SPIRITUAL GIFTS – PART 2

What Is The Nature And Use Of Spiritual Gifts?

YHVH Gives Us Spiritual Gifts So We Can Work Together To Serve Him And Each Other!

[Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Moshiach’s Body. We are all parts of His One Body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all One Body in Moshiach, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others]. -- Romans 12:4-5. Paul uses the concept of the human body to teach how believers should live and work together. Just as the parts of the body function under the direction of the brain, so believers are to work together under the Command and Authority of Yeshua Moshiach -- see 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 4:1-16.

YHVH Gives Us Gifts So We Can Build Up His Church.

To use them effectively, we must

1 -- realize that all gifts and abilities come from YHVH;
2 -- understand that not everyone has the same gifts;
3 -- know who we are and what we do best;
4 -- dedicate our gifts to YHVH’s service and not to our personal success; and
5 -- be willing to utilize our gifts wholeheartedly, not holding back anything from YHVH’s service.

Our Gifts, Though Different, Are All Useful.

Our gifts differ in nature, power, and effectiveness according to YHVH’s Wisdom and Graciousness, not according to our faith. [Measuring your value by how much faith YHVH has given you] -- 12:3, means that YHVH will give the Spiritual power necessary and appropriate to carry out each responsibility. We cannot, by our own effort or willpower, drum up more faith and thus be more effective teachers or servants. These are YHVH’s Gifts to His Church, and He gives Faith and Power as He wills. Our role is to be faithful and to seek ways to serve others with what Moshiach has given us.

Believers Using Their Gifts To Serve YHVH And Each Other, Create An Exciting Fellowship.

Look at the list of Gifts in Scripture and imagine the kinds of people who would have each Gift. Prophets are often bold and articulate. Servers {those in ministry} are faithful and loyal. Teachers are clear thinkers. Preachers know how to motivate others. Givers are generous and trusting. Leaders are good organizers and managers. Those who comfort others are caring people who are happy to give their time to others. It would be difficult for one person to embody all these gifts. An assertive prophet would not usually make a good counsellor, and a generous giver might fail as a leader. When you identify your own Gifts [and this list is far from complete], ask how you can use them to build up YHVH’s family. At the same time, realize that your Gifts cannot do the work of the Church all alone. Be thankful for people whose Gifts are completely different from yours. Let your strengths balance their weaknesses, and be grateful that their abilities make up for your deficiencies. Together you can build Moshiach’s church.

Spiritual Gifts Have A Single Source And A Special Purpose.

[Now there are different kinds of Spiritual Gifts, but it is the same Ruach Kodesh Who is the Source of them all. There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Adonai Elohiym we are serving. There are different ways YHVH works in our lives, but it is the same YHVH who does the work through all of us. -- 1 Corinthians 12:4-6. The Spiritual Gifts given to each person by Ruach HaKodesh are special abilities that are to be used to minister to the needs of the Body of believers. This chapter is not an exhaustive list of Spiritual Gifts -- see Romans 12; Ephesians 4; 1 Peter 4:10-11 for more examples. There are many gifts. Some people have more than one Gift, and one Gift is not superior to another. All Spiritual Gifts come from Ruach HaKodesh, and their purpose is to build up Moshiach’s Body, the Church.

Spiritual Gifts Have At Times Been Divisive Because Of Pride And Jealousy.

Instead of building up and unifying the Corinthian church, the issue of Spiritual Gifts was splitting it. Spiritual Gifts had become symbols of Spiritual Power, causing rivalries. Some people thought they were more {spiritual} than others because of their gifts. This was a terrible misuse of Spiritual Gifts because their purpose is always to help the Church function more effectively, not to divide it. We can be divisive if we insist on using our Gift our own way without being sensitive to others. We must never use Gifts as a means of manipulating others or serving our own self-interest.

Spiritual Gifts Ought To Be Humbly Used In Service Of Others.

The greater Gifts are those that are more beneficial to the Body of Moshiach. Paul has already made it clear that one Gift is not superior to another, but he urges the believers to discover how they can serve Moshiach’s Body with the Gifts YHVH has given them. Your Spiritual Gifts are not for your own self-advancement. They were given to you for serving YHVH and enhancing the Spiritual Growth of the Body of believers.

Spiritual Maturity Neither Denies Nor Overemphasizes Spiritual Gifts.

[Do not stifle Ruach HaKodesh. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Keep away from every kind of evil.] -- 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22. By warning us not to {stifle Ruach HaKodesh,} Paul means that we should not ignore or toss aside the Gifts Ruach HaKodesh gives. Here, he mentions prophecy -- 5:20; in -- 1 Corinthians 14:39, he mentions tongues. Some Spiritual Gifts may be controversial, and they may cause division in a church. Rather than trying to solve the problems, some believers just smother the Gifts. This impoverishes the church. We should not stifle Ruach HaKodesh’s Work in anyone’s life but encourage the full expression of these Gifts to benefit the Whole Body of Moshiach.

SPIRITUAL GIFTS – PART 1

This phrase is regularly used to translate two Greek words, charismata and pneumatika. Both words appear frequently in Paul’s writings and nowhere else in the New Testament, except -- 1 Peter 2:5 and 4:10. Both words come from more familiar words, charis {grace} and pneuma {spirit}. They have similar meanings -- charisma means {expression of grace} while pneumatikon means {expression of Spirit} -- but they are used somewhat differently. Charisma is used to describe YHVH’s saving action in Moshiach -- Romans 5:15-16, and the gift of eternal life -- Romans 6:23. In Romans 11:29 it describes the entire series of Gracious Acts YHVH did for Israel. In -- 2 Corinthians 1:11 it probably refers to a specific action of YHVH that saved Paul from some sort of deadly danger. Otherwise, it seems to mean divine grace as given to individual people, especially in -- Romans 12:6-8 [where Paul describes believers as being {gifted} to encourage, prophesy, etc.] and -- 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 {also in Romans 1:11; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 7:7; 12:4-11, 28-30; similarly, 1 Peter 4:10}. Pneumatikon is used in a wider range of situations. It is an adjective, rather than a noun, and describes various things {and people} as {spiritual,} serving as the instrument of the Spirit. These include some particular word or act -- Romans 1:11, the Law -- Romans 7:4, the manna, the water from the rock, and the rock itself during Israel’s wilderness wanderings -- 1 Corinthians 10:3-4, the resurrection body -- 1 Corinthians 15:44-46, blessings {in the heavenly places} -- Ephesians 1:3, specific insights into YHVH’s will -- Colossians 1:9, and songs in worship -- Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16. As a plural noun, it can be used to describe individuals {the spiritual ones,} -- 1 Corinthians 2:13, 15; 1 Corinthians 14:37; Galatians 6:1 or things {the spirituals,} {spiritual gifts,} -- Romans 15:27; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 9:11; 12:1; 14:1, even {spiritual powers in heaven} -- Ephesians 6:12. From this brief survey, a more precise definition of {spiritual gifts} can be made. Whatever thing or individual serves as an instrument of the Spirit or manifests the Spirit or embodies the Spirit is a spiritual gift {pneumatikon}. Whatever event, word, or action is a concrete expression of grace or serves as a means of grace is a Spiritual gift {charisma}. Pneumatikon is the more general word; charisma is more specific. Moreover, charisma is probably Paul’s own word -- Romans 1:11; 12:6; 1 Corinthians 7:7; 12:4, in preference to the more ambiguous pneumatikon, which seems to have been popular with those causing difficulty for Paul in Corinth {1 Corinthians 2:13-3:4; 14:37; 15:44-46}. Consequently, attention will focus in what follows on charisma. Not forgetting those passages where Paul uses this word in broader terms for the Direct Act of YHVH -- Romans 5:15, 16; 6:23; 11:29; 1 Corinthians 1:11, concentration will be on the passages where Paul speaks in more precise terms of particular manifestations of grace mediated through one individual to others {Spiritual Gifts} in this the narrower sense of charisma. The lists of charismata -- Romans 12;1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4;1 Peter 4, provide the clearest indications of what Paul thought a {Spiritual Gift} could be. For Paul, a Spiritual Gift is essentially an Act of YHVH’s Spirit, a definite, specific manifestation of YHVH’s Grace through the words or deeds of a particular person. YHVH is always generous, but charismata are definite examples of that generosity, parcelled out in encouraging words, rightful rebukes, or gracious actions from one person to another. This means that we cannot hope to manifest such gifts unless we are open to and dependent upon YHVH. Paul speaks of individuals {having} or {possessing} certain spiritual gifts -- Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 7:7; Romans 12:3, but he means only that some people are so open to YHVH’s Grace that, that Grace constantly shows itself through them in particular ways. It is true, however, that in -- 1 Timothy 4:14 and 2 Timothy 1:6, this basic sense is beginning to be left behind. A Spiritual Gift is any event, word, or action that embodies and expresses YHVH’s Grace. In this sense church sacraments {such as communion/breaking of bread} can be {means of grace} [though they are never called this in the New Testament], as are many other words and actions as well. In recognizing this, one can recognize too that the lists of gifts that appear in -- Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 and other places are probably not exhaustive. The gifts described in those lists are typical manifestations of the Spirit, but there may be many, many others. The degree of overlap between these various lists shows that Paul was not concerned to specify a precisely defined catalogue; he simply selected a number of activities and utterances through which he saw the Grace of YHVH manifesting itself in His churches. It is important to grasp that Paul saw all believers as charismatics-that is, as people with spiritual gifts. Whoever {has} the Spirit-whoever is open to and being led by the Spirit -- Romans 8:9-14, will inevitably show YHVH’s Grace in some way. For Paul, the church is the Body of Moshiach, and the Spiritual Gifts are examples of the functions belonging to the members {parts} of that Body -- Romans 12:4-6; 1 Corinthians 12:14-30. The Spirit’s Gifts are the living movements of Moshiach’s Body. As the Body is many different members functioning as one Body, so the unity of the church grows out of the diverse functions {gifts} of its members. It follows that YHVH gives Spiritual Gifts with the broader church community in mind, He gives {for the common good} -- 1 Corinthians 12:7. A selfish, loveless clutching after spiritual gifts is wrong and futile -- 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. A spiritual gift is never given to be used simply for one’s own benefit [except perhaps the gift of speaking in tongues, but that is why Paul gives it lower value]. It is given to someone only in the sense that YHVH chooses to act through that one person for others. More precisely, it is given through one person to the community-not to a specific person at all. The spiritual health of the individual is inextricably bound up with the health and well-being of the whole Body -- 1 Corinthians 12:14-26; Ephesians 4:16.

Yah is really working

Exodus 12 states one law for the foreigner and the native several times. For all time, several times. Other scripture repeats this pattern, for if it conflicted, it would not be true. Messiah teaches from and references the same scripture. He was from the same One who gave us said scripture. It makes sense They would agree. The two greatest commands reference the rest of the law and prophets, from which He taught. He also warns us against lawlessness and the lawless one.

Why then is Christianity failing, its numbers dwindling? Why are those who doubt increasing? Likely it is because they are also those who think. Who see hypocrisy so blatantly paraded as faith. Christianity is destroying itself by rejecting its foundation, the builders have rejected the cornerstone and the building crumbles. This too was foretold.

Shabbat shalom! Please take 15 minutes to learn about the knowledge that brings peace!

https://firstcenturychristiani....ty.net/the-knowledge

 

firstcenturychristianity.net

The Knowledge that Brings Peace -

Understanding the scriptures from a first century Christian perspective gives one an understanding of the plan of salvation that results in a deep psychological shalom that we want all to experience!

Shabbat shalom! Please take 15 minutes to learn about the knowledge that brings peace!

https://firstcenturychristiani....ty.net/the-knowledge

 

firstcenturychristianity.net

The Knowledge that Brings Peace -

Understanding the scriptures from a first century Christian perspective gives one an understanding of the plan of salvation that results in a deep psychological shalom that we want all to experience!

Shabbat shalom to the house of Yisra’ĕl and the house of Yehuḏah in the diaspora.

Shabbat Shalom Triumph In Truth family!