How to ‘Make Disciples’ - Encourage / build up the church (including the use of the spiritual gifts)
General Introduction
In this series we are building what we will refer to as the ‘One Page New Testament’ - #onepagenewtestament. Our approach is creating a pictorial summary of the main messages for disciples of Jesus in a systematically derived, structured form. We aim to keep the descriptive text to a minimum and share with you the different Themes that are being created. We will consider the scriptures on their own merit, Theme by Theme, without introducing much in the way of theology. Within each Theme, we will let the scriptures speak for themselves - hopefully in a way that demonstrates the validity of the analysis.
Introduction to this Faith Article
This article is the twenty second in a series that is unpacking some of the analysis work currently being undertaken to draw out the main teachings from the New Testament from a personal discipleship perspective. The previous articles can be found in the reference at Note [1] and they focus upon the New Testament’s teaching that corresponds to the challenges of what we have so far called ‘Kingdom Fundamental 1 [KF1]’ - ‘Love God’, and ‘Kingdom Fundamental 2 [KF2]’ - ‘Follow Jesus’. Here, and in the last two articles, we have begun looking at we have called Kingdom Fundamental 3 [KF3] - ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ and some of the sub-components of this. We have outlined that our work has considered there to be three Kingdom Practices at Level 2 as follows:
Make disciples [KP7]
Forgive (don’t judge) others [KP8]
Undertake acts of service / generosity - [KP9].
Under the first of these (Make Disciples) we have introduced seven Kingdom Actions (at Level 3):
Preach the Gospel (Word) to all people groups (locally, nationally, and internationally) - [KA27]
Be a witness (testify of Jesus to others) [KA28]
Deliver sound teaching (correctly derived from Scripture) - [KA29]
Encourage / build up the church (including the use of spiritual gifts) - [KA30]
Correct / admonish other disciples (apply church discipline) - [KA31]
Have fellowship with other believers (the body of Christ -) [KA32]
Share the Lord’s Supper (communion) together - [KA33].
We explained KA29 in the last article and here we will explore KA30 and its components, shown in light blue (encouragements) in Figure 1.
If readers take away nothing else from these articles other than the sense, logic, and directive actions in the Figures - for disciples to put into practice in the strength God gives - we will hopefully have achieved our initial objective.
Figure 1 - Investigating the Kingdom Fundamental to ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’
Kingdom Action 30 [KA30] - ‘Encourage / build up the church (including the use of the spiritual gifts)’
As the above figure illustrates, we have identified six sub-Themes that describe what it means to ‘Encourage / build up the church’:
Let the Holy Spirit empower us for service - [KA30.1]
Know that the Holy Spirit distributes gifts as he determines (not as we might wish) - [KA30.2]
Use the spiritual gifts out of love for one another - [KA30.3]
Obey scriptural instructions about how the gifts should be applied (e.g. in worship) - [KA30.4]
Seek the greater gifts - [KA30.5]
Recognise that prophecy tongues / knowledge will pass away - [KA30.6].
We will look at each of these in the sub-sections below.
For this Kingdom Action, we can identify 4 Greek words [2] and [3] (and some of the scriptures) that support this Theme as follows:
Acts 9:31 - Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened (Strong’s 3618). Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged (3874) by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers [4].
Romans 15:4-5 - For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement (3874) they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement (3874) give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,
Ephesians 4:11-12 - So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (3619).
Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up (3619) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Colossians 2:2 - My goal is that they may be encouraged (3870) in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ.
Colossians 4:8 - I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage (3870) your hearts.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore encourage (3870) one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 - May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement (3874) and good hope, encourage (3870) your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
1 Timothy 4:13 - Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation (3874) and teaching (LSB).
There are in excess of 80 verses where these Greek words appear that support this Theme.
Kingdom Action 30.1 [KA30.1] - ‘Let the Holy Spirit empower us for service'
We know, as believers, that the Holy Spirit indwells each one of us and gives us gifts to help us minister to others.
1 Corinthians 12:27-28 - Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.
There are two Greek words that we have considered in the context of this sub-Theme - pneuma ((Strongs’ 4151) meaning spirit) and pneumatikos ((Strong’s 4152) meaning spiritual). Relevant verses for this topic include the following:
Acts 9:31 - Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened (Strong’s 3618). Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged (3874) by the Holy Spirit (4151), it increased in numbers.
Acts 20:28 - Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit (4151) has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
Romans 7:6 - But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit (4151), and not in the old way of the written code.
Galatians 3:5 - So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit (4151) and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?
Ephesians 3:16 - I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit (4151) in your inner being.
Colossians 1:9 - For this reason also, since the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the full knowledge of His will in all spiritual (4152) wisdom and understanding (LSB).
2 Timothy 1:7 - For the Spirit (4151) God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Kingdom Action 30.2 [KA30.2] - ‘Know that the Holy Spirit distributes gifts as he determines (not as we might wish)’
The relevant part of the New Testament for this sub-Theme is in 1 Corinthians Chapter 12 and two particular passages:
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. And there are varieties of workings, but the same God who works everything in everyone. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for what is profitable. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to someone else faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the workings of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to someone else various kinds of tongues, and to another the translation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills (LSB).
1 Corinthians 12:29-30 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all translate (LSB)?
In addition we have the following scripture:
Hebrews 2:4 - God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
So we need to understand that the distribution of the gifts are for the God the Father / Holy Spirit to determine and are not something that we can purchase (e.g., pay for training in - see Acts 8:19-20), develop, or practise - although we are encouraged to seek them.
Kingdom Action 30.3 [KA30.3] - 'Use the spiritual gifts out of love for one another’
In this sub-Theme we move from 1 Corinthians Chapter 12 to Chapter 13 and again there are two specific scripture passages that are of particular relevance:
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing (LSB).
1 Corinthians 13:8-13 Love never fails, but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child. When I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now abide faith, hope, love—these three; but the greatest of these is love (LSB).
Kingdom Action 30.4 [KA30.4] - 'Obey scriptural instructions about how the gifts should be applied (e.g. in worship)’
The focus of this Theme is concentrated in the 14th Chapter of 1 Corinthians. In the NIV, verses 1 to 25 are headed ‘Intelligibility in worship’ and verses 26-39 are headed ‘Good order in worship’. Some specific verses are set out in the subsections below, but scriptures we should also consider here include:
1 Corinthians 14:1-2 - Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 14:20-25 - Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. In the Law it is written: “With other tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”
Other verses in this Chapter that we might look at include 13 to 18, but in truth we should read, consider, and try to ensure that we are observing and practising all of the directions that are presented.
We have broken out six components that we consider sit under this sub-Theme as follows:
Don't speak in tongues unless someone else has the gift of interpretation (& only speak in an ordered way) - [KA30.4.1
If there is no interpreter, keep quiet in church and speak to ourselves and to God - [KA30.4.2]
Prophesy one by one to teach / exhort / strengthen / encourage / edify others in the faith - [KA30.4.3]
Prophesy only in accordance with our faith - [KA30.4.4]
Weigh up / consider carefully what others say - [KA30.4.5]
Ignore those who ignore these instructions - [KA30.4.6].
Each one is described through the limited number of scriptures below, noting that we are now looking at the most detailed level in our structure. As we suggested above, we ought to compare these instructions against the practices we might see in the fellowships we are part of - to discern whether the behaviours in worship are consistent with this teaching:
Kingdom Action 30.4.1 [KA30.4.1] - Don't speak in tongues unless someone else has the gift of interpretation (& only speak in an ordered way)
1 Corinthians 14:27 - If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.
Kingdom Action 30.4.2 [KA30.4.2] - If there is no interpreter, keep quiet in church and speak to ourselves and to God
1 Corinthians 14:28 - If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.
Kingdom Action 30.4.3 [KA30.4.3] - Prophesy one by one to teach / exhort / strengthen / encourage / edify others in the faith
1 Corinthians 14:29-33 - Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
Kingdom Action 30.4.4 [KA30.4.4] - Prophesy only in accordance with our faith
Romans 12:6-8 - We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Kingdom Action 30.4.5 [KA30.4.5] - Weigh up / consider carefully what others say
1 Corinthians 14:29 - Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
Kingdom Action 30.4.6 [KA30.4.6] - Ignore those who ignore these instructions
1 Corinthians 14:38 - But if anyone ignores this, he will be ignored (HCSB).
Kingdom Action 30.5 [KA30.5] - 'Seek the greater gifts’
There are three scriptures that we have identified that set out this encouragement:
1 Cor 12:31 - But you earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I will yet show you a more excellent way (LSB).
1Cor. 14:1 - Pursue love, yet earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy (LSB).
1Cor. 14:39 - Therefore, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner (LSB).
Kingdom Action 30.6 [KA30.6] - 'Recognise that prophecy tongues / knowledge will pass away’
There is one scripture that addresses this sub-Theme. Whether this scripture has come to pass (as some argue) or still remains to be put into effect (as some others argue) is a matter for each of us to consider with those we are travelling with on our walk of fellowship.
1 Corinthians 13:8 - Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
Summary
In this twenty second Faith Article, we have explored some of the Greek words (presented in Louw and Nida’s [2] and Mounce’s [3] reference materials) and particular scriptures that look at what it means to ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ - [KP7]. We have concentrated upon the details that collectively explain how we are to ‘Encourage / build up the church’ - [KA30]. Importantly, some of the detail we have presented reveals instructions from scripture that we need to reflect on - particularly in our churches and their worship contexts - and whether these teachings are being followed or ignored.
In the next article we will look at other facets of this Kingdom Practice, concentrating upon what we have called Kingdom Actions 31 [KA31] to Kingdom Action 33 [KA33].
Just as with many English words, Greek words can have more than one meaning and consequently when translated into Biblical texts can be used to convey several different sentiments. Which is used is dependent upon the context.
Ultimately, this analysis and these groupings are subjective, as will be the inclusion (or exclusion) of many verses within each Theme and sub-Theme. We should note that some verses have a much stronger relevance to the derived Themes than others.
During this analysis, the aim has been to restrict the number of Themes that can be associated with any specific Greek word to eight or less - as any more implies poor analysis technique and the wrong heading choice / naming process.
Any thoughts on this Article, the process being undertaken, and related constructive feedback are welcome.
Notes:
[1] - All previous Faith Articles focusing on the One Page New Testament can be found at this page: www.teachthemtoobey.co.uk/blog/
[2] - “Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, based upon Semantic Domains” Volumes 1 and 2 - Louw and Nida - Published by and © United Bible Societies - 1988
[3] - “Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words” - © William D Mounce, 2006 - Published by Zondervan
[4] - Unless otherwise stated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.TM used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.TM.
The Bible references presented are illustrative rather than aiming to be ‘proof texts’. They are examples only as there are, generally, many more we could look at. Please note that when looking at any Bible verse references, you should ideally consider more than one translation / respected version to get a more rounded view, and look at the wider context for each verse too. When Greek words are translated, Bible scholars do not always use the same English word every time it appears in the Greek. This is why it is useful to look at more than one Bible version.
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