SPIRITUAL GIFTS by G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jan 4, 1905

SPIRITUAL GIFTS.

By G.

THAT the gifts of the Spirit are for the benefit of the church to the end of probationary time is indicated in the Scriptures. They were given for a purpose, and that purpose holds as long as the necessity exists. “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; . . . one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive [margin, “a multitude of captives”], and gave gifts unto men. . . . 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.” Eph. 4:4-13.

From this scripture we learn the purpose of the gifts of the Spirit, and any one can see for himself that the purpose is not yet fulfilled. They are for the “perfecting of the saints.” Are the saints all perfected yet? If not, there is still the necessity for the gifts that were placed in the church for their perfecting. These gifts are “for the work of the ministry.” Is the ministry of to-day so well endowed with power, and wisdom, and righteousness that the help of the Spirit is no longer essential to their work? The gifts are also for the “edifying” of the saints. Have the saints of our time attained to such a high spiritual standing that they need no further edification? To ask this question is but to emphasize their crying need.

The gift of prophecy is especially for the edification of the church. Then this gift could not well be spared while the church stands in so great need of its good offices. So the apostle Paul counsels us to “follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.” 1 Cor. 14:1. To this he adds: “He that prophesieth speaketh unto men for edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all speak with tongues, but rather that ye prophesy; for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.” Verses 3-5.

Furthermore the gifts were bestowed on the church “till we all come in the unity of the faith.” Can we say of the church that we all are in that happy condition? If not, we can not afford to dispense with the only means by which we can attain to such unity. And it would be charging God with folly to suppose that He would withdraw His spiritual gifts before their special object had been accomplished. The only reason why God ever withdraws any of His favors from His people is because of apostasy. So they may know that the only way to regain His favor is to return to Him their allegiance, and when this is done, it is certain that He will restore the gifts by which the desired unity and perfection may be attained. “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.” “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”