Footsteps #134

Paul, writing to the youthful pastor Timothy, urges him to “stir up the gift of God, which is in you” (2Tim.1:6).  As with Timothy, each of us has a responsibility to rekindle or perhaps discover for the first time, the ministry God has entrusted to us.  Among helpful ways to explore one’s gifts is to study carefully the Bible’s descriptions of the various gifts. 

Notice how the Lord used various gifts: Peter, Stephen, Philip, Barnabas, and Paul had the gifts of evangelism which is public proclamation. Philip had the gift of miracles. Paul and Barnabas were also ‘teachers’ of the word. Barnabas had the gifts of prophecy, encouragement, and teaching (Acts.13:1), but he also had the gift of helps. He took Paul under his wing (Acts.9:27), went to Tarsus to find him, initiated him into ministry, went with him on his missionary ventures, and eventually took second place to Paul. Barnabas supported John Mark and eventually restored him to Paul’s good graces (2.Tim.4:11).  

There is a school of thought that holds that the gifts of the Spirit, particularly the gifts of languages, healing, and prophecy, were special endowments given to people only during New Testament times. The claim is that once the canon of Scripture closed, spiritual gifts were no longer needed. However, in talking of this Joel uses the term “And afterward.” (Joel 2:28NIV) Paul uses the phrase, “when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears” in 1Corinthians.13:10 (NIV). 

The Holy Spirit is promised unconditionally to every believer in Christ (Acts,2:38). The gifts of the Spirit are promised to every believer according to their need for the Lord’s work. The promise is just as strong and trustworthy now as in the days of the apostles. ‘These signs shall follow them that believe.’ This is the privilege of God’s children and faith should lay hold on all that it is possible to have in the uplifting of the church and individual. These are the gifts listed in the several lists in scripture: prophecy, teaching wisdom, knowledge, service, faith, giving, healing, leadership, mercy, encouragement, apostles (missionaries), miracles, discernment, unlearned languages, interpretation of such, helps, administration, celibacy, voluntary poverty, hospitality, exorcism, and intercessory prayer.