He gave gifts unto men

Ephesians 4:7-16



7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

In expositing this passage for us on Sunday, Pastor Allen mentioned the other passages in the New Testament which are typically used to teach about the giftings of God through the Holy Spirit: I Corinthians 12 and 14, Romans 12, and II Peter 1. For ease of communication, sometimes the I Corinthians gifts are referred to as the “sign” gifts, and the Romans 12 list are called “ministry gifts,” since they seem describe a personality type or lifelong calling, as opposed to a one-time event or episodic occurrence. The list in II Peter 1 are more like character qualities, which verse 3 calls “things that pertain unto life and godliness.” The same verse emphasizes these are given “according to His divine power,” reminding us that they can’t be replicated through human will or virtue.

An interesting list not mentioned as often is found in the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 11:1-2:

1And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
2And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

Of the six gifts listed, wisdom, knowledge, counsel (discernment), and might (fortitude) are repeated in various New Testament listings. With the addition of piety (from the II Peter listing) these were sometimes referred to in church history as the “sevenfold gift of the spirit,” and were said to be conferred on young communicants at confirmation.

Any way we look at it, God is a gift-giving Creator who delights in and equips his servants for ministry here on earth. May the gifts of all kinds continue to flourish at Dove Mountain Church!