Read the following scriptures and give insights on what a spiritual gift seems to be:
1 Corinthians 12:4-5.
1 Peter 4:10.
Romans 12:4-6.
Ephesians 4:10-13.
What do you think it means when the Bible claims that all believers are given spiritual gifts? What makes the gifts spiritual?
- 1 Corinthians 12:4-5: "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord."
- 1 Peter 4:10: "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."
- Romans 12:4-6: "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us."
- Ephesians 4:10-13: "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
From these scriptures, it is evident that spiritual gifts are unique abilities or talents given by the Holy Spirit to believers for the purpose of serving others and building up the body of Christ. These gifts are varied and can include things like prophecy, teaching, serving, mercy, wisdom, discernment, or leadership. The key aspect that makes these gifts spiritual is that they are given by the Holy Spirit for the edification of the church and the spreading of the Gospel.
When the Bible claims that all believers are given spiritual gifts, it highlights the fact that every believer has been uniquely gifted by God to contribute to the work of the church and to serve others. This demonstrates the diversity and unity within the body of Christ, as each individual brings their own gifts and talents to the table for the common good. Overall, spiritual gifts are a manifestation of God's grace and power at work in the lives of believers for the advancement of His kingdom.