The Corinthians had some question about spiritual gifts and Paul took time in his letter to respond. He first reminded them that before becoming Christians, they were “carried away unto… dumb idols, even as ye were led” (I Corinthians 12:2). Simply speaking, they knew not Christ. But the new birth changes their relationship to God through their faith in the Lord Jesus. Paul writes “Wherefore, I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (I Corinthians 12:3). To call Jesus Lord is to acknowledge that he is God come in the flesh. This is the personal testimony of anyone and everyone that calls himself or herself a Christian.
Paul prefaced his instruction on spiritual gifts by identifying those included in his remarks. Only those who are indwelled by the Spirit of God have spiritual gifts and these ones are known by their personal testimony of Jesus Christ. By implication, every believer has at least one spiritual gift. This is confirmed expressly in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, “But unto every one of us is given grace (spiritual gift) according to the measure of the gift of Christ” (Ephesians 4:7).
Paul then writes concerning spiritual gifts that there are different gifts though granted by the same Spirit; these gifts differ in their administration but are all under the authority of one Lord; and these gifts result in varying operations but all receive their power from the same God (I Corinthians 12:4-6).
The purpose of these gifts is clearly stated in I Corinthians 12:7, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” The “manifestation of the Spirit” (spiritual gift) is to be used by its recipient to the benefit of all other believers, i.e. the church!
All of this ties to together very neatly. It was necessary to point out that only believers in Christ had spiritual gifts. These gifts are to be used for the benefit of the body of Christ. The exercise of spiritual gifts was so vitally important to God that every member of the Trinity was involved.
Now for the application – are you a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ? If so, then you have, on the authority of Scripture, at least one spiritual gift. Do you know what it is? Are you using it for Christ in his church to the benefit of other believers? Peter gives us this insightful command, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (I Peter 4:10). Are you being a faithful steward?
From the Chaplain 