Now the phrase 'gifts of the Spirit' is nowhere to be found in the Bible. That this is so in no way invalidates its use; but knowledge of this fact should serve as a spur to us, making us diligently search the scriptures to find out exactly what is said about the gifts by God, Who is the Source of both gifts and scriptures.
Approaching this particular section, we are introduced to the subject in verse 4, 'there are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit'. Regretfully it must be said that although in every other realm this is manifestly true, upon entering the churches, the men spoken of in 12:23 may remain unconvinced that in things spiritual this is really so. All too often in many churches where the gifts are in use, any diversion from monotony is in volume of noise and not in variety of manifestation. Oh, when shall we learn that noise is not power?
Following on from this introduction, we are told in the next two verses that there are differences of administrations and diversities of operations. Then in verse 7 we are brought back from the plurality of diversities, differences, gifts, administrations and operations, to the singular 'manifestation of the Spirit', which we are told is given to every man for mutual profit. Proceeding to the following verses, we come upon a detail of nine things which can only be described in the abstract as 'gifts of the Spirit'. Going still further, we find that this list is immediately backed up by a verse telling us that the Spirit who gives these gifts is the selfsame Spirit who divides them as He will between members of the body, and further still, having done so, personally works them through each member.
The truth we need to recognise here is brought out grammatically by the use of the singular and the plural: the one and selfsame Spirit is the person who works the many gifts. We thereby learn that persons who have received gifts must not work them themselves, but recognise that they are to be held as direct enablings only. They are special and precious and have been gratuitously distributed by the Spirit to members of Christ whose body we are. This He does so that by these the Lord can at any time He chooses work just as He will, through whom He will, by whatever gift He will.
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G.W. North (1913 - 2003)
G. W. North was born in London England in 1913. As a young man he became aware that the Lord was calling him into the work of the ministry. At timely stages the Lord placed folk in his path who were able to direct him into the truth of heart purity and a more expansive understanding of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. He held pastorates in Kent and Bradford. By the late 1960s, following a significant period of ministry in Liverpool, he began a more itinerant ministry. This led him to many parts of the world, and occupied him until well into his eighties. His powerful preaching and the unique sense of the Lord's presence, which seemed to brood over his meetings, were always intensely challenging.The true secret of his remarkable ministry stemmed from his personal communion with the Lord Jesus. To him, 'entering the holiest' was not merely a theological concept; it was a distinct spiritual reality - and the central feature of his spiritual life. It was here, in the place of worship, that his revelatory ministry found its source. He preached from understanding and conviction. He was never the echo of another, nor did he take on board the ebb and flow of various contemporary emphases. He was not a man of 'books'; he soaked himself in Scripture and allowed it to saturate his heart and mind. Truly, this is a man who has lifted up a standard for the people. Mr North went to be with the Lord on 29th April 2003, shortly after his ninetieth birthday.