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Ephesians 4:7-10 “ But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says: ‘When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.’ (Now this, “He ascended” --what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things)” (NKJV).
Ephesians 4:7-10 • “Grace was given” (7b) cf. Titus 2:11. • “Given according to the measure of Christ’s gift” (7c) cf. Titus 2:10. • “Now this, ‘He ascended’” (9). • “Gave gifts to men” (8) – “Gifts”doma “that which is given” From didomi“to give.” (Psalm 68:18). Heb. and Gr. OT, “You have received gifts among men” (NKJV). From a Targum.
Divine Gifts I. Universal Gifts to all Mankind. A. Sun and rain (Matthew 5:44, 45). B. Seasons (Genesis 8:22). C. Good enjoyment from labor (Ecclesiastes 3:12). D. Power to eat (Ecclesiastes 5:18, 19). E. Happiness (Acts 14:15-17).
Divine Gifts II. Spiritual Gifts to the First Christians. A. Promise of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:6-8). B. The promise fulfilled (Acts 2:1-4). C. The nature of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 1. 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 “spiritual gifts”pneumatikos “pertaining to the spirit” i.e. from the Holy Spirit, influencing the spirit of man.
Divine Gifts II. Spiritual Gifts to the First Christians. A. Promise of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:6-8). B. The promise fulfilled (Acts 2:1-4). C. The nature of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. • “There are diversities” (4), “of gifts” Gr. charisma, from the word charis“grace, favor” i.e. “a gift of grace” Not the same word as in Eph. 4:8.
Divine Gifts II. Spiritual Gifts to the First Christians. A. Promise of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:6-8). B. The promise fulfilled (Acts 2:1-4). C. The nature of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. • “ministries” (5). Gr. diakonia service cf. “deacon.” • “activities” (6) Gr. energema KJV - operation 1, working (2). Note: “the same God who works all in all.”
Divine Gifts II. Spiritual Gifts to the First Christians. A. Promise of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:6-8). B. The promise fulfilled (Acts 2:1-4). C. The nature of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Types of Spiritual Gifts: 1. “word of wisdom,” 2. “word of knowledge,” 3. “faith,” 4. “gifts of healings,” 5. “working of miracles,” 6. “prophecy,” 7. “discerning of spirits,” 8. “kinds of tongues,” 9. “interpretation of tongues.”
Divine Gifts II. Spiritual Gifts to the First Christians. A. Promise of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:6-8). B. The promise fulfilled (Acts 2:1-4). C. The nature of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. • “The same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills” (11). Note: Spirit works all these things.
Divine Gifts II. Spiritual Gifts to the First Christians. A. Promise of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:6-8). B. The promise fulfilled (Acts 2:1-4). C. The nature of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 2. 1 Corinthians 12:27-30 Priority and Sequence: • “First apostles,” i.e. those “sent forth” Paul and the Twelve. • “ Second prophets,” i.e. those who receive the gift of prophecy.
Divine Gifts II. Spiritual Gifts to the First Christians. A. Promise of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:6-8). B. The promise fulfilled (Acts 2:1-4). C. The nature of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 2. 1 Corinthians 12:27-30 Priority and Sequence: • “Third teachers,” i.e. miraculous or not.
Divine Gifts II. Spiritual Gifts to the First Christians. A. Promise of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:6-8). B. The promise fulfilled (Acts 2:1-4). C. The nature of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 2. 1 Corinthians 12:27-30 Priority and Sequence: • “After that”epeita(“then, thereupon” either of chronological sequence, or sequence alone (BAGD)“miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.”
Divine Gifts II. Spiritual Gifts to the First Christians. A. Promise of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:6-8). B. The promise fulfilled (Acts 2:1-4). C. The nature of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. D. The Purpose of the Gifts (Hebrews 2:1-4; cf. Mark 16:17-20).
Divine Gifts II. Spiritual Gifts to the First Christians. E. Miraculous Gifts were Temporary in Nature (1 Corinthians 13:8-10). • “Prophecies …will fail” “fail” Gr. katargeo“1. to render idle, unemployed, inactivate, inoperative. a) to cause a person or thing to have no further efficiency, b. to deprive of force, influence, power; 2. to cause to cease, put an end to, do away with, annul, abolish, a. to cease, to pass away, be done away, b. to be severed from, separated from, discharged from…” (Thayer).
Divine Gifts II. Spiritual Gifts to the First Christians. E. Miraculous gifts were temporary in nature (1 Corinthians 13:8-10). • “Tongues…will cease, Knowledge …will vanish away.”
Divine Gifts III. Divine Gifts to all Christians. A. Not all gifts (charisma) are miraculous (Romans 12:6-8; Ephesians 4:8). B. Good and perfect gifts (James 1:17). C. Different strengths (1 Corinthians 7:7-9). D. God gives us different talents and opportunities which He expects us to use (Matthew 25:14-30; cf. 1 Peter 4:10, 11).
Divine Gifts III. Divine Gifts to all Christians. E. God gives eternal life to his children (Acts 2:37, 38). 1. Holy Spirit to those who obey Him (Acts 5:32). 2. Gift of God is eternal life (Romans 6:23). 3. Salvation by grace is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8,9).