Spiritual Gifts

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, Cal. · Apr 25, 1911

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 17.

1. By what striking parable does the Lord illustrate His gifts to His children, in Luke 19? By the parable of the pounds given to every one of His servants.

2. By what parable in Matthew 25 does the Lord illustrate the same thing? By the parable of the talents given to every one of His servants according to their ability.

3. For how long and what purpose were these talents given? They were given by Christ WHEN He went away. They were given to be used to profit until He should come again. They were given to EVERY ONE according to his ability. They were given to every one to PROFIT therewith. And each one who received them was to RENDER ACCOUNT when Christ came.

4. What are these bestowals called elsewhere? Now concerning SPIRITUAL GIFTS, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 1 Cor. 12: 1.

5. What examples of gifts does the apostle there name? 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. 1 Cor. 12: 8-10.

6. For what purpose are they given? But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to PROFIT withal. Verse 7.

7. To how many are they given? But all these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit, dividing to EVERY MAN severally as He will. Verse 11.

8. What gifts does the apostle elsewhere name in the same class? Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. . . . And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers. Eph. 4: 8, 11.

9. For what purpose are they given? For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Verse 12.

10. For how long? 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. Verse 13.

11. What promise is given us concerning these gifts just before Christ shall come? I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; that in everything ye are enriched by Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: SO THAT YE COME BEHIND IN NO GIFT; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 1: 4-7.