Definition of the Gifts - What They are, and What They are Not
I don’t understand why some people of God accept certain parts they say are not for today. This message pertains to gifts. Many people believe the gifts ceased after the book of Acts. If this were true, why did Paul write about the gifts in the books of Romans, 1 Corinthians, and Ephesians?
Something is wrong with that picture. Why did Peter write? As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God (1 Peter 4:10) .
Whoever does not receive the entire Word of God, must give account to God.
Gifts in Romans 12:6-8
Prophecy, teaching, exhortation, giving, administrator (functions as lead pastor or one of the five ministry offices placed in charge of certain ministries within the church), and mercy (not just having pity but acting it out in whatever the situation may be). Whatever our ministry is, we should not be in a hurry, we need training, which equals effectiveness.
Gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28
Word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues, helps.
Wisdom is not a gift – If we ask for wisdom God will freely give it to us (James 1:5). It is a supernatural means of pointing someone in the right direction.
Discernment is not a gift- God wants each of us to have our spiritual senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:14).
Knowledge is not a gift- all of us have some knowledge, but the word of knowledge is something revealed by the Spirit, in dreams and so on. However, one does discern through the gift of discerning of spirits; one is able to detect evil spirits through the supernatural realm.
Ephesians 4:11
Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, are called the five-fold ministry offices- they are of the same fold, offices given by Christ. These offices can have different names (bishop, elder, overseer-(1 Timothy 3:1). If there was understanding about the gifts, the church would be edified, encouraged, and built up in the faith. God did not intend for preaching alone to edify; it takes the whole body working together. If the body is not functioning properly, it is sick.
Don’t you think it is strange for those who write and publish books describing the gifts only use pastor, and they do not mention the other offices? They are not using the same Bible I use. Search the scriptures for yourself (2 Timothy 2:15).
I had an experience that really opened my eyes to understanding it was more than going to Sunday church services to hear a sermon from the pastor or going to Bible study. I found out there was much more to it than that.
It was approximately 1985, I was baptized in the Holy Spirit (different from being baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ), and I was empowered to function in some of the gifts of the Spirit that are listed in 1 Corinthians, chapter 12. I also started praying in tongues (really necessary for intercessors).
As an intercessor, I didn’t know what to pray for when names would come to me, so I prayed in tongues, and other times the Spirit would reveal to me what to pray for and it would be confirmed later that I did the right thing.
After all those years of being empowered by the Holy Spirit and operating in the gifts given by the Holy Spirit, it was revealed and confirmed that I also was blessed with two of the five-fold ministry offices – evangelist and prophetess.
Although some did not understand me, others did and they recognized my call in those offices. To tell you the truth, there were things that I didn’t understand, yet I trusted God.
God didn’t just give me and some others the gifts, they are for every one of His children. Please don’t allow anyone to hinder whatever God’s purpose is for your life. Sometimes it is necessary to let some things go, in order to move forward.
My motto is: “Send me, I’ll go” (Isaiah 6:8). By the way, I don’t need to put a handle on my name - A man’s [woman’s] gift makes room for him and brings him before great men (Proverbs 18:16).
Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org
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