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THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS
What are spiritual gifts? Are the gifts for today? What does the Bible say about the gift of tongues? The Apostle Paul addresses the controversial topics associated with the mysterious “Gifts of the Holy Spirit” in his first epistle to the Corinthians.
Chapter 12 of Paul’s letter teaches that the Holy Spirit gives gifts to each of us, spiritual gifts, supernatural gifts, but nobody gets the same gifts. That’s very important. If we have a spiritual gift and do not exercise it, we defraud the body, for the gift was not given for us, but for the body of Christ. One of the greatest adventures is to discover our spiritual gift because that’s a clue to what our ministry will be. Diversity of service but one church; diversity of gifts, but one Spirit; diversity of members but one body – this is the essential message of chapter 12.
Chapter 14 deals with the abuse of gifts. The greatest of the gifts is prophecy. It most edifies the church, it most convinces outsiders, but its use should be orderly. The discussion of prophecy is a counterbalance to the over-emphasis on tongues. Is the gift of tongues for today? Yes, but there is a lot of nonsense going around. The answer to the questions of spiritual gifts is right between 12 and 14: All these gifts, whatever they are, are valueless without love.
Chapter 13 speaks of the utter necessity of love, the moral excellency of love, and the abiding supremacy of love. The Holy Spirit is looking for fruit – we should be inspecting fruit, not gifts. Paul said:
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing.”
What counts is good done in response to the Spirit. The first three verses give us the characteristics of love.
• Love suffereth long, and is kind;
• Love envieth not;
• Love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
• Doth not behave itself unseemly,
• Seeketh not her own,
• Is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
• Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth
• Beareth all things, Believeth all things,
• Hopeth all things, Endureth all things
We can learn the character of Christ by substituting His name for “love” in this passage – Christ suffers long and is kind, Christ envies not, etc. What happens when we put our name in place of love? The disparity is embarrassing, but as we grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that disparity narrows, because His goal is for us to fit that description. We grow by walking moment by moment with the Holy Spirit. So follow after love.
For a more detailed discussion on what the Bible has to say about this topic, listen to our briefing titled The Spiritual Gifts.
Related Links:
• The Spiritual Gifts – MP3 Download – Koinonia House
• The Spiritual Gifts – Audio CD – Koinonia House
• I & II Corinthians – MP3 Download – Koinonia House
- FROM KOINONIA HOUSE NEWS LETTER.
A man who has pressed through the darkness, suffered and struggled in grief and blindness, rejoices to the core of his being when he catches glimpses of the sun. One of the first things he wants to do is call to his loved ones, “Come over here! The sky is real! Come quickly and see!” For those of us who know Jesus Christ as our hero and King, our brother and Savior, the aching desire in our hearts is to show him to the rest of the world, to all those others struggling through the darkness.
Some people want to find the light as well, and we get to have joyful times with them talking about the great things God has done. Others, though, don’t want to hear at all.
“I don’t want to be in the light,” some say. “It exposes me.” Or perhaps even more tragic – “Other people have told me there was a light, but they only hurt me. They led me deeper into darkness. It’s a lie. Leave me alone.”
How do we reach these people, often our family and friends, people we care deeply about? How do we approach them?
God has already given us plenty of instruction on the matter, and we’re leaving it to Him to teach us. It’s vital that we understand the heart of God for the Lost and remember certain principles as we reach out to them. After all, these people are precious. Jesus died for them. He cares more about our loved ones than we do. He knows them more intimately than they know themselves, and only He can save them:
Matthew 18:13-14:
“And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.”
2 Peter 3:9:
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
John 13:34-35:
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Ephesians 4:24-25:
“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.”
Ephesians 4:14-15:
“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”
Romans 14:1:
“Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.”
2 Timothy 2:15:
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Colossians 4:5-6:
“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
2 Timothy 2:23-26:
“But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
2 Corinthians 4:2: “But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”
Romans 14:4:
“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.”
Romans 14:13:
“Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.”
Galatians 6:1-2:
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
Proverbs 25:21:
“If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:”
1 Corinthians 9:19-22:
“For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”
Proverbs 19:21:
“There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.”
Psalms 27:8:
“When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.”
1 Corinthians 2:12-13:
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
2 Corinthians 4:4-6:
“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
Colossians 4:2-4:
“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.”
Psalm 39:1-3:
“I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue…”
Acts 4:29-30:
“And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.”
Acts 4:31:
“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”
1 Corinthians 4:5:
“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”
Proverbs 25:8:
“Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.”
Proverbs 25:15:
“By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.”
Proverbs 25:17:
“Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.”
Isaiah 35:3-4:
“Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.”
Hebrews 12:12-14:
“Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”
Related Links:
• The Spiritual Gifts – Koinonia House
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
And having a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. [Dake A.R.B.].
1 – Destruction of strong holds – We destroy reasonings of pagan philosophers and Jewish rabbis and their dogmas that nullify the Word of God and the facts of the Gospel. These fortifications we pull down and demolish. We put to flight the demon powers and alien armies, raising the banner of the cross high on the field of battle. [v4]
2 – Casting down imaginations – We demolish all theories, reasonings, and any high system of ethics, religion, mythology, metaphysics, sublime doctrines, or philosophy set forth to defy the knowledge of God [v5]. All the boasted gods, lords, sacrificial and mediatorial systems fell before the Gospel. The high-sounding phrases of Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, and even Judaism fell before the preaching of the crucified and risen Christ; Heathenism shrank before the Gospel and called on secular powers to defend it.
3 – Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ – We take every thought prisoner and lead it into captivity to obey Christ [v5]. Lascivious, vain and evil thoughts of all kinds are brought down and made obedient to His laws. That includes any thinking which is contrary to virtue, purity and righteousness. See Mat. 15:19; Mk. 7:21-22; 1 Cor. 13:5; Gal. 5:19; Phil. 4:8; Gen. 6:5; Prov. 15:26; Isa. 55:7; Isa. 59:7; Jer. 4:14.
4 – Having in readiness to avenge all disobedience – We stand at all times ready, so to speak, to court-martial any opposing the Gospel of Christ, after separating ourselves from them [v]. The whole picture here is that of a strong fortified city where the enemy makes his last stand; entrenching himself about the walls; raising towers and preparing engines of defence and offense upon the walls to insure victory. The fortifications, walls, towers, and castles are taken by the Gospel and the whole opposition is destroyed and taken captive.
2 Kings 2:11-13
And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven
And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back and stood by the bank of Jordan. [Dake A.R.B.]
It would be interesting to have a record of such a conversation between two great prophets. One can conclude that it was nothing vain and light. Perhaps Elijah gave his successor his final instructions regarding what to do and how to carry on his place [v11; 1 Kings 19:16].
While they were having their last words together there suddenly appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire which came between them, separating them and taking Elijah up into heaven by a whirlwind. [v1, 11].
Elijah was the second man to be taken to heaven in a natural body, Enoch being the first [Gen. 5:24; Heb. 11:5].
Both now reside in heaven in their natural body, having never died. However, they will die their appointed death on earth as the TWO WITNESSES of the future tribulation period [Zech. 4:11; Mal. 4:5-6; Rev. 11:3-12]
Since their time at least two other men have been taken to heaven and brought back [2 Cor. 12:1-5; Rev. 4:1].
Christ also went to heaven and came back after His resurrection [Jn. 12:17-19]; then returned to heaven leading many resurrected men, and souls and spirits of just men whose bodies were not resurrected [Matt. 27:53-54; Eph. 4:8-10; Heb. 12:23].
Before this, all righteous souls and spirits went into sheol-hades where they were fully conscious while their bodies went to qeber, the grave. Now when a Christian dies he no longer goes into the underworld of departed spirits to be held by the devil against his will [Heb. 2:14-15]; instead he goes immediately to heaven to await the resurrection day [2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:21-24; Heb. 12:23].
Elijah was taken up in both a chariot of fire [v11-12] and a whirlwind [v1, 11].
The plant heaven is higher than all other planets.
[If thou see me….. it shall be so] This was the condition of receiving the double portion of the Holy Spirit [v10]. Here he saw it, and cried, ‘the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof’ [v12].
His own mantle was now torn up, so He could put on the mantle of Elijah [v13], which the prophet had previously thrown around him [1Kings 19:19]. – Dake A.R. Bible
2 Kings 2:9-10
And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. [Dake]
A double portion, proving that there are different measures of the Holy Spirit and power which men have received.
It is a fact that men have done things in a miraculous way according to the measure of the Spirit they have received. It is also a fact, that to claim any one of these measures without power to do the things intended to accomplished by such a measure is stating an untruth and making a false claim.
If one has any degree of power or any gift of the Spirit he will be able to do at all times what the power or gift is designed for and given to accomplish.
[v 10] Heb. Qashah, hard; severe; tough; difficult. It is translated ‘hard labor [Gen. 35:16-17]; hard causes in the sense of being difficult [Dt. 1:17; 15:18]. The true idea here is a difficult thing for me to grant and it was. How could a man impart twice as much as he, himself had? How could he give something that he did not have? The answer is by faith and Jehovah honoring him in requesting a double portion for Elisha. Some would have been jealous of a successor receiving more with which to do more than they, themselves did in life, but not so with anyone filled with God in any special sense.
It was so, for the record shows that Elijah experienced 16 miracles besides the translation and Elisha experienced 32 – double the number, and some twice as great [p.394]. For instance, Elijah shut the heavens for 3 ½ years; [Jas. 5:17] and Elisha shut them for 7 years [8:1].
John 3:34
For He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God; for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him. [Dake]
Different measures of the Spirit:
1 – Mosaic portion [Num. 11:17, 25].
2 – Mosaic portion divided into 71 portions [Num. 11:16-17, 25-29]
3 – Elijah portion [2 Ki. 2:9].
4 – Double portion [2 Ki. 2:9-10]
5 – Elijah portion on John the Baptist [Lk. 1:15-17].
6 – Earnest of the Spirit [2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; 1 Jn. 4:13; Phil. 1:19].
7 – The Spirit “without measure” [Jn. 3:34; Isa. 11:2; 42:1; 61:1; Lk. 4:16-21; Acts 10:38]; Spirit baptism or baptismal measure [Matt. 3:11; 20:22-23; Lk. 3:16; Jn. 1:31-34; Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-21; 8:15-24; 10:44-48; 11:14-18; 15:7-11; 19:1-7; Gal. 3:14; the fullness of God [Eph. 3:19; Rom. 15:29]; the rivers of living water [Jn. 7:37-39]; and the full anointing of the Spirit and enduement of power from on high [Lk. 24:49; Jn. 14:12-15].
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