Growing In The Grace Gifts
What comes to mind when you hear the term ‘spiritual gifts’? Perhaps you think of your own gifting as a teacher or leader; maybe you envisage a louder-than-life African lady, speaking in tongues and raising her arms enthusiastically... Does the term daunt or excite you?
In 1 Corinthians, we are told to ‘eagerly desire’ the spiritual gifts. Each of us have been given them, it's simply a question of using them (1 Cor 14:1, Rom 12:6). We know we can grow in the gifts we've been given because Paul instructs Timothy to ‘fan into flame’ his gift (2 Tim 1:6).
So, if we are to ‘eagerly desire’ them and use them in order to develop them, what exactly are they?
What are grace gifts?
The term 'spiritual gifts' can be confusing as it implies that gifts
such as serving or administrating aren’t included. The Greek word Paul uses most often is charismata, relating to charis meaning grace. Therefore, we could translate the term ‘grace gifts.’ This also reminds us that they can’t be earned; they
are given by God so that we can serve and build up the church
Are the gifts for the present?
There is some discrepancy as to whether or not the grace gifts are given to us today. The two opposing points of view are Cessationism and Continuism.
Cessationists believe that because we have the full canon of scripture, spiritual gifts are no longer needed. (Verses used to support this include 1 Cor 13:8-12 and Hebrews 1:1-2)
Continuists believe in the second baptism of the Holy Spirit, and that all the spiritual gifts listed in the bible are for us 
to use today. In response to Cessationists, they would say that the verses in Hebrews which say God has chosen to speak to us 'by His Son' do not mean He doesn't speak in other ways as well. (Verses used to support this position include Acts 2, Joel 2:28-32 and 1 Cor 14:1-25) Within this stance are two main movements: Pentecostalism and Third Wave. The latter was pioneered by John Wimber, who famously asked his church leader soon after becoming a Christian:
‘When do we get to do the stuff? You know, the stuff here in the bible; the stuff Jesus did, like healing the sick, raising the dead, healing the blind?'
Wimber developed the theology of George Elton Ladd – the idea that the Kingdom of God is here but not yet fully. The ‘now and not yet’ theology.
Many Christians fall somewhere between these extremes - for example, some are 'moderate cessationists,' believing that all gifts apart from prophecy, tongues and words of knowledge are given today (referring to 1 Cor 13:8-12).
Classic dangers
Jesus asked us to worship God in both Spirit and in truth suggesting that both using the spiritual gifts and focusing on His word is important (John 4:24).
I wonder where you stand in your views on spiritual gifts? I believe God continues to edify us today through gifting His people in pastoring, healing, wisdom, and so on. There are obviously dangers in focusing too heavily on spiritual gifts - we can go too far and no longer look to God's word for instruction, seeking a prophetic word instead. However, I believe there are also dangers in Cessationism in that it could cause the church body to weaken, potentially becoming dry or discouraged as we miss out on that word of wisdom, for example. What do you think?
What does the bible say about spiritual gifts?
The main New Testament teaching on grace
gifts can be found here:
Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:7-13; 2 Timothy 1:6 and 1 Corinthians 14:1-8
What gifts does the bible list?
Serving, Teaching, Exhorting, Giving, Leading, Mercy, Faith, Healing, Miracles, Distinguishing Between Spirits, Tongues, Helping, Administrating, Evangelising, Pastoring, Wisdom, Apostleship, Knowledge, Leadership.
Why are gifts given?
As Faith Forster says, the gifts are given to us in order to serve others. If you’ve been given a gift of giving, it’s obviously not for yourself! The only gift which is used to build us up personally is the gift of tongues.
Do you think the spiritual gifts mentioned in the New
Testament are for the church to use today?
If so, how can we actively and eagerly desire them?
If not, why do you think they were given only for a time?
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