Wednesday: Other Gifts
When we think of spiritual gifts and witnessing and evangelism, we tend mostly to focus on the gifts of evangelism, preaching, and teaching. Though not all gifts are overtly evangelistic, if ministered within the church body they will have varying degrees of impact upon the church’s evangelistic mission.1
Read Acts 6:1–4 again. People were given similar responsibilities to those we would expect of deacons today. What reasons did the disciples give for not wanting to do this work? How are we to understand the principle being revealed here?
The newly elected deacons were contributing to the overall evangelistic program of the early church by freeing up the disciples to be engaged full time in evangelism and preaching. So, while we may not consider the actions of the deacons as gifts that would equip them for the evangelistic front line, they did have evangelistic impact behind the scenes. Of course, it is quite possible that the deacons’ ministry of distributing aid to needy widows rendered people more ready to listen to the gospel when it was preached. God alone knows the good these people did in their roles.
For a church to function, leaders and administrators are necessary in the areas of organization, finances, and so forth. Those who serve their Lord in these varied capacities must understand that they are part of a team and that their contribution is essential to the church’s overall evangelistic thrust.
Read Acts 2:40–47. What spiritual gifts were being manifested here, and what was the result, not only in witnessing but in discipleship? What important lessons can we take from this for ourselves?
The word added in Acts 2:47 is used in the sense of incorporation into a society. While the new converts were certainly added to the church, they were also brought into fellowship and cared for. Therefore, we can conclude that spiritual gifts in the areas of administration, leadership, hospitality, pastoral ministry, and service would be among those present. This is a good example of the exercising of individual spiritual gifts to benefit the whole church through supporting the evangelistic ministry of others.
Think of your own part, your own role, your own ministry in the church. Where does it fit in with the mission of the church as a whole?
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Thanks. It dawn very clearly that the model church growth experienced during the early church era was very powerful, because every members have done their parts in the evangelism, witnessing and ministry.
Great insights.
God Bless.
ok it's very good and clear to me.
I NEED SPEAK AND READ THE BOOK.
I became an Adventist about 2 decades ago and have watched many evangelistic campaigns accomplish the goal of soul winning that is justifiably a church focus. It grieves me, however, to report that I have seen these same souls disappear for lack of Christian encouragement by older church members once they are on the church rolls.
It would be well to consider expanding the working definition of evangelism to include nurture and support of new members: in discerning and being obedient to God's will in their lives and in becoming an active member of Christ's body.
An every member ministry, in my opinion, must include placing a high value on helping new members become active disciples of Jesus Christ. What good is the acceptance of God's salvation if the new believer is not equipped by the older brothers and sisters to develop the habits and attitudes of those who become new creatures in Jesus Christ?
Excellent insight - and something we discussed in depth in our classes this last Sabbath. What are considered the "lesser" gifts may be the most important in our outreach efforts. That's why we need to encourage everyone to be a part of the heart church and not just the head church.
Ariel, I agree wholeheartedly with your observation and it is indeed important to befriend and nurture new believers, for the sake of all parties involved and the strengthening of the whole church. We must study to show ourselves approved unto God and be equipped to reach out to our circles of influence by example in word and in deed. This is God's plan for the finishing of His work.