PUT ON THE FULL ARMOUR OF GOD

1. Cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light Rom.13:12.
2. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil and to withstand the evil day. Start by having your loins girt about with truth Eph. 6:11-14.
3. Have on the breastplate of righteousness Eph. 6:14.
4. Have your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace Eph. 6:15.
5. Above all, take the shield of faith to quench all of the fiery darts of the wicked Eph. 6:16).
6. Take the helmet of salvation Eph. 6:17.
7. Take the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God Eph. 6:17.

 The Work of the Holy Spirit
 In the beginning

• Active and present at creation, hovering over the unordered conditions
(Gen. 1:2) In the Old Testament

• The origin of supernatural abilities (Gen. 41:38

• The giver of artistic skill (Ex. 31:2–5)

• The source of power and strength (Judg. 3:9, 10)

• The inspiration of prophecy (1 Sam. 19:20, 23)

• The mediation of God’s message (Mic. 3:8) In Old Testament prophecy

• The cleansing of the heart for holy living (Ezek. 36:25–29) In salvation

• Regenerates the believer (Titus 3:5)

• Sanctifies the believer (2 Thess. 2:13)

• Completely indwells the believer (Acts 2:4) In the New Testament

• Declare the truth about Christ (John 16:13, 14)

• Endows with power for gospel proclamation (Acts 1:8)

• Pours out God’s love in the heart (Rom. 5:5)

• Makes intercession (Rom. 8:26)

• Enables the fruit of holy living (Gal. 5:22, 23)

• Strengthens the inner being (Eph. 3:16) In the written Word

• Inspired the writing of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21)

The New Testament understands the Holy Spirit to be the assurance of the risen Lord Jesus indwelling believers.

THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD

Romans 12:3-8: Gifts of the Father (Basic Life Purpose and Motivation)

1. PROPHECY To speak with forthrightness and insight, especially when enabled by the Spirit of God Joel 2:28. To demonstrate moral boldness and uncompromising commitment to worthy values. To influence others in one's arena of influence with a positive spirit of social or spiritual righteousness.  2. MINISTRY To minister and render loving, general service to meet the needs of others.  Illustrated in the work and office of the deacon Matt. 20:26.  3. TEACHING The supernatural ability to explain and apply the truths received from God for the church. Presupposes study and the Spirit's illumination providing the ability to make divine truth clear to the people of God. Considered distinct from the work of the prophet who speaks as the direct mouth- piece of God.  4. EXHORTATION  Literally means to call aside for the purpose of making an appeal. In a broader sense it means to entreat, comfort, or instruct Acts 4:36; Heb 10:25.  5. GIVING The essential meaning is to give out of a spirit of generosity. In a more technical sense it refers to those with resources aiding those without such resources  2 Cor. 8:2; 9:11-13. This gift is to be exercised without outward show or pride and with liberality. 2 Cor. 1:12; 8:2; 9:11, 13.  6. LEADERSHIP Refers to the one "standing in front." Involves the exercise of the Holy Spirit in modelling, superintending, and developing the body of Christ. Leadership is to be exercised with diligence.  7. MERCY To feel sympathy with the misery of another. To relate to others in empathy, respect, and honesty. To be effective, this gift is to be exercised with kindness  and cheerfulness—not as a matter of duty.

 

1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28: Gifts of the Holy Spirit

1. WORD OF WISDOM Supernatural perspective to ascertain the divine means for accomplishing God's will in given situations. Divinely given power to appropriate spiritual intuition in problem solving. Sense of divine direction. Being led by the Holy Spirit to act appropriately in a given set of circumstances. Knowledge rightly applied: wisdom works interactively with knowledge and  discernment.  2. WORD OF KNOWLEDGE Supernatural revelation of the divine will and plan. Supernatural insight or understanding of circumstances or a body of facts by revelation: that is, without assistance of any human resource but solely by divine aid. Implies a deeper and more advanced understanding of the communicated acts of God. Involves moral wisdom for right living and relationships. Requires objective understanding concerning divine things in human duties. May also refer to knowledge of God or of the things that belong to God, as related in the gospel.  3. FAITH Supernatural ability to believe God without doubt. Supernatural ability to combat unbelief. Supernatural ability to meet adverse circumstances with trust in God's messages and words. Inner conviction impelled by an urgent and higher calling.  4. GIFTS OF HEALINGS Refers to supernatural healing without human aid. May include divinely assisted application of human instrumentation and medical means of treatment. Does not discount the use of God's creative gifts.  5. WORKING OF MIRACLES Supernatural power to intervene and counteract earthly and evil forces. Literally means a display of power giving the ability to go beyond the natural. Operates closely with the gifts of faith and healings to bring authority over sin, Satan, sickness and the binding forces of this age.  6. PROPHECY Divinely inspired and anointed utterance. Supernatural proclamation in a known language. Manifestation of the Spirit of God—not of intellect 1 Cor. 12:7. May be possessed and operated by all who have the infilling of the Holy Spirit 1 Cor. 14:31. Intellect, faith, and will are operative in this gift, but its exercise is not intellectually based. It is calling forth words from the Spirit of God.  7. DISCERNING OF SPIRITS Supernatural power to detect the realm of the spirits and their activities. Implies the power of spiritual insight—supernatural revelation of plans and purposes of the Enemy and his forces.  8. DIFFERENT KINDS OF TONGUES Supernatural utterance in languages not known to the speaker: these languages may be existent in the world, revived from some past culture, or "unknown" in the sense that they are a means of communication inspired by the Holy Spirit (Is. 28:11; Mark 16:17; Acts 2:4; 10:44-48; 19:1-7; 1 Cor. 12:10, 28-31; 13:1-3; 14:2, 4-22, 26-32). Serve as an evidence and sign of the indwelling and working of the Holy Spirit.  9. INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES Supernatural power to reveal the meaning of tongues. Functions not as an operation of the mind of man but as the mind of the Spirit. Does not serve as a translation (interpreter never understands the tongue he is interpreting), but rather is a declaration of meaning. Is exercised as a miraculous and supernatural phenomenon as are the gift of speaking in tongues and the gift of prophecy.

 

Ephesians 4:11 (Also 1 Cor. 12:28): Gifts of the Son (To Facilitate and Equip the Body of the Church)

1. APOSTLES In apostolic days referred to a select group chosen to carry out directly the ministry of Christ; included the assigned task given to a few to complete the sacred canon of the Holy Scriptures. Implies the exercise of a distinct representative role of broader leadership given by Christ. Functions as a messenger or spokesman of God. In contemporary times refers to those who have the spirit of apostleship in extending the work of the church, opening fields to the gospel, remarkably and overseeing larger sections of the body of Jesus Christ.  2.PROPHET A spiritually mature spokesman/proclaimer with a special, divinely focused message to the church or the world. A person uniquely gifted at times with insight into future events.  3. EVANGELIST Refers primarily to a special gift of preaching or witnessing in a way that brings unbelievers into the experience of salvation. Functionally, the gift of evangelist operates for the establishment of new works, while pastors and teachers follow up to organize and sustain. Essentially, the gift of evangelist operates to establish converts and to gather them spiritually and literally into the body of Christ.  4. PASTOR/TEACHER The word "pastor" comes from a root meaning "to protect," from which we get the word "shepherd." Implies the function of a shepherd/leader to nurture, teach, and care for the spiritual needs of the body.  5. MISSIONARY  Some see "apostle" or "evangelist" in this light. Implies the unfolding of a plan for making the gospel known to all the world (Rom. 1:16). Illustrates an attitude of humility necessary for receiving a call to remote areas  and unknown situations (Is. 6:1-13). Connotes an inner compulsion to lead the whole world to an understanding of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:14-20).

 

Special Graces

1. HOSPITALITY Literally means to love, to do, or to do with pleasure. Illustrates Peter's notion of one of the two categories of gifts:1)teaching, 2) practical service (1 Pet. 4:10, 11). Was utilized in caring for believers and workers who visited to worship, work, and become involved in the body of Christ. Illustrated in the teaching of Jesus concerning judgment (Matt. 25:35, 40).  2. CELIBACY  (Matt. 19:10; 1 Cor. 7:7-9, 27; 1 Tim. 4:3; Rev.14:4). The Bible considers marriage to be honourable, ordained of God, and a need for every person. Implies a special gift of celibacy, which frees the individual from the duties, pressures, and preoccupations of family life, allowing undivided attention to the Lord's work.  3. MARTYRDOM (1 Pet. 4:12, 13) Illustrated in the spirit of Stephen (Acts 7:59, 60). Fulfilled in the attitude of Paul (2 Tim. 4:6-8).