SPIRITUAL GIFTS (continued)

5. Healing. This is the special ability to be used by God in the physical, emotional, or spiritual healing. Do not expect all to be physically healed. Paul was not healed, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. Trophimus was not healed, 2 Timothy 4:20. In addition, we have never seen the great men and women of faith healed of the diseases of old age ... all eventually die. Sometimes God heals some people through those with the gift of healing. All do not have this gift ... but all can seek healing, James 5:14-16.

6. Knowledge. This is a special ability to understand God's Word. If it were knowledge directly given by God, it would be uncompromisingly consistent with the written Word. If it is inaccurate, or if it contradicts the Bible in any way, then the knowledge is not from God. Paul wrote that this gift would be done away with at some time, 1 Corinthians 13:8-10. Some may have this gift ... but all should pursue greater knowledge of God's Word, 2 Timothy 2:15, Colossians 1:9-10.

7. Leadership. This is the special ability to lead others in accomplishing God's work. Look behind you. Is anyone following? Are you effectively leading others to accomplish God's will? Leadership ability in the world is not the same as the gift of leadership. Being an elected, or appointed, leader in the church does not necessarily mean that one has the gift of leadership. This gift is given to some believers ... but all have leadership influence on the people around them, Proverbs 12:26.

8. Mercy. This is a special ability to perform deeds of love. Mercy is active compassion directed to the undeserving ... whether or not they are unlovely, destitute, or humanly distressed. Only some believers have this gift ... but all believers should be merciful, Jude 1:2-23.

9. Miracles. This is the special ability, given by the Holy Spirit, to perform humanly impossible acts of power. The power for miracles can come from other sources, Exodus 7:10-13, Matthew 7:21-23. All believers don't have this gift ... but we all do have power, John 14:12, Acts 1:8.

10. Prophecy. This is a special ability given to some to declare God's Word. Prophecy may be an authoritative declaration with the force of thus saith the Lord ... as it was with the New Testament authors. In addition, prophecy may be the divine prediction of future events. Foretelling the future in the name of God is dangerous, Deuteronomy 18:22. It seems to be limited, Revelation 22:18-19. Paul wrote that this gift would be done away with at some time, 1 Corinthians 13:8-10. Prophecy may simply be the forth telling, or declaring of God's Word ... similar to preaching or public declaration. All believers should do some of that, Psalm 145:4-12.

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Disciplemaking 1, copyright 2003, is available free from www.MyDisciplemaker.org where you can study online or print free copies. You may copy this course, any any part of it, for free or at-cost distribution ... without change to the content ... and with this copyright policy attached. Published by www.ActsOneEight.org. Bible Quotations are from the NASB unless noted.