THE TRUE & THE FALSE

Spiritual Gifts THE TRUE & THE FALSE

The Ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Life of the Christian for Service in the Church

No Christian should stand before his Savior, as his life is evaluated, not able to answer the question, “What did you do with what I gave you?” Every believer was given at least one spiritual gift at the moment they were saved and it is God’s expressed will that Christians use their gifts for the benefit of one another. “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God (1 Pet. 4:10). When the believer’s spiritual gift begins to function, “ ...the Holy Spirit is doing a particular service through the believer and using the believer to do it” (Chafer, vol. VI, Systematic Theology, 216). In this series, you will learn about the dynamics of spiritual gifts, how to discover your spiritual gift(s) and how it is to be used by God for the benefit of fellow believers as the love of Christ compels you. You will also learn why some spiritual gifts are no longer functioning in the church age in which we live.

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Shep's GiftBy Marilyn Gould, Special to The TimesThe Los Angeles Times, May 27, 2007EACH day Shep sits on his rug and waits for Ben to come home from school. As he waits, he tries to find something important to do.

Sometimes Shep goes to the fishbowl to watch Goldie swim in circles and guard her from leaving the bowl. But Goldie hates being stared at. She hides behind a shell. Shep goes back to his rug and waits.

Leaves fall from the maple trees. Shep scoots through the dog door and chases the leaves into a corner. Then the gardener comes and scolds, "Get away, Shep. That's my job." Shep goes back to his rug and waits.

Fluffy, the cat, naps on the sofa. With a yip-yip, Shep invites her to a game of Bark-n-Chase. Shep chases her around the room, but Fluffy doesn't like Bark-n-Chase. She spits and meows. Shep goes back to his rug and waits.

"What do other dogs do to be important?" Shep wonders.

Rex is a watch dog. He growls and frightens robbers away. Champ is a police K9. He rescues people. Rusty is a service dog for Charlie Rogers, who is in a wheelchair. Rusty does anything Charlie can't do for himself.

Even Fluffy is important. She keeps the house pest-free by chasing rodents and flies.

Everyone has a job — except Shep.

On Saturday Ben and Shep go fishing. Shep watches Ben cast his line and wait for a bite. After awhile Shep gets bored and decides to explore.

In the field, cows moo. What's important about that? Shep wonders. Then he sees theirudders filled with milk and he knows.

Bees buzz over Shep's head. Shep wants to play Bark-n-Chase with them, but they'recollecting nectar to make honey, and he knows that's important.

Shep sees two worms squirming through the dirt. Shep thinks it's a game until he realizes they are preparing the soil for corn seeds to grow.

Poor Shep. Nothing important to do … until suddenly he has a strange feeling. It isn't a

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sound. It isn't a smell. It's something inside of him that says: Something is wrong.His ears stand up. His eyes stare like two black bullets. He sees sheep in the distance, running toward a broken fence. They're going to get away. Shep has to stop them.He scoots under the fence — just like hescoots through the dog door at home. He circles around the sheep and herds them into the corner of the field — just like he corners the leaves at home.

Two sheep stray from the flock and, with a yip-yip, Shep chases them back — just like he chased Fluffy. Shep guards them from getting away — just like he guarded Goldie. Then he sees the farmer.

"Hey! Are you rounding up my sheep?" the farmer shouts. Shep expects to be scolded.

The farmer looks at the name on Shep's collar. "Shep. That's a good name for a sheepherder."

"Is Shep bothering you?" Ben asks as he walks up, holding a string of fish.

"No!" The farmer pats Shep's head. "He saved my sheep from getting away. He's asheepherder."

Ben is surprised. "I didn't know Shep could herd sheep." "It's a gift Shep was born with," the farmer explains.

"I wish I had a dog like Shep to herd my sheep into the barn on weekends."

Ben puts his hand to his chin and thinks. "Maybe Shep could help you on Saturdays while I fish?" he says.

"I'd like that." The farmer smiles.

"What do you think, Shep?" Ben asks. Shep wags his tail. Now he has an important job. He has a gift. He's a sheepherder.

On the ride home, Shep thinks: Maybe everyone is born with a gift. It's just a matter offinding it.

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The execution of your spiritual gift is not irksome - it will naturally surface as you are willing, trained in Bible Doctrine, and come into contact with sheep. {And sheep can be smelly!}

DEFINITIONA Spiritual Gift is a unique ability sovereignly given to each believer by the Holy Spirit at the time of salvation for “accomplishing some area of service for the edification of the body of Christ (Eph. 4:7-16)” (Cunningham) 1. Purpose of this study - to look at all of the Spiritual gifts listed in the New

Testament and to understand the purpose and function of each gift. 2. Objectives of this study - To enable each student to be able to understand,

for himself, the validity of the permanent gifts and the futility of attempting to use the temporary gifts in today’s church.

Introduction to Spiritual Gifts God bestows on every believer at the moment he is saved, at least one Spiritual gift. The attitude required to serve in a spiritual gift is that of a servant.Since each believer is a priest, he is to function in his priesthood as both a servant and ambassador. The believer’s Spiritual gift determines how he is to perform his priestly duties in the church.Every believer-priest is not on this earth to live for himself, but to live for others. Serving in your spiritual gift will be costly in this life but rewarding both here and hereafter in the eternal state

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

In order for believers to function in their Spiritual gifts, he must first be trained (equipped) by those God has given as teachers and communicators of the Word of God.

Ephesians 4:8, 11-15 Therefore it says, "WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN." And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for [purpose] the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the[1] unity of the faith, and of the [2] knowledge of the Son of God, to a [3] mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

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As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ

These three benefits of the training our communicators give us are all seen and put to use as our Spiritual gifts work together for the common good.

Introduction to Spiritual Gifts

1. Spirituality is an absolute; you are either spiritual or you’re not. - (Bottom circle)

2. Spiritual growth is what the Spirit of God produces in the life of the believer - we reflect Christ Gal. 5:22-23 Fruit of the Spirit

3. A believer is advancing spiritually, not because he’s “being good” (morality) but because the Holy Spirit is in control and leading the believer. (Romans 8:13-14).

4. Yielding to the Holy Spirit (being filled with the Holy Spirit) is accomplished by desire and confession - 1 John 1:9 (fellowship is the theme of the epistle)

5. Confession (acknowledgment, naming and citing of sin) is the single requirement of spirituality (the means of maintaining fellowship).

6. Dependence (walking by faith) is the requirement for the application of Bible Doctrine and advancing in the faith (Galatians 5:16-18, 25). This is permitting the work of God in our life and ensures the fulfillment of God’s plan for our life.

7. When a believer is filled with the Holy Spirit, his Spiritual Gift can function within the body (church) of Christ as it was intended to do - Eph. 5:18

8. Spiritual gifts are given to every believer the moment he believes in Christ - 1 Cor. 12:13; the Christian cannot choose his gift, but merely receives it as one of several benefits occurring at salvation (positional truth).

9. Spiritual gifts and spirituality are not the same (1 Cor. 1:10, 3:1-3)10.It’s important that each believer discover his Spiritual gift, develop his

skills in utilizing his gift efficiently, and then put the gift into action as God provides opportunities.

11.Spiritual gifts are designed to be used in the local church or in conjunction with the ministries of the local church; Evangelism, missionary work and similar forms of ministries that occur outside the church are designed to help expand and build the church worldwide.

12.Regular and consistent contact with others in the church body is required

(Eph. 4:16; Heb. 3;12-13, 10:24-25)13.Having the attitude of a servant is essential to discovery of our

spiritual gift (a willingness to do whatever the Lord wants you to do) 14.Learning and applying Bible Doctrine is required to be useful.

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15.Spiritual gifts have to be developed or “stirred up” – 2 Tim. 1:6 – preparation and active service – 1 Cor. 12:7, 14:26; 1 Peter 4:10

16.In order to discover our gifts, we first must know what gifts are given by God and how to recognize them.

17.Spiritual gifts are discovered through service in the church not some gifts “test.” The gift will come to the surface as you come into contact with others in the body of Christ (Remember Shep!)

18.You cannot lose you spiritual gift or have it taken away (Rom. 11:29)19.The day will come that the Lord Jesus Christ will ask each believer,

“What have you done with what I gave you?” (Eph. 4:7-16; 1 Cor. 12:7,11,18)

Christians are the Hands of GodDuring the Second World War, a church in Strasbourg was destroyed. After the bombing, the members of this particular church went to see what was left and found that the entire roof had fallen in, leaving a heap of rubble and broken glass. Much to their surprise, however, a statue of Christ with outstretched hands that had been carved centuries before by a great artist was still standing erect. It was virtually unharmed except that both hands had been sheered off by a falling beam. The people hurried to a sculptor in town and asked if he could replace the hands of the statue. He was willing, and he even offered to do it for nothing. The church officials met to consider the sculptor’s proposition - and decided not to accept his offer. Why? Because they felt that the statue without hands would be the greatest illustration possible that God’s work is done through His people.

Jesus Christ chooses human hands (gave gifts to men - Eph 4:8-14).

Sometimes they seem to be the most infirm hands, the least potentially successful hands, hands that have sinned, or the least qualified hands – but these and any hands He will use as the person learns Bible Doctrine and keeps the right mental attitude of willingness.

LAG TIME IN SPIRITUAL GIFT USAGE

PRINCIPLE: There is a lag time from the time we are saved to the time God reveals our spiritual gift to us. How long this is depends on two factors:

1. Our willingness to do whatever God wants us to do (Matthew 16:24-26)

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2. God’s timing – one or more spiritual gifts may be recognized as God needs to employ your gift(s).

Weeks -------- Years ------- Identify Spiritual Gift ----- Use It!

---------------------------------- God’s timing

LAG TIME SCALEFAITH AT SALVATION

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From http://www.archangelbibleministries.org – good study website!!

Charles Ryrie: “Gifts are discovered and developed by active service. If a person is active in doing what he or she can, then other doors of opportunity may open that may bring light to additional spiritual gifts. We remember Philip the evangelist (Acts 21:8). But he was first the one who ministered to the needy and bickering widows (Acts 6:5). Later the Lord gave him evangelistic opportunities (Acts 8:5 and 35). The same is true of Stephen. He first served the widows, then served as an evangelist” (The Holy Spirit, p.129)

SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND THE MODERN PENTECOSTALAND CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT

As we work together on this study, many doctrines will be seen to contradict the teachings of those in the Pentecostal and Charismatic churches. The practices of these churches will be seen as different from those we teach after a careful analysis of Scripture. The issues are not about personal opinion, equally acceptable interpretations of Scripture, or being divisive. The following from Professor Thomas R. Edgar explains the why:

Bibliotheca Sacra / October-December 1988

Referring to the charismatic movement Hollenweger states that "in the not too distant future there will be more Christians belonging to this type of Christianity than to the Anglican community. They will number almost as many as all other Protestants together." He feels that the numerical and perhaps the spiritual center of Christianity will shift to "Indigenous Non-white" or "Third World Pentecostal" churches. The validity of such a prevalent force is an issue that cannot be ignored.

The Essential Question: From God or Not from God?

As with any other doctrinal issue it is important to know the truth or the error of the "charismatic" position. This is not a purely doctrinal matter, since in the charismatic movement in all its various forms, such as Pentecostalism, neo-Pentecostalism, "power evangelism," and the "signs and wonders" movement, emphasis is placed on phenomena and subjective experiences. These experiences, which transcend doctrinal considerations and doctrinal boundaries, are the raison d'etre of the movement. They are not merely the daily outworking of one's doctrine as distinct from his doctrinal position, but are usually crisis events that allegedly go beyond

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normal, traditional Christian experience. These so-called "spiritual" experiences are either from God or not from God. There can be no neutral or partially true position. Either they are biblically true or they are false experiences. If they are biblically false then the issue is much more serious than merely another view of the Christian life, since the charismatic movement involves a spiritual experience that attempts to be in direct contact with supernatural forces. Whether the charismatics are correct can only be determined from the Scriptures and other relevant facts. By the very nature of the issue, the "gifts," such as tongues, healings, and signs and wonders, so prevalent in today's charismatic movement, are either from God or not from God. There can be no middle ground.

Evidence Contrary to the Validity of the Phenomena

Several factors give evidence that the phenomena of the charismatic movement are not the gifts and activities of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. On the other hand charismatic proponents have given no evidence, other than their assumption, that these are the same phenomena. That their numbers are growing, that the followers are enthusiastic, and that there are alleged miracles are not evidence that the phenomena are from the Holy Spirit, since all these occur in other religions. To argue that the New Testament gifts could occur today or that no verse rules out such a possibility is not enough; it must also be shown that the modern charismatic "gifts" are the same as in the New Testament. The proponents of the charismatic movement have been unsuccessful in proving either the first (the possibility of the gifts today) or the second (that these are the same phenomena). Are all phenomena automatically from the Holy Spirit simply because someone makes such an assertion, unless a verse can be found that directly states they are not? It is not enough merely to assert that charismatic phenomena are New Testament phenomena. There must be evidence that they are the same….

Conclusion. The "charismatic gifts" of today are not similar to the New Testament phenomena either in general perspective or in the details. There is no evidence to conclude that they are the same; there is every reason to conclude that they are not. The historical fact that the New Testament gifts ceased long ago and the fact that there is no historical link whatever between the charismatic phenomena and the New Testament gifts require the same conclusion. The only remaining possibility for giving credence to the modern charismatic claims would be to produce direct statements of Scripture that the apostolic phenomena will always be present in the church, or that they will specifically be in the modern church despite their cessation through most of church history. Even if this were produced, there must also be evidence that the charismatic phenomena are somehow the same phenomena referred to in the passages. However, there is no specific biblical evidence such as this. There is no biblical statement that requires a denial of historical fact or that requires an equation of such dissimilar entities merely on the assertion of the proponents. All objective evidence is contrary to the charismatic claims. It is not sufficient to assert that by faith their claims must be taken

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contrary to the evidence. This is existential naiveté, not faith. Faith is trust in biblical evidence rather than in experience.

END QUOTE

John 17:17 "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.NEW TESTAMENT PASSAGES

ON SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Romans 12:6-81 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-30

Ephesians 4:11ffI Peter 4:11

Temporary and permanent gifts.

1. The temporary gifts were those gifts given to the Church during the apostolic era (33-96AD).

2. These gifts were essential to the foundational era, Eph.2:20; Heb.2:3, 4.

3. They were done away with when the N.T. canon was completed, cf. 1Cor.13:8-10; Jam.1:23, 25.

4. The temporary gifts carried the Church until the Bible was completed. 5. The permanent gifts carry the Church until the Rapture.

The sign and "infancy" gifts.

1. Some temporary gifts were "sign" gifts (to substantiate, corroborate, and authenticate the message of the resurrection by those who saw it or knew someone who had eye witnessed it), Act.1:21,22; 2:32,43; 3:12-16; 5:12,15,16; 6:8; 8:57,13; 2 Cor.12:12; Heb.2:3,4. “What

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distinguishes the sign gifts from the nonsign gifts is their purpose to signal something (1 Cor. 14:22)” (Couch)

2. The "sign" gifts were not primarily for the Church, but for unbelievers,1 Cor.14:22 and were primarily related to God’s covenant program with Israel.

3. Some temporary gifts were "infancy" gifts, to nurture, protect and edify the Church before the completion of the New Testament canon, 1Cor.13:10.

4. Errors associated with these gifts.

Sign and infancy gifts are for the Church now, 1Cor.13:11 "When I became a man, I did away with childish things."

Sign gifts (healing, miracles, tongues) should be preferred, 1Cor.14:1,3-6.

All believers should or could have any particular gift, like "tongues", 1Cor.14:1,3-6.

A certain gift (like "tongues") indicates greater spirituality or a fullness (completeness) of spiritual experience.

Physical healing is “guaranteed” if one only has enough “faith.”

Romans 12:6-8 (NASB) 6 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; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 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 (NKJV) 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Prophecy: in this list the only gift that is not permanent throughout the church age

Ephesians 4:11 (NASB) And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,

Ephesians 4:11 (NKJV) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

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Evangelists and pastor-teacher: this completes the permanent spiritual gifts for the church age

1 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NASB) 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 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 12:8-10 (NKJV) 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

All the spiritual gifts listed in this passage are temporary and are not permanent throughout the church age (including in the days just before the rapture of the church)

1 Corinthians 12:28-30 (NASB) 28 And God has appointed in the church [does not say permanently], first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? 30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they?

1 Corinthians 12:28-30 (NKJV) 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? [The obvious answer is no to all the questions]

Teachers, helps, administration are the permanent gifts, the others are temporary

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TEMPORARY SPIRITUAL GIFTSREVELATION LEADERSHIPWord of wisdom ApostlesWord of knowledge Eph. 2:201 Cor. 13:8

Prophecy HEALINGEph. 2:20 Heb. 2:3-4 1 Cor. 13:8 Acts 2:43

Discerning of spirits FaithTongues Gifts of healing1 Cor. 13:8 Miracles

2 Cor. 12:12Interpretation of tongues Mark 16:15-20

Permanent Spiritual gifts

LEADERSHIP AUXILARYPastor-teacher HelpsEph. 4:11 Showing mercyGeneral leadership GivingRomans 12:8 AdministrationSPEAKING Service (ministry)Evangelism Eph. 4:11TeachingRomans 12:7Exhortation (encouragement)

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Romans 12:8

Passages that help explain the Temporary nature of certain spiritual gifts

Eph. 2:20 Rom. 15:18-20 2 Cor. 12:12Heb. 2:3-4 Mk. 16:15-20 1 Cor. 13:8-13

Ephesians 2:20 (NASB) having been built [past tense]on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,

Ephesians 2:20 (AMP) You are built [past tense]upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone.

The analogy of a building: the church – the body of Christ - is compared to a building

The foundation of the building: the gifts of apostles and prophets. These were necessary at the beginning of the church to build its foundation. But since the foundation is already laid, these gifts are no longer necessary today. To say they are active today is to imply that the foundation of the church is either still being built (thus no one is built on it) or the foundation was incomplete – in which case the church would fall over!

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Human instruments for the writing of Scripture: (Ryrie) “In the New Testament times prophets, apostles, and those closely associated with them were the chief human agents of receiving and communicating revelation (1 Cor. 14:1-6; Eph. 2:20)” (p.43)

Foundational gifts: the foundation must be complete before one starts to build a building. These gifts were foundational and not permanent in the post-apostolic church. There was a transitional time when the church was being built (church infancy) and the N. T. Scripture was being written. The historical book of Acts records the beginning of this activity of building.

Ephesians 2:21 (NASB) in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,

Hebrews 2:3-4 (NASB) 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.

Hebrews 2:3-4 (NKJV) 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

“confirmed to us (the readers) by those who heard (the apostles) – “God testifying (bearing witness) with them” (the apostles) – The miracles, wonders, and sign gifts were given to confirm the message of the Lord and the apostles at the foundation of the church to confirm they were giving out the Truth from God. God confirmed there status by signs, wonders, and miracles.

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2 Corinthians 12:12 (NASB) The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.

2 Corinthians 12:12 (NKJV) Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.

CHRIST

APOSTLES

WRITER

READERS SOURCE: Professor Manfred E. Kober, Faith Baptist College and Theological Seminary, Ankeny, Iowa 50021.

SIGNS AND WONDERS: validated and highlighted the message of an Apostle. In 1 Cor. 12:12 Paul confirmed the fact of his apostleship by pointing to his miracles as “the signs of a true apostle.” Romans 15:18-20 (NASB) 18 For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, 19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, so that I would not build on another man's foundation;

Romans 15:18-20 (NKJV) 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient-- 19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation,

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Once again, “mighty signs and wonders”: (miracles) a phrase used that authenticates apostolic ministry and message.

Mark 16:15-20 (NKJV) 15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new [new in terms of quality – new to the speaker, not new in time – a language never before spoken] tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

A sign gift points to the messenger and the message

19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

Once again, these five signs were intended for the apostolic age, before the Bible was written down and completed. Most of these signs are seen in the historical Book of Acts:

CAST OUT DEMONS: Acts 8:7; 16:18; 19:11-16NEW TONGUES (KNOW LANGUAGES): Acts 2:4-11; 10:46; 19:6 HANDLE (TAKE UP) SERPENTS: Acts 28:5DRINK ANYTHING DEADLY: without harmful effects – never recorded as happening as far as Scripture goes. However, the early church historian Eusebius says that Both John and Barnabas experienced this (?).LAY HANDS ON THE SICK AND THEY WILL RECOVER: (healing) Acts 3:7; 19:11; 28:8-9

The purpose of these things was, once again, the same as in Heb. 2:3-4 and 2 Cor. 12:12. The need for signs is gone today for we have the completed Scripture.Note carefully the text: if this meant that all who believe (v.17) were meant to do this, then “the first question we must ask is, ‘Have all Christians of all ages, right up to the present, been able to perform these five signs?’ Obviously a lot of believers – charismatic and non-charismatic – are sick. A lot of them are dying of cancer, kidney failure, heart disease, and other illnesses. A lot of Christians have died from snakebites and poisoning.

A common charismatic protest at this point is that the Christian is supposed to commit himself to the lordship of Christ and ask – even beg – for these wonderful gifts. Using the grammatical principle, we must ask, ‘Where does it say that in the text?’ The only condition the text mentions is ‘believe.’

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It does not say, ‘Believe extra hard.’ It does not say, ‘Submit, search, ask, or beg.’ Moreover, the context shows that ‘those who have believed’ (16:17) is an expression referring to all Christians, not just those on some higher spiritual plane….It quickly becomes apparent that these promises have not been fulfilled in the life of every Christian for all time. What, then, do they mean? Applying historical and synthetic principles, we see that these signs were true of one certain group – the apostolic community. And indeed, the apostles did do these things, as the book of Acts clearly reports in many places. All these wondrous signs (except the drinking of poison) can be scripturally verified as having happened during the apostolic era – but not thereafter. It is incorrect to assert that these signs should be norm for all believers today (2 Cor. 12:12; Heb. 2:2-4) (J. MacArthur, Charismatic Chaos, p.102)

Notice to that Mark did not say these would continue “to the end of the age” it says in Matthew 28:18-20.

Arnold Fructenbaum, Ariel Ministries. From “The Ministries of the Holy Spirit”:

The Transitory Nature of the Book of Acts...The Book of Acts is a transitory book; it marks a transition between the Dispensation of Law and the Dispensation of Grace and, with it, a dispensational change in the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Book of Acts also emphasizes the apostolic authority of Peter and Paul….

The Danger of Deriving Doctrine from Historical AccountsAnother very important point to make is that doctrine must not be developed from historical accounts but from clear, positive, directive statements made in Scripture. The danger of deriving theology from historical accounts is the misconception that, because something happened in a certain way at a certain point in time, it must always happen in the same way.

So because in some cases when a person was baptized by the Spirit he spoke in tongues in the Book of Acts, some have been teaching that only those who speak in tongues have been baptized by the Spirit. They teach that the only way to know whether one has been baptized by the Spirit is to speak in tongues. That is deriving doctrine from a historical account.

But 1 Corinthians gives the positive, directive, doctrinal statement. Paul clearly states that all do not speak in tongues, but all are baptized by the Spirit. This is a crucial thing to understand: one should not derive doctrine from historical accounts. Historical accounts can be used to illustrate doctrine, but they are not used to formulate doctrine. Doctrine must be derived from clear, positive statements in the Scriptures.

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The fallacy of deriving doctrine from historical accounts can be illustrated with the following: The Book of Exodus contains the account of how Moses led the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt. When they came to the Red Sea, it divided for the Jews, and they crossed on dry land to the other side. This is the historical account.

Would it be correct to teach the doctrine that every time Jews come to the Red Sea it will always divide for

them? Will that always happen? No, for it was a one-time event. Jews have come to the Red Sea many times since then, but it

never divided again. That was simply a historical event, and doctrine cannot be derived from it. But it can be used to illustrate doctrine. For example, it is a biblical doctrine that God is the keeper if Israel, and He will save and deliver Israel. The crossing of the Red Sea is an illustration of that doctrine and shows one of the ways God has kept and saved Israel. It is another biblical doctrine that God is omnipotent; He is all-powerful; he can do great things. The dividing of the Red Sea is an illustration of the doctrine of the omnipotence of God. The point is that doctrine must be derived from the clear statements of Scripture. Historical accounts can be used to illustrate doctrine. It is exceedingly dangerous to derive doctrine from historical events.

The same is true with the historical events in the Book of Acts. Because people have tried to derive doctrine from it, they often teach things contradicting the clear statements of Scripture; such as, the faulty conclusion that only some believers are baptized by the Spirit or that Spirit baptism always results in the speaking of tongues. If doctrinal sections of Scripture are studied, these sections contradict those very conclusions. For instance, 1 Corinthians 12:13 states that every believer, without exception, has been baptized by the Spirit. 1Corinthians 12:28-30 also states that all do not speak in tongues. Obviously, then, teaching which is derived from the historical accounts in the Book of Acts – that Spirit baptism always results in speaking in tongues and that only some believers have been baptized by the Spirit – is wrong.

Again, the Book of Acts is a historical book, which must be used to illustrate doctrine and not to formulate doctrine. For even during the history of the Book of Acts, the Holy Spirit did not come in any consistent way. In Acts 2, He came directly. In Acts 8, He came by the laying on of hands by Peter. In Acts 10, He came directly before they were baptized by water. In Acts 19, He came only after water baptism and by the laying on of hands by Paul.As an illustration of doctrine take for example Matthew 16:19. [This] is the doctrine that Peter was given the keys of the kingdom and was responsible for opening the doors of the Church to the three groups of humanity of that day: Jews, Gentiles, and Samaritans. The Book of Acts is the illustration of that doctrinal teaching; in Acts 2, Peter opened the door for the Jews; in Acts 8, for the Samaritans; in Acts 10, for the Gentiles. That is why Peter always

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Doctrine does not come from history

had to be present when all three groups were initiated into the Body of the Messiah. These three incidences illustrate the doctrinal teaching of Matthew 16:19.

END FRUCTENBAUM QUOTE (WWW.ARIEL.ORG)

2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

WILL BELIEVERS DO THE SAME AND GREATER WORKS THAN CHRIST'S MIRACLES AS JOHN 14:12 SEEMS TO SAY? John 14:12 (NASB) "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.

John 14:12 (NKJV) "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

Jesus' miracles were: a) Creation - turning water into wine

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b) Healing the lame, lepers, blind and deaf.

c) Casting out demons

d) Control of nature - stilling storms, walking on water, cursing the fig tree, multiplying loaves.

e) Raising the dead.

Question: Are there any documented cases of ordinary believers since 96AD doing the above miracles to the same degree as Jesus? No, never. No one comes close to Jesus' miracles. And do not get confused by the claims people make but are unverifiable. Christ’s miracles were all verifiable and seen by many! (We will talk more about miracles, demon casting, healing, etc. later). In John 14:12 Jesus referred to the total ministry of believers preaching the gospel after Pentecost.

The greater works applied initially to the apostles to whom Jesus was speaking. They were given power to perform special miracles as credentials of their office (Romans 15:18, 19; Hebrews 2:3-4). For example, Peter preached one sermon and 3000 people were saved in one day. This may have been more than were saved in Jesus' entire three year ministry. But certainly within the scope of their lifetimes many, many more came to receive eternal life than ever did as a result of the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ.

While Jesus' earthly ministry was confined to Palestine, the gospel in the church age would go to the ends of the earth. Their work continues down to today!

These are the greater works that believers would do.

Believer’s works are greater in scope of influence and in number, but not greater in quality.

In John 14:12, note the same phrase “who believes in Me.” Christ is speaking to the apostles and, as far as their miraculous power is concerned, it applied only to the apostolic age.

The miracles of Jesus – when closely studied – all were done to demonstrate who Jesus was: the creator God in human flesh. They also validated His message: He was the Truth and eternal life was to be given only by faith alone in Him alone.

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1 Corinthians 13:8-13

1 Cor.

written Temple destroyed Bible completed Rapture 56 AD 70 AD 96 AD EternityKnow in part Mature knowledge Prophesy in part v.10 v.9 Tongues cease Prophecies caused Full knowledge on their own to cease v.12 v.8 v.8

Face to face Knowledge caused v.12 to cease v.8 Love never ends v.8

Faith, Hope, Love Abides v.13

Chart idea from Dr. John Brumett

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (NASB) 8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. 12

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THE CHURCH AGE

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (NKJV) 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

“when the perfect comes, or when that which is perfect has come”: refers to the completion of Scripture.

Stage one – Partial knowledge (during the writing of the scriptures)Stage two – Mature knowledge (when the Word of God was complete)Stage three – Complete knowledge (when face-to-face with the Lord Jesus Christ – the rapture of the church)

Note what abides throughout the Church Age – “faith, hope” and “love”

Love (KJV charity) will continue throughout all eternity. Faith and hope will not.

“1 Cor 13:8-10 says that tongues will cease and that prophecy and knowledge will fade and disappear when 'that which is perfect' has come. What is meant by 'that which is perfect' in 1 Cor 13:10 (KJV)?

1) 1 Cor 13:8 says that tongues, prophecy and knowledge will cease. When will they cease?

2) 1 Cor 13:9-10 says that prophecy and knowledge will cease when “that which is perfect is come”.

3) In Greek, the words “that which” and “perfect” are in the neuter form. So, “that which is perfect” cannot be referring to Jesus as the words are not masculine.

4) When 1 Cor was written, the Bible was incomplete ... it was 'in part', and that is why prophecy and knowledge, in 1 Cor 13:9, were said to be 'in part'. When the Bible was completed, this special, revelatory prophecy and knowledge ceased because all the future prophecy and special knowledge, which God wanted us to have, was now contained in the Bible. The word 'perfect' can be translated 'complete' or 'finished' and these words describe our 'that which is perfect' Bible.

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[The inspired writers of the Bible were given futuristic prophecy and special knowledge. Futuristic prophecy, such as Revelation, was given to these men to foretell the things which God wanted to reveal to man. Supernatural knowledge was needed to explain things like redemption, Christian living, church guidelines etc. After these things were recorded in Scripture, this type of prophecy and knowledge ceased so Scripture cannot be added to today. Of course, through the Holy Spirit, we are encouraged to grow in Biblical knowledge and to prophecy, in the form of expounding the Bible, as in 1 Cor. 14:24-25.]” http://www.christianissues.biz/tongues.html

A LOOK AT THE TEMPORARY GIFTS1 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NASB) 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 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 12:8-10 (NKJV) 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

Companion Spiritual Gifts – these complement one another:“Word of Wisdom” - “Word of knowledge”

“Prophecy” – “Discerning of spirits”“Tongues” – “Interpretation of tongues”

Word of Wisdom – a special ability to receive and pass on to others a disclosure to God’s mysteries during the period when he was granting direct revelation to members of the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 13:2 also.

This is a direct revelation of wisdom (1 Cor. 2:6-12 – truth revealed by God)It is different from the “wisdom” available to all believers in James 1:5

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The wisdom that can be developed as it is given from God combines known principles of God's word and communicates them to various situations. The Holy Spirit guides the believer in fellowship into biblical wisdom.

Examples of this in function: Understands complex matters Makes decisions based on the doctrinal teaching of Scripture Takes details and puts them together to make a complete picture Seeks to know God's view in daily activities Assumes responsibility for tasks undertaken Identifies problems Negotiates acceptable course of action for self or others in difficult

situations. Recommends practical solutions that work

Word of knowledge – a special ability to grasp objective date that results from special revelation connected with the Word of wisdom revealed to and by the apostles to systematize and extend its implications to new situations. Simply put: inspired application of Scripture

All believers are to develop their knowledge of Scripture and to apply it to the situations in life for both themselves and others (2 Timothy 2:15). This is a God-given ability to arrange the facts of scripture, to categorize these into principles, and communicate them to the details of life.

Examples of this in function: Studies, digs for facts, details , and larger doctrines Persistent, consistent, thorough study Continually looking, searching for new (previously unlearned)

information or data in Scripture Enjoys going to Bible class Makes learning the Word the number one priority of their life

Faith – a special ability to believe God to the point that He would miraculously remove hindrances in the spread of the gospel. Related to the early communication of the gospel. It was the God given ability to see through mountainous problems to the ultimate resource with the vision to rely absolutely on both God's ability and willingness to perform in this particular matter.

Example of this gift is found in Acts 27:22-25

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All believers are to live by faith. Faith is a firm conviction of something. Faith rests in the promises and character of God.

Hebrews 11:1 (NASB) Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 (AMP) NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

George Muller defined faith this way:

Faith is the assurance that the things which God said in His Word are true; and that God will act according to what He has said in His Word. This assurance, this reliance on God’s Word, this confidence, is faith.

Examples of this in function: Tackles the seemingly impossible Places confidence and rest in God Remains determined in spite of difficulties Challenges others to do what needs to be done Leads out with new ideas Sees the big picture of what is possible

“Among the greatest monuments of what can be accomplished through simple faith in God are the great orphanages covering thirteen acres of ground on Ashley Downs, Bristol, England. When God put it into the heart of George Muller to build these orphanages, he had only two shillings (50 cents) in his pocket. Without making his wants known to any man, but to God alone, over a million, four hundred thousand pounds ($7,000,000) were sent to him for the building and maintaining of these orphan homes. When the writer first visited them, near the time of Mr. Muller's death, there were five immense buildings of solid granite, capable of accommodating two thousand orphans. In all the years since the first orphans arrived the Lord had sent food in due time, so that they had never missed a meal for want of food.” (J. Gilchrist Lawson www.wholesomewords.com)

Hebrews 11 is the “Faith Hall of Fame” that demonstrates the call to every believer to live their life by just such trust in God. Read it as soon as possible!

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Hebrews 11:6 (NASB) And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Healing - God healing in a unique and miraculous way to validate the message of the Apostles.

Acts 3:6-8 (NASB) 6 But Peter said, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!" 7 And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. 8 With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

Acts 3:6-8 (NKJV) 6 Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God.

This healing prepared the crowd for the gospel message….

Acts 3:12-15 (NASB) 12 But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, "Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? 13 "The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. 14 "But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses.

Acts 3:12-15 (NKJV) 12 So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate,

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when he was determined to let Him go. 14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.

William McRae, Dynamics of Spiritual Gifts (PP.69-70):

“The ability to heal diseases, any and all diseases, miraculously is possessed by the person with the gift of healings. The plural form of the word in the original text indicates the scope of the gift.

The nature of this gift is best determined by observing it in the life of our Lord. Note carefully the features that distinguished this as a spiritual gift. Healings by our Lord and the apostles in the first century were:

Instantaneous (Mark 1:42 Complete (Matt. 14:36 Permanent (Matt. 14:36) Of constitutional diseases (e.g., Leprosy, Mark 1:40), not psychological. In unbelievers who exercised no faith and did not even know who Jesus

was (John 9:25) Not for the purpose of relieving people from their suffering and

sickness. If this were so, it would have been cruel and immoral for our Lord to leave the cities, where the sick sought healing, for the solitude of the country (Luke 5:15-16)

Secondary to preaching the Word of God (Luke 9:6) Intended to confirm Him and the apostles as the messengers of God

and their message as the Word from God (John 3:2; Acts 2:22; Heb. 2:3-40 [see also John 20:30-31].

Always successful except in the one case where the disciple’s lack of faith was the cause (Matt. 17:20)

Even of the dead. The supreme demonstration of this gift was the raising of the dead (Mark 5:39-43; Luke 7:14; John 11:44; Acts 9:40)

If these are the earmarks of the gift of healing, many who claim to have this gift are quickly discredited”

END McRAE

Does this mean God does not heal today? Not at all! We ask and pray for healing but then simply submit to the sovereign will of our Lord. God can and does use both sickness and healing to contribute to His will to conform us to

His image and to be a witness for others.

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But this does mean that there are no “faith healers” who are legitimate and it does not matter what you see on TV or in so-called “healing crusades.”

Is it possible that a person is healed by such “faith healers” or in such events? Yes. But there are five possible explanations for what is seen:

The healing is a purposeful fraud (intentional human deception)The healing is psychosomatic (they think they are healed but are not)The person has been suffering from psychosomatically-induced symptomsThe healing is from Satan (he can heal diseases he causes)God healed in spite of the person or situation (this would not be expected because it leads people into deception and God never deceives).

NOTE: We will be looking more later at the “healing movement” in Charismatic and Pentecostal circles today.

Healings through gifted individuals ended a few years after the beginning of the church –

2 Cor. 12:7-10; 1 Tim 5:23; 2 Tim. 4:20; Phil. 2:25-27 - Paul was unable to heal himself or others toward the end of his life. (thorn in the flesh; Timothy’s stomach problems; Trophimus left sick at Miletus; Epaphroditus left sick; Paul was losing his eyesight. Paul’s last example of healing was in Acts 28:1-10 in an area where the message (the Gospel) was not yet authenticated. Miracles – this was a more comprehensive gift or general than that of the gifts of healings. Miracles means “works of power.” “A miracle is an extraordinary event wrought by God through human agency, an event that cannot be explained by natural forces” (J. MacArthur, p.106) Miracles are also called “signs and wonders.”

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This was the God given ability to cause supernatural events; this gift was never designed to entertain people or to prove the existence of God, but to draw attention to the message of the one performing the miracle. Since the message of the early Christians and Apostles was dramatically different from traditional Judaism, it was necessary to establish authority and credibility before the Jews to authenticate the new message for the church. This gift ended along with the gift of healing.

Examples of this gift in function: 2 Cor. 10:8, 12:12; Heb. 2:3-4 - Apostles had this gift Acts 5:9 -11 Peter knew this couple had lied to the Holy Spirit and they were struck down in deathActs 13:8-12 Elymas was struck blind = resulted in salvation of the people Acts 9:36-43 - Peter raised Dorcas from the dead = many believed Acts 20:6-12 Paul raised Eutychus from the dead = believers were encouraged Acts 28:3-6 - Paul was bitten by a poisonous viper. = witnesses refused to believe John 20:30-31 – Jesus performed miracles; they validated His person

THE NATURE OF MIRACLES IN THE BIBLEFrom Randell Price, The Stones Cry Out

“When people think of miracles related to the Bible, they usually think of the burning bush seen by Moses and the parting of the Red Sea.

These would be classified as ‘first-class’ miracles – that is, extraordinary events that manifest divine intervention in human or natural affairs. These should be kept separate from ‘second-class’ miracles, which represent the common grace of God given for the daily living of our lives.

HOW OFTEN DID MIRACLES HAPPEN IN THE BIBLE?

“The frequency with which first-class miracles appear in the Bible also needs to be understood. Many people have the notion that the Bible is a collection of fairy tales because they assume that the miraculous appears on

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every page. But when we look for miracles in the Bible we find they happen quite infrequently and only at certain designated periods of history. In fact, there are only four brief periods during which such activity occurred: 1) during the time of Moses and Joshua (1441-1370 B.C.) when God was establishing His nation; 2) during the time of Elijah and Elisha (870-785 B.C.) when God was establishing His prophets; 3) during the time of Daniel (605-538 B.C.) when God was establishing His people in exile; and 4) during the ministry of Jesus and His apostles (A.D. 28-90) when God was establishing His church.

In each of these times, miracles occurred during pivotal periods of historical transition and national establishment [always these are related to the nation of Israel]. Miracles were given as a necessary sign to inaugurate each new era, to authenticate God’s message and messengers, and to instruct those who observed the events. Given the thousands of years God has been dealing with man, it is surprising that he has been so restricted in His use of the miraculous. However, the sparsity of miracles is not meant to diminish the miraculous, but to emphasize that miracles have specific purposes. Many, if not most, of the miracles are seen in three of the four transitional periods were associated with judgments on Israel’s enemies (Egypt, idolatry, Babylon). Only during the fourth period, the time of Jesus and the apostles, were miracles primarily confirmatory” (pp.262-263).” (End Price)Prophecy [prophet] – a recipient of direct revelation from God with a forth telling and foretelling ministry.

In Isaiah and Jeremiah it is mentioned that a prophet must predict the future accurately if he is claiming his message is from God. If his message was not accurate (in accord with the Word of God) he was considered a false prophet and based on the Mosaic Law the penalty was to be death by stoning.

Prophecy, then, was a two purpose gift: to foretell the future and to forth tell the present; similar to the gift of teaching, this communication gift was temporary while the Bible was being written. A person with the gift of prophecy had a supernatural ability to proclaim the Word of God without having the benefit of scripture or previous study.

Examples of this gift in function: Acts 11:27-28 - Agabus Luke 4:17-28 – Jesus in His role as a prophetActs 13:1 - Barnabas, Symeon, Lucius, Manaen and Saul (Paul) Acts 21:9 - the four daughters of Philip 1 Cor.14: -Some members of the Corinthian church Acts 15:32 - Judas and Silas

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Prophecy stopped once the scripture was completely revealed to the Apostles and written (96 AD). - 1 Cor. 13:8-10; Rev. 21:18-19

Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (NKJV) 20 But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.' 21 And if you say in your heart, 'How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?'-- 22

when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.

PRINCIPLES ON THE GIFT OF PROPHECY

A prophet proclaimed an inspired revelation directly from GodA prophet’s ministry was not only forth telling but foretelling – predictive; Acts 11:27-28; Eph. 3:5A ministry of a prophet was foundational in the church (Eph. 2:20), but there are no prophets operating today

GOD REVELATION

ILLUMINATION

INSPIRATION

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The Church Age believer today needs illumination from the Word of God that is already inspired. Revelation is no longer needed since the cannon of Scripture is completed. Prophets today: Anyone claiming to day to give “prophecy,” or who says “The Lord said to me,” or who claims to have “a word from the Lord,” or any other such statements is in reality stating they are receiving new revelation from God. They are both deceived themselves and deceiving others! They are only bringing confusion to the church.

“Though charismatics deny that they are trying to add to Scripture, their views on prophetic utterance, gifts of prophecy, and revelation really do just that. As they add – however unwittingly – to God’s final revelation, they undermine the uniqueness and authority of the Bible. New revelation, dreams, and visions are considered as binding on the believer’s conscience as the book of Romans or the gospel of John…The Holy Spirit is working mightily in the church today, but not in the way most charismatics think. The Holy Spirit’s role is to empower us as we preach, teach, write, talk, witness, think, serve and live. He does lead us into God’s truth and direct us into God’s will for our lives. But He does it through God’s Word, never apart from it.” (MacArthur, p.64) What does this tell you about people who claim to have gone to heaven or hell and report back on things “the Lord said?” Compare 2 Cor. 12:1-5 with these modern people.Distinguishing of spirits: ability to distinguish and evaluate the prophetic message – to weigh and discern whether the message was from the Holy Spirit, the human spirit, or the hellish spirit (demons).

1 Corinthians 14:29 (NASB) Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment.

McRae: “In the early days of the church, such a gift was certainly imperative among believers. There was no New Testament to use as the canon or standard for judging doctrine. Direct revelation was coming through men with the gift of prophecy. Many imposters emerged, pretenders of inspiration. How could a church be sure when someone spoke ‘by the Holy Spirit,’ that the revelation was from God?” (p.73)

1 John 4:1 (NASB) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 John 4:1 (NKJV) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

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1 John 4:1 (AMP) Beloved, do not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 (NASB) 19 Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise prophetic utterances. 21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;

In the early church, before the written canon of Scripture, God spoke directly to the church through such prophetic utterances. But, since many pretenders (false prophets) were already on the scene, each utterance was to be examined carefully to see if it was from God. The test was the doctrine that they knew from the Old Testament, the teaching of the apostles to that point, and the Holy Spirit using people with the gift of the “distinguishing of spirits” to be able to reject false utterances and to hold on to “that which is good” – God’s Word.

Examples of this gift in function:

1 Tim. 1:20 - Paul was able to discern the motives of the two believers who were blaspheming God

Gal. 2:11-14 - and to discern the motive of Peter when he was hypocritical concerning Law and Grace

Examples of the loss of this Spiritual Gift by the Apostles:

Acts 18:18 - Paul’s inability to keep himself from offering sacrifices and taking the Nazarite vow to God. (A vow that applied only under the Law and not designed for the church - Paul cut his hair breaking the vow).

Acts 15:37-40 cp. 2 Tim. 4:11; Col. 4:10 - Paul disallowed Mark from going on a missionary journey with him because of Mark's past failures - Paul was not able to discern the true motivation of Mark.

Acts 5:1-11 - Peter was able to discern the true motives of Ananias and Saphira but yet contrast this with his failure to deal with the Gentiles/Judaizers (an indication he no longer had this gift).

Discerning Spirits was replaced by the completed Bible which gave the ability to discern to ALL believers who know the Word. Discernment today comes from the consistent learning of Bible Doctrine and then comparing teachings with the Word. As with any gift, discernment has to be developed so that it becomes keen judgment – discerning or recognizing truth from error.

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1 John 4:6 (NASB) We are from God; he who knows God listens to us [the apostles and their writings]; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Tongues and the interpretation of tongues: these two are complementary spiritual gifts. “Tongues” is a reference to human languages, not gibberish.

Tongues were a supernatural ability to communicate in a real human known language that somebody on earth spoke and that was previously unlearned by the speaker. Acts 2:7-11

The word meaning “to interpret” is used only in translating one real human language into another real human language This gift accompanied the gift of tongues so those of different languages would understand the message being spoken in the foreign tongue. Tongues was not to be practiced without someone with this gift present.

We will deal with this most controversial and misunderstood of all the spiritual gifts in a separate section of this study.

Apostles: a person with great authority to speak accurately about matters of faith and practice because he had intimate knowledge of the Lord and had received direct revelation.

Ephesians 2:20 (NASB) having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,

Ephesians 2:20 (NKJV) having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone,

Apostles, like prophets, were part of the foundation of the church and it cannot be laid again! They were a totally unique group of men who will have an eternal and special place of honor:

Revelation 21:14 (NASB) And the wall of the city had twelve

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foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Revelation 21:14 (NKJV) Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The apostles were eye witnesses to the resurrection (Acts 1:2; 1 Cor. 9:1, 15:8). The appearances of the Lord ceased with his ascension except for His personal appearances to Paul who frequently received direct revelation. “There is no trustworthy evidence that he has appeared to anyone since the close of the apostolic era” (MacArthur, p.123)

PERMANENT SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Pastor-teacher: the only two-part or dual gift in the New Testament.

Ephesians 4:11 (NASB) And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,

The Greek should be translated as “teaching-pastors” or “pastor-teachers”

“This expression was meant to signify the primary responsibility and purpose for the gift of “pastor” (or “shepherd” [Gk:  poimen]) to the Church.  And this most crucial purpose is to bring believers from immaturity to maturity through the mental transformation (Gk: metamorphoo — metamorphosis) process of ingesting and understanding the Word (Romans 12:2; cf. Ephesians 1:17, 18; 4:23, 24; 5:10, 17; Colossians 3:10), which is the only spiritual food that can produce spiritual growth within a believer to the saving of his soul (James 1:21)” (Arlen Chitwood).

The primary main goal of the pastor-teacher is found in this passage:

Colossians 1:28 (NASB) We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.

Colossians 1:28 (AMP) Him we preach and proclaim, warning and admonishing everyone and instructing

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everyone in all wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God), that we may present every person mature (full-grown, fully initiated, complete, and perfect) in Christ (the Anointed One).

2 Timothy 4:1-2 (NASB) 1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

2 Timothy 4:1-2 (NKJV) 1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. Everything else in a church must take a back seat for the pastor-teacher if he is to fulfill his biblical mandate to bring those under his care to spiritual maturity by the consistent teaching of the truths of Scripture (Bible Doctrine).

Titus 1:9-11 (NKJV) 9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. 10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.

On one side the pastor-teacher is to teach sound (healthy, correct) doctrine. This is feeding the sheep. On the other side he is to refute false doctrine. This is protecting the sheep.Acts 20:27-30 (NASB) 27 "For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. 28 "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 "I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30

and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Acts 20:27-30 (NKJV) 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock,

among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among

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yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. The “savage wolves” are false teachers who teach “perverse things” (doctrines deviating from the truth - distorted and corrupt doctrines that cause deception and destroy the spiritual life of the believers). These wolves would also be the ones who distort the correct doctrine of salvation by faith alone in Christ alone.

Teaching Teaching is the God given ability to lay down in systematic order the complete ladder of a doctrine and to apply it incisively and diligently to life

Examples of this gift in function:

Employs a logical, systematic approach to the Word of God

Feels people need to respond once they know the doctrine

Evaluates matters clearly and concisely Summarizes information easily Picks out main points quickly in a presentation Studies cautiously and diligently Gives attention to details Prefers groups to one on one settings

Exhortation

Exhortation is the God given ability to draw alongside of someone in order to comfort, to encourage, to rebuke, and to lead into insight by the correct use of the Word of God. This gift compliments the work of a pastor-teacher and teacher.

Examples of this gift in function:

Can apply the Scriptures to various situations in a person’s life Makes time to be available to assist others Sticks with people through thick and thin Sees creative options in accordance with the Word when facing

problems Can move people to action Enjoys people Understands the feelings and attitudes of others, but does not place

these above the Word Confronts without being offensive

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Works comfortably with group or one on one. Persists without becoming discouraged (though they may have ups

and downs!) Shows deep concern for people who are going through difficulties but

does not encourage seeing themselves as victims or to wallow in self-pity

Can work with believers who are straying from the faith to urge and persuade (encourage) them to confess and then return to the plan of God by advancing in the faith

Hebrews 3:12-13 (NASB) 12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13

But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 3:12-13 (AMP) 12 [Therefore beware] brethren, take care, lest there be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving heart [which refuses to cleave to, trust in, and rely on Him], leading you to turn away and desert or stand aloof from the living God. 13 But instead warn (admonish, urge, and encourage) one another every day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [by the fraudulence, the stratagem, the trickery which the delusive glamor of his sin may play on him].

In Acts 4:36 Barnabas was called a “Son of Encouragement.” He can be seen doing this with Paul in Acts 9:27 and then John Mark in Acts 15:39.

Helps

The God given ability to see tasks and to do them for or with someone in order to lift external burdens from others. This person can serve faithfully “behind the scenes” to assist in the work of the Lord. This is the word translated “deacon” in the New Testament. With this gift a person enjoys assisting others in their tasks. Without the people with the gift of “helps” very little would get done in the local church!Examples of this gift in function:

Likes to be told clearly what to do Takes orders well Accepts responsibility to do routine tasks Sticks to a task until it is finished Appreciates recognition for work done but does not require it

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Considers any task important Joins in quickly to assist when needed Supports and responds to those in leadership Works with others more often than for others

McRae:“A person with this gift will loathe the

limelight but will be the backbone of an effective church. The host of unseen tasks that cause the ministry of the Word to be performed smoothly is effectively done by these persons. They prepare Sunday School materials for the teachers, care for the maintenance of the building and property, work in the tape ministry, do secretarial work, arrange transportation, set up chairs, assume responsibility for a radio program, provide nursery facilities, etc. How valuable are the men and women who do this kind of work joyfully and faithfully. It is a magnificent gift” (p.48).

Mercy

The God given ability to be sensitive or empathic to people who are in affliction or misery and to lift internal burdens with cheerfulness

“Mercy is undeserved aid. A believer with the gift of mercy has the capacity to do acts of mercy. These are acts directed toward the undeserving. It was mercy (undeserved aid) that blind Bartimaeus asked of our Lord” (McRae, p.53).

Examples of this gift in function:

Recognizes when people have needs Helps people whom others ignore or bother others (like the disabled,

those who are dirty, the aged, those struggling with life dominating issues like drugs and alcohol or criminals)

Finds it hard to say no when asked to help

Jumps in quickly to assist even if it takes more time and energy than can be afforded

Lays aside personal plans to do for others Relies heavily on intuitive feelings but not

the neglect of biblical insight Loves people regardless of their faults

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Looks for the best in people without doubting Acts as a peacemaker Avoids argument or controversy Conveys a contagious cheerfulness

George Muller, that we mentioned earlier, expressed this gift when he cared for thousands of orphan children for whom one else seemed to care.

Giving

The God given ability to make and to give things to the work of the Lord or other believers most liberally, consistently, and beyond all human expectations. This gift is not just for those with lots of money!

Examples of this gift in function:

Invests wisely Seeks to know the facts Is cheerful in their giving Uses resources to get the most out of them Often gives privately and never with show Evaluates the extent and worthiness of need Dislikes inefficiency or waste

While all believers are to give, this person approaches giving as a real opportunity to serve the Lord and others. They are not so much concerned about the total amount as they are giving according to their possessions – that is, if they can they give!The believers in Macedonia beautifully exemplify this attitude toward grace giving:

2 Corinthians 8:1-6 (NASB) 1 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2

that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, 4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, 5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.

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This gift is hard to distinguish from the commands given to each believer. For example:

2 Corinthians 9:7 (NASB) Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7 (AMP) Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving].

Perhaps a couple of true stories will help us understand:

“God began to expand one Christian man’s building business in a phenomenal way early in his career. As it mushroomed, he developed the conviction that his spiritual gift was giving. The more the business expanded, the more he gave. In the subdivisions he was developing, valuable prime property was sold to evangelical churches for one dollar. God alone knows what has been accomplished through his giving. Untold thousands of souls have been saved and blessed….

Years ago Dr. Henry Jessup, a faithful missionary in Syria, was seeking help for the Syrian Protestant College in Beirut. He was asked to call on a certain woman by a friend who said he believed that she would help him financially. Dr. Jessup was astounded to locate her residence on the top floor of a tenement house. Entering the door he found an elderly lady putting bristles in the wood backs of scrubbing brushes. Eagerly she listened to his story. Taking one of the two bags from a nail on the wall, she said, ‘This is the Lord’s treasury. I am able to lay by something for him, after I have met my needs. Whatever is in this bag today is for you.’ She counted out thirty-seven cents into his hands, as the tears rolled down his face, saying she was glad to be able to give it and that she was certain the Lord would bless its use. They knelt in prayer together” (McRae, p.51)

Ruling (leading, administration)

The God given ability to stand before people and to inspire followers by leading them aggressively but with care. This person can organize and administer a project or plan and bring it to a satisfactory conclusion with the help of others. This person can give vision and direction and achieve goals.

Examples of this gift in function:

Assumes responsibility for projects Develops efficient and effective plans

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Confronts people enthusiastically Gets a high level of productivity from others Delegates responsibilities easily Finds creative new approaches Organizes people and resources well Stays with a task until it is completed Accepts the role of leader willingly Expects each person to do his or her part

Nehemiah, in the Old Testament is a great example for us:

Nehemiah 2:11-18 (NASB) 11 So I came to Jerusalem and was there three days. 12 And I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. I did not tell anyone what my God was putting into my mind to do for Jerusalem and there was no animal with me except the animal on which I was riding. 13 So I went out at night by the Valley Gate in the direction of the Dragon's Well and on to the Refuse Gate, inspecting the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were consumed by fire. 14 Then I passed on to the Fountain Gate and the King's Pool, but there was no place for my mount to pass. 15 So I went up at night by the ravine and inspected the wall. Then I entered the Valley Gate again and returned. 16 The officials did not know where I had gone or what I had done; nor had I as yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials or the rest who did the work. 17 Then I said to them, "You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach." 18 I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the king's words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, "Let us arise and build." So they put their hands to the good work.

He saw the need, worked out a plan, showed others the need and then got others involved in the project. Nehemiah completed the building of the walls!

1 Peter 4:10-11

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

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JOHN 13:5-16“As Peter said in 1 Peter 4:10, minister to one another.” Each believer has something other believers need. We are not to withhold that supply. God designed the Church so that each member must rely on the others. Every child of God is a minister. In fact, we have a two-fold ministry. We are to minister to the unsaved as a servant of the Gospel – “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation” (1 Cor. 5:18). To these unbelievers we minister the message of salvation. To other believers, we minister to build up the faith they have in Christ.Romans 11:29 (NKJV) For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.Our gift determines our ministry. Our ministry is our life calling. That purpose is spiritual and has eternal results. When we give an account to the Lord for our life, He will not ask us how we think our fellow believers have done. He will ask us one question: “What have you done with what I gave you?” (Luke 19:15) (Gene Cunningham, Rivers of Living Water, p.45).

SPOTLIGHTINGThe difference between

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spiritual gifts and talents

There is a difference between a spiritual gift and a natural talent or a skill that has been learned. Unbelievers and believers alike have both natural talents with which they have been born and skills that have been learned through experience and education.

Charles Ryrie writes this:“Although it is true that all we have is from God (1 Corinthians 4;7), in a special way spiritual gifts are bestowed by the risen Christ and the Holy Spirit. I am frank to acknowledge that I do not always know what differences would be seen, for instance, between a naturally talented teacher, a teacher who has been well trained, and one who has been given the spiritual gift of teaching.

A spiritual gift is the ability, not the place or office of ministry, not the persons upon whom it is ministered, not the specialty of ministry.” Ryrie, The Holy Spirit, p.125

TALENTS, SKILLS AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS

NATURAL TALENTS LEARNED SKILLS SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Given by God through parents

Learned by us through education and / or experience

Given by the Spirit independent of parents, education, or experience

Given at birth Learned throughout one’s lifetime

Given at the moment of spiritual birth

To benefit people in general

To benefit people in general

To benefit the people who make up the church (except for evangelism which is for unbelievers)

Chart modified slightly from Ryrie, The Holy Spirit. p.125How can we determine the difference?

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Obviously, when you became a believer by faith alone in Christ alone through grace alone (!) you brought all your natural talents as well as your learned skills into your new spiritual life. Both of these abilities may be involved with your spiritual gift but they are not your spiritual gift.

The key to a spiritual gift is that it is (1) for the service to the Body of Christ, and (2) the means by which the Holy Spirit accomplishes His purposes in the lives of those to whom we minister.

As we have seen, as unbeliever may operate through talents and learned skills. But the Holy Spirit is not operating through them to accomplish His desires in the lives of others. Furthermore, a believer can be carnal, that is, be out of fellowship with the Holy Spirit and thus be unable to work in their spiritual gift.

The key difference, then, between talents and learned skills and the gifts of the Holy Spirit is found in the results produced in the lives of others who are open to the ministry of the Spirit in their lives. Only the Holy Spirit can produce spiritual transformation in the lives of believers (the mind renewed and doctrine applied - Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:23). One who has a talent and skill for helping others, for example, may help someone to “feel better” on the physical and emotional level, but there is no spiritual transformation involved and the church is not enhanced.

In another example, an unbeliever may have the natural ability and learned skill to teach, but there will be no spiritual growth that comes from the teacher to the student by the means of the Holy Spirit. The same teacher, now born-again and in fellowship with the Holy Spirit, teaches AND is teaching under the power of the Holy Spirit (or may be using the gift of exhortation) now has a spiritual impact on willing listeners. The first is information, the second is transformation. Transformation benefits the church.

In another example: both unbelievers and believers alike can have a talent for singing which they have learned how to improve upon through training and practice. However, a singer who is a believer in fellowship will have a spiritual impact on the listeners – perhaps evangelism is expressed and unbelievers are moved to faith in Christ; perhaps teaching is expressed as doctrine is taught through the song; perhaps it is exhortation, helps, or mercy that is received from the Spirit as a result.

GOT IT?

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his is the God given ability to speak a foreign language without prior language training. A person’s education or lack of education made no difference in the function of this gift. In order to evangelize unbelievers of different races, cultures and nations, the sign gift of tongues was given. - 1 Cor. 14:22. Luke 21:20-24 - Warning was given by Jesus to the Jews that their nation and Jerusalem would be destroyed by the Gentiles. • Tongues flourished among the Jews for forty years until the prophecy of

Christ was fulfilled and the nation of Israel destroyed. • This warning and eventual destruction was similar to that given by Isaiah to

the Northern Kingdom of Israel. - Isaiah 28:11

1 Cor. 14:21-22 - This is also the first indication of Tongues in the Bible, quoted by Paul and fulfilled at Pentecost as the final warning to Israel. • When the Jews failed to heed this warning as they failed to do under Isaiah,

Israel was once again destroyed in 70 AD. • The church (Gentiles) was given an equal share in the inheritance promised

to Abraham for the Jews - Eph. 3:1-9

1 Cor. 13:8-10 - With the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish nation, Tongues was no longer necessary and thus ceased (stopped) since the warning to Israel was ignored and the prophecy of its destruction was now fulfilled. • This also explains why tongues was only seen three times in the book of

Acts and explained in the book of 1 Corinthians all in relation to the Jews. It is not seen or discussed elsewhere in the Word of God or later than 56 AD when 1 Corinthians was written.

• The reason tongues was no longer seen or discussed is primarily because Paul’s writings are addressed to Gentiles and tongues was not an issue or practiced among the Gentiles except as a sign to Israel.

• Since the Jews had already been witnessed to by tongues, the Jews living in outlying areas were the only ones who remained to be warned. Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, oversaw this with the believers in Corinth who were giving testimony of the pending discipline of Israel and the joint-inheritance with the Gentiles.

Examples of this gift in function: Acts 2; cp. 10:44-46; 19:6 - At Pentecost the church received the gift to communicate the gospel in foreign languages

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1 Cor. 12-14) - In Corinth some members of the church spoke languages the rest of the congregation did not understand cp. Eph 3:1-9 - Tongues (languages) was also a sign to Israel that the Gentiles were now joint heirs in the promises to Abraham - (The Mystery Doctrine of the Church). 1 Cor. 14: 27-40 Biblical regulations for the use of the gift of Tongues: • Only two or three believers may speak in tongues as long as at least one

person interprets. - vs. 27 • No one is allowed to speak in tongues unless there’s an interpreter. - vs. 28 • No woman has the gift of tongues since she would not be permitted to

speak in church - vs. 34 - 35 • Speaking in tongues could not have been forbidden providing it was done

according to the above guidelines and as long as it was before the fall of Jerusalem and/or the completion of the canon of scripture - cp. 1 Cor. 13:8-10; - vs. 39

• The use of tongues must be done properly and in an orderly manner - vs. 40

Interpretation of Tongues - 1 Cor. 12:10 This gift accompanied the gift of tongues so those of different languages would understand the message being spoken in the foreign tongue. Tongues was not to be practiced without someone with this gift present. 1 Cor. 13:8-10 - When tongues ceased the gift of Interpretation of Tongues was no longer necessary and thus it ceased as well. Examples of this gift in function: 1 Cor. 14:26-28

SUMMARY AND APPLICATION • Knowing what your Spiritual gift is will come with Spiritual growth. • Functioning in your Spiritual gift does not require that you know what that

gift is; • We need to be led by the Spirit and filled by the Spirit to function properly

in our gift. • Spiritual growth will provide the believer with opportunities to function in

their gift. • Since God has actually created/called us into His family for this purpose, we

should not hesitate to desire we be used by God within our gift as soon as possible. - Eph. 2:10

• God gives us our Spiritual gift at salvation; therefore praying for a specific gift is unproductive and not necessary.

• God in his omniscience knows where we will and can function best according to His plan.

• No one gift is more important than another; therefore one shouldn't be looked on as being superior to another.

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• Christians are not designed to all have the same gifts, therefore those who would teach that we should all have the gift of tongues or healings or teaching, or something else do not understand 1 Cor. 12-14 and thus are teaching untrue things.

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