" And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. " - Psalm 1:3
The Gifts of the Spirit have been a source of controversy - some denominations claiming that they were given only to the early church and have since ceased (Cessationist), some denominations focusing exclusively on them (e.g. Pentecostals) as being a testimony of salvation, others not really caring about them - focusing instead on their own efforts. We hope this aericle helps shed some light on this issue and shows you how vital the Spirit is to all us Christians, and Christian Ministry.
That picture below gives us a beautiful metaphor for the perfect Human (Jesus!) echoing the words of Psalm 1 above.
It represents a humans as a tree, the trunk containing the Spirit of the Lord, anchored in the ground, the black text shown underground as being the 7 fold operations of the Spirit,
(Isaiah 11:2) And 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;
As enumerated In 1 Cor 12:8-10 , the Gifts of the Spirit are shown in 3 different colors (thinking/knowing/doing -- you can classify them as you want), all of this under the ground and invisible. The left side - thinking knowing, the right side, acting doing.
" For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. "
What is manifested above the ground are the Fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5), and the Ministries stemming from the leaves (Rom 12).
- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
- Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
The References are placed at the 4 corners of the picture for your convenience. We hope you can see the alignment between the 7 fold Nature of the Spirit and the gifts He gives- arranged in the picture by design.
Why do we have the Gifts of the Spirit? Short Answer... Wholeness beyond Justification!
- "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all." (1 Co 12:4-6)
- "And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ: 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: 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; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (Eph 4:11-15)
The first text talks about there being different kinds of gifts (Charisma - from Charis - Grace - the Spirit!), the second is administrations (Diakonia - from which we get Deacon - signifying Service - Our Lord Jesus Christ!) , and operations (Energema - from which we get energy - the Power of God!). We see a unity between gifts, service, and power for ministry, reflecting the unity of the Trinity itself!
The second text explains why a particular sub-set of gifts (pastor, teacher, apostle, prophet, evangelist) are given - for perfecting, for edifying, for helping us grow up into Him in all things, for uniting us, to becoming perfect men! However, these gifts are only a subset!
To better understand the work of the Spirit in giving us these gifts, we must understand a key point - His Seven Fold Nature.
In the book of Revelation we see 7 lamps of fire burning before the throne, the seven Spirits of God (Rev 4:5). In the Tabernacle in the Wilderness we see the earthly representation, as a candlestick with 7 lamps (the Menorah). Finally in Isaiah and Exodus we see YHWH giving His Spirit to HIs Servant, and Bezaleel for crafting the Tabernacle - "And 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; (Is 11:2,see Exodus 31:2-3) The Isaiah text is foundational to understanding His Seven Fold operation echoed in the Menorah. The central Candle being the Spirit of the Lord, and 3 candles on each side being wisdom,understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and fear of the LORD.
When His Spirit comes to live within us, we can think of Him giving us the power to think (wisdom, understanding, counsel), know (knowledge, fear of the Lord), and act (might). This seven fold / 3 class capability is manifested in the 9 gifts of the Spirit enumerated in 1 Cor 12:8-10. Thinking and Knowing gifts : Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Discernment of Spirits; Interpretation of Tongues, Prophecy, Speaking in Tongues. Acting/Might gifts: Faith, Healing, Miracles.
These in turn, manifest as ministries Rom 12:6-8 Teaching, Leadership, Prophecy, Ministry, Encouragement, Giving, Mercy , and the Spirit of the Lord Himself manifests as Fruits - Gal 5:22-23 Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Faith, Goodness, Meekness, Self Control.
ONLY One Person in the entire universe manifested all these gifts in one Person. The Lord Jesus Christ!
Now look at the picture in this post and see Him for Yourself!! The perfect man of whom it is written in Psalm 1
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. -- And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper---. (Ps 1:1-3) Do you see the tree !!!
We have been planted by Him, and His Ministry is to help us grow from little seeds to majestic cedars, up to the measure of the fullness of Christ! That is the model of perfection that we must all be conformed to... that is our destiny - as mini Trees of Life - to bear the fruits of the Spirit, and our leaves be for the Healing of the Nations through our ministry, rooted in the Spirit of Christ, from whom all good things flow.
The seed of the Word, Sown by the Sower, matures into a wonderful Tree, nurtured by the GOOD SOIL of those that HEAR the WORD, and KEEP IT, and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit who gives them ALL they need for works of Grace & Love, Service, & the Energy that comes from God!
Hallelujah!
