Spiritual Gifts a Whole Bible Concept

 

When the subject of Spiritual Gifts comes up in our discussions we usually appeal to the lists of Spiritual Gifts as presented in the New Testament. The lists are presented in I Corinthians 12-14; Romans 12:1-8; and Ephesians 4:11-13. The specific gifts discussed are usually presented as the following (sequentially taken from the above lists:

  1. The word of wisdom
  2. The word of knowledge.
  3. Faith
  4. Healing
  5. Working of miracles
  6. Prophecy
  7. Discerning of Spirits
  8. Different kinds of tongues
  9. Interpretation of tongues
  10. Apostles
  11. Prophets
  12. Teachers
  13. Helps
  14. Governments
  15. Love
  16. Ministries
  17. Exhorters
  18. Givers
  19. Rulers
  20. Mercy
  21. Evangelists
  22. Pastors

 

From the above list we generally evaluate our spiritual gifts and some of us go away from the discussion believing that we do not have a spiritual gift even though God has given to every person at least one gift. I Corinthians 12:7 So if we can not find our gift(s) in the above list is it because Jesus forgot us or because we have not seen all of the lists in the Bible? It is the purpose of this study to expand the above list and then to propose a specific task that I believe is waiting for us to explore and to complete.

 

Since any concept is addressed in the whole Bible it would be most helpful to explore the whole Bible looking for spiritual gifts. The best place to look next is in Exodus 31:1-11. In this text Jesus lists out a series of gifts that He gave to Bezaleel and Aholilab so that they could build Jesus’ Tabernacle in the time of Moses. The list of gifts that the Holy Spirit assigned to Bezaleel and Aholiab are the following:

 

  1. Wisdom
  2. Understanding
  3. Knowledge
  4. All manner of workmanship – this would cover all of the trade issues – carpentry, plumbing, architecture, construction, stone work, electricians, etc.
  5. Those who devise cunning works – specifically applied to the Tabernacle but this would also apply to things like computers, radios, televisions, engineering, etc.
  6. To develop things in gold.
  7. To develop things in silver.
  8. To develop things in brass.
  9. Cutting stones – jewelry, laying tile, stone work, design, etc.
  10. Wood carving.
  11. All manner of workmanship – another comprehensive statement of any kind of specialty work.

 

In Exodus 35:30-35 - 36:1-8 the list continues:

  1. Setting stones.
  2. Teaching
  3. Engraving
  4. Embroidery
  5. Weaving
  6. Any work
  7. Cunning work
  8. Linen work.

 

Other examples of spiritual gifts are:

  1. Perfumery – Exodus 37:29
  2. Needlework – Exodus 38:18
  3. Architecture – I Chronicles 28:12, 19-20.
  4. To prophesy with harps, psalteries, cymbals – thus they are musicians dedicated to teaching by music – I Chronicles 25:1-8

 

These lists should enlarge our view of spiritual gifts on a literal level and set the stage to conclude that spiritual gifts are any talent or quality that Jesus gives us to help the development of preparing the spiritual temple here on earth – the church of God. All gifts were given by God, and He gives each person as many gifts as they can use to work in cooperation with His Spirit. All talents, all skills, all qualities are gifts from God and they are to be used to be a blessing to others and to uplift Jesus in all ways.

 

Assuming that my lists are reasonable and correct I would like to propose my vision of a collective task that Jesus has laid upon my heart. From above you can read that the development of the various Sanctuary systems on earth have been the task in which all of God’s people have had the opportunity to reveal their willingness to display their gifts in active service to Jesus and to bless His people through their creativity, their helpfulness, their industry, and their service. As we work together for Jesus the world is allowed to see the character of God displayed through the gifts He has given to His people.

 

In the Seventh Day Adventist church we have a belief that Jesus moved from the courtyard into the Holy Place in 31 AD after He was sacrificed for our sins. Then in 1844 Jesus moved from the Holy Place into the Most Holy Place to start the Day of Atonement and the final cleansing of God’s Sanctuary, in heaven, and on earth. This work of cleansing the earth from error is to be spearheaded by His church on Earth – His Sanctuary made up of living stones filled with the Holy Spirit and displaying all of His gifts of grace. I Peter 2:1-9; I Kings 6:7; 9 Testimonies 180. These living stones are also Christ’s priesthood (I Peter 2:9) and it is through them that Jesus sends out His gospel message so that all men may find in Jesus their Savior.

 

In giving the gospel message Jesus wants us to reveal Himself to the world in His people. His plan is for the world to see, and taste (Proverbs 11:30), and experience Him in His people. They are to do all of these things through the power of His Spirit, and through the gifts that He has given. He wants the world to experience Him as the Queen of Sheba experienced God’s gifts to King Solomon in I Kings 10:1-13. When she had experienced all of these gifts her heart was melted and she experienced Jesus and was converted, and then in turn she became a part of God’s temple and became an evangelist to her country.

 

With the above in mind the vision Jesus gave me is for the Seventh Day Adventist church to reveal the gospel to the world like King Solomon did when he was surrendered to Jesus. Specifically this vision is to have the church develop a total Most Holy Place ministry through all of the arts and gifts that the church has traditionally minimalized. God has called His church to create art forms for our time as Solomon did for the time in which he lived. This vision is for God’s people to create Most Holy Place poetry specifically speaking to the three angel’s messages and the present truths of these last and final events. God wants us to put this poetry to music, and to develop films, and various presentations so that people can see, and hear, and emotionally experience the wonderful truths that God wants to give us to prepare us to meet Him in the air. God wants art forms, sculpture, paintings, whatever it takes to communicate His messages, while the rest of God’s church continues with their gifts of ministry and service, and evangelism.

 

It is my belief that the music and art forms that most of us experience today are Holy Place manifestations of ministry and that on an art level we have not truly entered into the Most Holy Place. Jesus is waiting for us to experience His vision of what it means to haves moved into the Most Holy Place and to have all of His people grasp a vision to communicate His messages in full and final display.

 

Hopefully God will use the above thoughts to stimulate at least one more person and to give gifts to one more person who will see these thoughts in their mind and plead with God to get those gifts necessary for their service as Solomon received gifts in I Kings 3:1-15. When all of God’s people want to serve Him (Numbers 11:24-29) then God can give us His gifts (Acts 2:13-21) and we will display Him fully and all will decide for Jesus or against Him and then Jesus can come and gather us home with Him.

 

Thank you for the opportunity to share this vision with you and may God guide and lead you and grant you many spiritual gifts.