Daily Lesson for Sunday 2nd of August 2026

In 1 Corinthians 12:1, Paul introduces a new topic with the formula “now concerning.” Scholars discuss whether he is talking about “spiritual gifts” or “spiritual people” because the Greek phrase tōn pneumatikōn allows both interpretations. “Spiritual gifts” is preferable in light of 1 Corinthians 12:4, where Paul clearly refers to spiritual gifts. In 1 Corinthians 12:2-3, Paul points out that the Spirit’s first gift is the bold confession that Jesus is Lord. In New Testament times, to say that Jesus is Lord is to say that Caesar is not (Acts 17:7; also John 19:12,15). This was seen as sedition against the imperial power and, hence, was punishable by death.

Image © Lars Justinen at Goodsalt.com

Jesus and Paul emphasized that faith in God—even in the face of persecution and the threat of death—is a gift of the Spirit. Actually, faith is the most basic gift. Not surprisingly, faith is first on the list in 1 Corinthians 13:13. That faith is a spiritual gift is clear by Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 12:9. However, there are many other gifts. The fact that the Holy Spirit distributes the different types of gifts “to each one individually as He wills” (1 Corinthians 12:11, NKJV) proves that all of them are necessary.

The repetition of “varieties” emphasizes the multiplicity of gifts. What Paul names as “spiritual gifts” in 1 Corinthians 12:1 is developed in verses 4–6, through three different angles: “gifts” (charisma), “services” or “ministries” (diakonia), and “activities” (energēma). Although these words mean different things, it is important not to draw a fine distinction between them because of the parallelism of the passage. One should also notice that the spiritual gifts are designed to promote unity based on the triune character of God (see also Ephesians 4:8-11). While the Spirit grants gifts to believers, it is God who empowers them to serve Christ in the community of believers (1 Corinthians 12:5-6). Each believer is granted gifts individually (1 Corinthians 12:11), but they all are to benefit the community of believers as a whole.

<–Sabbath Monday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26c-06-varieties-of-gifts/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26c-06-varieties-of-gifts

Daily Lesson for Sabbath 1st of August 2026

Image © Pacific Press

Read for This Week’s Study

1 Corinthians 12:1-31, Ephesians 4:11-13, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, 1 Peter 4:8-11, 1 Corinthians 14:27, Amos 3:7.

Memory Text:

“Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy” (1 Corinthians 14:1, ESV).

Like a human body, the church is one but has many members, each with different roles, functions, and gifts. Practiced with love, these spiritual gifts promote a sense of unity that reflects the character of the triune God.

This week we will survey 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; 1 Corinthians 14:1-40 and its teaching on spiritual gifts. This section is part of a slightly larger unit, where Paul deals with the expected Christian behavior in religious settings (1 Corinthians 11:1-34; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; 1 Corinthians 14:1-40). Paul’s primary concern has to do with the problem of disorderly gatherings. His answer to this problem is that the church is a body whose parts have different functions that contribute to “the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12, NKJV). In short, God gave the church spiritual gifts in order to promote unity through diversity.

Certainly, Paul still has in mind the factionalism problem addressed in the first four chapters of 1 Corinthians, where the answer to the lack of agreement among church members is unity in Christ. Now, he develops that idea by presenting his understanding of the role of spiritual gifts. According to Paul, unity in Christ and the Spirit is the only means of avoiding schisms.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, August 8.

Sunday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26c-06-spiritual-gifts/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26c-06-spiritual-gifts

Join It Is Written Sabbath School host Eric Flickinger and this quarter’s author, Dr Adenilton Tavares de Aguiar, as they provide additional insights into this week’s Sabbath School lesson.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/5-all-glory-to-god-it-is-written-discussion-with-the-author/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=5-all-glory-to-god-it-is-written-discussion-with-the-author

View an in-depth discussion of Sin in the Church the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris.
Click on the image below to view the video:

With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

Inside Story for Friday 31st of July 2026

By Michael W. Campbell

Ovid Elbert Davis was born in Michigan on April 3, 1868. In 1902, he was inspired by Ellen White’s counsel to become a missionary, so he completed a ministerial course and accepted a call to work among the indigenous peoples of Alaska and then British Columbia.

On January 19, 1906, the General Conference voted to send Davis to British Guiana (Guiana), where the Adventist work recently had been started. He married Carrie Rosley in April, and the couple went to their new mission field the following month.

Davis distributed literature during his first two years in British Guiana. Then, in 1910, he reported organizing a new church 160 miles up the Barama River. It would become the Rio Paruime Mission. It was also in 1910 that Davis received a request from tribes deep in the interior that had never been visited by white men, asking to be taught the message of salvation.

These tribes had learned about the Adventist work by contact with indigenous people at the mission at Tapagruma Creek. There were reports that an old chief had been visited by a “shining being” who taught them about Creation, the entrance of sin, the story of the promised Redeemer, and Christ’s second coming. He also showed them how to worship on the seventh-day Sabbath and live a healthful life. He told him that a man with a black book would come and teach them more.

The journey took Davis two months. In one report, he stated that he had traveled 29 days by boat and an additional 10 days through dense forest.

Davis taught the Word of God to the forest tribes with his “black book” and reported the establishment of three mission bases among them. He noted that 187 people “took their stand to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” He built three church buildings and began to instruct the new believers “on the points of our faith.” He also taught them to sing a song in English, “There’s Not a Friend Like the Lowly Jesus.”

Davis returned for a second visit in 1911. He complained about a fever and heart problems just before departure. The last entry in his diary that he was able to write in his own handwriting was “Monday, July 17—The day was spent in further instruction and naming the people.” Naming people referenced the desire of new converts for a new name representative of their resolve to follow the Christian’s God and learn His ways.

This story was adapted from Michael Campbell’s biographical article in the online Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. We invite you to visit encyclopedia.adventist.org to enjoy more stories about Adventist missionaries. Read the rest of this story next week.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26c-05-inside-story-the-davis-indians-part-1/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26c-05-inside-story-the-davis-indians-part-1