tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37106751.post2767047258414159485..comments2023-06-28T11:56:24.073-04:00Comments on The Lamb's War: Spiritual Gifts: They Do The Body GoodMicah Baleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06849915973708989620noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37106751.post-10190891618521435502013-02-10T16:36:59.176-05:002013-02-10T16:36:59.176-05:00Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, pr...Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; <br />Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: <br />Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: <br />Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; <br />Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: <br />In most denominations any sign of spiritual gifts leads to identifying the one with the gift as a leader. This works as a Christian "Peter Principle" where that person is given a position in the church which eventually leads to him or her becoming an administrator or figurehead with the burying or exaltation of his gift depending on circumstances. If the gift is freely spread among the community without undue homage to the individual exercising the gift I believe it works for the community's benefit and is more likely to result as Paul says in the maturing of the individual followers. In other words when we come across a special plant we should let it mature where it's planted and not dig it up and put it in a pot to be admired by a select few. In nature that plant will spread by having it's seeds dispersed by birds, insects and the wind, so to in our communities gifts can be spread from one to another as we travel from meeting to meeting. Biblically this was done by the laying on of hands. Maybe when we see someone using a gift we admire we should ask them to lay hands on us and pray that that gift be imparted to us?broschultzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07390392524612907532noreply@blogger.com