You give us gifts and make them grow

Today’s Collect, for the Seventh Sunday after Trinity, gets me thinking about the spiritual gifts. I must admit to being somewhat sceptical of some of big outpourings of the “gifts of the spirit” and have tended to avoid them. I guess, in this particular thing, I’m a little like Thomas, and need to see things for myself. But I do know that there are some very sincere people who have been affected by these events, and set great store by them.

However, I do at least try to keep an open mind; and certainly don’t want to limit God by keeping him in my particular box. Who knows, one day something may happen that turns my scepticism around completely; in which case I would want to celebrate those new insights.

My own, somewhat more conservative, thoughts on the spiritual gifts go something like this:

There are several instances recorded in the book of Acts in which the apostles were involved in healing and casting out demons (3:2-16; 5:12-16; 9:36-42; 20:6-12; 28:1-6). These miracles helped to give validity to the apostles’ teaching. Only two people who weren’t apostles were said to have performed miracles: both specially commissioned “deacons” (Acts 6:5), Stephen (Acts 6:8) and Philip (Acts 8:5-13).

The apostles had a unique function to play in the establishment of the early church. Ephesians 2:20 tells us that the church was “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone”. Paul spoke of miracles being the mark of a true apostle. Describing his own ministry he wrote, “The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, signs and wonders and mighty works” (2 Corinthians 12:12).

Nowhere in the New Testament do we find believers in general performing the same types of dramatic miracles as the apostles do. The apostles were commissioned especially for the founding stage of the church.

I don’t think we need dramatic “signs and wonders” to mature or minister, we can do both without the drama.

Despite all the protests to the contrary, those who promote the use of “spiritual gifts” — such as: speaking in tongues; healing; words of knowledge; prophetic utterances; and ecstatic feelings — do exert an intimidating force on those who don’t share their experiences, or question their validity. I’ve been on the receiving end of that intimidation, and the urge to conform was immense, and, I believe, not from God.

Paul warned the Corinthian believers against false teachers who were trying to force them into submission with incredible claims of spiritual authority (2 Corinthians 11:1-15). These “super-apostles” even claimed to be superior to Paul. He was concerned that the believers may be led astray from the simple truth of the gospel.

We would be naive to think that we don’t face the same threat today. That’s why we must carefully examine our faith, evaluate what we’re being told, and test all things by what God has said in the Bible.

As I said in my opening paragraph, I do know people who have been affected by these “spiritual gifts”, and wouldn’t really want to question their validity, or limit God by putting him into my particular box. I’m just not totally convinced myself, and tend towards this far more conservative stance. But I am open to other ideas, and will listen to, and respect, the position of others.

Generous God,
you give us gifts and make them grow:
though our faith is small as mustard seed,
make it grow to your glory
and the flourishing of your kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Additional Collect for The Seventh Sunday after Trinity
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council