Page 72 - BMIN191 Beginnning Internship

72 Beginning Ministerial Internship: Student Manual

in daily living. James points out the higher standard a teacher must attain to as he or
she is being followed (James 3). His words will influence the direction of many.
19 How does recognizing As a minister, you may discover that God has equipped you for one or more
the assignment to equip of these functions. If so, keep in focus that your role is to equip the saints. Many
others help keep each of ministers, particularly pastors and teachers, can slip into the idea that they are to
these gifts in balance?
do the work of ministry and then work themselves into exhaustion. But each office
finds its greatest expression. Maintaining that focus will help the evangelist see
the importance of connecting new believers to a local body; it will also help the
prophet see reason for the needed spirit of love in his or her work. The apostle,
also, may see his or her pioneer work as of greater benefit to God’s kingdom.

Spiritual Gifts

In 1 Corinthians 12–14, apostle Paul deals with perhaps his most challenging
congregation on the issue of spiritual gifts. His words provide us both with an
understanding of these gifts and a grasp of how they are to be used in the local
body. It seems that the Corinthians’ errors have provided us with much needed
understanding of the ways of the Holy Spirit within the body as it gathers for worship.

Gifts of Wisdom, Knowledge, and Discernment
While there are numerous ways to categorize these gifts, the most common
way perhaps is to see the gifts of revelation as one group—word of wisdom,
word of knowledge, and discerning of spirits.
The word of wisdom is most clearly connected with moments where the
Spirit’s leading is needed in knowing what direction an individual or the church
is to take. As the word wisdom implies, this gift provides insight into what
we should do. Church leaders ought to pray for this gift as it is of great value
when decisions are to be made. God can use any of His children to provide this
supernatural insight, and often He will provide this through unlikely sources.
The word of knowledge differs from the word of wisdom in that it provides
what we need to know. Jesus demonstrated this gift of the Holy Spirit when He
knew the hearts of His audience or when His words revealed insight not yet
spoken. At the well, Jesus told the woman she had been with five husbands and
was with a sixth man who was not her husband. This knowledge came by the
Spirit and would equate with the word of knowledge. Word of knowledge may
also be given in circumstances other than relaying information about individuals.

20 Name an occasion where The discerning of spirits is a treasured gift for the church. Even in the earliest
you have seen wisdom, days of the church, various false prophets would infiltrate the local body, seeking
knowledge, and discernment to lead people astray or take advantage of the congregation for selfish means.
in evidence.
This gift is given to protect the body when they are unaware of the danger they
face. The gift differs from judgment in that judgment evaluates actions that are
evident. This gift is God’s voice of revelation that protects His church from what
they cannot see.

Gifts of Faith, Miracles, and Healing
When Peter entered the home of Dorcas, who had died, he somehow knew
God would raise her from the dead. This gift of faith was then followed by a gift
of miracles, and Dorcas was raised to life (Acts (9:36–43).
Gifts of faith can easily be confused with the faith we are each to have in
God’s love and power. The supernatural gift of faith becomes evident when God
has revealed what He will do in a specific situation. The one with the gift steps
forward in confidence and helps draw others to similar faith as God performs