Grahame Walker

This morning, we begin a new series on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are covered by the Apostle Paul in First Corinthians chapters twelve to fourteen. It’s good to remind ourselves that this is actually a letter written by Paul after receiving some disturbing news about the church at Corinth. The church was characterised by arrogant, shameful and inappropriate behaviour. This included a disregard for others at the Lord’s Supper, open immorality, taking fellow Christians to court and a misuse of the spiritual gifts. This sets the scene for his response to this young church. 7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12: 7-10.