Spiritual Gifts, Part 5

 

Pastor Scott L. Harris

Grace Bible Church, NY

February 9, 2003

Spiritual Gifts, Part 5 - The Charismatic Gifts

1 Corinthians 12

For several weeks we have been examining Spiritual Gifts. We have covered those gifts listed in Romans 12 and similar gifts mentioned in other passages. This morning I want us to examine the "sign" gifts of 1 Corinthians 12. This passage is often misunderstood due to the strong influence of the Charismatic movement. Much of what people commonly understand about this passage is based in experience and not on what the text actually says. Our goal is to live according to what God actually says and not on what people say based on their experiences. Turn to 1 Corinthians 12.

Introduction to 1 Corinthians 12-14 (vs. 1-3)

Paul introduces the topic of Spiritual things in verse 1 in response to some question they had. "Now concerning spiritual [gifts], brethren, I do not want you to be unaware.

Paul is explaining to them about the pneumatikwn / pnumatikon - the spiritual things. The word "gifts" is not in the text, though the general idea of it is implied in the context. That is why your bible has "gifts" in italics. We might be better to just translate this as "spirituals" or "spiritual things" because as soon as we add "gifts" our thoughts tend to center on them and they are not in themselves the focus of Paul's discussion that starts here and continues on through chapter 14. His interest here is more on their being spiritual as opposed to being carnal. They have gifts that are spiritually given, so they should use them for spiritual purposes. They are part of a spiritual body, so they should live according to spiritual priorities.

The Corinthians were not ignorant concerning the spiritual gifts themselves, for in 1:7 Paul had already told them that they "were not lacking in any gift." Their ignorance was in the purpose of those gifts and how to use them.

In verse 2 & 3, Paul reminds them of their past in paganism and how they came to Christ. You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the dumb idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you, that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed"; and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit."

Why does Paul remind them of this? Because much of their problem in this area is similar to the problem they were having in other areas. They were dragging their old ideas and practices of paganism into the church. Notice how Paul puts it, "when you were pagans, you were led astray to the dumb idols, however you were led." The KJV puts it, "carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led." That pictures the pagan mystery religions’ practices. The worshipers would be carried away in the emotional hysteria of either the ecstatic state or the mystical experience of enthusiasm.

The pagan worship in Corinth gave great value to the state of ecstasy, and the person that entered it was held in high esteem as having achieved the ultimate in their religion. This condition was viewed as a supernatural, sensuous communion with a deity. Through frenzied hypnotic chants and ceremonies the worshipers experienced semiconscious euphoric feelings of oneness with the god or goddess. The ecstasy might take the form of either a trance or trance like state, or in the case of the worship of Aphrodite, unrestrained sexual orgies. To help a person achieve this state, various practices could be used including vigils & fastings, the contemplation of sacred objects, chanting and even drunkenness. Physical exertion in whirling dancing and such could also be used to help to produce the state of ecstasy.

Similar to ecstasy, and some times accompanying it, was a condition termed enthusiasm. The participant would become involved in divination, revelatory dreams and visions. Plato & Virgil record the scenes of these practices in which the people would be so caught up in emotional hysteria that they would begin shaking, fall down and babble in ecstatic speech. All these practices are still common in many pagan religions today.

Because these things appeared to be supernatural, even if bizarre to our minds, the practice had a strong attraction to people, and some of the Corinthians confused the miracles of the Holy Spirit with their pagan practices. Satan always seeks to mimic and soon many of these Corinthian Christians were bringing their pagan practices into the church. And as the next verse indicates, if a person was supposedly in one of these spiritual states, they even tolerated them saying things that are blasphemous.

Verses 3, "Therefore I make known to you, that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, 'Jesus is accursed'; and no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Spirit." Apparently there were those who were supposedly speaking by the spirit in whatever manner, but were in fact blaspheming the name of Christ. Incredible! They were doing that while supposedly under the control of the Holy Spirit. Paul says, "NO!" The Spirit will not allow such a thing. Paul is not saying someone cannot physically say "Jesus is Lord," unless the Holy Spirit is present. He is saying that the Spirit promotes Jesus and glorifies Him. Someone who is "in the Spirit" will also glorify Jesus. They will not be blaspheming Him.

Origin & Purpose of Spiritual Gifts (vs. 4-8)

Starting in verse 4, Paul turns his attention to the question of spiritual gifts themselves. In verses 4-8, Paul tells them where the gifts, ministries and effectiveness of those ministries come from. We have looked at these verses before, but they bear repeating before we get to specific gifts given as examples in verses 8-10.

Verse 4, "There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit." "Gifts" here is carismatwn / charismaton from which we get the word "charismatic." It means "gift of grace." The Holy Spirit is the same for all Christians, but He gives different gifts to different people. Every Christian is given a spiritual gift or gifts by which they are to serve the Lord. There are all sorts of spiritual gifts, as we have seen over the last month, but whatever gift it may be, it came by the Spirit.

Verse 5, "there are varieties of ministries, but the same Lord." The Lord is the same for all Christians, but He will use those different gifts in different Christians in a variety of ministries as He chooses. We have already seen this in the many gifts we have already studied. Ministries vary in the age group they are used in (children, youth, adults, elderly), the setting they are used (public, private), and in their particular expression.

Verse 6, "there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all." God is the same for all Christians, but the effectiveness of those different gifts used in different ministries will also be different - ACCORDING TO GOD. The gift and ministry will vary in how many people are affected by it. It could just be a few people at a Bible Study, or with more people at a church service, or it could be used regionally, nationally or even internationally.

The bottom line is that God has gifted every believer to serve Him, but the gift or gifts given, the ministry that the gift(s) are used in, and the effectiveness of the gift(s) are according to the Lord’s will, and not your own. The purpose of God giving these spiritual gifts and ministries to you is stated in verse 7. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. No gift is given for private usage. Every gift is meant to fit in as part of the whole body of Christ and help it. As Jerry Smith pointed out so well last week from Ephesians 4:12 & 16, all gifts are for the building up of the whole body. No gift is for private edification.

What are these "manifestations of the Spirit," these outward evidences of the Spirit’s presence? In Galatians 5 Paul tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is the evidence of the Spirit's presence in a person's life - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control. In this text, the evidence is the gift(s) given by the Spirit so that God’s children can serve Him and thereby benefit the whole body.

Which gift manifests the Holy Spirit in a person's life? The text here is clear that it is any gift. I will add that any so called "gift" that is not displayed along with the fruit of the Spirit cannot be considered evidence of the Holy Spirit's presence. Pentacostal doctrine on this issue is simply wrong. The gift of speaking in an unknown tongue is not the "manifestation of the Spirit" or of being "baptized in the Spirit." It is only one of many gifts that could be given.

Any gift used in any ministry with any effect is a manifestation of the Spirit, and its purpose is for the common good of the whole body. I cannot stress this enough. There are no insignificant gifts. There are no insignificant ministries. There are no insignificant people in the church. Every person, every gift, and every ministry is needed in order for the body to be healthy and carry out its God given purposes of worshiping God, caring for one another, building each other up and declaring the message of salvation from sin by God's grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Gifts

What are these gifts? We have already studied Romans 12:6-8 which mentions prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading and mercy. We have also looked at the gifts of preaching, speaking, helps and administration that are mentioned in other passages. Again, because of the mention of these various gifts are scattered around the Bible, I do not believe the Holy Spirit intended to give us an exhaustive list of all His gifts. The gifts mentioned are simply examples so that the point can be made that God has equipped us, and we are to serve Him. I hope that our study so far has helped you think through how God might use you in serving Him.

All spiritual gifts are supernaturally derived according to the will of the Spirit of God. A spiritual gift may use a natural talent, or it may function where there is not natural talent or skill, and a person with a natural skill may not have the corresponding spiritual gift. The key question in determining a spiritual gift is: Is God using you in that area?

Your gift, whatever it is, will help the rest of the body become more like Jesus Christ. That includes helping those without that particular gift fulfill God’s commands in that area. For example, a person with the gift of mercy will help others become more merciful. A person with the gift of giving will inspire others to be more giving. A person who teaches will help others fulfill their own obligations in teaching those they are responsible for.

The list of gifts in 1 Cor. 12:8-10 is broken up in three categories. That is not clear in the English translations, but it is clear in the Greek because of the different pronouns used.

Gifts Related to Knowledge (vs. 8)

The first category is related to the intellect. Verse 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." These two gifts appear to be related to the office of Apostleship as verse 28,29 would imply.

Word of Wisdom

All Christians can ask for and receive wisdom which is the ability to apply knowledge correctly (James 1:5). There are those even today that God has granted great wisdom beyond what is ordinary, but the Word of Wisdom is a special provision beyond that. It is related to Paul's earlier discussion of wisdom in chapter 2 and pertains to the ability to communicate the "deep things of God" (2:10). It is the ability to receive and pass on God's mysteries at the time He reveals them directly to human agents. Paul speaks of this being done through him specifically in Eph 3:3-6, and Peter speaks of Paul doing this in 2 Peter 3:15.

Word of Knowledge

The Word of Knowledge also appears to be apostolic in nature and pertains to God granting them the insight to grasp the logical nature and relation of truths already revealed. There are those that God has granted great intellectual ability to write theologies and detailed expositions of Biblical books, but this gift is something beyond even that. The New Testament epistles give evidence of this because much of what is in them is related to explanation of truths already revealed in the Old Testament or in the teachings of Christ, but which had not been clearly systematized and explained before. The book of Hebrews would be the most obvious example of this.

There are those who claim to have these gifts today. Certainly there are those God has blessed with great wisdom and intellect, but it is properly disputed whether people are gaining direct revelation from God in either of these manners as did the Apostles. No one today has the authority to say, "God told me to tell you . . . ". Our only authority is the Scripture by which we instruct, reprove, correct and train others in righteousness (2 Tim. 2:16). Upon that we can also give the opinion of our own wisdom, but we do not have authority to state our opinions as a "thus sayeth the Lord." In addition, though there are many people that have written systematic theologies, all of them must bow to the authority of the Bible and be judged by it. Whenever people hold to one systematic theology as the final word in interpretation and understanding, there arises a cultic group that will be in error, often serious, on some point of doctrine.

Gifts Related to Faith (vs. 9,10)

The next category is related to faith. Verse 9, 10 "to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits . . . "

Faith

Faith is the general category and the most general gift in this category. This is a faith that goes beyond the grace of common faith that allows us to be saved. This gift enables the Christian to proceed with daring and resolve to surmount any obstacle that may be opposed to the work of God in a given situation. This is the only gift listed in this passage that I do not believe has become limited in some way since the Apostolic period.

Gifts of Healing

Actually this is gifts of healings, its plural. It is related to faith in that it rests upon a basic confidence in God. Its operation is specific in one sphere resulting in miraculous healing of various kinds of sickness and disease. The two nouns being plurals indicate that this is a category of several gifts with each healing a different sickness. It was demonstrated in the lives of several apostles including Peter (Acts 3) and Paul (Acts 14:9). The use of this gift focused attention on the person that did the healing and earned them a hearing with those that witnessed the miracle. It was an attesting miracle of God's approval of the message of the speaker.

God can still do anything He wants in any manner He chooses. I have seen Him graciously answer prayer and heal people. However, those who claim to have a gift of healing must be able to do in the same manner and for the same purpose as the Apostles. In Acts 3:6,7 we find that Peter could heal regardless of the faith of the one being healed. This incident of healing the man who had been lame from birth and those mentioned in Acts 5:15,16 show that Peter could also heal those with a very obvious problem that could not be faked. Those claiming this gift today do not do it in this manner. In addition, we must remember that even when such a miracle of healing does take place, if it is not done in a manner that points people to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, then we can be sure that it was not from God. These things can also be done by demonic powers. The beast in Rev. 13 will be healed of what appears to be a fatal wound.

Effecting of miracles

This is also in the general category of faith and refers to being able to perform some overtly supernatural event. This gift is also seen in the apostles such as Peter raising Dorcas from the dead (Acts 9:40), and Paul blinding Elymas the sorcerer (Acts 13:8-11). It was used in the same way as healings in that it won the person using it a hearing for presenting Jesus Christ to the people that saw the miracle. This gift can also be mimicked by demonic powers. Jesus warned about the false Christs and false prophets that would come and show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect (Mt. 24:22). In 2 Thess. 2:9, 10 Paul warns about the "activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders" who will enable the antichrist to deceive many. Such false prophets and teachers have always been around (2 Peter 2:1-3).

Prophecy

Prophecy as listed here refers to a gift of faith that resulted in what was miraculous, either a prediction of the future, or a revelation of a mystery, or the ability to perceive the thoughts and motives of other persons. In many ways this gift was also Apostolic since there were several that demonstrated this gift, but there were others beside Apostles who had it including Agabus (Acts 11:28; 21:10), Judas & Silas (Acts 15:32), and others (Acts 11:27, 13:1). Those with this gift did not have the authority of either the Old Testament Prophets or the New Testament Apostles, for their prophecies were to be judged (1 Cor 14:29), and the prophet could not always give the prophecies interpretation or application (Acts 21:4,11-14). Those who claim that they have this gift today and can foretell the future or reveal some new mystery from God must do so with 100% accuracy 100% of the time. I have yet to hear of any such self proclaimed prophet who can do that. They prove themselves to be false prophets worthy of God’s judgement

Distinguishing of Spirits.

Distinguishing of Spirits mentioned here is more than just discernment, for all Christians are expected to be discerning (1 John 4:1). This gift is also related to faith and especially in passing judgement on the source of an utterance given in an assembly. It was especially important before the New Testament had been written to have people who could tell whether a person was speaking for God, himself or the devil. Paul had this gift and used it in Acts 16:17,18 to recognize and cast out the demon in the girl that kept following him around and saying, "These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation." She was correct, but we really don't need demons doing our advertising.

Gifts Related to Communication (vs. 10)

Tongues & Interpretation of Tongues

The last two gifts, listed in verse 10, are related to communication "and to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues." We could spend the rest of our time with these two because of all the false teaching on them, but that is not the purpose of this study. Even with all the confusion that commonly exists about them, they are not hard to understand. "Tongues’ is the from the word "glwssa / glossa" and it simply means language. Speaking in various tongues or an "unknown" tongue means to speak in a language that you do not know. Interpretation of tongues is being able to understand a language you do not know. It is not "ecstatic utterances of glossolalia" or the babbling and gibberish so often promoted in Pentecostal and Charismatic churches.

How can I be so confident? Simple. Both the purpose of tongues and its practice in Acts demand that "tongues" to be actual languages. The purpose of tongues is found in 1 Cor. 14:21,22. Paul quotes Isaiah 28:11f and then says, "so then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to unbelievers . . . ". Even a cursory study of Isaiah 11 show that it is a sign to the Jews of God's judgement on them when God starts speaking through the gentiles instead of them. The first fulfillment of this in Acts 2 makes this even more clear because the various tongues spoken are listed in verses 8-11. They are Parthian, Median, Elamitian, Mesopotamian, Judean, Cappadocian, Pontusian, Asian, Phyrigian & Pamphylian, Egyptian, Cyrenian, Roman, Cretan and Arabic. This was not nonsensical babbling, but speaking an actual language that they did not know.

To be the Biblical "speaking in tongues," those who claim to have this gift must speak in a language unknown to them, but known to others present (Acts 2:4-11). They must also be speaking of "the mighty deeds of God" (Acts 2:11) in the presence of unbelieving Jews (1 Cor. 14:21,22). In 1 Cor. 13:8 Paul states that tongues would cease. The verb there is in the middle reflexive tense showing that they would cease of themselves. Why? Because their purpose had been fulfilled. That purpose was fulfilled by the end of the Apostlic era.

The claim for tongues to be a private prayer language is contrary to even the basic purpose of gifts, which as already pointed out, is for the edification of the whole body (1 Cor. 12:7, Eph. 4:12,16). Paul uses sarcasm throughout chapter 14 to point out the selfish nature demonstrated by the Corinthian practice. In addition, Paul makes it clear in 1 Cor. 14:14,15 that praying in a tongue is fruitless, for prayer is to be done with the Spirit and the mind. He adds in verses 16-19 that speaking in a tongue without interpretation is a waste of words because no one is edified. Tongues was a sign to unbelievers, not for self edification of believers. Some have tried to equate this with the Holy Spirit’s intercession spoken of in Romans 8:26,27, but as we saw in our study of that some months ago, it is the Spirit that is praying with "groanings too deep for words" and not the individual.

Let me ask you a simple question. Would you really want to speak to God and not know what you are saying? Remember at from the beginning of the chapter that the Corinthians had been doing this and were actually blaspheming Christ.

Most of the gifts listed in 1 Cor. 12 are no longer active in the church in the same manner as they were at the time of the Apostles. Again, God can do anything He wants in any manner He desires as long as it is in keeping with His own character. God can certainly still perform miracles and signs of any type as He desires. However, the purpose of these particular gifts was largely for getting the church established, especially, as 2 Cor. 12:12 states it, in that they were the signs of a true Apostle. As the New Testament was completed and the Apostles passed away, so did the reason for them and so manifestation of them in the manner they occurred during the Apostolic era also passed away too (1 Cor. 13:8-11).

Using Your Gift

The very practical questions now arises of how do I know what gift or gifts I have, and how do I begin to use them?

First, you don't need to be that concerned about labeling your gift. Generally, you find out what gift you have after you have been using it for awhile. The primary concern is just serving the Lord.

Serving the Lord must start with your walk with Him. The more you know Him, and the closer you walk with Him, the greater will be your ability to serve Him. The greater the harmony between your will and His will the more God can use you.

Next, as you walk closely with the Lord, see what desires He has He placed in your heart. That is the point of Psalm 37 where it says, "Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart." As you delight yourself in the Lord, your desires change to match His. He then grants those desires because they are according to His will.

You simply need to try and serve Him in some specific area. How can you know whether the Lord has gifted you in an area or not if you have not tried? Too often fear keeps us from the blessings God would have for us if we would just trust Him and step out in the face of our fears.

Finally, evaluate whether the Lord used you. Have others responded positively to your ministry? Have others become more like Christ because of it? Do other mature believers confirm the effect of your ministry in that particular area?

I did not know God had gifted me to teach until I was challenged to do it. I tried it with some fear and trepidation. I saw God use it in the lives of other people, and then those more mature than I confirmed it. Over the years, my part has simply been a matter of being faithful and learning to use this gift as effectively as I know how, but it is God that opens the door to ministry and makes me effective.

The last aspect in determining where you should serve the Lord is what I will call your compulsion-joy level. If we are properly serving the Lord, He will do one of two things. He will either give us a great joy in the midst of the service, or He will compel us to do it. We will either have a sense of pleasure in the serving knowing we are doing God's will, or we will be like Jeremiah. God called him to a thankless ministry of rebuking the Hebrews and even told him that the people would not listen. Not surprisingly, Jeremiah did not like that ministry, yet when he refrained he described it as a "burning fire shut up in his bones," and he was compelled to continue preaching to those stubborn and obstinate people.

In the bulletin today we have again included the sheet on "How Can God Use Me?" On the front side are some of the Biblical commands & admonitions concerning serving the Lord along with some general suggestions. On the back are some more specific suggestions of what you might be able to do, but these only scratch the surface, because there are thousands of possibilities. There is also a place where you can write in what you would like to do or at least try. Fill it out and give it to me or the appropriate person so we can help you in the process.

What are you currently doing to serve the Lord?

As you consider the areas God may have gifted you and your desires to try an new area of minsitry, what will the Lord have you do in helping the whole body of Christ mature?

When will you begin doing it?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

KIDS CORNER

Parents, you are responsible to apply God’s Word to your children’s lives. Here is some help. Young Children - draw a picture about something you hear during the sermon. Explain your picture(s) to your parents at lunch. Older Children - Do one or more of the following: 1) Count how many times the word "gift" is used. 2) Discuss with your parents the gifts described today and how you think you can serve the Lord.

THINK ABOUT IT!

Questions to consider in discussing the sermon with others.

Questions to consider in discussing the sermon with others. What is the purpose of the church? How do you get a spiritual gift(s)? What is the general purpose of spiritual gifts? Should we ever be envious of another person’s spiritual gift(s)? Why or why not? Does the Bible list every spiritual gift? What Scriptures do list spiritual gifts? 1 Cor. 12:8-10 list three categories of gifts. What are those categories and which gifts listed fit in each? Describe in your own words each of the following gifts: Word of Wisdom; Word of Knowledge; Faith; Healings; Miracles; Prophecy (1 Cor. 12); Distinguishing of Spirits; Various kinds of tongues; Interpretation of tongues; Helps; Administration; Prophecy (Rom. 12); Service; Teaching; Exhortation; Mercy; Giving; and Leading. Which of these gifts were Apostolic in nature? Do these "sign" gifts continue operate as they did then? Why or why not? What spiritual gift(s) do you think you have? Has a more mature Christian confirmed that? Are you using it? If so, how? If not, why not? What areas of Christian service would you like to try? When will you try it? Talk with the appropriate person today

Sermon Study Sheets

 

Sermon Notes - 2/9/2003 am

Spiritual Gifts, Part 5 - The Sign Gifts - 1 Corinthians 12

Introduction to 1 Corinthians 12-14 (vs. 1-3)

The pneumatikwn / pnumatikon (vs. 1)

Their Pagan Past (vs. 2,3)

Origin & Purpose of Spiritual Gifts (vs. 4-7)

Gifts: carismatwn / charismaton (vs. 4)

Ministries (vs. 5)

Effects (vs. 6)

Purpose (vs. 7)

Their Manifestation (vs. 7)

Spiritual Gifts

Romans 12:6-8

 

Spiritual Gifts In 1 Corinthians 12

Gifts Related to Knowledge (vs. 8)

Word of Wisdom

Word of Knowledge

Gifts Related to Faith (vs. 9,10)

Faith

Gifts of Healings

Effecting of Miracles

Prophecy (1 Cor. 12)

Distinguishing of Spirits

Gifts Related to Communication (vs. 10)

Various kinds of tongues

Interpretation of tongues

 

Using Your Spiritual Gift(s)