St James Westgate - 1 Corinthians 13 for the
Sunday called Quinquagesima in the Anglican Prayer Book. This is what I
plan to say:
Epistle : 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:end
A. THE CHARISMATIC CATALOGUE 12:27-31
Distinguish between Offices, Gifts, and Fruits of the Spirit.
1. THE OFFICES ARE THOSE WHICH GO TO LEADERS ONLY
a. Firstly Apostles.
The Apostles are the original eye-witnesses of the Resurrection. As such they
are unique, corresponding to the Patriarchs of the O.T. There can be no such
thing as Apostolic Succession. They are the Eleven plus Paul, Barnabas, and
Matthias; not forgetting the "over 500" of 1 Corinthians 15:6 [maybe including
Andronicus and Junius (Romans 16:7); and Silas and Timothy (1 Thessalonians
1:1; 2:6)].
b. Secondly Prophets.
Prophets are both foretellers and forthtellers of the whole counsel of God,
corresponding to the great Prophets of the O.T. where great emphasis is placed
on accurate future prediction. In the N.T. the accent is on faithful
proclamation and interpretation of God's message. Billy Graham is a prophet in
this sense. In chapter 14, prophecy is considered as "tongues" in plain
language, not needing interpretation; and the best gift to seek.
c. Thirdly Teachers.
These correspond to the Priests and Rabbis of ancient Israel. They are the
bishops, theologians, clergy and lay leaders of churches, right down to Bible
class leaders and Sunday-school teachers.
2. THE GIFTS ARE THOSE WHICH GO TO MEMBERS
a. Miracles and Healings.
Some have faith to "move mountains"; others have faith to be healed, and to
heal others. Satan also has his counterfeits: the Holy Spirit does not heal by
magic but by miracle; the Creator re-creates. The Bible warns of charmers and
necromancers, etc.
b. Administrative gifts (auxiliaries and managers).
Some have good heads for business and money matters; some have gifts of
management skills. Compare the deacons in Acts 7. They had other gifts as
well; eg Stephen the Martyr and Philip the Evangelist.
c. Prophecies, Tongues and Interpretations.
Tongues is a very common gift enjoyed by many people. Tongues are used to
praise God; to pray when the precise nature of the thing prayed for is not
known; and to deliver a prophecy by proxy: i.e. through an interpretation.
Prophecy itself is superior to Tongues plus Interpretation; it is a direct
revelation from God in plain language. Paul urges his readers to seek this
gift (14:1) rather than be like sounding gongs and clanging cymbals (13:1).
Empty vessels make the most noise.
3. THE FRUITS ARE THOSE WHICH GROW ON MEMBERS AND LEADERS
"The Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness,
Goodness, Faith, Meekness and Self-control..." (Galatians 5:22f).
a. Don't covet Gifts. 31 (AV)
Take ZHLOUTE as indicative, not imperative: "You are coveting the best gifts,"
(12:31). The "best way of all" is not to covet other people's gifts, but to
exercise your own in a spirit of Love.
b. Do cultivate Fruits.
Love itself is not mentioned as a Gift of the Spirit given to you, but as a
Fruit of the Spirit growing in you. "By their fruits you shall know them"
(Matthew 7:20). If you exercise the gifts you have in a spirit of love, then
God can entrust you with greater gifts to use wisely.
--
Revd Ben Crick BA CF, and Mrs Joanna (Goodwin) Crick
232 Canterbury Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9TD (UK)
http://www.cnetwork.co.uk/crick.htm
