SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Special gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit upon Christians for the
purpose of building up the church. The list of spiritual gifts in <1
Corinthians 12:8-10> includes wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing,
miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, speaking in tongues, and
interpretation of tongues. Similar lists appear in <Ephesians 4:7-13>
and <Romans 12:3-8>.
The apostle Paul indicated that these gifts are equally valid but not
equally valuable. Their value is determined by their worth to the
church. In dealing with this matter, he used the analogy of the human
body. All members of the body have functions, Paul declared, but some
are more important than others. The service of each Christian should be
in proportion to the gifts which he possesses <1 Corinthians 12--14>.
Since these gifts are gifts of grace, according to Paul, their use must
be controlled by the principle of love-- the greatest of all spiritual
gifts <1 Corinthians 13>.
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)
(Copyright (C) 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers) |
