Intending to provide a scholarly, yet practical study on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, Spiritual
Gifts: A Fresh Look is an insightful resource for Pentecostal leaders interested in understanding the purpose and function of spiritual gifts within the local church. Written by David Lim, who is currently the lead pastor at one of the largest Assemblies of God churches in Singapore and former Bible college instructor at Western Pentecostal Bible College in Canada, the book takes readers from a thorough examination of the biblical text to practical instructions on the use of spiritual gifts within the body of Christ. Maintaining a holistic perspective that includes both concise biblical commentary and pastoral concerns, Lim aims to encourage churches to start exercising the gifts so they can experience Spirit-empowered ministry and guide churches already operating in the gifts so they can flourish in the fulfilment of their mission. Emphasizing that the gifts were never designed to be optional for the church, but are essential to the church’s function, Lim frames his theology of spiritual gifts within a missions-oriented theology. Geared towards empowering the church to reach the community, the patterns of the primitive church are rediscovered with the hope of equipping believers to flow in their particular gift mix to build up the body of Christ, love their neighbours, and proclaim the gospel.
Divided into two parts, the first part of the book is a biblical commentary on the gifts of the Holy Spirit from the book of 1 Corinthians. Chapters one and two focus on 1 Corinthians 12 and examine the problems that arose in the Corinthian church in their use of spiritual gifts. Highlighting how the Corinthians used the gifts of the Spirit to promote spiritual superiority within their ranks, Lim underscores how the gifts are intended to build, empower, and shape the church in an interdependent and loving environment. Building on this discussion, chapter three reviews 1 Corinthians 13 and reveals how love is the indispensable quality needed for the proper operation of the gifts. Concentrating on 1 Corinthians 14, chapter four explains the differences between the gifts, the value of the gifts, and the proper order of the gifts during the worship service. Concluding part one, chapter five harmonizes Paul’s teaching on the gifts from 1 Corinthians 12-14, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4 and reveals the interconnectedness of Paul’s theology regarding the operation of the gifts within the body of Christ.
The second part of the book is a summary of three sermons that analyze the practical functioning of the gifts within the contemporary church. Chapter six asserts that the expression of the gifts must not merely be an occasional incident, but should be an ongoing experience that is established on a lifestyle of worship and ministry. Emphasizing the prophethood of all believers, chapter seven reveals how to minister in the utterance gifts or “anointed speech gifts” and offers guidelines for their proper usage in a public service (246). Focussing on the Paul’s message to the Ephesians, chapter eight explains how worship empowers believers for mission and is a medium for gift ministry. The book concludes with a helpful discussion on the theology of healing, providing solid biblical basis for the claim that healing is in the atonement of Christ.