WDK 3 - The Spirit's Gifts for the Church

Summary

In this video, Jonathan King delves into the doctrine of ecclesiology, focusing on the spiritual gifts bestowed upon the church. He explores the purpose and types of these gifts, emphasizing their role in building up the body of Christ. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 12, King discusses both ordinary and extraordinary gifts, such as teaching, prophecy, tongues, and healing. He highlights the importance of using these gifts selflessly for the benefit of others, rather than for personal pride. The message encourages believers to serve one another with their gifts and reflect on the role of spiritual gifts in today’s church.

Takeaways

• 😀 Spiritual gifts are given to the church by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of building up the body of Christ.
• 😀 The distinction between extraordinary gifts (e.g., tongues, prophecy) and ordinary gifts (e.g., teaching, serving) is important in understanding their roles.
• 😀 Pride and jealousy can emerge in the church when people compare their spiritual gifts to others, as seen in the Corinthians church.
• 😀 The metaphor of the body of Christ is used to show that all spiritual gifts are necessary and valuable, no matter how visible or spectacular they may appear.
• 😀 Paul stresses that spiritual gifts are not earned or deserved but are freely given by the Holy Spirit according to God’s will.
• 😀 The gifts should be used for the **edification of others**, not for personal glorification or recognition.
• 😀 The ordinary gifts, like faith and teaching, are just as important as the extraordinary gifts in the life of the church.
• 😀 Paul emphasizes humility, warning against feeling superior or envious based on the gifts one has received.
• 😀 In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul presents the spiritual gifts in a particular order, beginning with ordinary gifts and moving to extraordinary ones to stress their equal importance.
• 😀 The purpose of spiritual gifts is always to serve others within the church community, for the glory of God, not for personal gain.
• 😀 Personal reflection on spiritual gifts involves asking questions like: Are gifts given at birth? Do they change over time? And do miraculous gifts still exist today?

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the video in terms of ecclesiology?

The primary focus is on the spiritual gifts given to the church by the Holy Spirit, particularly their purpose and types, rather than the person of the Holy Spirit itself, which would be explored in a separate discussion.

What key chapter in the New Testament is referenced in the video for discussing spiritual gifts?

The video references 1st Corinthians Chapter 12, where Paul addresses the spiritual gifts given to the church in Corinth.

How does Paul describe the spiritual gifts in the church at Corinth?

Paul describes a variety of spiritual gifts, highlighting both extraordinary gifts, like tongues, and more ordinary gifts, such as speaking, teaching, and faith. He emphasizes the importance of these gifts in building up the body of Christ.

What problem was occurring within the church in Corinth regarding spiritual gifts?

The problem in Corinth was the pride and jealousy some members had regarding their spiritual gifts. Some felt superior because of their extraordinary gifts, while others were envious of those gifts, causing division and discord within the church.

What metaphor does Paul use to address the division caused by spiritual gifts?

Paul uses the metaphor of the body to describe the church, emphasizing that all members of the church are part of the same body, each with different gifts. He points out that no one gift is more important than another.

What is the significance of Paul starting with more ordinary gifts in his discussion of spiritual gifts?

Paul starts with more ordinary gifts, such as teaching and speaking, to emphasize that these gifts, while not as attention-grabbing as the extraordinary ones, are crucial for the edification of the church and should be prioritized.

How does Paul address the issue of pride and comparison among members of the church in relation to their spiritual gifts?

Paul stresses that all gifts are equally valuable and that no one should feel superior or inferior based on their gifts. He reminds the church that these gifts are given by the Holy Spirit according to God's will, and they should be used for the collective good of the body of Christ.

How does the spiritual purpose of gifts relate to their use within the church?

The spiritual gifts are meant to build up the body of Christ and serve one another, not for personal gain or pride. The focus is on serving others for the glory of God and strengthening the church as a whole.

What does Paul say about the extraordinary gifts like tongues and healing?

Paul acknowledges that extraordinary gifts, like tongues and healing, are valid and important, but he points out that they should not overshadow the ordinary gifts of teaching and prophecy. These extraordinary gifts should be exercised with humility and not for personal pride.

Does Paul emphasize the discovery of personal spiritual gifts as a primary concern?

No, Paul does not emphasize the need to search for one's personal spiritual gifts. Instead, he encourages believers to serve one another within the body of Christ, and through this service, the gifts will naturally be recognized and exercised for the benefit of the church.