The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
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What was Peter's reaction?<br />
"Peter answered: 'May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy<br />
<strong>the</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your<br />
heart is not right before God. Repent <strong>of</strong> this wickedness and pray to <strong>the</strong> Lord. Perhaps<br />
He will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full<br />
<strong>of</strong> bitterness and captive to sin.'"<br />
Why do you want to know what your gifts are? For <strong>the</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong> impressing o<strong>the</strong>rs, selfish<br />
enjoyment, curiosity? <strong>Gifts</strong> are not revealed for <strong>the</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong> impression, selfish enjoyment or<br />
curiosity, but <strong>the</strong>y are revealed to those who are committed to using <strong>the</strong>m for <strong>the</strong> streng<strong>the</strong>ning <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> rest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> body <strong>of</strong> Christ, <strong>the</strong> church (II Cor. 1:11).<br />
Although <strong>the</strong> Greek word charisma is here most <strong>of</strong>ten translated "gracious favor" referring to<br />
<strong>the</strong> general idea <strong>of</strong> grace ra<strong>the</strong>r than to <strong>the</strong> more limited idea <strong>of</strong> "gift <strong>of</strong> grace," <strong>the</strong> association <strong>of</strong><br />
prayer with <strong>the</strong> laying on <strong>of</strong> hands for specific ministry (Acts 6:6; 13:3) suggests that prayer is a<br />
means <strong>of</strong> receiving God's grace.<br />
IV. LAYING ON OF HANDS BY CHURCH LEADERS<br />
Closely related to prayer is <strong>the</strong> laying on <strong>of</strong> hands. This is <strong>the</strong> fourth step in finding your gifts.<br />
<strong>The</strong> gifts required by <strong>the</strong> church might be bestowed through <strong>the</strong> laying on <strong>of</strong> hands. <strong>The</strong> Giver<br />
is always God in His sovereignty, but <strong>the</strong> channel would seem to be <strong>the</strong> designated leaders <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
local church (I Tim. 4:14-16).<br />
"Do not neglect your charisma, which was given you through a prophetic message<br />
when <strong>the</strong> body <strong>of</strong> elders laid <strong>the</strong>ir hands on you. Be diligent in <strong>the</strong>se matters; give<br />
yourself wholly to <strong>the</strong>m, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life<br />
and doctrine closely. Persevere in <strong>the</strong>m."<br />
Paul lays stress on working at your gift, not neglecting it, but being diligent giving yourself<br />
wholly to it and persevering.<br />
In his second letter to Timothy, Paul counsels Timothy,<br />
"I remind you to fan into flame <strong>the</strong> charisma <strong>of</strong> God, which is in you through <strong>the</strong> laying<br />
on <strong>of</strong> my hands" (II Tim. 1:6).
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