Spiritual Gifts: Bible Study Notes

By Herrol Sadler

Herrol is passionate about the Word of God and considers himself a constant
student of scripture. He strongly believes that “when a student is ready a teacher will
appear.” His teaching motto is “If the student has not learned, the teacher has not taught.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Herrol Sadler
• Release date: Aug 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9781641115391

Book preview

PREFACE

D

uring my early life as a Christian, I had considerable struggles with the subject of Spiritual Gifts. I had numerous question and few answers. Does everyone have a Spiritual Gift? Do I have a Spiritual Gift? How do I know what my Spiritual Gift is? How does the gift manifest itself? Do I automatically receive the gift once I receive the Holy Spirit, or is it developed afterwards? If I don’t use it, do I lose it? With the passage of time and with ongoing illumination from the Holy Spirit, and having gained considerably more experience, knowledge and understanding of biblical teachings, I can now speak with some assurance to the questions that I had and to the subject as a whole.

Today, during my daily interactions with members in the local church and throughout Christendom, I realize many are experiencing the same struggles that I had as a young Christian. They do not have a grasp of the working of Spiritual Gifts. Like I did, they have many questions. Some have even expressed frustration at their inability to know their spiritual gift and how to harness it to serve the body of Christ.

Commencing in February 2017, the Lord directed that bible study in our local church focus on tackling this difficult, but important subject. With time, interest in the study grew considerably and took on a life of its own. It became clear that I needed to find a way to broaden the base of those who stand to benefit from the study. With that, I decided to convert the bible study notes into a format that can be made available and shared with others who are unable to participate in our weekly bible studies. The resulting compilation has given birth to "Bible Study Notes on Spiritual Gifts" as presented in this booklet. It is in fact notes that are extracted from Bible Studies that took place in Church, during 2017.

The presentation and style is not to be considered as a theological treatment of the subject. Rather, it is intended to be more conversational and practical. It is intended to be viewed in the same way a teacher would present the subject while standing in front of a class. It provides guidelines to individuals who are still in search of their spiritual gift or those who seek general understanding of the subject as a whole. Even if you are comfortable with your knowledge and grasp of this subject, it provides tips and guidelines to enhance your ministry.

At the end of this study I have added a brief section with Questions and Answers. While this section is added mainly to replicate the bible study setting, it also attempts to address some burning questions that the reader may have had. The questions selected are not hypothetical or fictitious and are not intended to resolve all questions that will inevitably arise when studying this subject. Instead, they are real questions that members of the congregation asked during bible study.

I hope that the reader will find answers to some of the questions they have had for many years. Also, I trust that even if you have not discovered what is your spiritual gift after reading the material presented here, you will be more enlightened on this subject, and continue to pursue your search, only this time you will have a considerably greater level of understanding.

INTRODUCTION

T

he Ministry of Jesus Christ interrupted a period of Prophetic Silence (called the 400 silent years). At long last, the silence was broken. Scriptures proclaimed:

"The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." (Matthew 3:3).

John The Baptist emerged, in the same vein of an old prophet, but to usher in a new Dispensation – The Dispensation of Grace. This new dispensation was significantly different from the Old. How different? - In the old dispensation, the law was based on commandments written on tables of stone. The new Dispensation is based on God writing the laws on the fleshy tables of the heart.

John characterized the new dispensation by stating:

"He that cometh after me, is mightier than I. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire." (Matthew 3:11).

As later outlined in the Gospels, Jesus established his Ministry and proceeded to accomplish his mission in a way not previously revealed in the Old Testament scriptures (except in Types). As an example, the first official presentation Jesus made to the Jews is the Olivet Discourse outlined in St. Matthew 5-7, during which he carefully explained the constitution of the Kingdom in the New Order. In addition, when he came to John at Jordan to be baptized, he made it very clear in response to John’s question and comment that his Baptism was to "fulfill all righteousness." (Matthew 3:15).

Jesus’ teaching on the Kingdom of Heaven was new to Israel. Some were mystified by this teaching as evidenced by the question that they asked:

Now when John had heard in prison the work of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto him, are thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

(St. Matthew11:2).

On other occasions Jesus referred to the Kingdom as:

"Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost as well, elsewhere he stated that his kingdom is not of this world" and:

From the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

(Matthew 11:12)

Towards the end of his earthly ministry, the Disciples questioned him saying:

"Lord wilt thou at this time restore again the Kingdom to Israel?"

(Acts 1:6).

So, Jesus’ ministry was different from what Israel, or others had seen previously.

The Old Testament was characterized by God conveying his will through statutes, commandments and precepts, with the Law of Moses as the focal point. Notice that God spoke to Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Judges, Kings and Prophets.

In the New Testament, Jesus demonstrated a completely new way how God would work. Through the proclamation of the Gospel, he confirmed all his words and actions by signs (distinguishing feature by which one is identified) and wonders (something so unusual that it requires close watching or observation). Not only did he confirm his own words and actions but he confirmed much of what the Old Testament prophets had said about him. Also, he fulfilled those things which were written about him and things that referred to him in types and shadows.

Jesus made it very clear what his mission on earth was, judging how he called the disciples to himself.

"When they had heard what great things he did, came unto him… For he had healed many, insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as man as had plagues. And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried saying art thou the son of God." (St. Mark 3:8-11).

Having performed these great miracles by demonstration, he called his disciples.

"And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils."

(Mark 3:14-15).

In calling and appointing twelve disciples, Jesus Christ first authorized them to go preach (proclaim for God) the gospel of the Kingdom. This was no doubt an extension of himself so the work of the kingdom may be accomplished.

"Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10).

Christ appointed the disciples as his Agent in the earth. In so doing he gives them the rights and privilege that he himself holds (similar to Power of Attorney).

The only way man can represent God, is if man has the spirit of God in him. So, in effect Christ dispersed his spirit through his disciples that they could do exactly as he would do.

Mind you, they did not receive the spirit of God then (as ultimately intended, as that would happen later, on the Day of Pentecost), simply put, they executed a limited restricted mission. Notice how Jesus gave the selected disciples the scope of the mission, and what was their restriction.

"Go not in the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not. But go rather