I see..." (Romans 12:7, Acts 18:11 and 26)

Exhortation/Encouragement:
Prospectively, an exhorter has an unusual gift that enables him/her to urge other believers on in their Christian life. (After you have heard an exhorter, you say "I'll do that...") The flip side is retrospective: an encourager has a divine gift to help comfort/console someone in view of a past tragedy or trial in their Christian life. (Acts 4:36, 9:27; Jude 3)

Giving:
A remarkable and unusual endowment that enables generosity beyond measure. God gives both capacity and willingness. (eg. Acts 9:36)

Administration/Ruling:
This gift represents two dimensions. First, the spiritual endowment to "rule," "lead" or "preside" in caring for the church. Will represent clear ability to cut through issues, see where spiritual/pastoral help is needed, and have insight and willingness to lead accordingly (I Thessalonians 5:12, II Timothy 3:4-5). Secondly, the "administrator" gift (I Corinthians 12:28) implies vision and direction, the divine endowment of organizing and directing toward a goal. The Greek word reflects piloting a ship, steering it safely through the rocks toward a port. (Titus 1:5) Often called "leadership" in today's world.

Mercy:
This gift of showing undeserved aid will be evident in those with remarkable sympathy, understanding, compassion, patience, and sensitivity toward those with (oft-unstated) needs. This person's ministry will be towards the anzious, bereaved, ill, anxious, depressed, poor, widow, orphan, retarded, single parents. Uniquely appropriate for a women's ministry team?! (Acts 9:27)

Faith:
While faith is given to all believers by the Spirit through the Word, this special spiritual endowment enables some to function with great vision, seeing beyond problems or obstacles, believing God beyond logical expectation. (spies Joshua and Caleb). Goes beyond mere human optimism, of course, but involves an optimistic and firm "belief that God will absolutely, uneqivocally, honor His promises, and that we ought to act upon them."

Evangelism:
While all believers are called to witness, be prepared to "give answer for faith in you"; this gift is the unusual capacity, given by the Spirit, to present the Gospel message clearly to those who have not heard or understood. (That's a different gift than teaching the faith more fully to those who believe!) (Acts 8:26-40)

Pastor-Teacher: (Ephesians 4:11)
This refers to an office in the church (with conferred authority) but also involves two specific spiritual gifts. First, the unmistakable gift of a shepherd's heart which is concerned with caring for and defending the flock. Second, the unmistakable ability to feed, lead, and guide the flock through Biblical teaching and preaching.

Elder/Shepherd: (Acts 20:28ff)
While this is an "office" in the New Testament church, it also involves certain gifts, and requires the ability to teach (I Timothy 3). God confers the authority (office), and gives the gifts to the men whom he calls to hold office.