There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. (5) There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. (6) And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. (7) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: (8) for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, (9) to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the same Spirit, (10) to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. (11) But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

The first letter to the Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul. Our verses today concern the categories of gifts which are not natural talents or abilities such as possessed by believers and unbelievers alike. The gifts we study today are sovereignly and supernaturally bestowed by the Holy Spirit on believers. Some gifts were limited by the apostolic age and have ceased to exist – the purpose was to authenticate the apostles and the gospel. To testify to the Lord is impossible except by the Spirit. The gifts of the Spirit are diverse in character but the origen is Christian conversion – identical in every case – but spiritual gifts vary according to the individual capacity and character. God’s Spirit is the direct source of spiritual gifts. The Son is the one in whose service these gifts are to be used. The Father is the one supreme origin of all power. The varieties of ministries have the same Lord. The varieties of operation resulting for gifts of the Spirit have the same God who works them. The gifts are intended to flow toward one object and to benefit the whole church.

There is a clear cut dividing line between Christianity and every system of MAN’S devices. Christianity exalts Christ as Lord but other systems deny His Lordship which is true of every pagan system and also Judaism. There is a necessity of deliverance from those systems and it is by the Holy Spirit. When it comes to spiritual things we do not have the same ministry – we do not have the same gift; we are not all constituted alike even from the human and intellectual standpoint. The distribution of gifts by the Spirit of God is not by merit but according to the will of the Spirit. Some people did/do abuse their gifts because they were deluded or imposters. Some were dissatisfied with their gifts and envious of others. Paul estimates the value of the gifts received of the Spirit according to their value in operation. Those who valued men more or less according to gifts received were really criticising the giver.

The ancient prophets had clearly predicted the Messianic period should be accompanied by remarkable gifts of the Holy Spirit who is said to work all these gifts; because God works by His Spirit.i love the beautiful words of the prophet Joel (chapter 2, verses 28 and 29: (28) “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. (29) And also on Menservants and My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.”

..

So, there there are a varieties of gifts but unity of Origen.

Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. (35) But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. (36) The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ – He is Lord of all – (37) that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: (38) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him

The book of Acts was written by Luke; physician, historian, writer of the gospel, and frequent and beloved companion of the apostle Paul. After the resurrection of Christ Jesus, God has been breaking down Peter’s Jewish prejudices. Peter and most Jews of their day believed everyone could become a Christian but must first become a Jew. The Mosaic Law has been swept away in an instant and now Gentiles are clearly saved and receive the Holy Spirit in the same manner as the Jews did on the day of Pentecost. This was a radical turning point in God’s eternal plan of salvation; the Gentiles and the Jews are the same in God’s eyes. Everyone who believes in Christ receives God’s salvation – it is not based on national identity nor based on good works.

Whenever a man/woman is seeking after God it is because God is working to draw them to Himself. God works differently with different people, using certain means to save people. Salvation is always of the Lord, by God’s free grace and it centers on the personal work of Christ. We have all sinned (in Adam) and all fall short of the glory of God. Jesus Christ is God’s only means of peace. Christ is Lord of all and He is also to be the judge of the living and the dead. He paid the debt that man deserves. We will be judged by one thing – whether we repented of our sins and accepted Christ as our Savior. In the promises of Abraham and all those of the Messiah the Gentiles were to be included. Salvation is through Christ and in faith alone. It is a free gift from God in Christ’s atoning work.

Peter realized through a divine vision that God does not show favoritism but accepts man from every nation who fears God and does what’s right. The great truth of salvation applies not to those only who know the name of Christ and believe on Him but to all who in all ages and countries “fear God” according to the measure of their knowledge and who work righteousness according to their belief and opportunities.

If indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given me for you, (3) how by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, (4) by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), (5) which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it now has been revealed by the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets: (6) that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,

The letter to the Ephesians was written by the apostle Paul while imprisoned in Rome for preaching the gospel. In our verses today we read of the new and far reaching teaching of oneness of the Jew and Gentiles in Christ – that most found difficult to comprehend or accept. For 2000 years from the age of Abraham to the time of Christ God’s blessings were mostly restricted to the Jews. The Gentiles were excluded from the nation of Israel and were strangers to God’s covenant of promise. They were without God in this world and without hope. The Old Testament often spoke of God’s blessings on Gentiles but it was always through the Jews. But now through the cross Christ has reconciled the Jews and the Gentiles to God.

No one ever comes to Christ on their own intelligence, will power or good works – salvation is always of the Lord. The mystery of our verses refers to God’s revelation of disclosure of something previously hidden; information not attained by human reason or wisdom, by human logic, intuition or study but only by the Spirit of God. The truth that Jews and Gentiles were to be blessed in the same way on the basis of faith in Christ and pure grace was also made known to the apostles but revelation of the one body came first to Paul that he might communicate it to others. The truth more plainly revealed than ever before was a union of Gentiles with Jews as joint partakers of the promise of redemption in Christ by means of the gospel.

The Gentiles are redeemed not through the Jews as the old theocracy held. But that theocracy was to be abolished and a new form was introduced for all mankind under which distinctions between Jews and Gentiles was done away. Quoting my favorite, c.s.Lewis: “If we are not Christians we shall dismiss this with the old gibe, ‘How odd of God to choose the Jews.’ This is impossible for us who believe that God chose that race for the vehicle of His own Incarnation, and who are indebted to Israel beyond all possible repayment.”

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; (13) bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. (14) But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. (15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. (16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (17) And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

The letter to the Colossians was written by the apostle Paul in response to heretical attacks on the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. Philosophy, human wisdom, legalism, mysticism or asceticism by themselves or added to Him are useless in regard to salvation which is found in Christ alone. Our verses tell us to walk in our position as elect in God and live what we already are, in faith, in Christ. In the early days of the church, the gospel was revolutionary and the world was without faith, unable to fathom the gospel, skeptical and reluctant. There was a great need for effective witness from believers and Paul, in our verses, examines these attributes necessary for such witness – all spiritual gifts – bonded by love – and let the peace of God rule our hearts.

The believer is chosen by God, redeemed from sin in faith in Christ and is a child of God. The elect are those who owe everything to His will – they are set apart to Him to walk in love, obedient to His will. Behind divine election is divine love. There is no reason for God’s love for us and He initiates our salvation in mighty works of reconciliation and redemption of Christ. A consciousness of a believer’s relationship with Christ applies to everything; He is to be in all our thoughts – in every word and deed. We are to become what we already are in faith which will manifest itself in harmony and the peace of Christ in our hearts. Love is the supremely important Christian virtue..

Election and divine forgiveness in Christ manifest in the faithful a new birth – God sets His hand upon us when there was nothing in us that could please Him. This principle reminds me of something I heard of recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous: everyone who has a seat at the table has been touched by the hand of God.