The Holy Spirit (Part 7) – Functions of the Holy Spirit (Part E) – Ordinary Gifts (Part 1)

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The Holy Spirit (Part 7) – Functions of the Holy Spirit (Part E) – Ordinary Gifts (Part 1)

1. Ordinary gifts
   1. Ordinary gifts are spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit to Christians to benefit the local church.
   2. Ordinary gifts include the following:
   3. Teaching (1Co 12:28 c/w 1Co 12:4-11; Rom 12:6-7).
      • The gift of teaching is primarily for pastors (elders, bishops, etc.).
        1. A pastor has to have the gift of teaching to meet the qualification of being “apt to teach” (1Ti 3:2).
        2. A preacher is a teacher (1Ti 4:11; 2Ti 2:2; 2Ti 2:24-25).
        3. Preaching and teaching are the same thing (Mat 4:23; Mat 11:1; Act 5:42; Act 15:35; Act 28:31; Rom 2:21; Col 1:28; 1Ti 2:7).
           • Teach v. – II. To show by way of information or instruction. (Now the leading sense.) 5. to teach a thing: To impart or convey the knowledge of; to give instruction or lessons in (a subject); †to make known, deliver (a message). With simple obj. or obj. clause. 6. to teach a person a thing, a thing to a person (or agent): To communicate something to a person, by way of instruction; †to inform. 7. a. to teach a person or agent (with personal object only): To impart knowledge to, give instruction to; to inform, instruct, educate, train, school.
           • Preach v. – 1. a. intr. ‘To pronounce a public discourse upon sacred subjects’ (J.); to deliver a sermon or religious address (now usually from or on a text of Scripture). 2. a. trans. To proclaim, declare, or set forth by public discourse (the gospel, something sacred or religious).
           • Discourse n. – 1. Onward course; process or succession of time, events, actions, etc.; = COURSE. Obs. 3. Communication of thought by speech; ‘mutual intercourse of language’ (J.); talk, conversation. A spoken or written treatment of a subject, in which it is handled or discussed at length; a dissertation, treatise, homily, sermon, or the like. (Now the prevailing sense.)
2. Other Christians also have the gift of teaching.
   1. Some women have the gift of teaching.
      1. The older women in the church are to teach the younger women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, and obedient to their own husbands (Tit 2:3-5).
      2. Some women can even help their husbands to teach men in a private setting (Act 18:26).
      3. Women should teach their children (Eph 6:1; Pro 1:8).
      4. However, women are not permitted to teach in church (1Ti 2:11-12), but must remain silent (1Co 14:34-35).
      5. The only example of a woman preacher in the Bible is the wicked Jezebel (Rev 2:20).
   2. All mature Christians should be able to teach the basics of the faith to others (Heb 5:12).
3. Speaking (1Pe 4:10-11).
   • Though all can speak, some people have been given a gift to speak well (Exo 4:14), while others have not (Exo 4:10).
   • Some people have been given the tongue of the learned to be able to speak a word in season to him that is weary (Isa 50:4).
   • Some Christians are especially good at comforting and edifying one another through speech (1Th 5:11).
   • Some Christians have the gift to speak the right words at the right time to bless others (Pro 12:25; Pro 15:23; Pro 25:11).
4. Helping (1Co 12:28).
   • Though all Christians are capable of assisting others, some Christians are especially gifted at helping.
   • The gift of help can include helping someone understand the doctrine of Christ (Act 16:9-10; Act 18:27-28).
   • Pastors are helpers in this way (2Co 1:24; 2Co 8:23).
   • Some Christians have the gift of helping the pastor (Rom 16:3, 9; 1Co 16:16; 3Jo 1:7-8).
   • Some Christians are gifted in prayer which is a way of helping the brethren and the pastor (2Co 1:11).
   • Helpers in the church are a huge blessing to the church and the pastor.
5. Government (1Co 12:28) and ruling (Rom 12:8).
   • Government n. – 1. The action of governing (see senses of the vb.). a. The action of ruling; continuous exercise of authority over the action of subjects or inferiors; authoritative direction or regulation; control, rule.
   • Rule v. – To control, guide, direct, exercise sway or influence over (a person, his actions, life, etc.)
   • Pastor’s must have the gift of government in order to be qualified for the office (1Ti 3:4; 1Ti 5:17; Heb 13:7, 17).
   • All Christians must be able to exercise government to some extent, whether governing their families, children, or themselves.
   • Some Christians are given the gift of government which helps them to guide the affairs of the church under the oversight of the pastor.