The True Source & Purpose of Spiritual Gifts
1 Corinthians 12:1-11

© 2006 Steve Lewis - contact@SpiritAndTruth.org

COURSE

Introduction

Introducing a New Area of Abuses Within the Church (1 Cor 12:1)

A Reminder of Their Former Pagan Practices (1 Cor 12:2)

Distinguishing Between Pagan Manifestations and Spiritual Gifts (1 Cor 12:3)

The NEGATIVE TestThe POSITIVE Test
"No one speaking by the Spirit of God says, Jesus is accursed" "No one can say, Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit"
We can certainly imagine this kind of statement being made by someone under the influence of demons, since demons are the sworn enemies of Christ. It is possible that some of the pagan worship leaders had actually uttered such statements in Corinth during Paul's ministry there. This seems to be the best way to understand why Paul included this negative statement as a test of authenticity, because it is difficult to imagine a circumstance when a born-again Christian in a church service would ever say such a thing. The name Jesus points to His human existence during the incarnation when He came as a man to die for the sins of the world. This statement declares that Jesus is the God-man who now has all authority as the Lord of the universe. It says something about Jesus Himself, that He is truly God in human flesh. But it also says something about the relationship of the one who is speaking to the person of Jesus. It is a statement of personal submission to the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Source of All Spiritual Gifts (1 Cor 12:4-6)

The Ultimate Purpose for These Spiritual Gifts (1 Cor 12:7)

Examples of the Corinthians' Spiritual Gifts (1 Cor 12:8-10)

Word of Wisdom

Word of Knowledge

Gift of Faith

Gifts of Healings

Effecting of Miracles

Gift of Prophecy

Distinguishing of Spirits

Kinds of Tongues

Interpretation of Tongues

The Conclusion Regarding the True Source of Spiritual Gifts (1 Cor 12:11)