Dr Paul Allen

How can you know which gift(s) of the Spirit you have? There is a way. Gifts of the Spirit The Apostle Paul has written a lot about spiritual gifts. To begin with, he says that “there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone” (1st Cor 12:4-6), and “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1st Cor 12:7).  The first point is God is the One Who determines which gift is given to each person. It is not for their own good but for the church’s sake, or “the common good.” Never are gifts given for the believer’s benefit. However, it may help them develop spiritually; they are intended for the Body of Christ.  There are a “variety of activities” and “varieties of service.” Still, we must remember that God “empowers them all in everyone.” He deserves the glory for these gifts (Psalm 115:1), so both the gi...

Christianity is a relational experience . A religion is a system of beliefs and external practices. But Christianity is more than a religion. It is a relationship with the living God that opens the way to better relationships with others. Tertullian, an early church leader, quoted the prevailing pagan view of Christians in the second century: “How they love one another and how they are ready to die for each other.” The prayer we frequently refer to as the Lord’s Prayer—”our Father in heaven”—is a relational prayer. Note the plural, communal nature of the petitions: “give us today our daily bread,” “forgive us our debts,” “lead us not into temptation,” “deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:9–13). The “one another” commands of the New Testament are relational guidelines. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus, Paul, James, Peter, and John give specific relational imperatives linked by the phrase “one another.” Based on the umbrella command to “love one another” (John 13:34–35), ...