|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
The apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Corinth and his letter was not only directed to the Corinthians but to all Spirit filled people : "That in everything ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 1:5-7.)
Paul emphasized the "gifts" or "manifestations" of the Holy Spirit: "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. " (1 Corinthians 12:1.) The gifts are enumerated: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits,tongues, and interpretation of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:8 10.) We should not be ignorant (unenlightened) about any of these gifts.
In 1 Corinthians, chapter 12, Paul likens the Church to a human body. He mentions the hands, the feet, the ears, the eyes, and explains the need for a complete possession of our component parts and faculties to produce the "body". Further in that chapter Paul refers to apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, healing, interpretation, etc. But we must realise that the "are" all apostles is not as originally intended in the Greek. The word "are" is in italics and changes the statement into a question.
Paul also warned the Church about all speaking in tongues together and gave the same warnings and directives about interpretation and prophecy.
Those who suggest that Spirit-filled people enjoy one or two gifts, but not all, are obviously in error. Do some who receive the Holy Spirit have tongues but not wisdom, prophecy but not knowledge? Not if we believe that we are "enriched in all utterance and all knowledge." That claim is but an excuse by those who claim wisdom but disdain tongues. Some modern pentecostals have claimed a "gifted" knowledge of each other rather than the spiritual knowledge of our Lord. The guessing game approach that some practise on the sick and needy in an endeavor to promote what is called the "gift of knowledge" is pathetic. This practice is not described in scripture and has no relationship with the true "gift".
We do not intend to identify the myriad of scriptures relating to the completeness and fullness of the Spirit filled. Those without the Holy Spirit, who do not speak in tongues, try to deceive those with the Holy Spirit into believing that some people receive one gift and some another.
It seems bad luck for those who speak in tongues but have been overlooked in the knowledge or wisdom areas! In this passage of scripture Corinthians 12) the division of these gifts is not between one member and another but all members are available to be used when differing manifestations are necessary.
Much could be written about the gifts of the Holy Spirit and how they operate according to God's plan, just as He has set the members in the body (the Church) as it has pleased Him.
Must we have nine members present to exhibit nine gifts? If only three are present do each exhibit three to complete the nine. No! Even one member needs all the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. According to the word of God this happens when we are " ... enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge ... so that ye come behind (fail) in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 1:5,7.)