| I Corinthians 12
The Spiritual Gifts: Individual And As A
Body
As you look around today, the world is getting
darker and darker. I wonder what the future holds for America?
In Hawaii the normal definition of the heterosexual family
is being turned upside down. The legal rights of the family
and Judeo-Christian ethic may soon be a thing of the past.
What lies ahead for the Christian Churches of America? Today
born-again Christians, as well as any Christians who believe
the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and those who believe
in an actual 2nd coming of Jesus Christ, are all labelled
as religious fanatics by the media and society in general.
i.e. To be a valid Christian is to be labelled as a fanatic!
The closer relationship you have with God, the more you're
looked down upon in this society. Don't take the label of
religious fanatic lightly today, especially after Waco
and the Branch Dividian fiasco, or Jim Jones and his cool-aid
mass suicide. To have sincere believers in God and Jesus Christ
thrown in with those genuine religious fanatics could have
serious implications for us all, especially where the media
and current government policies and attitudes are concerned.
Paul gave a warning about the end times, which he believed
were coming in his day. But Jesus inspired the warning through
Paul, and it is for our day now, found in II Thessalonians
2:1-12. The condition of the Christian Church in America (collective)
is pretty bad right now. Sixty percent of Christian fellowships
don't even believe Jesus is God, God the Son! [If you are
not sure on that point, turn to the link on Romans 1-8 and
read "Introduction to Romans."] Darkness is increasing in
our country, and the blame is on the Church. The gifts of
the Holy Spirit operating in the Christian Church are intended
to restrain evil in our country. These are very special and
important gifts, and we will be going into them in detail,
showing exactly what the Bible has to say about them. Jesus
says in Matthew 5:13, "You are the salt of the earth. But
if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty
again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown
out and trampled by men." Salt is a purifying element. It
used to be used to preserve meat and fish. It prevented decay
and decomposition of these foods. God says through Zechariah
in Zechariah 4:6, "'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,'
says the Lord of hosts." The Christian Church in America has
forgotten about the Spirit and the spiritual gifts, and thus
the restraining power it gives to stop evil in America has
left us. Paul admonishes us in II Timothy 1:6-7, "For this
reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which
is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not
give us a spirit of timidity, but a Spirit of power, of love
and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about
our Lord..."
1 Corinthians 12-14 go through the spiritual gifts. In verse
1 of 1 Corinthians 12 the word "gifts" doesn't exist in the
original Greek manuscripts. The Greek word is actually "spirituals."
The word "gifts" was put in there by the translators to clarify
what the Greek meant by "spirituals". God wants us to have
a good handle on what his Word says so as to not be led astray
and in order that we properly experience the Christian experience.
There is a lot of emphasis on the spiritual gifts in the writings
of Paul and Peter. God wants us to have a good working knowledge
of the "spirituals" or spiritual gifts. There are three things
we can do with the spiritual gifts God does give us. We can
USE, ABUSE, or REFUSE them. There are some who use
God's spiritual gifts, some who abuse them, and some who refuse
them. Verse 1, "Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I
do not want you to be ignorant."
In verses 2-3 Paul is telling them that they've previously
been led to worship dumb idols, led by the flesh and demonic
influences. The word cursed in verse 3 is the Greek
word 'anathema'. He is saying that the Holy Spirit, or one
led by the Holy Spirit, is never going to say Jesus be
cursed, or Jesus is anathema. Why does Paul bring this
up? There were those who must have thought that when you open
yourself up to the Spirit and the workings of the Spirit,
you also open yourself up to demonic influence. In Luke 11:9-12
Jesus makes it very clear that if you ask for the Holy Spirit,
God is going to give it to you--and not something weird or
demonic. There is an exhortation to seek after the Spirit,
by Jesus himself. Luke 11:9-12. "'So I say to you: Ask and
it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and
the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives;
he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be
opened. Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish,
will give him a snake instead? Or if he asked for an egg,
will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil,
know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more
will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who
ask him!'" People in Pauls day were saying, just as some do
today, that if you're seeking the Spirit, you're going to
come under all kinds of demonic influence. Jesus didn't say
that, as you just read.
There is a difference between seeking after the Spirit, the
Holy Spirit of God, and seeking after emotionalism and an
emotional experience. Some people may be seeking the emotional
experience and they may not be receiving the Holy Spirit.
We must be careful for what we ask for, and what we really
are seeking for. In 1 John it says that we are to test the
spirits that be to see if they are of Christ. Use all the
Scriptures to test the spirits. Certain groups are going to
get weirder and weirder as we get close to the end of the
age. [An excellent companion study to this section on theme
of Christian groups getting weirder is Hank Hanegraaf's book
"Counterfeit REVIVAL", available on http://www.amazon.com
]
There is a difference between seeking the Holy Spirit of God
and seeking an emotional experience. When you ask for the
Holy Spirit, God knows in your heart what you are really asking
for, so be careful. In I Corinthians 2:9-12 Paul shows that
the Holy Spirit grants us a spiritual understanding of the
things of God--a spirit-plane level of understanding. Think
of it this way. A cow doesn't understand the things of a man,
like astronomy, algebra, languages, etc., because a cow does
not possess what the Bible calls the spirit of man, or
man's spirit, which grants the human brain a far superior
mental capability than the animals possess. In the same manner,
Paul brings out, the Holy Spirit grants those he dwells in
a God-level understanding and wisdom far superior to that
of ordinary man. Ordinary man possess the same lack of spiritual
God-plane intelligence that a cow lacks of human intelligence.
1 Corinthians 2:9-12. "However, as it is written: 'No eye
has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God
has prepared for those who love him [Isaiah 64:4]'but God
has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all
things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows
the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him.
In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the
Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world
but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what
God has freely given us."
Verses 2-3, "You know that when you were pagans, somehow
or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.
Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit
of God says, 'Jesus be cursed,' and no one can say, 'Jesus
is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit." [cf. 1 John 4:2-3.]
In the New Testament, the spiritual gifts appear in these
Scriptures: 1 Peter 4, Ephesians 4, Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians
12-14. In I Peter 4:10-11 "gifts" comes from the Greek word
charisma, a gift of grace. Thus in 1 Peter 4 the word
'Gift' is actually in the Greek. Peter says, "know your gift,
use your gift." In Romans 12:3-8 Paul uses the word "gift,"
charisma, here. Some call these the "motivational gifts."
Paul and Peter say we should use them to serve others in love.
Teaching is an analytical gift. Taking something apart and
explaining it to others so they can better understand it.
You may not realize you have a gift until you start using
it. Gifts are given to edify the body of Christ. Here in Ephesians
4 Paul seems to be talking about ministries. i.e. Our gift
may be that of a teacher, and God may give you a ministry
of being a preacher, or a religious writer. A person's overall
ministry may incorporate several gifts that a person has.
Let's read Ephesians 4. Ephesians 4:7-16. "But to each one
of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This
is why it says: 'When he ascended on high, he led captives
in his train and gave gifts to men. [Ps. 68:18]' (What does
'he ascended' mean except that he also descended to the lower,
earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended
higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets,
some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the
body of Christ may be built up [vs 13] until we all reach
unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God
and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness
of Christ. [Jesus appears to desire two kinds of unity in
his body, which I typed in bold. Unity in the faith,
faith being "a faith" a set of doctrinal beliefs, as taken
in context with verse 14; and unity in the knowledge of
the son of God, i.e. the gospel of Christ, the primary
knowledge of Salvation, which leads one to Salvation. This
verse 13 is an interesting one which may indicate that Jesus
eventually wants two kinds of unity in his body, doctrinal
and spiritual unity. These are my own thoughts on the subject.]
(Vs. 14) Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back
and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every
wind of teaching [k.Js.: doctrine] and by the cunning and
craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead,
speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up
into him who is Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole
body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament,
grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its
work." That is what appears to be the ministerial gifts, which
we are supposed to apply our spiritual gifts to. Although
the gift of being a teacher crosses over into both areas,
it being an analytical spiritual gift of being able to dissect
and properly divide the Word of truth, and also it can be
a ministry Christ assigns to us as well. Now back to 1 Corinthians
12:4-11, where Paul lists the manifestation gifts of
the Spirit (although Paul doesn't actually use the word "gift"
here in the Greek, but "spirituals"). These gifts are not
necessarily continual. God gives them to accomplish a certain
thing. The Old Testament lists powerful men of faith--but
these men didn't always have faith. When they did have powerful
faith--it was God manifesting His faith within them. Faith
is a manifestation gift of the Spirit.
Verses 4-11, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the
same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the
same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same
God works all of them in all men.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for
the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit
the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge
by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same
Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to
another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another
distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different
kinds of tongues [margin: Or languages, cf. Acts 2], and to
still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are
the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to
each one, just as he determines."
In verse 7 Paul says these gifts are gifts given for the benefit
of serving the Church and community--for the common good of
all--a corporate setting. The world desperately needs us to
understand, properly covet, and use these gifts. As brought
out in verses 1-3 don't be afraid of the workings of the Spirit.
These things of the Holy Spirit are not weird things. The
important thing is to know your gifts, and then use them to
the benefit of all around you--both within your Christian
fellowship, in the Church collectively, the body of Christ,
and within your community. That is a pretty tall order, but
God can enable you through these gifts! It is time for true
Christians to come alive and do the Work Jesus has set before
us!
The Gift of Wisdom
In verse 8 Paul lists the first gift, wisdom.
Wisdom is not intelligence, nor is it knowledge. Knowledge
in the pure physical sense, is the accumulation of facts.
Wisdom is the ability to properly use those facts. [My father
once knew a man at his company who had a photographic memory.
He had a vast physical knowledge or accumulation of facts.
He had whole parts catalogues of the company committed to
memory by just reading through them once. But he never went
far into management. He didn't possess the wisdom or
ability to use those facts he had stored in his head.] In
the Old Testament we see all kind of manifestations of the
Spirit of God. In 1 Kings 3:5-28 we see the manifestation
of the spiritual gift of wisdom bestowed on Solomon by God.
It is quite an account. "At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon
in a dream by night; and God said, 'Ask! What shall I give
you?' And Solomon said: 'You have shown great mercy to your
servant David my father, because he walked before you in truth,
in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with you; You
have continued this great kindness for him, and you have given
him a son to sit on his throne as it is this day. Now, O Lord
my God, you have made your servant king instead of my father
David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out
or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people
whom you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered
or counted. Therefore give to your servant an understanding
heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good
and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?'
And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this
thing. Then God said to him: 'Because you have asked this
thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have
asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your
enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern
justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see,
I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there
has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like
you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have
not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not
be anyone like you among the kings all your days. So if you
walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments,
as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.'
Then Solomon awoke; and indeed it had been a dream. And he
came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant
of the Lord, offered up burnt offerings, offered peace offerings,
and made a feast for all his servants.
Then two women who were harlots came to the king, and stood
before him. And one woman said, 'O my lord, this woman and
I dwell in the same house; and I gave birth while she was
in the house. Then it happened, the third day after I had
given birth. And we were together; there was no one with us
in the house, except the two of us in the house. And this
woman's son died in the night, because she lay on him. So
she arose in the middle of the night and took my son from
my side, while your maidservant slept, and laid him in her
bosom. And when I rose in the morning to nurse my son, there
he was, dead. But when I had examined him in the morning,
indeed, he was not my son whom I had borne.
Then the other woman said, 'No! But the living one is my son,
and the dead one is your son.' And the first woman said, 'No!
But the dead one is your son, and the living one is my son.'
Thus they spoke before the king. And the king said, 'The one
says 'This is my son, who lives, and your son is the dead
one'; and the other says, 'No! But your son is the dead one,
and my son is the living one.' Then the king said, 'Bring
me a sword.' So they brought a sword before the king. And
the king said, 'Divide the living child in two, and give half
to one, and half to the other.' Then the woman whose son was
living spoke to the king, for she yearned with compassion
for her son; and she said, 'O my lord, give her the living
child, and by no means kill him!' But the other said, 'Let
him be neither mine nor yours, but divide him.' So the king
answered and said, 'Give the first woman the living child,
and by no means kill him; she is his mother.' And all Israel
heard of the judgment which the king had rendered; and they
feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in
him to administer justice."
In Matthew 22 we see that Jesus had perfect wisdom. Three
times in the same day he used this Godly wisdom to defeat
the verbal traps set for him by two groups, the Pharisees
and the Sadducees. As Christian fellowships we need the
manifestation of wisdom. The word of wisdom would stop disputes
in their tracks. Satan wants to divide Christian fellowships--he
is the enemy of unity. The word of wisdom will stop Satan's
divisive attacks. Remember what God said in Zechariah,
'Not by power, nor by might, but by my Spirit saith the Lord.'
Let's look at the word of wisdom in action in Jesus. Matthew
22:15-22,23-33,41-46. "Then the Pharisees went out and laid
plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples
to him along with the Herodians. 'Teacher,' they said, 'we
know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way
of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by
men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us
then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar
or not?' But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, 'You
hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin
used for paying the tax.' They brought him a denarius, and
he asked them, 'Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?'
'Caesar's,' they replied. 'Then he said to them, 'Give to
Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.' when they
heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection,
came to him with a question. 'Teacher,' they said, 'Moses
told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother
must marry the widow and have children for him. Now there
were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died,
and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother.
The same things happened to the second and the third brother,
right on down to the seventh. Finally, the woman died. Now
then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven,
since all of them were married to her?'
Jesus replied, 'You are in error because you do not know the
Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people
will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be
like the angels in heaven. But about the resurrection of the
dead--have you not read what God said to you, 'I am the God
of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is
not the God of the dead but of the living.' When the crowds
heard this, they were astonished at his teaching...While the
Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 'What
do you think about the Christ [margin: Messiah]? Whose son
is he?' 'The son of David,' they replied. He said to them,
'How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls
him 'Lord'? For he says, 'The Lord said to my Lord: 'Sit at
my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet [Psalm
110:1].' If then David calls him 'Lord,' how can he be his
son?' No one could say a word in reply, and from that day
on no one dared to ask him any more questions."
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