Do unbelievers have spiritual gifts?

To answer your question: Unbelievers and believers alike have talents, but the Holy Spirit only energizes the talents of believers for his purposes. Ephesians 4:8 implies that he may even add new abilities as he deems necessary to extend and edify God's work today.

progress-index.com - Spiritual gifts. Do unbelievers have them? - The Progress-Index

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Staff Writer

The Progress-Index

Question: Do unbelievers have spiritual gifts?

- Misi Rose, Midlothian, Va.

Answer: Our use of the term "spiritual gifts" comes from the King James Version of 1 Corinthians 12-14, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4 where they are "grace gifts." Actually, the original Greek of 1 Corinthians omits the word "gifts." Some have supposed Paul was talking about spiritual people, but the context makes it clear that he was writing about special character qualities and physical abilities endowed by the Holy Spirit to believers upon their acceptance of Jesus as their Savior. The purpose of these gifts seems to have been threefold: (1) for an assurance of their own salvation, (2) for the propagation of the Christian gospel in the world, and (3) for building up their local assembly. Using these gifts to honor Christ would bring special satisfaction. First Corinthians 12:4-6 makes it clear that there were many such gifts, and Paul was not intending to list them all. Some of these were miraculous sign gifts, such as healing, or speaking and interpreting previously unknown languages. Others were the ability to serve others with hospitality, helps, or giving. Some gifts were meant to fulfill needs in their local churches by prophesying or teaching. Some took the form of church offices, such as pastor-teacher, evangelist, or administrator. Paul said these were given to all believers (1 Corinthians 12:1), and each person was responsible to know and use his gifts to honor Christ (1 Corinthians 14:12). No one could select his gifts because God gave them as he chose (1 Corinthians 12:18). Neither should anyone be jealous of another person's gifts. However, Paul made one exception in 1 Corinthians 13 where he wrote that everyone should seek to be motivated by selfless love demonstrated by service to others in imitation of Jesus. Now, some commentaries state that those gifts were only given in the first Christian century when missionary work was new. My personal belief is that gifts are still given today to every true believer, as 1 Corinthians 12:7 says, and that we are accountable to use them in Christ's service (2 Corinthians 5:10). To answer your question: Unbelievers and believers alike have talents, but the Holy Spirit only energizes the talents of believers for his purposes. Ephesians 4:8 implies that he may even add new abilities as he deems necessary to extend and edify God's work today. - Dr. Tom Lovorn is pastor of God's Storehouse Baptist Church in Richmond [www.godsstorehousebc.org], where these columns and his sermons are archived. His columns appear each Saturday in The Progress-Index. Questions may be submitted for Dr. Lovorn to The Progress-Index, 15 Franklin St., Petersburg, VA 23803.

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What fruit represents love?

The history of the strawberry dates back to Ancient Rome where the fruit was considered the symbol of Venus, the goddess of love, because of its bright red color and enticing taste.

grasmickproduce.com - STRAWBERRIES: THE FOOD OF LOVE AND ROMANCE

Valentine’s Day brings a sea of bright pink and red decorations, love-themed teddy bears and heart-shaped chocolate. But why are strawberries so often linked with romance? There’s plenty about strawberries that make them enticing, but let’s face it – they even look like little bright red hearts. Next to chocolate, strawberries are one of the most widely known aphrodisiacs. In fact, chocolate-covered strawberries were originally paired together because they’re two of the world’s most famous aphrodisiacs. Today chocolate-covered strawberries are a common Valentine’s Day treat, and are often found on buffet tables at weddings. The history of the strawberry dates back to Ancient Rome where the fruit was considered the symbol of Venus, the goddess of love, because of its bright red color and enticing taste. Later, the berry became a symbol of fertility due to its many exterior seeds. The fruit looks so alluring in fact, that strawberries were carved into church altars and cathedral pillars in medieval times to represent perfection. Legend has it that when two people split a strawberry, they’ll fall in love. Whether or not strawberries are truly the aphrodisiac they’re said to be, there’s no denying their appeal on the plate. Let us know if you need berries in this week’s order.

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