51.    What are spiritual gifts? How many spiritual gifts are described in the Bible?

• apostles: main work is laying the foundation of the universal church
• evangelists

• prophesy: Spirit-inspired messages; prophesy can mean "foretelling" or "forthtelling"
• distinguish spirits: probably not testing the spirits (1Jn 4:1) but related to 1Co 14:29 where Paul calls for testing or discerning of prophetic utterances (also 1Th 5:20-21)
• speaking in tongues: there are two different manifestations of tongues: ecstatic languages of praise and prayer (not a known language), OR actual languages but unknown to the speaker
• interpretation of tongues: because of the unintelligibility of tongues, there is need to articulate for the benefit of the community what the tongues-speaker has said

• teachers
• message of wisdom
• message of knowledge: a spiritual utterance of some revelatory kind
• encouraging others

• helping others or helpful deeds: minister to the physical and spiritual needs of others
• serving others
• contributing to needs of others in material terms
• showing mercy

• administration: more accurately "acts of guidance"
• pastors [looking after or caring (Jn 21:16; 1Pe 5:2), feeding (Jn 21:15,17), acting as a model (1Pe 5:3), keeping watch (Ac 20:28-31)]

• with miraculous powers or workings of miracles: all other kinds of supernatural activities beyond the healing of the sick such as driving out evil spirits (Ac 16:18; 19:12-16)
• healing
• with faith: special gift of supernatural faith that can "move mountains"

• Paul has 4 major lists plus other times when some gifts are mentioned (1Co 13:1-3,8; 14:6,26). Each of these lists is ad hoc in character (hapharzard fashion which Paul used in listing spiritual gifts, simply spun off at the moment for the purpose of the argument); no two of which are exactly alike either in number or in types.
• Thus the lists are neither carefully worked out nor exhaustive; they are merely representative of the diversity of the Spirit’s manifestations. Therefore, we are not to limit spiritual gifts to these lists.

• Everyone has one or more gifts (1Co 12:7,11; 1Pe 4:10).
• They are given by the Holy Spirit according to His will (1Co 12:11). Paul emphasizes the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit in distributing the gifts. Who has what spiritual gifts is determined solely by the Holy Spirit.
• We can of course ask for certain spiritual gifts (1Co 12:31; 14:1) with the intention to use them to extend the kingdom of God, but it is totally up to the Holy Spirit to decide.

• Some believe that certain spiritual gifts are no longer given to the church, in particular the gifts of apostleship and speaking in tongues (and sometimes also prephecy).

• In early church, ‘apostle’ was an ‘office’ or a position. Only ‘the twelve’ plus a few others (such as Paul) were called ‘apostles’. Qualifications include: (1) saw the Lord (1Co 9:1, Ac 1:21); (2) directly called and appointed by God (Ro 1:1; Gal 1:1, 1Ti 1:1, 2:7, 2Ti 1:11, 1Co 1:1); (3) founded churches (1Co 9:1-2) (possibly only for the Universal Church, not for local churches), (4) with ‘signs, wonders and miracles’ (2Co 12:12, Ac 2:43), (5) general acceptance by the Church as apostles. As such, there are no more apostles today.
• Apostle can also have a sense of function: those who are sent by Christ to preach the gospel (1Co 1:17), and found churches (1Co 9:2). As such, there can be apostles today. However, some people wrongly use the term to raise themselves to a superior position above all others. Thus, it is more appropriate to use the term "apostolic work" for today than to apply the term ‘apostle’ to any person.

• In reaction to the overemphasis of spiritual gifts in some churches, there has been theologians who tries to justify the limiting of these gifts to the first century church (such as quoting 1Co 13:8). However, we should be open to the work of the Holy Spirit and never put a limit on what God can do. In addition, it appears that genuine demonstration of tongues occurs even today.

52.    What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Mt 12:31-32)? Why is it unpardonable?

• There are other passages on unpardonable sin (Heb 6:4-6; 10:26-27; 1Jn 5:16). We can reasonably conclude that all related passages refer to the same sin.
• This sin probably refers to the conscientious, malicious, and wilful rejection and slandering, against evidence and conviction, of the testimony of the Holy Spirit respecting the grace of God in Christ.
• It is unpardonable because this sin excludes all repentance, sears the conscience, hardens the sinner, and thus renders the sin unpardonable. We may expect to find such a person pronouncing hatred to God, with a defiant attitude to Him and all that is divine, delight in ridiculing and slandering that which is holy, and absolute unconcern respecting the welfare of their soul and the future life.
• It is a permanent rejection due to a hardened heart and therefore makes conversion and pardon impossible. It represents man withdraws himself from God, not God from man.
• Some believe a true believer will never commit such a sin. However, the description in Heb 6:4-6 appears to point to a believer, although others believe that the person here is not a true believer.