The Gift Of
Teaching
Romans 12:6, 7 mentions the gift
of teaching for individuals: "Having then gifts differing according to the
grace that is given to us ... he that teacheth, on teaching." 1
Corinthians 12:28 and Ephesians 4:11 state that God gives teachers as gifts
to the Church: "And God hath set some in the church ... teachers."
"And He gave some ... teachers... for the perfecting of the saints for the
work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ."
The Gift Of
Ministering (Helps)
Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28.
While only to a few is committed the gifts of teaching and leadership, all
believers are enabled to help others. This gift of helps has many
distinctions, each believer being enabled to help in different capacities.
The work of the church would be impossible without the exercise of this
gift, no matter how greatly its leaders may be endowed.
The Gift Of
Administration (Leadership)
"He that ruleth, with diligence"
(Rom. 12:8). While all believers are on the same level of spiritual
privilege, in God’s sovereign plan some are given places of greater
authority than others. The believer is exhorted to give proper heed to
observe and be in obedience to such gifts. "Remember them who have
rule over you, who have spoken unto you the Word of God, whose faith follow,
considering the end of their manner of life" (Heb. 13:7).
The Gift Of
Evangelism
Ephesians 4:11. There is no
question but that all are called to bring the Gospel to the lost, by
whatever proper means there are at their disposal. But it is clear
that God gives certain believers the special gift of evangelism. All
believers have the knowledge of the Gospel, but that does not necessarily
include the gifted ability to preach it with success to others.
The Gift Of
Pastor (Shepherd)
Ephesians 4:11 seems to combine
the gift of "pastors and teachers." A pastor is one who leads,
provides, protects, and cares for his flock. While it is not necessary
for a teacher to have all the qualities of a pastor, it is vital to the work
of a true pastor that he be able to teach the flock.
The Gift Of
Exhortation
Romans 12:8. The gift of
exhortation may be exercised by itself, or more usually incorporated in the
gifts of teaching and pastoring. Exhortation embodies the thought of
encouragement, comfort, admonishment, and entreaty. And all such
ministry is to be according to Ephesians 4:15: "Speaking the truth in love."
The Gift Of
Giving
"He that giveth, let him do it
with liberality" (Rom. 12:8). While all believers possess this gift to
some degree, it is given to some as a special ability to present their
earthly possessions to the Lord for His use.
The Gift Of
Mercy
"He that showeth mercy, with
cheerfulness" (Rom. 12:8). Each believer is to be merciful to all, and
especially to the poor and needy, the sick and the afflicted. The
specific gift of mercy endows certain individuals with special ability and
heart for being merciful with self-less promptness, readiness of mind, and
cheerfulness.
The Gift Of
Faith
1 Corinthians 12:9. Every
believer is endowed with the gift of faith, while some are given the ability
to exercise faith to a great degree — often as a part of their giving, or
their intercession.
There are other gifts
mentioned in the Word that are not given by the Spirit in this present
Church age, such as Apostleship, Prophecy, Miracles, Healing, Tongues,
Interpretation of Tongues, and Discernment of spirits.
[For a brief explanation of
the cessation of the "sign" gifts as well as the office of Apostleship, see
THE LINE DRAWN, Miles J. Stanford, 1972.]