Gifts of the Spirit
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Some folks interpret First Corinthians 13.8 to mean that God is no longer bestowing the spiritual gifts of prophecies, tongues, and knowledge. Are they correct in their interpretation? Consider...
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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.
(1 Cor 13.8) But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. (1 Cor 13.10) |
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Some folks think that the gift of tongues STRICTLY means the gift of instantly being able to speak in a foreign language.
Are they correct in their interpretations? Consider... |
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In Acts 2.4 (alongside), "tongues" translates the Greek gloossais, a form of the word glossa.
Per Acts 2.6 (alongside), when the disciples spoke in tongues, each person in their audience heard the disciples speak in his or her "own language."
Thus, whatever the disciples were speaking, it is clear that their audience heard those words in their own language or dialect. |
And they (the disciples
of Jesus) were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues,
as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2.4, NKJ) Kai epleestheesan pantes Pneumatos Hagiou kai eerxanto lalein heterais gloossais (tongues) kathoos to Pneuma edidou apofthengesthai autois. (Acts 2.4, Romanized unaccented Greek) 5. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. (Acts 2.5-6, NKJ) Genomenees de tees foonees tautees suneelthen to pleethos kai sunechuthee, hoti eekouon heis hekastos tee idia dialektoo (language) lalountoon autoon. (Acts 2.6, Romanized unaccented Greek) |
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On the other hand, there are Biblical indicators that "tongues" MIGHT have a meaning that goes beyond speaking a known foreign language. For example, First Corinthians 14.2 says that a person who speaks in a tongue...
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For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. (1 Cor 14.2) |
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Read again the verses alongside and notice...
Is the Bible contradicting itself? Not at all! READ ON... |
4. And they (the disciples
of Jesus) were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak
with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 6. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. (Acts 2.4 and 6) For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. (1 Cor 14.2) |
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| Acts 2.4-6 does not specifically STATE that the disciples spoke foreign languages. Rather, Acts 2.6 says, "everyone heard them speak in his own language." | ...everyone heard them speak in his own language. (Acts 2.4 and 6) | |
| First Corinthians 14.2 asserts that tongues are understandable only by
God. On the other hand, First Corinthians 12.10 states that, to some, God grants the special gift of being able to interpret tongues. Thus, the Bible is fully consistent with itself. No one can understand tongues UNLESS God has granted them the special gift to do so. |
For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him;
however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. (1 Cor 14.2) ...to another (God gives the gift of) the interpretation of tongues. (1 Cor 12.10c) |
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Notice that the Bible itself never specifically defines WHAT it means by "tongues." My OPINION is as follows...
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In First Corinthians 14.2 the Bible specifically and clearly commands us... Do NOT forbid to speak with tongues. Now, suppose that a person named Vernon has the gift of tongues.
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Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. (1 Cor 14.39) | |
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Biblical guidelines concerning the use of spiritual gifts |
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| Rule 1 - LOVE.
First Corinthians chapter 13 teaches that ALL spiritual gifts (including tongues) must be used IN LOVE. Accordingly, your spiritual gift should NOT be used in ways that constitute... |
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. (1 Cor 13.1) | |
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Rule 2 - Obey your Pastor concerning the overt use of your gift within the church.
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Earnestly desire the best gifts |
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As shown above, God gives at least one spiritual gift to each Christian. Thus, it isn't necessary to ask God to give you one. On the other hand, is it OKAY to ask to God for a specific spiritual gift?
But First Corinthians 12.31 gives rise to the question: What ARE "the best gifts"? The Bible doesn't specifically answer this question, but it does give guidelines. READ ON. |
Be anxious for nothing, but in
everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your
requests be made known to God; (Philipp 4.6) But earnestly desire the best gifts. (1 Cor 12.31a) |
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If you want REAL joy, find out what God wants to see in your life, then ask Him for it.
Heed, then, the Bible's three main guidelines concerning the "best spiritual gifts" as God sees them... |
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Guideline #1 -- A needed gift
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If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? (1 Cor 12.17) | |
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Guideline #2 -- A loving gift
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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, but have not love, I am nothing. (1 Cor 13.2) | |
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Guideline #3 -- An edifying gift
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Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. (1 Cor 14.12) |
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Counterfeit gifts and miracles |
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The book of Exodus records several miracles that God worked through His servants Moses and Aaron.
The moral of all this is -- BE WARY! |
And Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and
it became a serpent. But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. (Ex 7.10b-11) So there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. Then the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments (Ex 7.21b-22a) So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. And the magicians did so with their enchantments (Ex 8.6-7a) |
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| 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. (1 John 4.1) |
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In First John 4.1, God commands you, "TEST the spirits." Accordingly, you need to make certain that your particular spiritual gifts are truly of God, and NOT of your own flesh, and NOT of an ungodly spirit.
Based on the Bible passages discussed above, you need to ask yourself...
Ask yourself and God these questions, and you will know. Amen. |
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Links for further study...
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