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SPIRITUAL GIFTS
I have always been surprised at how some Christians interpret the scriptures to fit their doctrine, instead of the scriptures being their doctrine. As an example, I was once told by a Christian brother, who was very knowledgeable of the Bible, that the wine in the Bible that Jesus drank was non-alcoholic. This is a perfect example of someone looking at the Bible with a preconceived belief and then interpreting the scriptures to fit that belief.
I explained that the people of that time did not have refrigerators, ice boxes, BHA preservative or Welches grape juice. The only method of preservation they had was place the juice of the grape in a wine sac and add sugar and a little yeast. The fermentation process preserved the wine. The problem is not the alcohol in the wine but its abuse. “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the spirit.” (Eph 5:18) You can’t be drunk on Welches. He had been taught that if you got 10 feet from a wet wine cork you were in sin, so he had to interpret the wine that Jesus drank as non-alcoholic. You can see the problem with this faulty exegesis.
In the same fashion are those that claim the “Spiritual Gifts” passed away with the death of the last apostle. Where did they get that? It’s not in the Bible. Most will try to use 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 to give an excuse for their lack of faith or their particular church doctrine, explaining that when the New Testament canon was established the gifts were no longer needed, and passed away. As you read the text, you can see how it is far beyond any stretch in exegesis to come to that conclusion. “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” (1 Corinthians 13:10), does not refer to the Bible but the second coming of Christ. Whi is “perfect”, Christ himself. "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; "(Hebrews 5:9) The next verse in 1 Corinthians 13:12, speaks about seeing Jesus face to face. “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
First, let’s look at the “Gifts”. The greek word for gifts is “Charisma”, whose root word is “Charis”…the word for grace. This is why many call them “gifts of grace”. There are three different categories of these gifts are found in the epistles of: 1st Corinthians, Romans and Ephesians. These categories are: “Manifestation or Charismatic Gifts”, “Motivational or Operative gifts” and “Ministerial or Administrative gifts”.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
It is important to remember than the instruction that the Bible gives regarding the function and use of the “spiritual gifts” is given by Paul to the members of the body of Christ…the church. There purpose is also spelled out in the scriptures.
Ephesians 4:12-13
“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
In other words, the “spiritual gifts” were given to the members of the body of Christ to equip them in their mission to reach a world with His message of forgiveness, love and grace. To bring His light to a world in darkness.
As we get closer to the end times, can you think of any other time when we would need those gifts more than now? I am glad the Lord is “the same yesterday, today and forever”. (Hebrews 13:12) As a matter of fact God says he won’t take away the “spiritual gifts”.
Romans 11:29, “For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.”
Let’s look at these “spiritual gifts”. A manifestation gift is a temporary supernatural physical capability (there is an exception to this), given at a specific time ….and for a specific purpose.
The nine manifestation gifts are: the word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophesy (that is a forth-telling, not necessarily a fore-telling), discerning of spirits, tongues (speaking in a language unknown to the speaker…may or may not be an human language), and interpretation of tongues (if tongues is spoken in the congregation, it should be done only with interpretation …otherwise will not people think you are “mad”). 1 Corinthians 14:23, “If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in [those that are] unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
I know, what do I mean by a non-human language. 1 Corinthians 13:1,
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”
The gift of tongues is the biggest obstacle with some believers and non-believers. Everyone of these other manifestation gifts can be seen exhibited at some time in the Old Testament. But God wanted to do a “new thing”. (Isaiah 43:18-19)
He would take control of the most unruly portion of man’s being. After all, it was the power of the tongue in a lie that got us into this mess to begin with. James expounds on this in his whole 3rd Chapter.
“And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3 :6-8)
Now this “gift of tongues” is both a temporary supernatural capability which is given at a specific time…and for the purpose of edification of the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 14:27) “If any man speak in an [unknown] tongue, [let it be] by two, or at the most [by] three, and [that] by course; and let one interpret.” (1 Corinthians 14:22) “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying [serveth] not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.” So when tongues is used in the congregation it is for the purpose of prophesy (a forth-telling of the things of God) and edifies (lifts up) the Body of Christ. That is why there must be interpretation, otherwise no one knows what was said.
But tongues can also be a very private “prayer” language, that is just between you and God. This gift is not temporary but is permanent.
(1 Corinthians 14:2) “For he that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth [him]; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.”
Some call this “praying in the spirit” as the Spirit makes intercession for us, as describes in Romans 8:26.
Many have difficulties with the other manifestation gifts too, especially healing and miracles. They seem to forget that they might be perfect gifts but in very imperfect vessels. So, when people ask why are some people healed and some are not, they are forgetting that God does things for His purposes and His timing to His Glory. The only time we are going to know those answers are when we leave this world and are translated into the next.
God has always desired to work through the faith of those who follow Him. He doesn’t have too. After all He is God. But He does that for our benefit. He does it to help us grow up to become more like Jesus.
(2 Corinthians 3:18), “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
The next group of giftings are found in the letter to the Romans 12:6-8 and include: Prophecy, Ministry, Teaching, Exhortation, Giving, Leading and Showing Mercy (Compassion). These are the “Motivational or Operative Gifts” . Again remember Prophecy does not necessarily speak about a fore-telling but usually a forth-telling of the things of God. Unlike the Manifestation Gifts, these are permanent giftings. Where a person can flow in the Manifestation gifts as God places you with different people and circumstances, these other two areas of gifts are blended with your natural talents and abilities.
The last group, the “Ministerial or Administrative Gifts” is also called the five fold ministry: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher.
I hope some of this has been interesting, educational and answers some questions regarding this important part of the Biblical Christian experience.
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Posted by journeyman on 2008-07-09 22:17:40 | Rating: | Views: 61
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