Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you. [1 Timothy 4:13-16 NASB]
Timothy's calling was to public ministry; the preaching and teaching of the word of God. Paul is using this letter to encourage Timothy in his task.
The Holy Spirit gave Timothy the gifts he needed to perform his ministry. Some misinterpret the scriptures that say that the gift "was bestowed on you." I have read and heard that the ordination ceremony with the laying on of hands bestowed Timothy's gift, and therefore bestows gifts on ordained preachers today. That is not the case.
It is the Holy Spirit who gives us spiritual gifts. Timothy's gift was bestowed by the Holy Spirit, who confirmed His work through prophetic utterance. The laying on of hands didn't confer the gift. It was a symbolic gesture acknowledging and confirming God's work.
I have heard references to Timothy's "ordination ceremony". It is a mistake to judge scriptures according to modern practices. We see an example of this practice in the book of Acts;
Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. [Acts 13:1-3 NASB]
This wasn't a formal ceremony, or an ordination. It was a gathering of godly men who blessed other godly men before sending them on their journey. It wasn't until later generations that the church became more organized and "religious".
Paul admonished Timothy to attend carefully to the work of the ministry, and not allow himself to be distracted from it.
He was also told to attend to himself, and to his teaching. He could not allow himself to be led astray, either in conduct or in doctrine. By persevering, he would be saved, and save others.
Of course, salvation comes from God alone, by grace, through faith. None of us have the power to save another. But God has chosen to partner with us to preach the word, to live as an example, and to lead people to the Lord. It is the power of Jesus' blood that saves, but God has given us the honor of working through us. That's why James could say;
My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. [James 5:19-20 NASB]
Not all of us are called to a public preaching ministry, but the principles here apply to you whatever your ministry may be, whether it be preaching, ushering, accounting, sound mixing, or whatever.
God gives gifts for the work of the ministry. If you neglect your gifts, they will lie dormant and unused. You can serve without the benefit of a spiritual gift, but it will make for poor and ineffective service. If you use your gifts, then God can use you to be a blessing.
Often when people hear of spiritual gifts, they think of the gifts of power;
But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 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 another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. [1 Corinthians 12:7-10 NASB]
It is my belief that all of these gifts are valid and current, and that God will use anyone who will faithfully use the gifts he has been given. But these are not the only spiritual gifts mentioned in the scriptures. Later in the same chapter, Paul says;
And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. [1 Corinthians 12:28 NASB]
And also;
Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. [Romans 12:6-8 NASB]
Your gift may be in administrative tasks like accounting or organizing, or helping, or giving, or praying for the sick, or whatever. The point is, whatever you are called to do, the Holy Spirit will give you the exact, perfect gifts you need to accomplish that work. Whether your gifts are accompanied by prophetic utterance and laying on of hands or not is not important. It is God who gives the gifts, not man.
Whatever your ministry, you need to look out for yourself. Paul said;
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; [Philippians 2:12 NASB]
It is God who saves by grace, through faith. But He wants to partner with you to preserve your salvation through godliness and devotion.
Lord, I thank you for Your salvation, for Your calling, and for Your gifts. Please give me the grace to walk in my calling, and to use my gifts according to Your will.
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