If you’re born anew and baptized in Holy Spirit, you have what you need to move in the gifts.
But ministering spiritual gifts is not optional. God commands us to “earnestly desire” spiritual gifts and to stir ourselves up to use them. That’s what this series is about.
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts…
–1 Corinthians 14:1 NIV
You can be equipped
1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples
2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” …
6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
–Acts 19:1–2,6 NIV
As soon as the Ephesians received the Holy Spirit, they could speak in tongues for personal edification and prophesy. They demonstrated vocal evidence.
You also have received this ability, whether or not you have released it or know how to release it.
2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with ALL those EVERYWHERE who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: …
5 For in [Christ] you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— …
7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.
–1 Corinthians 1:2,5,7 NIV
The Corinthian believers lacked no spiritual gifts. This goes for you too—”all those everywhere.”
If you’ve been saved and baptized in Holy Spirit, you have what you need to move in the gifts.
Next time, we’ll look at all the divine gifts in their biblical context.
Lee Allen Howard 