Using Spiritual Gifts for Kingdom Advancement and Expansion
The use of spiritual gifts for kingdom advancement and expansion is a topic of ongoing debate among Christian traditions. The disagreement centers on the nature, purpose, and duration of these gifts.
The discussion begins with the biblical understanding of spiritual gifts. The New Testament, particularly in 1 Corinthians 12-14 and Romans 12, outlines various gifts such as prophecy, healing, and speaking in tongues, which are bestowed upon believers for the edification of the church [2, 4]. The purpose of these gifts is to strengthen and build up the body of Christ [8].
One position, represented by the Reformed tradition, emphasizes the continuation of spiritual gifts in the church today, but with a nuanced understanding of their manifestation. John Calvin, for instance, highlights the importance of spiritual gifts in the life of the church, citing 1 Corinthians 12:7 and Romans 12:6 [5]. This view holds that spiritual gifts are essential for the edification and growth of the church.
In contrast, some traditions, such as certain Reformed and Presbyterian interpretations, suggest that the extraordinary gifts like healing and speaking in tongues were primarily for the apostolic era and ceased with the completion of the canon of Scripture [1]. Easton's Bible Dictionary notes that these charismata were enjoyed only for a time and could not continue always in the Church [1].
The Eastern Orthodox tradition, as represented by John of Damascus, understands spiritual gifts as a manifestation of the Holy Spirit's presence in the church. This view emphasizes the ongoing role of spiritual gifts in the life of the believer and the church, highlighting their importance for spiritual growth and service [9].
The Anglican tradition, as reflected in the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, does not directly address the continuation of spiritual gifts but focuses on the importance of faith and the sacraments [10]. The Lutheran tradition, as seen in the Augsburg Confession, emphasizes the role of faith and the sacraments, but does not explicitly discuss the continuation of spiritual gifts [6].
Despite these differences, all positions agree on the importance of spiritual gifts for the life and mission of the church. The biblical emphasis on using these gifts for the edification of the church is a common thread across traditions [2, 3, 8].
The divergence in understanding the use of spiritual gifts stems from differing hermeneutical approaches to Scripture, varying interpretations of the biblical texts related to spiritual gifts, and distinct theological emphases. The Reformed tradition, for example, tends to emphasize the sovereignty of God in the distribution of spiritual gifts, while the Eastern Orthodox tradition highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer and the church [5, 9].
The historical context of the early Christian church and the patristic understanding of spiritual gifts also influence contemporary debates. The writings of the early church fathers, such as Augustine, provide insight into the early Christian understanding of spiritual gifts and their role in the church [7].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gifts, spiritual — (Gr. charismata), gifts supernaturally bestowed on the early Christians, each having his own proper gift or gifts for the edification of the body of Christ. These were the result of the extraordinary operation of the Spirit, as on the day of Pentecost. They were the gifts of speaking with tongues, casting out devils, healing, etc. (Mark 16:17, 18), usually communicated by the medium of the laying on of the hands of the apostles (Acts 8:17; 19:6; 1 Tim. 4:14). These charismata were enjoyed only for a time. They could not continue always in the Churc”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Corinthians 14:12 — Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 14:12 (BSB) — It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Corinthians 12:1 — Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 37: a description of original sin; The same thing appears more clearly from the mode of renovation. For the spirit, which is contrasted with the old man, and the flesh, denotes not only the grace by which the sensual or inferior part of the soul is corrected, but includes a complete reformation of all its parts ( Eph. 4:23 ). And, accordingly, Paul enjoins not only that gross appetites be suppressed, but that we be renewed in the spirit of our mind ( Eph. 4:23 ), as he elsewhere tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind ( ”
- Augsburg Confession (Lutheran) “Augsburg Confession (Lutheran, 1530), Article II. Of Original Sin.: Article II. Of Original Sin.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — CHAP. 46.--IT IS PROBABLE THAT CHILDREN ARE INVOLVED IN THE GUILT NOT ONLY OF THE FIRST PAIR, BUT OF THEIR OWN IMMEDIATE PARENTS.: And it is said, with much appearance of probability, that infants are involved in the guilt of the sins not only of the first pair, but of their own immediate parents. For that divine judgment, "I shall visit the iniquities of the fathers upon the children,"(7) certainly applies to them before they come under the new covenant by regeneration. And it was this new covenant that was prophesied of, when it was said by Ezek”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 14:4: 14:4 The primary purpose of spiritual gifts is not self-edification, but the strengthening of the entire church (see 12:7; cp. 8:1; 14:12).”
- CCEL (Eastern Orthodox) “John of Damascus, An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, section 105: 9:5 9:5 9:5 9:19 9:21 9:21 10:4 10:4 10:6-9 10:13-21 10:17 11:8 11:25-27 11:28 11:32 11:33-36 11:36 11:36 11:36 12:3 12:13 15:10 15:12 16:25-27 1 Corinthians 1:9 1:10 1:17-25 1:20 1:20-25 1:23 1:23 1:23-24 1:24 1:24 1:24 1:27 1:27 2:2 2:7-8 2:8 2:8 2:8 2:10-11 2:11 2:12 2:12 2:14-15 3:8 3:8 3:16 3:17 3:19 7:2 7:25 7:31 8 8:5 8:6 8:6 8:6 8:6 8:6 8:7 10:1 10:17 10:31 11:2 11:24-26 11:29 11:31-32 12:3 12:3 12:3 12:3 12:4-7 12:4-11 12:5-6 12:5-6 12:8 12:8 12:8-10 12:11 12:12 12:24 13:10 14:32 14:37 15:3-4 15:16-17 15:20 15:2”
- Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), 9.Of Original or Birth-sin.: 9.Of Original or Birth-sin.”