Pneumatology The Doctrine of the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN SPIRITUAL GIFTS

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1 Dr.JackL.Arnold EquippingPastorsInternational Lesson11 I. Introduction Pneumatology TheDoctrineofthePersonandWorkoftheHolySpirit THEWORKOFTHEHOLYSPIRITINSPIRITUALGIFTS A. Of all the instruction the Lord has given us on the church, one of the most talked aboutandleastunderstoodsubjectsisthatofspiritualgifts. B. Spiritual gifts are given to every member of the universal church and are to find theirexpressionthroughtheministryofthelocalchurch. II. MajorPassages:(Rom.12;1Cor.12;Eph.4;1Pet.4) III. ConceptofChristandHisBody,WhichistheUniversalChurch A. ChrististheHeadoftheChurch(Eph.1:22;Col.1:18). B. TheChurchistheBodyofChrist(Col.1:18;Eph.1:23). C. TheBodyofChristisformedbythebaptismoftheHolySpirit(1Cor.12:13). D. The body of Christ is made up of individual believers (1 Cor. 12:27; Rom. 12:4 5; Eph.5:30). E. GiftsaregiventotheindividualmembersoftheBodythatitmightfunctionproperly (1Cor.12:11cf.Contextof1Cor.12:7 11). IV. DefinitionofaSpiritualGift:AsupernaturalgiftorabilitygivenbyGodtobelievers forthepurposeofservice. GeneralStatementsaboutSpiritualGifts A. Probably most gifts are sovereignly bestowed by the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation(1 Cor. 12:11; 12:18). However it may be that some gifts are given after salvation(1cor.12:31 butbecovetingearnestlythebestgifts.. ) B. Every Christian has at least one spiritual gift (1 Cor. 12:7; 12:11; 1 Pet. 4:10 a gift ).NOTE:ThereisnosuchthingasaChristianwithoutaspiritualgift. C. Any Christian may, and probably does, have more than one gift(2 Tim. 1:11; 4:5). Paulhadthegiftsofapostle,evangelist(karux heraldorpreacher)andteacher. D. Giftsdifferinvaluetothebodybutallareimportant(1Cor.12:28;14:5). E. Gifts probably differ in degree as seen through general observation from Christian experience. NOTE: One man may be more effective than another when both may havethesamegiftandarefilledwiththespirit.

2 F. Giftsaretobeusedinlove(1Cor.13). G. It is possible that there are many spiritual gifts that are not listed in Scripture (argumentfromsilence). VI. PurposeofSpiritualGifts A. To promote the unity of the Body (1 Cor. 12:25 no schism ). NOTE: Read the contextof12: B. TopromotethegrowthoftheBody(Eph.4:13 16). C. Topromotetheevangelizationofthelost(Eph.4:11 12). D. TobringglorytoGod(1Pet.4:11). E. Tobeanencouragementtoothermembersofthebody(argumentfromsilence). VII. DescriptionofOrdinaryorCommonGifts A. Introduction: Many commentators agree that there are some spiritual gifts mentioned in Scripture which were either temporary first century gifts or are inactive today in the church. These gifts are: apostle, prophecy, miracles, healing, tongues, interpretation of tongues, discerning spirits. NOTE: These gifts will be dealtwithlater. B. Evangelism:Effectiveteachingofthegospelmessagetotheunsavedandthetraining ofthesaintsfortheworkofevangelism(eph.4:11). C. Pastor Teacher: One who provides, cares for, protects, rules and teaches a flock of believers(eph.4:11).note:noevangelistshouldholdapulpitbecausethisisnot his gift. Today there is too much arguing between evangelists and pastor teachers becauseofignoranceofspiritualgifts. D. Exhortation: An ability to encourage, comfort, admonish and entreat Christians (Rom.12:8). E. Giving:Thedistributionofone sownmoneytoothers(rom.12:8). F. ShowingMercy:Specialgiftofworkingwiththesickandafflicted(Rom.12:8). G. Faith: An outstanding ability to believe God s power to supply and provide(1 Cor. 12:9). H. Ministering: The gift of helping in the broadest sense of the word. This would include such things as hospitality, concern for others, ministering to the physical needsofothers,etc.(rom.12:7;1cor.12:28). I. Administration: The ability to rule in a local church; this would include leadership abilitiesandtheabilitytoorganize. J. Word of wisdom: Practical application of divine truth (1 Cor. 12:8 may equate withthepastor). K. Word of knowledge: Theoretical and philosophical use of the Word(1 Cor. 12:8 mayequatewiththeteacher). L. Helps:Helpinginanycapacity(1Cor.12:28).NOTE:Thisisoneofthemostneeded gifts and there are many who have it. Not all can be chiefs for some have to be Indians. M. Teacher:AbilitytoexplainandapplytruthoftheWordofGod,probablyinaformal andinformalmanner(rom.12:7;1cor.12:28).

3 VIII. TheApplicationofSpiritualGiftstotheLife A. Howeversmallthegiftorinsignificanttheplace,everyChristianisessentialtothe BodyofChrist(1Cor.12:22).NOTE:EverybelieverhasaplaceinthebodyofChrist thatnootherchristiancanfill.eachpersonisuniquetothebody. B. There is a divine purpose in the life of every Christian and spiritual gifts are in keepingwiththatpurpose. C. EveryChristianhasaministrytofulfillforwhichhehasbeenequippedbyGodand forwhichgodholdshimresponsible.note:itissinnottoknowandbeusingour spiritualgifts. D. SpiritualgiftsareonlyeffectivewhenoneiscontrolledbytheSpiritofGod.Great giftsdonotmakegreatchristians.onemustbeyieldedtothespiritforthegifttobe fullyoperative. E. TheHeadoftheBodyofChrist,whichisthechurch,isdependentuponthemembers tocarryouthisdirection. F. The members are dependent upon the head, Christ, for leadership and upon each otherforcooperation. G. When a believer is not using his gift for the glory of God, then the whole Body suffers.note:ifyouseealameandsickchurchtoday,itmaybebecauseyouare notexercisingyourgift(1cor.12:26). H. Read1Cor.12:12 31inlightofthesenotes. IX. HowtoDiscoverSpiritualGifts A. Doyouhaveadesireforaparticulargift?ItwouldseemstrangeforGodtoimparta giftandthegivenodesireforit.note:apersonmayhaveagiftandadesirebutbe afraidtotrysomethingneworbefrightenedofpeople.failureisnoshame;itmay simplyshowthatyoudonothavethegiftinanareaandtheyouseektofindwhat yourgiftis. B. Othersshouldrecognizethatyouhaveagift. C. Othersshouldbeblessedbytheuseofyourgift. D. Thereshouldbefruitintheparticularareaofyourgift. X. DevelopmentofSpiritualGifts A. Althoughgiftsaresupernaturallybestowed,theymustbedeveloped(1Cor.12:31; Rom.1:11;1Tim.4:14;2Tim.1:6;Eph.4:7 13). B. Anindividualmaybeambitioustoexercisecertaingiftswhichambitioncanonlybe fulfilledbystudyandhardwork. C. Never measure your gift by your fruit now. Fruitfulness comes with the gradual development of your gift. NOTE: Set out to find your gifts and then in patient endurance seek to put them to work in the Lord s service (preferably in the local church).

4 XI. GiftsandChristianResponsibility A. Spiritual gifts are special abilities in certain areas of Christian endeavor, but all Christians are to exercise responsibility in these areas. NOTE: There is a gift of evangelism,butallchristiansaretobefaithfulwitnesses.thissameprinciplecan becarriedtogiving,teaching,mercy,faith,etc. B. These special gifts are given to be an encouragement to other Christians in their serviceforthelord. C. The purpose for gifts and responsibility is that the lost may be reached for Christ andthatthesavedmaybebuiltupinchrist. D. POINTSTOPONDER: 1. What is the distinction between natural abilities and spiritual gifts? Answer: SpiritualgiftsarenecessarytothefunctioningoftheBody,butnaturalabilities arenot. 2. Ismusicaspiritualgiftornaturalability?Answer:Musicisanaturalabilitybut canbemightilyusedbygodinevangelismandedification. 3. Howcanalocalchurchmotivatepeopletodiscovertheirspiritualgifts? 4. Howdoesahighlyorganizedchurchprogrameffectthefunctioningofspiritual gifts. XII. SpiritualGiftsandtheMinistry(Eph.4:7,11 16) A. Introduction[SeeChart8] 1. The average Christian today thinks that the clergy is to do the work of the ministryandhisjobistopaytheclergytodoit.butthebibleteachesthatthe saints(laymen)aretodotheworkoftheministry. 2. Afailuretoseethattheroleoftheclergyistotrainthesaintstodotheworkof theministryhasresultedinuntolddamagetothechristianchurchingeneral. 3. The concept of ministering saints must be driven home again and again to Christians until they understand that God has placed upon them the responsibilityoftheministry. B. GiftedMentotheChurch(4:7,11). 1. Spiritual gifts have been given to every Christian by God s grace. The general subjectofthecontextisspiritualgifts. 2. Christ has given gifted men to the church: apostles, prophets, evangelists and pastor teachers.somefeelthat apostles and prophets areusedinaspecial sense and refer to the first century gifts of apostle and prophet which are not nowoperativeinthechurch.however,otherstake apostles and prophets in a more general sense and refer them to gifts of missionaries (church starters) andproclaimersoftheword.thegiftofevangelistisaspecialgiftofreaching thelostandbringingthemintothebodyofchrist,thechurch.notealsothatan evangelistprobablyhastheresponsibilityoftrainingthesaintstobeevangelists (cf. Context). The pastor teacher has the duty of caring for and instructing believers. 3. Notice carefully that these gifted men have been specially gifted by Christ to perfectthesaints. C. GiftedMenaretoEquiptheSaints(4:12a) 1. Thegiftedmen(i.e.clergy)aretoperfectthesaints.Theword perfect canbe translatedcompleteorequip.thejobofthegiftedmenistoequiportrainthe saintstodotheworkoftheministry.

5 2. Theword for isthegreekwordpros,andincontext,speaksoftheimmediate orneargoalwhichistobeattained;thatis,theequippingofthesaints. 3. POINT: Saints can only be equipped as they are grounded in the Word of God andencouragedtoputthisknowledgetoworkintheirexperience.itinvolves notonlyteachingbutshowingthemhowtodotheworkoftheministry. D. TheSaintsaretoReachtheLost(4:12b) 1. Saints are to be trained for the work of the ministry. The ministry here probablyreferstoreachingthelostforjesuschrist. 2. The for hereisthegreekwordheis,whichincontextreferstothefarordistant goal;thatis,saintsreachingthelostwiththegospel. 3. POINT:TheworldwillneverbereachedforChristuntilthesaintsdoit.Nolocal church will ever be truly evangelistic until the saints become personally involvedinreachingthelostforjesuschrist. E. TheSaintsaretoBuildtheChurch(4:12c) 1. Saints are to be trained for the edifying of the body of Christ. The word edifying referstothebuildingofthechurchspiritually.thusthesaintsareto buildoneanotherinthethingsofchrist(1thess.5:11). 2. The for is the Greek work heis, indicating in context that this is the far or distantgoal;thatis,thebuildingofthebodybythesaints. 3. POINT:Thepastorisnottodoallthevisitation,sickcalling,instruction,etc.It mustbedonebythesaintsornolocalchurchwillfunctionproperly. F. The Process of Gifted Men Training the Saints for the Ministry Produces Maturity (4:13 16) 1. This process is to continue until all Christians exercise unity in the Faith, demonstrate a full knowledge of Christ and reach ultimate maturation, experiencing the fullness of Jesus Christ. NOTE: This process will never be completeuntilthelordjesusreturnsforhischurch(4:13). 2. ThematuringprocessistokeeptheChristianfromdoctrinalinstabilityandfalse teaching(4:14). 3. The maturing process is to develop the Christian in love, so the believer may learntospeakthetruthinlove(4:15 16). G. Conclusion 1. Anylocalchurchwhichoperatesontheprincipleoftheclergytrainingthesaints todotheministrywillbeathrivingassembly.note:thebigproblemisgetting people to believe the system will work. NOTE: Folks are so bogged down in traditionalismandchurchianitythattheymisstheblessingofthistruth. 2. Tohavethissystemworktheremustbededicatedsaintswhoreallybelievethat theworkofjesuschrististhesinglemostimportantthinginlife.note:they putchristfirstinthepriorityofimportantthingsachristianmustdo.ifchrist isnotfirstinone slife,hemostcertainlywon tbesecond;hewillbewaydown thelistsomewhere. 3. To see this system work, there must be an attitude of faith on the part of the saintswhowillbewillingtotryitandmakemistakesinthelearningprocess.to seethissystemwork,theclergymustrefusetodoanythinginthelocalchurch that the saints can do. This takes real faith and discipline on the part of the pastor teacher.