Spiritual Gifts.....the Wayfarer 6/19/13
Spiritual Gifts
6/19/13
6/19/13
“For by one Spirit are
we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be
bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one spirit.”
(1 Corinthians 12:13)
Christians the world over are all of
the same body, having been baptized into the body of Christ.
True Christians are baptized, not only with water in remembrance of our Lord, but also with His Holy Spirit.
It is His baptism that allows us to BE Christian, and the only baptism that will count come judgment day.
Though we baptize with water, it is the Holy Spirit that leads us to salvation through Jesus’ sacrifice for us. Water baptism is merely a statement of repentance. Spiritual baptism is the true acceptance of our Lord as Savior and supreme Judge!
True Christians are baptized, not only with water in remembrance of our Lord, but also with His Holy Spirit.
It is His baptism that allows us to BE Christian, and the only baptism that will count come judgment day.
Though we baptize with water, it is the Holy Spirit that leads us to salvation through Jesus’ sacrifice for us. Water baptism is merely a statement of repentance. Spiritual baptism is the true acceptance of our Lord as Savior and supreme Judge!
Matthew 3:11 &12 is the first reference to
the baptism of the Holy Spirit:
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that
cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear, he
shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. Whose fan is in his hand,
and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner;
but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire”
John’s point here is that Jesus will
separate the believer from the unbeliever at the judgment, and mete justice to
both.
It is also confirmation of the Holy
Ghost’s power in our lives and the fact that all true Christians have access to
this Comforter in time of need, or in time of plenty. Once He is there, He
doesn’t leave.
Once that Holy Spirit takes hold, we become a member of the body of Christ with a specific purpose for our lives and the gifts to accomplish that purpose are given us to do so. We then have the choice of exercising those gifts to the glory of God, or allowing them to go to waste because of temerity or apathy,either of which is unacceptable to God.
The more the given gifts are exercised, the more power they attain and more profitable to God they become, and some are given further capability and gifts, dependent upon their faithfulness and faith!
Once that Holy Spirit takes hold, we become a member of the body of Christ with a specific purpose for our lives and the gifts to accomplish that purpose are given us to do so. We then have the choice of exercising those gifts to the glory of God, or allowing them to go to waste because of temerity or apathy,either of which is unacceptable to God.
The more the given gifts are exercised, the more power they attain and more profitable to God they become, and some are given further capability and gifts, dependent upon their faithfulness and faith!
Paul continues in 1 Corinthians: 12:14
“For the body is not one member, but many.
If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
But now hath God set the members every one of them in the
body, as it hath pleased him.
And if they were all one member, where were the body?
But now are they many members, yet but one body.
And the eye cannot say unto the hand , I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
And if they were all one member, where were the body?
But now are they many members, yet but one body.
And the eye cannot say unto the hand , I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be
more feeble, are necessary:
And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked:
That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.”
And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked:
That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.”
1 Corinthians 12:14-26
Every member of the physical body has
its own specific purpose.
In order to exist, each must rely on the others to perform as a whole being.
The same holds true for the body of Christ that we call the church.
In order for us to receive the blessing we need, and the very sustenance of the Holy Spirit, we have to rely on the other members of the body to do their specific part to make life for the Church possible.
Being argumentative, and attempting to say that others with different gifts are not part of that body only defeats the purpose of your own gift which is only a portion of the whole. The body needs all its parts to function, so does the true church!
In order to exist, each must rely on the others to perform as a whole being.
The same holds true for the body of Christ that we call the church.
In order for us to receive the blessing we need, and the very sustenance of the Holy Spirit, we have to rely on the other members of the body to do their specific part to make life for the Church possible.
Being argumentative, and attempting to say that others with different gifts are not part of that body only defeats the purpose of your own gift which is only a portion of the whole. The body needs all its parts to function, so does the true church!
“Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all
workers of miracles?
Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.”
Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.”
1 Corinthians 12:27-31
Every Christian has his own unique
contribution to make to the body of the church. Each one of us has a specific
ability to use in the efforts to win souls to Christ. We need to look deeply into
our hearts and find and use those abilities for His glorification. If we do
this we will see the body grow, be nourished and thrive around us.
Though we are not all called to be
apostles, prophets, miracle workers, teachers, or blessed with these abilities,
we still have a function in the body
. Perhaps it is only to comfort a friend in need, or to give a stranger direction, or a hitch hiker a ride, but each of us has a function that is necessary to the whole! The greater the gift you have been given, the more that is expected of you.
. Perhaps it is only to comfort a friend in need, or to give a stranger direction, or a hitch hiker a ride, but each of us has a function that is necessary to the whole! The greater the gift you have been given, the more that is expected of you.
Remember this as you go about your
daily lives. Search for ways to serve
our Lord.
Little things done will not be
forgotten by Him and will not go unrewarded. Little things not done will also
be remembered!
The more excellent way Paul spoke of
is through the love given by Christ to us, and asked by him of us, for one
another.
The 13th chapter continues this thought, but we will save that for another day.
In order to have any gift whatsoever there is first the requirement of having accepted Christ's gift to you, that of salvation and eternal life. That gift may only be received through acceptance of Him as Savior and intercessor by accepting the one condition placed on it by Him, repentance!
Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand!
The 13th chapter continues this thought, but we will save that for another day.
In order to have any gift whatsoever there is first the requirement of having accepted Christ's gift to you, that of salvation and eternal life. That gift may only be received through acceptance of Him as Savior and intercessor by accepting the one condition placed on it by Him, repentance!
Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand!
I conclude for now praying that each
reader use whatever ability they be given to glorify my Savior. I salute each
and all of you with the love of Him in my heart, a simple sinner saved by His grace through His
blood sacrifice for me, still a soldier in His service. In the most precious name of My Lord, Jesus,
2 Timothy 1:12 King James Version (KJV)
12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Amen & Amen
the Wayfarer
the Wayfarer
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