Using
the Gifts
1 Corinthians 12:7
Now
to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
We've been here before but
look at this again. Paul follows with a list of various "manifestations."
Manifestation means making manifest, or easy to see (literally "striking").
What is it that all these things reveal?
What reasons might there be
for the Spirit to be made obvious in such ways? Check 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
for one reason, and 1 John 3:24 for another.
Who does Paul say the manifestation
is given to? (remember again that he says is given, and not was
or will be)
If these gifts are given for
the "common good" (for everybody together), what aren't they to
be used for?
Lets bring this all together
- if the manifestations demonstrate we have the Holy Spirit, and are given
to everyone individually to be used for the good of everyone equally (take
a breath and digest that) what sort of things are they to be used
for?
Look through the list of manifestations
in verses 8 to 10. They are not referred to as "the gift of," and usually
not in the plural. What do you think this means about these manifestations
as a whole?
Who decides what manifestation
is given when it needs to be used?
Take a look at what Paul says
about the body of believers working together. How do you think this applies
to the gifts of the Spirit? Look at 1 Corinthians 14:27-29 as well.
If the gifts of the spirit
are to be used co-operatively as a body, how is their application affected
by the leaders of the body (locally and universally)?
To finish off, look at the
beginning of chapter 13 (verses 1-3) What is the one thing governing over
all in the use of the manifestations given? What affect should this have?
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