10 Biblical Purposes of Spiritual Gifts

Recently it was brought to my attention that some may mistake those who accept the gifts of the Spirit with those who accept the "Word of Faith" movement. Although there are some charismatic Christians that have accepted that "Word of Faith" doctrine, many other charismatic saints, such as myself and my own church, have long since distanced ourselves and denounced the Word of Faith (Name it and Claim it) movement.
Here is an article explaining what the Word of Faith movement is, and why it is erroneous.

https://www.compellingtruth.org/word-faith.html

Being charismatic does not automatically make a Christian an adherent to teachings like the one described in the article above.
Read the following article below to learn how many Charismatic and Pentecostal Christians have criticized the Word of Faith Movement. 

https://www.watchman.org/articles/other-religious-topics/word-faith-theology/ 

The whole idea of the gifts of the Spirit is made clear here in this Bible passage. Please read prayerfully and consider the following. God does give gifts to men. He still does today, because Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, forever. (see Hebrews 13:8) But He does not give gifts to us so that we can use/abuse them for selfish gain or material possession. No, He gives gifts to His saints so that they may be EQUIPPED, MATURED, EDIFIED, and SOUND IN DOCTRINE.

The Inspired Word of God tells us the clear purposes of these divine gifts to Christians:

Ephesians 4:7-16 NKJV

 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 

8 Therefore He says:
“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”

9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 
10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 
14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ
16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Did you catch those points? God equips His churches, the Body of Christ, with gifts for a variety of reasons. True Pentecostals and Charismatics can reject the name-it claim-it ideas while still adhering to the above sound doctrine of Paul the Apostle, as inspired by the Holy Spirit. Notice how there is no mention of material wealth in this entire passage from Ephesians. That's because the gifts are not for the mere purposes of the natural realm. They are for the spiritual kingdom of God and building His church in the Spirit!

According to this passage from Ephesians ch.4, God gives gifts to those in Christ. These present-day gifts from the Holy Spirit are for:
1. Equipping the saints (v12)
2.  the work of the ministry (v12)
3. edifying the Body of Christ (v12)
4. coming to the unity of the faith (v13)
5. reaching the stature and fullness (maturity) of Christ (v13)
6. growing up so that we are no longer like little children that are deceived by false doctrines (like Word of Faith errors) These gifts from God help us to discern the "trickery of men" and reject it. (V14)
7. speaking the truth in love (v15)
8. For growing up, becoming spiritually mature like Christ the head (v15)
9. Knitting the Body together by what every joint supplies
10. Growing the Body so that it edifies itself in LOVE. (v16).

Now this is just one of many passages revealing God's New Testament present truth purpose for the gifts. This is not an exhaustive list but it is a very good Biblical overview of why God gave gifts.

It is clear that the gifts are not to make life more "comfortable" on the planet, but for the spiritual and "effective working" (v16) of Christ's Spiritual Body on the earth. We are to grow up, in the midst of our challenges and trials and to speak truth to each other in love, relying on His Spirit and His power.

 Indeed Christ promised we as believers would endure suffering for His name's sake, before we share in eternal glory with Him. (Mat 5:1-12)

To bring balance to this, we must still remember that Christ, who is still sovereign and on the throne, does look after and provide for the needs of those who seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.
 Matthew 6:33 says:
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

God bless as you read and consider and pray into these Biblical truths from God's inspired Word.
May God enlighten our understanding as we walk in His Light!

And... Happy Canada Day!
God bless you.
Pastor Curtis
July 1st 2020 7:39pm EST