Getting to know the Holy Spirit: The Gifts of the Spirit - Part 2

The gifts that Christ gave to the Church:

Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (The five-fold ministry)

These are the gifts that Jesus himself gave to the Church and are often referred to as ‘the five-fold ministry’.

Ephesians 4:7-8 (NLT)

⁷ However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. ⁸ That is why the Scriptures say,

“When he ascended to the heights,
    he led a crowd of captives
    and gave gifts to his people.”^{[Psalm 68:18]}

Ephesians 4:11-13 (NLT)

¹¹ Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. ¹² Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. ¹³ This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

The function of the ‘Five-fold Ministry’ is to equip the body of Christ to do his work and to build and lead it into maturity in Christ Jesus. This is done in an attitude of servanthood – serving the body - just as the ministry of Jesus was. When we look at verse 13 above, we see that this function of the five-fold ministry is not to stop until we reach full maturity and unity as a body which, in all likelihood, will only be when our Lord returns, and we are clothed in our imperishable bodies!

The gifts of Christ in the ‘Five-fold Ministry’ are not just gifts alone but are also positions or offices within the local church. We also find that these gifts also come, sort of naturally, with the gift of Leadership! The Church, including every local body, needs every part of the five-fold ministry that Jesus has given to us. One or two are not enough; we need all of the five-fold ministries working in unity to build a vibrant and Spirit-filled body!

As God restores these ministries to the Church, we must correctly respond to them. God’s purposes will not be fulfilled outside of His divinely appointed leadership. The more we flow in God’s gifts and the more we live life in the Spirit, so the more we will become like rivers of living water – more like Jesus.

The gifts of prophecy, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, showing mercy

As you read the following scriptures allow them to permeate your very being and ask God to write them indelibly on your heart.

Luke 11:13

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Romans 12:6-8 (NLT)

⁶ In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. ⁷ If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. ⁸ If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness (or mercy) to others, do it gladly.

1 Corinthians 12:27-28 (NLT)

²⁷ All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. ²⁸ Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church:

first are apostles, second are prophets,
third are teachers,
then those who do miracles,
those who have the gift of healing,
those who can help others,
those who have the gift of leadership,
those who speak in unknown languages.

1 Peter 4:10-11
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. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

TO JESUS BELONGS ALL GLORY, HONOUR AND PRAISE.
JESUS THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES

Part 3 'Why Does the Church Need the Gifts of the Spirit?" will be published next week.

An extract from my book: Fan Into Flame: Life in the Spirit available on Paperback:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1798692120