Spiritual Gifts within the Body of The Christ

When a person becomes part of the body of The Christ, they receive a gift from the Holy Spirit. This is a gift that is intended for the common good of the Church, 1 Corinthians 12:7 “Moreover, each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit towards the common good”. Not only are we placed into the body of The Christ, we are also given the means to be able to function as the part of the body that the Holy Spirit determines is the best place for us.

Saints should not be ignorant concerning Spiritual things. There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different services, but the same Lord. For it is God who works all things in all. We each receive only one gift in our life time, as we can only ever serve as the part of the body in which we are placed. The Holy Spirit determines what gift we receive, 1 Corinthians 12:11.

Among the gifts there are gifts of the same kind, and gifts of a different kind. The word of wisdom and knowledge are gifts of the same kind. These gifts were given so that in the beginning of the Church it had the necessary knowledge to obey God and the wisdom to correctly use that knowledge. These gifts were necessary at that time because the churches did not yet have the full revelation of Scripture to guide them as we have today. Of course, since God has provided us with the full revelation, the Church no longer has need for these gifts. In James 1:5 God states to all Christians that if we ask for wisdom, He will give it to us without reproach. He also […]

Spiritual Gifts within the Body of The Christ2023-12-14T12:32:36-08:00

A Different Gospel alongside the Gospel of The Christ

1:6 I marvel that thus so quickly you change from the one who called you by the grace of Christ into a different kind of gospel, 1:7 which is not of the same kind, except there are some who trouble you and desire to distort the Gospel of The Christ. 1:8 But even if perhaps we, or a messenger (angel) out from heaven should bring good news to you which is alongside that good news already brought to you, it is to be set aside. 1:9 Just as I before said, and again I say, “If, assuming it is true, someone brings good news to you alongside that which you have received; it is to be set aside. Galatians 1:6-9

Those who seek to distort the Gospel of The Christ do it by bringing a different gospel alongside the true good news.  The preposition used to express how this different gospel, that is not a gospel of the same kind, attempts to manifest itself is “Para”, which means, “from the side of”. It can have the sense of contrary to something; however, it still keeps its main meaning, which is to come alongside. So, rather than directly contradicting, as in a face to face conflict, the gospel message they bring, the ones seeking to distort the Gospel of The Christ, comes alongside the true gospel in an effort to change it into something different.

If perhaps anyone brings you a gospel that is alongside (in a contrary sense) to the gospel which you have already received it is to be set aside (Anathema). Although often translated “accursed”, “anathema” comes from the concept of an item that was set aside for the worship, or use, of a god; […]

A Different Gospel alongside the Gospel of The Christ2012-08-21T05:15:23-07:00

Changing the Gospel Message

The good news of The Christ is a gospel of grace and faith, yet, there are those who seek to change this gospel into a different message, which is not good news at all (Galatians 1:6, 7). They take the very basic truths concerning our salvation and lives as saints belong to God and twist them to manipulate people into following them.

The Gospel of The Christ includes the good news about salvation. Scripture is very clear that we are saved by grace through faith, Ephesians 2:8,9. It is His (God’s) attitude by which He gives us a benefit without consideration of merit that provides us with an opportunity to take God at His word concerning salvation. He says that we are to believe that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures to be saved, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Yet, there are many false teachers today who change this message into one of works, rather than of faith. They say to be saved you must accept Jesus into your heart, have a relationship with Jesus, make him Lord of your life, ask him to forgive you of your sins. None of these take God at His word, therefore, they are not out from Faith.

The good news does not stop at salvation, that is only the beginning. As part of our salvation, we have been taken out of Adam – no longer seen before God as condemned along with all of unsaved mankind – and placed into The Christ – a new creation in which the old things (who we were in Adam) have passed away and all things are new (who we are in Christ). 2 […]

Changing the Gospel Message2023-12-14T12:32:49-08:00
Go to Top