12 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: Ignorant is not knowing. You are an idiot if you choose to stay ignorant after told the truth. 2 You know that you were Gentiles, unbelievers and or uneducated of the TRUE God carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. Today we have ‘maybe’ believers being led away by dumb idols, who are men/preachers/false prophets (i.e. Dallas Willard, Rob Bell,Leonard Sweet )who think they have a better ‘way’ other than the ONLY WAY to eternal life with God. Many now say, if we,mere men, love people enough, we can ‘save’ people with our perfect love from God. WE ,mere men, can excuse all the sins, because we love, love ,love the ‘unbeliever’.The unbeliever will be saved eternally, even without his believing in Jesus as the ONLY Way, because after physical death, their ‘Aha’ moment of seeing believer’s with God eternally, will save them. The dumb idols have also figured out that a loving God would not ever condemn sin. Mere men have redefined God and His word, His TRUTH, so that no one will ever be excluded from God eternally. These dumb idols have called Jesus accursed, by His sacrifice not being needed for eternal life with God. Man just loving and being loved by God is enough. By this scripture those that speak this heresy, are not speaking by the Holy Spirit. It is NOT for me to say, nor interpret, that the dumb idols, or even those who believe the dumb idols, are not believers and the Holy Spirit is not with them, only that when they believe anything other than the Truth, they are not following the Holy Spirit, they are not abiding.
4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. No one person is used the same by God. But the same God is the ruler of all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 12:8
The word of wisdom -From A power of understanding and explaining the wisdom of God in the truth of gospel salvation.
The word of knowledge – different from ‘wisdom’, maybe the ability to understand and explain and apply the Old Testament types and prophecies.
9 to another faith by the same Spirit, ultimate trust in God in ALL circumstances, knowing in the end God is there, nothing to fear, even physical death.
to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, not just healing diseases with a word or a touch as Jesus and disciples did, but also apply to those physicians, nurses,(Clara Barton) mothers ;), gluten free queens (Me), scientists,(Pastuer), midwives (Sandy) that seem to ‘know , where natural remedies are applied; and it maybe this blessed gift, not superior skill, which makes some more ‘healing’ than others.
10 to another the working of miracles, removing demons, moving mountains killing fig trees, water from rocks, God does all, and still does, He just does them all by himself now, everyday.
to another prophecy, NOT predicting the future like ESP, but interpreting God’s word, His actions to explain what God intends to bring about.
to another discerning of spirits, the ability to know if men are acting from God’s spirit, and evil spirit or a human spirit. To be able to distinguish between the truth of Scriptures and deceptive doctrines.
different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. Given ability to speak in different language to those who need to hear The Word in their language, and ability to hear someone who speaks different language inquiring of God’s word. 1
1 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. God gives these gifts through the Holy Spirit, and as God decides. I believe every believer receives the Holy Spirit and thus gifts. Gifts are not magical powers, they are abilities God gives us to do his work. I think we may receive one specifically, but all as needed, in our ‘race’ to the goal.
12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many. All believers are of the ‘body’ of Christ, we become ‘attached’ by the Holy Spirit, Christ is our head. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be? This is a finger wagging also, remember how Paul already reprimanded some of them of thinking they were better than because of prestige, baptism regions etc? No gift is of more importance. All are under the head. Wrist bone is connected to the arm bone arm bone is connected to the elbow, etc. 20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” If the eye sees a danger it withdraws the hand. If the hand becomes angry with the eye and want’s it removed for pointing out a danger, should the eye be plucked or the hand cut off? 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. They say we lose all balance if the big toe is cut off 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. Paul is emphasizing there is no one greater, in the body. If an important part has issue with what is considered unimportant it is to be assumed the ‘unimportant’ is probably right, and NOT the important . 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Pretty self (or non self) explanatory 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. We are a body WITH Christ. BUT we are also individuals, responsible for our actions.
28 And God has appointed these in the church: Paul now gives the ‘jobs’ of the church, to go with the 9 gifts previously spoken of. One not more important than the other. I still see a bit of finger wagging. All positions in the church are necessary and none any more important. An apostle needs a teacher.
first apostles,- Men sent to preach the Gospel they have ‘Wisdom’. But aren’t we ALL called to preach the Gospel? So those that discern, help, heal, etc. their gifts allow them to posses, for a bit, the gift of Wisdom, to preach.
second prophets,- Speak words given by Holy Spirit, to explain God’s word, to apply it to today and tomorrow. To Prophesy. Knowledge. Discern.
third teachers,- To teach the truth, -Discern and explain the Truth , Knowledge of the scriptures. Wisdom of The Word.
after that miracles,- to’work’ God’s miracles. Healing, Faith of, helps
then gifts of healings, – To heal, to teach of healing. Helps,Faith,Discern
helps,- Faith, Healing,miracles,
administrations, – Discernment, wisdom, knowledge
varieties of tongues.- speaking and interpreting tongues. Knowledge, wisdom discernment.
29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? Not all who discern teach, and not all who have faith help etc. Your gift does not box you into a certain ‘job’ for the Lord. Each individual is blessed to use their gift in what ever ministry they are called to. Sorry Tim, Herman,Fred, I disagree with doing only what my ‘Rainbow’ tells me to. I discern so I actually do know 😉31 But earnestly desire the best gifts.Want for ALL the gifts and these to come. WANT Choose. And yet I show you a more excellent way.– There are BETTER gifts than mentioned and WE are to desire, to possess— Next chapter
I'm Not So Petty 