The Holy Spirit is Still Moving...

1 Corinthians 12:4–7

“There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit… varieties of service, but the same Lord… varieties of activities, but the same God… To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

The Holy Spirit is Still Moving...  at “rally points"...

What is the Church, a congregation of people or a church institution/bulding/denomination?

The Greek word is ekklesia. It means the gathered assembly, the congregation. But the English word church came into our language through a different line, through the Old English cyrice, and from the beginning it could mean the institutional church body or the sacred church building.

That is why Tyndale’s translation was so explosive. He translated ekklesia as congregation. Not institution. Not building. Not clergy system. Congregation. The gathered people of God.

But under King James, the translators were ordered to keep the old ecclesiastical words. The rule said, “The word Church not to be translated Congregation.” That was not an accident. James ruled over an established national church. He defended bishops with the phrase, “No Bishop, No King.” Baptism was to be administered by ordained ministers, under the order of the Church of England, in the parish church, at the official font, according to the Book of Common Prayer.

So this is not just a word study. This is a fight over what the church is. Is the church mainly an institution controlled by official clergy? Or is the church the Spirit-filled congregation, the gathered body of believers, where every member has a gift and every believer has a part to play?

(academic sources at the end of notes)

The point is simple: church is the gathered people of God, and every believer has a part to play. The gathering is not only a few gifted people on a platform while everyone else watches. The church is the body gathered, and the Spirit gives gifts to each believer for the others.

Key verses:

  • 1 Corinthians 12:4–7 — varieties of gifts, same Spirit; to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:26 — “When you come together, each one has…”
  • Romans 12:4–8 — many members, different gifts.
  • 1 Peter 4:10–11 — each has received a gift; use it to serve one another.
  • Ephesians 1:13–14 — when you believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.
  • Hebrews 10:24–25 — do not neglect gathering; stir one another up to love and good works.

The Holy Spirit is Still Moving... with a purpose…

To build faith and spread the gospel.

Key verses:

  • 1 Corinthians 12:4–7 — varieties of gifts, service, activities.
  • Romans 12:6–8 — gifts differ according to grace.
  • Ephesians 4:11–16 — gifts build up the body.
  • 1 Peter 4:10–11 — gifts are stewardship of God’s varied grace.
  • 1 Peter 4:10–11 — each has received a gift; use it to serve one another.

The Holy Spirit is Still Moving... in spiritual gifts…

To build faith and spread the gospel.

Key verses:

  • 1 Corinthians 12:4–7 — varieties of gifts, service, activities.
  • Romans 12:6–8 — gifts differ according to grace.
  • Ephesians 4:11–16 — gifts build up the body.
  • 1 Peter 4:10–11 — gifts are stewardship of God’s varied grace.
  • 1 Peter 4:10–11 — each has received a gift; use it to serve one another.

The 16 Spiritual Gifts

  1. Wisdom

Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:8
Meaning: An utterance of wisdom; Spirit-given wisdom for a moment, decision, or situation.
Supporting verses: James 1:5; Proverbs 4:7.

  1. Knowledge

Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:8
Meaning: An utterance of knowledge; Spirit-given insight that is more than normal study.
Supporting verses: 2 Timothy 2:15; Colossians 1:9–10.

  1. Faith

Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:9
Meaning: Not merely saving faith or normal Christian faith, but a supernatural gift of faith for risk, obedience, and trust.
Supporting verses: Hebrews 11:6; Matthew 17:20; Luke 17:5.

  1. Healings and miracles

Verses: 1 Corinthians 12:9–10; 1 Corinthians 12:28
Meaning: God still heals and works miracles, but the glory belongs to God, not the person.
Supporting verses: James 5:14–16; Acts 3:1–10.

  1. Prophecy

Verses: 1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Corinthians 14:1–5
Meaning: Speaking God’s word into a situation; may include preaching, Spirit-led application, dreams, visions, or future-telling under biblical testing.
Supporting verses: Joel 2:28–29; Acts 2:17–18; 1 Corinthians 14:29; 1 Thessalonians 5:20–21.

  1. Discernment of spirits

Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:10
Meaning: Spirit-given ability to discern spiritual realities, influences, or deception.
Supporting verses: 1 John 4:1; Acts 16:16–18; Hebrews 5:14.

  1. Tongues and interpretation of tongues

Verses: 1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Corinthians 14:26–28
Meaning: Tongues must be handled biblically, clearly, and in order; interpretation is required in the gathered church.
Supporting verses: Acts 2:1–13; 1 Corinthians 14:2, 13, 27–28, 39–40.

  1. Teaching and shepherding

Verses: Romans 12:7; Ephesians 4:11–12
Meaning: Teaching explains and applies truth; shepherding cares for, guards, and guides people.
Supporting verses: 1 Peter 5:1–4; Acts 20:28; James 3:1.

  1. Encouragement / exhortation

Verse: Romans 12:8
Meaning: Coming alongside someone to strengthen, call forward, motivate, and build up.
Supporting verses: Acts 4:36; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13.

  1. Leadership / administration

Verses: Romans 12:8; 1 Corinthians 12:28
Meaning: Not merely office work; the sermon describes it as steering the ship, guiding people through what God wants done.
Supporting verses: Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:4–5.

  1. Giving / generosity

Verse: Romans 12:8
Meaning: Not just tithing, but Spirit-empowered generosity that blesses people.
Supporting verses: 2 Corinthians 8–9; Acts 4:32–37.

  1. Serving

Verse: Romans 12:7
Meaning: Service is not “less supernatural” because it looks practical. Spirit-empowered serving is a manifestation of God’s grace.
Supporting verses: 1 Peter 4:10–11; Mark 10:45; Galatians 5:13.

  1. Mercy

Verse: Romans 12:8
Meaning: Cheerful mercy; Spirit-given forgiveness, compassion, and kindness toward people who need grace.
Supporting verses: Matthew 18:21–22; Ephesians 4:32; Luke 6:36.
Note: The sermon connects Jesus’ “seventy times seven” to Daniel’s seventy weeks as a call to forgive like Christ.

  1. Evangelism

Verse: Ephesians 4:11
Meaning: Every Christian is called to witness, but some are specially gifted as evangelists.
Supporting verses: Matthew 28:18–20; 1 Peter 3:15; Acts 21:8.

  1. Intercession

Verses: 1 Timothy 2:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Meaning: Every Christian prays, but intercessors carry prayer for others with unusual burden, authority, and power.
Supporting verses: Romans 8:26–27; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:12.

  1. Hospitality

Verses: Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9
Meaning: Welcoming the stranger as family.
Supporting verses: Hebrews 13:2; 3 John 5–8.
Application from sermon: The church already seems strong in hospitality and service; the challenge is to step into the fullness of all the gifts the same way.

The Holy Spirit is Still Moving... in your weakness…

Spiritual Gifts are not automatically natural ability. Scripture often shows the opposite: God takes weak, insecure, fearful, sinful, overlooked people and empowers them so that the glory belongs to Him.

Key verses:

  • 1 Corinthians 1:27 — God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 — His power is made perfect in weakness.
  • Zechariah 4:6 — not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit.
  • Ephesians 2:10 — we are created in Christ Jesus for good works prepared beforehand.

The Holy Spirit is Still Moving... in your heartbreak…

Hannah

Story: Hannah is barren, mocked, grieving, and desperate. She pours out her soul before the Lord. Eli thinks she is drunk, but God sees intercession. God answers, and Samuel is born.

Verses:

  • 1 Samuel 1:1–20 — Hannah prays in bitterness of soul; Eli thinks she is drunk; God gives Samuel.
  • 1 Samuel 1:15 — “I have poured out my soul before the LORD.”
  • Acts 2:13 — at Pentecost, people also mocked the Spirit’s work by saying they were full of new wine.
  • Romans 8:26–27 — the Spirit helps us in weakness and intercedes.
  • 1 Timothy 2:1 — prayers and intercessions are to be made.

The Holy Spirit is Still Moving... in your insecurity…

Story: Moses does not feel qualified to speak or lead. He tells God he is not eloquent. God says He will be with his mouth.

Verses:

  • Exodus 3:1–12 — God calls Moses at the burning bush.
  • Exodus 4:10–17 — Moses says he is slow of speech; God says, “I will be with your mouth.”
  • Acts 7:22–36 — Moses’ life and calling summarized.
  • 2 Corinthians 3:5 — our sufficiency is from God.

Application:
Man looks for confidence, charisma, and polish. God often chooses the insecure and then supplies what they lack.

The Holy Spirit is Still Moving... in the worst of sinners…

Story: Paul ravaged the church, persecuted Christians, and yet God used him to preach grace and mercy to the world.

Verses:

  • Acts 8:1–3 — Saul ravages the church.
  • Acts 9:1–22 — Saul meets Christ and is called.
  • 1 Timothy 1:12–16 — Paul calls himself the foremost of sinners.

Application:
The person who feels least merciful may be the one God empowers to show mercy, because God loves to display His grace through unlikely people.

The Holy Spirit is Still Moving... through the impulsive, ODD, ADHD

Story: Peter speaks too fast, steps out too soon, sinks in the water, promises loyalty, denies Christ, and still Jesus restores him as a shepherd.

Verses:

  • Matthew 14:28–31 — Peter walks on water, then sinks.
  • Matthew 16:16–23 — Peter confesses Christ, then rebukes Christ.
  • Luke 22:31–34, 54–62 — Peter denies Jesus.
  • John 21:15–19 — Jesus restores Peter: “Feed My sheep.”
  • Acts 2:14–41 — Peter preaches at Pentecost.
  • 1 Peter 5:1–4 — shepherd the flock of God.

Application:
Your regret does not automatically disqualify you. Sometimes the place of failure becomes the place of future ministry.

The Holy Spirit is Still Moving... moving in your fear…

Story: Gideon is afraid. He calls himself the least in the weakest clan. He asks for signs. But God uses him to deliver Israel.

Verses:

  • Judges 6:11–16 — Gideon says his clan is weakest and he is least.
  • Judges 6:36–40 — Gideon and the fleece.
  • Judges 7:1–22 — God reduces the army to 300.
  • Matthew 17:20 — faith like a mustard seed can move mountains.
  • 2 Timothy 1:7 — God has not given us a spirit of fear.

Application:
God does not need fearless people. He calls fearful people to trust Him with mustard-seed faith.

The Holy Spirit is Still Moving... in the places you are disqualified…

Story: Rahab and Mary.

Verses:

  • Joshua 2:1–21 — Rahab receives and protects the spies.
  • Joshua 6:22–25 — Rahab and her household are spared.
  • Hebrews 11:31 — by faith Rahab did not perish.

  • John 20:16 — Jesus says to her, “Mary.”
    She recognizes Him and says, “Rabboni!”

    John 20:17 — Jesus tells her, “Go to my brothers and say to them…”

    John 20:18 —
    “Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’…”

Application:
In Christ, the disqualification becomes the testimony. The person who feels too dirty to welcome others may be gifted by God in hospitality.

The Holy Spirit is Still Moving... when everyone else overlooks you…

Story: Israel first chooses Saul because he looks like a king. God chooses David because He sees the heart.

Verses:

  • 1 Samuel 9:2 — Saul is impressive in appearance.
  • 1 Samuel 16:1–13 — David is overlooked, but God looks at the heart.
  • 1 Samuel 13:14 — David is a man after God’s heart.

Application:
People may overlook you, but God sees the heart. The hidden place is often where God prepares the person He will later use.

Story: The woman with the issue of blood is isolated, unclean, and unseen. She presses through the crowd just to touch Jesus’ garment. Jesus says her faith has made her well.

Verses:

  • Mark 5:25–34 — the woman touches Jesus’ garment.
  • Matthew 9:20–22 — “Your faith has made you well.”
  • Luke 8:43–48 — Jesus calls her “daughter.”

Application:
If nobody sees you, press closer to Jesus. Faith reaches for Christ even when no one else notices.

The Holy Spirit is Still Moving... is moving with the willing…

Story: The boy is unnamed. He has little. But he is willing to give what he has, and Jesus multiplies it.

Verses:

  • John 6:1–14 — the boy with five barley loaves and two fish.
  • Matthew 14:13–21 — feeding the five thousand.

Application:
God does not ask first if you are impressive. He asks if you are willing.

So...here is your Biblical spiritual gifts test....where is God going to confound the wise by giving you a gift in the place you are weak?

 

Sources

Word “Church,” Ekklesia, and English Etymology

Bosworth, Joseph, and T. Northcote Toller. “Cyrice.” An Anglo-Saxon Dictionary Online. Accessed June 7, 2026. https://bosworthtoller.com/007213.

Oxford English Dictionary. “Church, n.¹ and adj.” Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Accessed June 7, 2026. https://www.oed.com/dictionary/church_n1.

Everitt, David. “Tyndale’s Translation and Theology.” Tyndale Society Journal 24. Accessed June 7, 2026. https://www.tyndale.org/journals/tsj24/everitt.html.

Daniell, David. William Tyndale: A Biography. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1994.

Daniell, David. The Bible in English: Its History and Influence. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2003.

Tyndale, “Congregation,” and the Reformation Debate

Tyndale, William. An Answer to Sir Thomas More’s Dialogue. Edited by Henry Walter. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1850.

“William Tyndale’s Concept of the Church.” Christian Study Library. Accessed June 7, 2026. https://www.christianstudylibrary.org/article/william-tyndales-concept-church.

Pineas, Rainer. The Thomas More / William Tyndale Polemic: A Selection. Early Modern Literary Studies, 2010. https://extra.shu.ac.uk/emls/moretyndale.pdf.

Campbell, W. E. Erasmus, Tyndale and More. London: Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1949.

King James Bible, “Church Not Congregation,” and Translation Rules

Pollard, Alfred W., ed. Records of the English Bible: The Documents Relating to the Translation and Publication of the Bible in English, 1525–1611. London: Oxford University Press, 1911.

Blumell, Lincoln H., and Jan J. Martin. “The King James Translation of the New Testament.” In New Testament History, Culture, and Society: A Background to the Texts of the New Testament, edited by Lincoln H. Blumell, 672–690. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2019.

Norton, David. The King James Bible: A Short History from Tyndale to Today. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011.

Campbell, Gordon. Bible: The Story of the King James Version, 1611–2011. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010.

McGrath, Alister E. In the Beginning: The Story of the King James Bible and How It Changed a Nation, a Language, and a Culture. New York: Doubleday, 2001.

Nicolson, Adam. God’s Secretaries: The Making of the King James Bible. New York: HarperCollins, 2003.

Bray, Gerald. Translating the Bible: From William Tyndale to King James. Oxford: Latimer Trust, 2010.

King James, Bishops, State Church, and Hampton Court

Barlow, William. The Summe and Substance of the Conference Which It Pleased His Excellent Majestie to Have with the Lords, Bishops, and Other of His Clergie at Hampton Court, January 14, 1603. London: John Windet for Matthew Law, 1604. Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A04434.0001.001.

Historic Royal Palaces. “Hampton Court Conference of 1604.” Accessed June 7, 2026. https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/history-and-stories/hampton-court-conference-of-1604/.

Collinson, Patrick. “The Jacobean Religious Settlement: The Hampton Court Conference.” In Before the English Civil War: Essays on Early Stuart Politics and Government, edited by Howard Tomlinson, 27–52. London: Macmillan, 1983.

James VI and I. The Trew Law of Free Monarchies: Or The Reciprock and Mvtvall Dvetie Betwixt a Free King and His Naturall Subjects. Edinburgh, 1598.

James VI and I. Basilikon Doron: Or His Maiesties Instructions to His Dearest Sonne, Henry the Prince. Edinburgh, 1599.

Croft, Pauline. King James. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003.

Baptism, Ordained Ministers, and Church of England Canons

Church of England. Constitutions and Canons Ecclesiastical. London, 1604. https://orthodoxanglican.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/1604-Canons.pdf.

Gatiss, Lee. “The Anglican Doctrine of Baptism.” Foundations 63 (2012). https://www.affinity.org.uk/foundations/issue-63/issue-63-article-4-the-anglican-doctrine-of-baptism/.

The Church of England. The Book of Common Prayer: King James, Anno 1604, Commonly Called the Hampton Court Book. London: William Pickering, 1844.

Proctor, Francis, and Walter Howard Frere. A New History of the Book of Common Prayer. London: Macmillan, 1951.

Anabaptists, Believer’s Baptism, and Drowning

Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. “Manz, Felix (ca. 1498–1527).” Accessed June 7, 2026. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Manz,_Felix_(ca._1498-1527).

Estep, William R. The Anabaptist Story: An Introduction to Sixteenth-Century Anabaptism. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1996.

Bender, Harold S. The Anabaptist Vision. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1944.

Verduin, Leonard. The Reformers and Their Stepchildren. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964.

van Braght, Thieleman J. The Bloody Theater; or, Martyrs Mirror of the Defenseless Christians. Translated by Joseph F. Sohm. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1950.