Bible Study Week 9
Part 1
The Gifts of the Spirit
The outpouring of God's Spirit molded together a spiritual body (group of believers) scripturally defined as the New Testament church (Ephesians 1:22-23). Supernatural manifestations of the Spirit occurred, commonly referred to as gifts of the Spirit. By supernatural, we mean something that cannot be explained or understood by human reasoning according to natural law. No one should ever limit the power of God to work only through things that the natural man understands, for He has declared: "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Similarly, the same book that teaches about the use of spiritual gifts states, "The things [ways and thoughts] of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God" (I Corinthians 2:11).
This is not to say that we cannot learn the things of God but rather that they are not perceived by worldly wisdom. Human reasoning is unable to digest spiritual truth.
The Gifts Are to Profit the Church
The spiritual gifts are given by God to His church to profit the church and its members. "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal" (I Corinthians 12:7).
There are those today who contend that the church can no longer experience these gifts. But nothing in the Scriptures shows when any of the gifts were withdrawn. To the contrary, the gifts will remain in the church unto the second coming of Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 1:2,7).
The human body has many members such as hands, fingers, eyes, and ears. So also is the body of Christ. There are many members of one body, and all are important. Some may be more evident than others, but all are needed.
>>> How is the body of Christ (God's church around the world) like a human body?
Each person in the church works together to fulfill a purpose. Just as we need many types of organs and systems in our physical bodies, we need all the members of the church working together.
The Difference between the Gifts and the Fruit of the Spirit
The gifts of the Spirit are not to be confused with the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is spiritual grace in the character of the believer. Every believer is to possess all aspects of the fruit for use all the time. On the other hand, the gifts of the Spirit are divine enablements to strengthen and encourage the church.
Great Care in Their Operation
Great care must be taken in the operation of spiritual gifts. The Corinthian church became unbalanced in the operation of the more spectacular gifts, and Paul gave them instructions on the regulation of the spiritual gifts in the church. (See I Corinthians 14)
The Nine Gifts of the Spirit
"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant" (I Corinthians 12:1). We can list the supernatural gifts of I Corinthians 12 in three categories.
A. Power to Know Supernaturally
* The Word of Wisdom
Natural wisdom is the ability to apply possessed knowledge and experience. The word wisdom is a portion of supernaturally imparted wisdom to meet a particular need.
The word of wisdom and the word of knowledge are supernatural manifestations of the Spirit, and they exist on a plane far above their natural, human counterparts. Sometimes an answer we need will not come by human wisdom, but God gives a specific word of wisdom at a particular time for a particular situation.
The word of wisdom implies a thought or utterance through a direct operation of the Holy Spirit at a given moment rather than an abiding deposit of supernatural wisdom.
The normal life of the church occasions a constant need for wise leadership. Problems will occur and delicate situations will arise among the most spiritual believers. The word of wisdom can be vital in meeting these needs.
Examples of the word of wisdom are the way the apostles dealt with the controversy over the declaration of the mind and will of God, and the supernatural unfolding of His plans and purposes concerning things, places, people and communities.
* The Word of Knowledge
Every Christian must endeavor to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord" (II Peter 3:18). The word of knowledge is a portion of supernaturally imparted knowledge to meet a particular need. The Bible does not speak of a "gift of knowledge," but rather it speaks of the "word of knowledge."
All knowledge ultimately rests with Lord, "in whom are his all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). It is therefore reasonable to believe that the Holy Spirit can impart any part of divine knowledge at any time, as He wills.
The word of knowledge includes facts from God about people, things, and events that a person could not possibly know unless God revealed them.
An example of the word of knowledge is Peter's supernatural knowledge of the secret sin of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-10).
>>> What is the difference between wisdom and knowledge? Do you have any examples from your own experience?
* Discerning of Spirits
The Bible does not state that there is a "gift of discernment," but rather it speaks of "discerning of spirits." The discerning of spirits is the ability on a particular occasion to ascertain whether a spirit or an action is of God, of the devil, or of the human nature.
First John 4:1 admonishes us to "believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they be of God." The purpose of this gift is to detect what is true and what is false.
The gift of discerning of spirits is not only defensive; it can also be offensive in the sense that once an evil spirit is detected as operating through some human channel, that channel can then be delivered through the power of the name of Jesus Christ.
Examples of this gift are Peter's denunciation of Simon the sorcerer based upon discernment of the intent of his heart (Acts 8:23) and Paul's rebuke of a spirit possessing a girl at Philippi (Acts 16:16-18).
B. Power to Act Supernaturally
* Faith
The spiritual gift of faith is to be distinguished from saving faith or the daily faith without which it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).
The gift of faith is a measure of faith above the faith that all of us have as children of God. It is a special faith imparted to us by the Spirit, as are the other gifts of the Spirit, to meet a particular need. The gift of faith surpasses all reason, looks impossibilities in the face, and turns them into miracles.
Examples are the faith of Peter and Paul for the lame man (Acts 3:4, 16) and Paul's supernatural faith during his shipwreck (Acts 27:25).
Working of Miracles
The working of miracles is a supernatural release of God's power through a person's life to effect an immediate supernatural event. It is a sign or wonder that humans cannot explain by an appeal to "natural laws". It can be a miraculous "coincidence" effected by God when we pray.
Examples are the raising of Dorcas back to life (Acts 9:40), the raising of Eutychus back to life (Acts 20:10), and special miracles in Paul's ministry at Ephesus (Acts 19:11-12).
Gifts of Healing
The "gifts of healing" are plural. They refer to special healings of various types performed by God. All believers in the Lord Jesus Christ can lay hands upon the sick for their recovery (Mark 16:18), and all elders in the church can anoint with oil for healing (James 5:14). Nevertheless, it appears that on certain occasions God operates in a special way to heal miraculously.
When the gifts of healing are in operation, God removes the cause of disease or affliction and healing ensues.
There are numerous examples of healing in the New Testament church, including Acts 5:16, 8:7, 9:33-34.
C. Power to Speak Supernaturally
*Prophecy
In general, prophecy is an anointed utterance from God. It can consist of foretelling or forthtelling. The gift of prophecy is a specific message from God to the hearers in their own language.
True prophecy will always be in harmony with God's Word. Prophecy will never replace the Bible or diminish its worth. Prophecy must always agree with the Bible.
A prophet can prophesy, but not everyone who exercises the gift of prophecy fulfills the office or ministry of a prophet. (See Ephesians 4:11-13)
The gift of prophecy brings edification, exhortation, and comfort to the church (I Corinthians 14:3,5). "Prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe" (I Corinthians 14:22). It does not replace or supersede doctrinal teaching or spiritual leadership.
* Tongues
Speaking with tongues means speaking miraculously in a language unknown to the speaker. There are different kinds of tongues.
The Bible reveals three different purposes or uses of speaking in tongues. First, it is the initial evidence when someone is baptized with the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:4; 10:44=46; 19:6).
The second use is speaking to God in personal prayer (I Corinthians 14:2, 14-15). "He that speaketh in an unknown language edifieth himself" (I Corinthians 14:4). The believer can speak in tongues in private devotion or in corporate worship when everyone is praying individually in such a case there is no need for interpretation (I Corinthians 14:28).
The third use is addressing the church, coupled with interpretation (I Corinthians 14:13-27).
* Interpretation of Tongues
By this gift a person interprets a message in tongues for the church. When a person brings a message to the church through the gift of tongues, the gift of the interpretation of tongues is used to edify the church (I Corinthians 14:12). "Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret" (I Corinthians 14:13).
If there is no interpreter, the one speaking in the unknown tongue should keep silence in the church, although he or she can continue to pray in tongues personally (I Corinthians 14:28).
What a blessing the gifts, under proper direction, can be in the local church! The pastor should always have oversight in the operation of the gifts. (See I Corinthians 14:29, 33)
>>> Which one of the gifts of the Spirit most stands out to you? Why?