Scripture references: I Corinthians 1:4-8

      I thank my God always on your behalf,
      for the grace of God which is given you
      by Jesus Christ;

      That in every thing ye are enriched
      [made wealthy] by him in all utterance
      [Greek:logos = spoken word] and in all
      knowledge;

      Even as the testimony [evidence, witness]
      of Christ was confirmed [established] in you:

      So that ye come behind [be later, fall short of,
      be deficient] in no gift [Greek: charisma = divine spiritual endowment];
       waiting for the coming [revelation, manifestation]
      of our Lord Jesus Christ:

      Who shall also confirm [establish]
       you unto the end, that ye may be blameless
      [unaccused, irreproachable] in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

When I read the scriptures for understanding, it helps me to have all the words defined first.
Then I read and reread multiple times, while asking questions such as who, what, why, when,
how. It is better to read a few verses with understanding, than it is to read chapters
without remembering any of it later.

Let's begin in verse 5.

Paul thanked God, always upon every remembrance of the Corinthian believers, and for us, for
the grace of God we received. Grace was given to us through the faith of the Son of God,
Jesus Christ. Paul also prayed we would be enriched in everything, by Jesus Christ,
(in all the spoken Word and in all experiential knowledge), just as we were enriched by
the confirmed testimony of Jesus Christ in us.

How is the testimony of the Lord Jesus confirmed in believers? When we receive the gift of
holy spirit, when we receive salvation (Romans 10:9, 10) we are given the spiritual ability to
operate all nine manifestations of holy spirit. (I Corinthians 12-14) When people operate the
manifestations, such as speaking in tongues, or tongues with interpretation in the church,
their gift of holy spirit is confirmed in them. They are showing evidence of having it.
No body can see holy spirit with the eyes. It is only seen by the outward evidence. Since no
one who is unsaved can speak in tongues, it is evident that those who speak in tongues are
saved. When Peter witnessed to the first Gentiles to get converted and born again, he knew
they received holy spirit because they spoke in tongues! (Acts 10:44, 45) He heard and saw
the evidence of their faith when they spoke in tongues.

Specifically, the Corinthian believers had already received holy spirit, and they were operating
the manifestations of holy spirit. In essence, Paul prayed they would not stop there. He
prayed they would not fail to believe to receive special, God ordained gift ministries to
operate in the church while they waited for the Lord's return.

Why would Paul be concerned about the Corinthians having gift ministries operating in their
home church fellowships?

Romans 1:11

      For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some
       spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; [to set
      fast, i.e. (literally) to turn resolutely in a certain direction,
      or (figuratively) to confirm:--fix, establish, stedfastly set,
      strengthen.]

Gift ministries are given to strengthen the believers, to help us return to God, to help
keep us steadfast and not blown about with different doctrines, to edify us and to help
us mature in Christ.

Ephesians 4:11

      And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
       evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

       For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry,
      for the edifying of the body of Christ:

      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:

      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;

      But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into
       him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.

Paul prayed the church would have the needed gift ministries in operation until the Lord's return.

Jesus doesn't want to find us discouraged and choked with the affairs of this life, drunk
and unprepared. He wants us to be anticipating His return as faithful stewards. Therefore,
the gift ministries are absolutely necessary to the Body of Christ for its strength,
edification and continual, sustained growth.

The Bible teaches we have the righteousness of God, we are justified and we are redeemed. It
teaches we are blameless in Christ. Will the Lord find us acting as if we are righteous,
justified and redeemed? Will He find us as faithful stewards? We need the church to rise up
to do the works of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.Whether God ordains
any one who does this is up to God. We need the gift ministries to help us remain
faithful from now until Jesus comes back. Amen.

-Carol Kenreigh

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Please mail comments to kenreigh@bww.com

c.Carol Kenreigh, 2001. All rights reserved.
Logo above contributed by Charlie Darnell.