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BIBLE INSIGHTS

SPIRITUAL GIFTS USED

(Are the Spiritual Gifts Permanent?)

ANSWER: Interesting question! The quick answer is no, I don't believe so. But let's explore the subject a bit.

There are about 20 spiritual gifts listed in the New Testament. I say "about," because there are one or two that may or may not be included (such as the gift of hospitality, I Pet. 4:9-10). Several lists of gifts are given, but each list is different, suggesting the ones mentioned may simply be examples, and that there may even be other gifts that are not specifically named. (Though I tend to doubt this.) The gifts are enablings of God's Spirit, abilities granted to individuals so they can serve the Lord and His church, the spiritual body of Christ.

Each Christian has at least one gift (I Cor. 12:7, 11; Eph. 4:7; I Pet. 4:10). Some may have been given a cluster of related gifts. Though Christians disagree on the subject, it is my understanding that some of the gifts were themselves temporary, being of special use during the apostolic era. They were later withdrawn, or have become inoperative. The gift of apostleship itself is an example of this. In its technical and narrow sense, there are no more apostles today, since they had to be men who walked and talked with the Lord Jesus, and had seen the risen Christ (Acts 1:21-25; I Cor. 9:1). They were foundational to the church in the early days (Eph. 2:20).

But that is not exactly what you are asking. You want to know whether the gift an individual has been given will be taken away again, if it is not put to use. I can think of no teaching in the Bible to that affect–unless we interpret the Parable of the Talents that way (more of that...

To see the full article, click on Spiritual Gifts Used.

MY BLOG ON HYMNS!

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But as many of you will know, a blog is especially designed to facilitate a conversation on its particular subject. Readers can easily post comments about what they see, and I'm able to reply. I hope you will take part in the discussion!

A Special Feature
There is something unique about this blog that I don't believe has ever been done before. It contains what we could call a Hymn Almanac. If you want to know what happened in the history of hymn writing on any particular day, just click on the blog and you'll see!

My hope is that the blog will add to the value of the website and this newsletter, and promote some profitable exchanges on the subject of sacred music.

What happened on this day in hymnology? To find out, click Wordwise Hymns.

OTHER ARTICLES TO CHECK OUT