Bible Question:
1) why do you think Paul considered encouraging a gift along with such gifts as serving, teaching and contributing (romans 12:6-8)? 2) what does the term "eternal encouragement" Paul writes about in 2 Thess. 2:16-17 means? |
Bible Answer: goldenc1, Answer for question 1); (6-8) An exhortation to use (and how to use) the gifts God has granted to the individual members of the church a. The difference and distribution of gifts is all due to the grace that is given to us; spiritual gifts are not given on the basis of merit, but rather because of the sovereign choice of God i. This idea is related in the very Greek word for "spiritual gifts" - charismata, a gift of grace, a term apparently coined by Paul to emphasize that the giving of these spiritual gifts was all of grace ii. Spiritual gifts are given at the discretion of the Holy Spirit; as 1 Corinthians 12:11 says, But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. iii. This should be a insurmountable barrier to pride in the exercise spiritual gifts; however man, in the depravity of his heart, finds a way to be proud about spiritual gifts and insists on exalting men for how God has gifted them b. Prophecy must be practiced in proportion to our faith; God may give us something to say to an individual or church body that stretches our faith; if we can't prophecy in faith and trust that God has really spoken to us, we shouldn't do it at all i. We are reminded that prophecy, in the Biblical understanding, isn't necessarily "fore-telling" in a strictly predictive sense; it is more accurately "forth-telling" the heart and mind of God, which may or may not include a predictive aspect ii. This warns us against flippant, "stream of consciousness" prophecy that has no difficulty saying "Thus says the Lord" at the drop of a hat iii. In proportion to our faith actually has "the" before faith; Paul may be cautioning that prophecy must be according to the faith, in accord with the accepted body of doctrine among believers iv. Some take the proportion of faith to be the proportion of the faith of the audience of the prophecy; this has truth also v. Prophecy does not have to be practiced in an ostentatious, "heavy" manner, but it does need to be taken seriously by those who prophecy if it is ever to be taken seriously by those who hear c. Ministry has in view the broader picture of simply serving in practical ways; Paul sees this as important ministry from the Holy Spirit as well d. Teaching has in mind instruction, while exhortation encourages people to practice what they have been taught; both are necessary for a healthy Christian life i. Those who are taught but not exhorted become "fat sheep" who only take in and never live the Christian life; those who are exhorted but not taught become excited and active, but have no depth or understanding to what they are doing, and will burn out quickly or work in wrong ways e. He who gives refers to the one who is a channel through which God provides resources for His body; this is an important spiritual gift which must be exercised with liberality; when someone who is called an gift to be a giver stops giving Iiberally, they will often see their resources dry up - having forgotten why God has blessed them f. He who leads must show diligence; it is easy for leaders to become discouraged and feel like giving up, but they must persevere if they will please God by their leadership g. He who shows mercy must have cheerfulness; it is a difficult thing to not only show mercy, but to be cheerful about it. This reminds us that the gift of showing mercy is a supernatural gift of the Holy Spirit C. A series of brief instructions on living like a Christian with others |
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Questions and/or Subjects for NT general Archive 1 | Author | ||
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goldenc1 | ||
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inmyheart | ||
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inmyheart | ||
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New Creature | ||
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ydolomite | ||
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SharperMarbles | ||
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Derdan | ||
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sweet | ||
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sweet | ||
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justme | ||
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Vofori | ||
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csmiles1 |