Hundredfold Ministries, Int'l

We all are familiar with the wonderful way God called Isaiah to be a prophet. During a vision he heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Go and tell my people thus and so." (See Is 6.) Wouldn't it be great if we all were called by the Lord into our ministry and gifts the way Isaiah was? That sure would be simple, wouldn't it? And, best of all, we would just know what our ministry call was and which gifts we would have. But, for most of us, our ministry and gifts are discovered over a period of time and with training.

In this chapter we will examine the ministry calls emphasizing the gifts the Apostle Paul lists in Romans 12, and in 1 Corinthians 12.

Paul's Overview

Paul gives us what I call the job description of the church in Ephesians, 4.

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's 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. (Eph 4:11-13 NIV)

Let us examine these verses in detail. First Paul lists the five-fold ministries or offices of the church, the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher. Since Part Two of this book (page 75) covers each of these in detail, I will go on and ask the question:

What Is the Purpose of the Five-Fold Ministry?

The work of the apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers and evangelists is to prepare God's people for works of service. "God's people" here refers to everyone in the church, everyone who is born again. This means that God has a work of service, or ministry for everyone. That's why everyone in the church has a ministry call. .

Why Did God Give Everyone A Ministry?

Paul answers, "so that the body of Christ may be built up. . ." From these verses it appears that God expects His church to function as follows: The apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers and evangelists are in the church to prepare the people for works of service. Why? So that the body of Christ can in turn build the church up. The ultimate goal the Lord has set in these verses is that ". . . 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." (v. 13) Did This Only Apply to the First Century Church?

Absolute not! It still applies to today's church. How do we know? Because as long as there are those in the church who aren't mature and those who do not measure up to the fullness of Christ, then the work of the church is to continue.

So the job of building the church up is that of the people. In today's church it is most unfortunate that many expect the pastor to do it. After all, they say, "isn't that what we pay the pastor to do?" Maybe so. But this wrong thinking is probably why so many churches aren't being built up very much these days. Jesus didn't call the pastor to do the job the people in the church are supposed to be doing.

Works of Service

Now that we understand that the five-fold ministries exist to prepare God's people for works of service, let us define works of service. I define a work of service as being any service performed by a Christian in or for the body of Christ or to spread the gospel. It is within this broad definition of service that the various gifts are used. And the operation of these various gifts by the individual Christian constitutes his or her ministry. As we have already said, everyone has a ministry. It is the faithful stewardship of our gifts which constitute our ministry.

There is a more narrow usage of service in Acts 6 when the early church was trying to establish some order in its ranks. The specific instance had to do with the growing problem of the daily distribution of food to the widows among the believers.

"So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, 'It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." (Acts 6:2-4 NIV)

The above phrase "wait on tables" may also be translated as "serve tables." The main purpose of this segment of Scripture is to establish the office of deacon. But, as we have seen, all are called to serve the church. I believe Peter was alluding to this same broader call of service upon every Christian when he said,

If anyone speaks, he should do as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides. . . (1 Pet 4:11 NIV, emphasis added.)

Elevating the Concept of Service

Until Jesus came, being a servant was very demeaning. Servants had low social standing. Jesus' teaching turned this view upside down, literally. He raised the idea of serving God and others to the highest plane. He taught that "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." (Mk 9:35 NIV) He demonstrated His teaching of servanthood by washing His disciples' feet.

Jesus took the commandment to "love one's neighbor as oneself" as the basis of service to others. Until Jesus came those were mere religious words. Jesus made them a reality by setting the example for us to follow. He made no distinction in kind of service. His emphasis was on faithfulness of stewardship. 24

Thus, we know, both from Jesus' words and His deeds, that from God's view one who serves others in the church is in an exalted position. Therefore, those who are called to ministries of service in the church do indeed have a high calling. Peter exhorts us, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." (1 Pet 4:10 NIV)

Now we will look into the ministry gifts to determine what each actually means. At the outset I want to confess that this has been a difficult study because, 1) there is quite an overlap among Paul's three lists, and, 2) he lists some functions that may well be part of another ministry, or office.

Also, as this study begins we must bear in mind the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit. Often a person may excel in two, three, or more of these gifts. We should also be aware that one's ministry does not always remain the same. Philip began using his ministry gifts as a server (deacon) and ended up in the ministry call of evangelist. Therefore, as one grows in spiritual maturity, the Lord may well extend additional callings. Certainly the parable of the talents tells us this.

Pauls Lists of Gifts

Paul gives us three different lists of gifts that I have called ministry gifts.

One list is in Romans 12:6-8, another is in 1 Corinthians 12:4-10, and a third is in 1 Corinthians 12:28.

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully (Rom 12:6-8 NIV)

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another the ability to speak in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.(1 Cor 12:4-11 NIV)

And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. (1 Cor 12:28 NIV)

To aid in our analysis, I divide the above gifts into two groups, spontaneous ministry gifts and ongoing ministry gifts.

1. Spontaneous Ministry Gifts

This category of gifts can only operate spontaneously, prompted at the moment by the Holy Spirit. These gifts include, 1) prophesying, 2) works of power (miracles), 3) gifts of healing, 4) words of wisdom, 5) words of knowledge, 6) distinguishing between spirits, 7) different kinds of tongues, 8) interpretation of tongues, and 9) faith.

In order for these gifts to operate, it requires the cooperation of the individual with the Holy Spirit at a given point in time. The operation of these gifts require the supernatural display of God's power expressed through the individual.

2. Ongoing Ministry Gifts

The second category are the gifts that are more ongoing in nature. They are inherent within the person and personality of the individual. They are so natural they often appear to be traits of someone's personality and are part of his or her daily life. These gifts include, 1) serving, 2) encouraging or exhorting, 3) giving, 25 4) leadership or governing, 5) showing mercy, and 6) gifts of administration. Of course these gifts also require the cooperation of the individual to be put into use but not in the same way as those which operate spontaneously.

For example, someone with the gift of mercy is easily able to show mercy to those he or she comes in contact with on an almost ongoing or continuing basis. It is an integral part of this person's whole being. I am not saying that the Lord's anointing is not on these people operating these ongoing gifts. I am saying the gifts themselves operate in a different way.

To help understand the gifts and ministries, I have divided them into the lists as follows: Ongoing Ministry Gifts

1. Exhortation Ministry

". . . if it is encouraging, let him encourage ." (Rom 12:8 NIV)

What would the church do if it were not for those who encourage and exhort? These dear people fill a great need in the church. Their ministry shines during times of fear, worry or discouragement. They lift the spirits of the downcast in times of despair. They bring refreshment to the parched soul as fresh rain to the dry ground. Now let's look at Paul's Lists of Ministries & Gifts of the Holy Spirit:

FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY GIFTS, ON-GOING MINISTRY GIFTS, and SPONTANEOUS MINISTRY GIFTS (Eph 4:11) (Rom 12 & 1 Cor 12:28) (1 Cor 12:8-10)

Apostle Exhorter

Message of Wisdom

Prophet Server

Message of Knowledge

Pastor Giver

Faith

*Teacher Helper

*Gifts of Healing

Evangelist Administrator

*Miraculous Powers Mercy

*Prophecy [Leadership]

Distinguishing Between Spirits

*Different Kinds of Tongues

Interpretation of Tongues

*Also listed in Romans 12:6-8 or 1 Corinthians 12:28.

Let us look to the meaning of exhortation in the original text to help us understand more fully what the exhortation ministry is. The Greek word for exhortation is pa?a????e?, or paraklasei. The common, secular Greek use of the word meant "to call to; to beseech; to exhort; to comfort." (Its noun form is the same word used by Jesus when He referred to the Holy Spirit as Comforter in John 15:26). The verb form is "to call to." It is used in the sense of "summoning to help . . . to call in a legal adviser . . . a request for coming to aid with reference to the physician." 26

When speaking of the comfort Job received in the end, the Septuagint 27 translators used parakaleo in Job 42:11. "All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought upon him . . ."

In its purest sense God is the source of all true comfort. But we see that there are often human agents God used to exhort and comfort. The Prophet Isaiah is an excellent example. God told Isaiah, "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins." (40:1 NIV)

We see other examples in Scripture of God using His servants to comfort and encourage His people. Paul gives us the key to exhortation and comfort in 2 Corinthians.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. (1:3-5 NIV)

I see two ways this gift operates in the church.

First, God has set in His church people who seem to have a natural ability to comfort and encourage. When there is sickness or tragedy, they seem to know exactly what to do and say. The troubled rejoice at the sight of the comforter sent by God with his or her God-given ability to encourage, comfort and uplift.

Second, God has placed exhorters in the church who are usually quiet and unassuming. However, when the need arises, the anointing of the Holy Spirit falls on that person and for a brief period of time his or her personality is transformed. He speaks clearly, powerfully, and straight to the point. Any discerning person listening knows that God is speaking directly through the exhorter. Once the occasion passes, the exhorter reverts back to his former personality. But for a brief time he or she has powerfully spoken God's word.

2. Serving In the Church

"If it is serving, let him serve . . ." (Rom 12:7 NIV) Another ministry Paul lists in Romans, 12 is "serving." Since we have already discussed the call to serve in the very broad sense within the body of Christ, I will deal here with what I see as the more narrow gift of serving. 28

I define this ministry gift as that ability to see and to step in and perform any work or act necessary or helpful for the ongoing ministry of the church. It certainly encompasses the office of deacon, but it extends beyond that.

People who are called by the Lord as servers rarely need to be asked to do the work. They see what needs to be done and get involved in completing the task. Very often these people are rather quiet and are usually cheerful. They are comfortable working as part of a team and are usually very willing to let others lead. The work may be construction, running the sound system, keeping the nursery, cooking, or whatever the need is. A church prospers when there are abundant servers performing this ministry. It is such a valuable ministry gift.

3. Giving & Contributing to the Needs of Others

"If it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously . . ." (Rom 12:8 NIV) The Greek text here addresses both giving and the attitude of the heart when one gives.

First, let's deal with what is usually given, money. Money is most often given to supply a need. The need may exist in either another person or the church.

Of course the general principle of giving applies to all Christians. We all are to be givers and tithers. We are all to give to the legitimate needs of others in the church as well as directly to the church.

But often, when someone has the gift of giving, he or she will be prosperous in the worldly sense. I believe that God gives exceptional wealth to certain people and sets them in the church to give to specific needs as the Holy Spirit directs. I knew of a man some years ago whom the Lord had blessed as a heavy equipment inventor. The more money he made the greater percentage of his earnings he gave to the Lord's work. Soon he was giving 90% of his money to the Lord's work and living on the remaining 10%! (But remember, the existence of such people in no way negates the obligation on the rest of us to be givers.)

Now let's deal with the attitude of the heart when we are giving. Here are some of the words used by various Bible translators to describe the Greek word for the giver's attitude of heart: simplicity, sincerity, purity, liberality arising out of simplicity and frankness of character.

We see this attitude demonstrated when Paul tells us how the Macedonian churches gave.

Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. (2 Cor 8:2-4 NIV)

These churches gave with overflowing joy. They gave beyond their ability. They even pleaded to be able to give! This is a clear example of how all of us are to give.

Of course, we may also give of things other than money. We can give of our food, time, our own goods, transportation, and so forth. God is pleased with any gift we give. He wants us to be free with what He has given us, whether it be little or much. He wants each of us to be so sensitive to the Holy Spirit that He can whisper to us to give and we eagerly run to obey. Conversely, could the failure to give to the Lord and His work be the reason some of God's people are so poor? A very sobering thought, isn't it?

When we honor God by our giving to the point that it becomes a life-style, God blesses and honors our giving.

"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse--the whole nation of you--because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty. (Mal 3:8-12 NIV)

I love the NIV's translation of 2 Corinthians 9:8: ". . . God loves a cheerful giver"!

4. Those Able to Help Others

". . . those able to help others . . ." (1 Cor 12:28 NIV)

The Greek work for help here is ??t????e??, or antilapseis. Some of the English words it has been translated into are aid, assistance, one who aids or assists, a help. The idea in the original text means precisely what it means in English, one who helps others.

I believe this ministry refers primarily to those who apprentice themselves to someone already in full time ministry. These people are the Timothys and Barnabases of today who probably have a call on their lives as one of the five-fold ministries but who need to learn from those more mature in their call.

I have gathered a few Scriptures that convey this principle. Although in the Scriptures I have selected, not all of the Greek words used for help are antilapseis, they are examples that show this meaning of the gift.

I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. (Plm 13 NIV)

When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper. (Acts 13:5 NIV)

He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer. (Acts 19:22 NIV)

May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus. (2 Tim 1:18 NIV)

All who operate in this ministry greatly contribute to the gospel being preached. This is a very necessary and valuable ministry in the church, both to those who are helped as well as the helper.

5. Those With Gifts of Administration

". . . those with gifts of administration . . ." (1 Cor 12:28 NIV)

The Greek word for administration here is ??�e???se??, or kubernaseis. Kubernaseis has been translated into such English words as governments, gifts of administration, office of a governor or director, pilot, helmsman, and to steer. Different Bible translators have used the following: administrators (RSV), organizers (Phillips), power to guide them (NEB), wise guides (BAS), those who get others to work together (Taylor), and managers (Beck).

To arrive at a biblical sense of the word, here are two Scriptures that use kubernaseis.

But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and the owner of the ship. (Acts 27:11 NIV, emphasis indicates kubernaseis.)

"Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship . . ." (Rev 18:17 NIV, emphasis indicates kubernaseis.)

The most common, and most narrow, view of the gift of administration is someone who administrates the church and its business affairs. These tasks include writing letters, maintaining records, overseeing payroll, ordering of supplies and equipment, and so on. A gifted administrator is also able to oversee and direct major church projects such as large outdoor crusades, building construction, and so forth.

However, there is a broader application of the Greek word as used in the New Testament. Theologian Hermann Wolfgang Beyer said of kubernaseis, "The reference can only be to the specific gifts which qualify a Christian to be a helmsman to his congregation, i.e., a true director of its order and therewith its life. What was the scope of this directive activity in the time of Paul we do not know . . . The importance of the helmsman increases in a time of storm. The office of directing the congregation may well have developed especially in emergencies both within and without. . . It is the grace of God to give gifts which equip for government." 29

Thus, believers with the gift of administration also seem to know the exact course or direction a church needs to follow. They know when a course change is due and how to effect it. Most often the pastor fulfills this role but a prophet, ruling elders, or others can also have and exercise this gift.

6. Mercy

". . . if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." (Rom 12:8 NIV) The Greek word for showing mercy is ??e??, or eleos. Kittel says of eleos, "It is an original sense of oneness with another, especially between parents and children or brothers and sisters. Since it is specifically evoked when the other is in trouble, it often amounts to pity or sympathy, though this is not the precise meaning. Love is a better rendering. It is typical. . . [to] denote the act or expression of love rather than the emotion. . . to denote gracious action rather than emotion. . . . The eleos. . . is found in Lk. 10:37 to describe the act of the Samaritan, and in concrete cases it denotes the showing of love and the act of mercy." 30

Eleos is the word Jesus used when he said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Mat 5:7 NIV)

God has set some in the church who are genuinely merciful. That is their gift. These people extend the very hand of the Lord through acts of love, mercy and kindness. Of course, we are all to be merciful, but those with the gift of mercy go beyond this general call. Pastors usually have this gift as part of their ministry. It is what makes them nurturing servants of the Lord.

Paul even tells us that, when mercy is shown, it is to be done cheerfully! The word for cheerful in the Greek text is ilarotati, from which we get the English word hilarious! Therefore, those who minister mercy are to do so hilariously! And not surprisingly, those who show mercy also enjoy the additional benefit of receiving mercy for themselves in time of need. (See Mat 5:7.)

7. Leadership

"If it is leadership, let him govern diligently; . . ." (Rom 12:8 NIV) I believe that the word leadership as used here in Romans is not to be regarded as a separate ministry function. Careful examination of the Greek text tells us that Paul is specifically referring to the leadership aspect of ministry of those who are already leaders in the church. His statement appears to be an exhortation to those who are in leadership to be diligent and faithful in their charge.

The Greek word for leadership is p???sta�?, or proistami. Proistami is used eight times in the New Testament in its various forms. Its verb form means "to lead, to care for, to rule, to take care of." Kittel's dictionary states, "According to the context the task of proistamenoi is in large measure that of pastoral care . . . In this case the reference is quite definitely to official leaders in the churches� If a man know not how to rule (prostanai) his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? (1 Tim 3:5)" 31

Thus, I conclude that leadership is simply a function of those in church government and is not a separate service ministry.

Spontaneous Gifts

Let us now focus on the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12. All of the gifts listed there operate at the spontaneous leading of the Holy Spirit with the cooperation of willing human agency (with minor exceptions noted in footnote 25). Paul writes,

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another the ability to speak in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. (1 Cor 12:4-11 NIV)

Often these nine gifts have been divided into three groups: 1) vocal gifts, 2) power gifts, and 3) revelation gifts. I agree with this division.

1. Vocal Gifts

The three gifts in this category are called vocal gifts because they all involve speaking. These gifts are different kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues, and prophecy.

Notice that I have not listed the private, personal, devotional use of tongues available to anyone who asks Jesus for it (Lk 11:13) as one of the gifts. Although most pentecostals refer to all speaking in tongues as using the gift of tongues, from my research, I do not believe that the personal, private devotional use of tongues is ever called a "gift" in Scripture. For that reason, I will not address it here.

Thus when I speak here of the vocal gifts, I mean the exercise of a gift which requires a speaker and at least one hearer and which is given for the benefit of the church. In this context, the three vocal gifts are, a) speaking in a language which has not been learned, under the leading of the Holy Spirit, (such as what happened on the day of Pentecost), b) a spoken message, prompted by the Holy Spirit, to be given publicly in a meeting of believers which is to be interpreted, and c) prophecy.

a. Different Kinds of Tongues - ". . . those speaking in different kinds of tongues . . ." (1 Cor 12:28 NIV, see also 1 Cor 12:10.)

The clearest example of the operation of this gift is found in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit fell on the 120 who were gathered. After they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, they went into the streets speaking in the new tongues the Holy Spirit had given them.

When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites . . ." (Acts 2:6-9 NIV)

The operation of this gift of the Holy Spirit, of speaking in different kinds of tongues, is the supernatural ability to speak in a known language without having learned that language. Clearly that is what happened in the Scripture above.

I know people who have operated this gift. One man I know, under the prompting of the Holy Spirit, began to carry on a conversation in an unknown tongue with a perfect stranger. When her interpreter arrived, he found out he had led her to Christ by conversing with her and telling her about Him in her native language, a language he had never heard of before. This true story is a wonderful illustration of the operation of this gift of the Holy Spirit.

b. The Interpretation of Tongues - Occasionally the Holy Spirit will move on someone in a service to audibly speak forth a message using an unknown language, or tongue. This message has been prompted by the Holy Spirit. (See 1 Cor 14:13,26.) When this happens, the Holy Spirit is the source and the message is to be interpreted.

One of the nine spontaneous gifts of the Holy Spirit is imparting to someone present the ability to interpret the message that has been spoken. Paul encouraged those who bring such messages to pray that they might also interpret them (v 13). However, the Spirit may lead anyone present to interpret the message. When the message spoken in tongues is interpreted aloud in the known language of the hearers, that is the operation of the interpretation of tongues.

c. Prophecy - ". . . If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith." (Rom 12:6 NIV, see also 1 Cor 12:10.)

God has placed in the church people who operate the gift of prophecy. Paul wrote, "But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort." (1 Cor 14:3 NIV) Anyone may operate the gift of prophecy, for Paul also tells us that ". . . you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged." (1 Cor 14:31 NIV, emphasis added.)

In its simplest form, prophecy is God speaking to people through a human agent. Webster's dictionary defines prophecy as "in [the] New Testament, [the] gift of speaking under the influence of the Holy Spirit; predictions of the future under the influence of divine guidance; [the] act or practice of a prophet. Specifically, the divinely inspired utterance or utterances of a prophet." 32

But I want to make one point clear. The operation of the gift of prophecy does not mean that the person speaking is a prophet. Obviously prophets also operate the gift of prophecy from time to time, but the mere operation of the gift of prophecy does not make one a prophet. 33

2. Power Gifts

The power gifts are so named because their operation demonstrates the power of the Holy Spirit. Obviously, no praise is ever to be given the vessel through whom the Holy Spirit chooses to move. All praise and glory always goes to Jesus.

a. Faith - ". . . to another faith by the same Spirit . . ." (1 Cor 12:9 NIV) Faith as it is listed here is to be considered differently from the faith mentioned elsewhere in Scripture. There are two kinds of faith, 1) growing faith, and 2) the gift of faith.

Growing faith is that measure of faith God has given every believer. (See Rom 12:3.) As every Christian uses it properly in the kingdom, it grows. The parable of the mustard seed speaks of this kind of growing faith.

The gift of faith is different. It is that supernatural impartation from the Spirit of God to an individual to believe God for miracles. For example, when Peter and John looked on the crippled beggar in Acts 3, Peter believed God was going to heal the man. I don't think Peter woke up that morning and said, "God is going to heal that beggar by the temple gate today." I believe that faith came to Peter at the moment he encountered the beggar.

Thus, the gift of faith comes to a believer in a point in time, for a specific purpose. If the believer steps out in that faith, God performs a miracle. It may be healing, financial, relational, or whatever.

b. Gifts of Healing - ". . . those having gifts of healing . . ." God, by the Holy Spirit, has distributed this gift to various people in the church. This gift is usually first manifested by a strong desire to lay hands on and pray for those who are sick.

The use of the plural, "gifts" implies that there is more than one operation of the gift. Many believe that the plural was used to indicate the various means God uses to heal people. By that I mean someone may be instantly healed, or healed supernaturally fast, (in days or hours rather than weeks or months), or is simply healed in spite of all known medical predictions that the sick person would not recover. Finally, I do believe God uses medication to heal. He has certainly called some of His people into the medical profession.

c. Miraculous Powers - Anyone to whom the Holy Spirit gives ??e???�ata d???�e?? or, energamata dunameon, may become a "worker of miracles" as the Holy Spirit leads.

The biblical example of this gift that comes to mind is when Paul witnessed the gospel to Sergius Paulus, the proconsul of Paphos.

Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun." Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. (Acts 13:9-11 NIV)

Here Paul exercised the Holy Spirit gift of working of miracles to remove an obstacle to the gospel. As a result of Paul's working a miracle, Sergius Paulus was saved. I know an African apostle who, on several occasions, has raised the dead. As a result of this apostle raising the dead, thousands of African Muslims have received Jesus as Savior.

I believe this gift is available to Christians today who are very mature and who are moving in their ministry call. These miraculous powers are the signs and wonders of their ministry.

3. Revelation Gifts

These gifts are called revelation gifts because the Holy Spirit reveals information to the believer. These gifts come to the believer as information or knowledge, rather than power, or a message to be spoken.

a. Distinguishing Between Spirits - Man is primarily, and eternally, a spirit. He has a soul which gives him his intelligence, emotions and will, and he lives in a body which allows him contact with the material world. But from God's perspective, man is primarily a spirit. Everyone has, or rather is, a spirit.

This natural world we live in is also inhabited by invisible, spirit beings. The Bible calls them demons. Demons often invade the human race in order to promote their own agenda to help them fulfill their evil ambitions. They try to rob, kill, and destroy anyone they can. (Jn 10:10)

Demons can influence people to speak and act according to the demon's will. But to the observer, it is the person that he sees and hears doing the speaking and acting. This same, subtle demonic influence can even be involved in what appears to be everyday life such as the work place, or the family environment, or church life, or wherever.

The gift of discerning of spirits is the supernatural ability, given by the Holy Spirit, to perceive the presence and activity of demonic spirits. This gift gives someone the ability to distinguish between human and demon spirits. For example, when a parent is dealing with a stubborn or willful child, this gift allows the parent to know if he or she is dealing with a stubborn child or a demon spirit.

This information, or revelation, is given for a specific purpose. We are to learn how to act and how to pray about what the Spirit has revealed. If demonic forces are involved, we have authority over them and can expel them. In Luke 10:19 Jesus gave us authority over all demons. This gift of discerning of spirits is a very valuable tool which, I am afraid, has been largely lost in much of the church today.

b. Word or Message of Wisdom - There are times in the life and ministry of a person when circumstances have you in a corner and you simply don't know what to do. Remember when the two prostitutes brought a living child before Solomon, each claiming to be the mother? (1 Ki 3) Scripture tells us that Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived. It also tells us where he got his wisdom, from God.

Using the wisdom God gave him, Solomon proposed to cut the living child into two halves, giving a half to each woman. His God-given wisdom knew that the real mother would not agree, and that the deceiving mother would. The same Holy Spirit who gave Solomon this wisdom lives in each of us and is fully capable of speaking such wisdom into our lives when the occasion arises.

In short, a message or word of wisdom is that wisdom that comes directly from God as to what to do, what to say, or how to act, in a given situation.

c. Word or Message of Knowledge - One day Jesus was talking with a Samaritan woman who was very taken with His words. (Jn 4) He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back."

"I have no husband," she replied.

Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true." (Jn 4:16-18 NIV)

This is a scriptural example of a word of knowledge. I define a word or message of knowledge as facts or information, from the mind of God, transmitted into the mind of a believer. It usually occurs at the precise time of need. It is information that one suddenly knows without having learned it by natural means. This information, or knowledge from the mind of God, provides immediate guidance.

Once a missionary friend and I were in a taxi entering an ancient section of a city in Africa. We had scarcely entered the gate when I began to sense immediate danger. Without a word being spoken, suddenly my friend grabbed the driver's shoulders and shouted, "Driver, stop! Our lives are in danger! Turn around and get us out of here NOW!" To which I said, "Amen!"

To this day I don't know what the enemy had waiting for us in that old city, but I do believe that the Holy Spirit, through a word of knowledge about a present danger, saved our lives.

How to Discover and Develop Your Call

Of course it is not enough just to study the various gifts. The Lord wants us to find out what our gifts are and then to develop them for the benefit of the church and the lost. So let's look at the question, "How do you know what your ministry call is?"

The answer is, at least in part, and however subjective it sounds, that the Lord will show you your call. Usually, a recognition of the call comes from certain inner characteristics present in one who is called, combined with the leading of the Holy Spirit, as well as confirmation from the spiritual leaders around you. In other words, it is usually a combination of factors which will ultimately confirm your call. And as you begin developing that call, it will be more and more confirmed to you.

But how do you develop your call? First, and most important, you must pursue Bible knowledge. You must get to know Jesus. This is foundational to every ministry call. Pursue good, solid Bible knowledge from whatever means available to you. 2 Peter 1:3 tells us, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." (NIV)

Then, while you are doing this, begin to involve yourself in your local church in such a way that your gift can be expressed. For example, if your gift seems to be mercy, volunteer to visit the sick, or join a hospital ministry. If it is administration, begin to help run programs at the church or in your community. If it is giving, begin to look for ways to give, allowing the Holy Spirit to point out needs to which you can contribute.

Another very effective way to develop your gift is to apprentice yourself to those around you with the same gift. Learn from them. Ask them questions and then listen to their answers. And remember, don't be discouraged. It takes years, even decades, to develop our gifts into full maturity.

I close with a verse from the parable of the talents. (Mat 25:14-30) This parable teaches us that the Lord's will for us is to develop our talents and gifts so that they multiply for the benefit of His church and the world around us. As we are obedient to this call, we will place ourselves in the position to hear those wonderful words, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" (Mat 25:21 NIV) Amen, Lord, let it be so!

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24. The above description of Christian service is edited form the definition of diakoneo (deacon) found in the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Gerhard Kittel and Gerhard Fredrich, editors, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Mich., Vol II, Pages 81-86.

25. One who is a giver or an exhorter may, from time to time, be led to spontaneously give or exhort. Thus, these two gifts overlap or go back and forth between spontaneous and ongoing gifts.

26. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Gerhard Kittel and Gerhard Fredrich, editors, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Mich., Volume 5, Page 774.

27. A Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament bade by Greek influenced Jews around 250 BC.

28. There seems to be an overlap between the gift of serving and the gift of "helps." Many who fall into the serving category may also consider themselves as having a "helps ministry." I have addressed the separate gift of helps as number 4.

29. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Gerhard Kittel and Gerhard Fredrich, editors, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Mich., Volume III, Page 1036.

30. Ibid., Vol. II, Pages 481,483.

31. Ibid., Vol. VI, Pages 702,703 and The Analytical Greek Lexicon, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Page 344.

32. Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language, Second College Edition, David B. Guralnik, Editor in Chief; World Publishing Co., Inc.

33. For a full understanding of the difference between the prophet and one who operates the gift of prophecy, I refer the reader to our book, Prophets and Prophecy in Today's Church, by Jim and Carolyn Murphy.