The primary difficulty in studying the Bible for knowledge about the spiritual gifts is there is little direct teaching about them. Most of the times they are mentioned, only the experiential parts are described or the passage is correctional in nature and directed towards people who have some background knowledge. To gain understanding, we must often take a side note and focus on it. So if it seems I am taking things out of context, realize that this is why I do so.
The best list I can find for spiritual gifts is 1 Corinthians 12:8-10
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, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. (NIV)
I may or may not discuss all of these. Many tend to be very similar in nature. Often, more than one of these will be operating at the same time. So, distinguishing different gifts can be difficult.
Again, before I get to the stuff you really want to hear about, I have to address another issue; the misunderstandings caused by looking at 1 Corinthians 12 in isolation.
At first glance, the chapter seems to be saying that some people will not operate in certain gifts. Period. Yet that ignores the historical context and the context of other passages. The first of these other passages is actually 1 Corinthians
So what was Paul talking about in 1 Corinthians 12 then? Well, look at what the church at Corinth was up to. They were wildly using the gifts with no regard for helping each other, they were considering some gifts more useful than others, and they were assigning roles of usage of the gifts inappropriately. Paul’s focus in verses 7 – 11:
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, 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. (NIV)
is the phrase “for the common good”, not that you get some gifts and not others. The word ‘manifest’ implies a limited duration. Therefore, he meant that at any one time, different people will manifest different gifts to benefit the situation. They aren’t bound to these roles (or giftings) for the rest of their lives. The Corinthians were failing to see the usefulness of each gift for the group, and felt that if they personally failed to manifest a particular gift at a particular time, that they failed as Christians.
So, the language of chapter 12 shows that Paul is talking about actions in a short period of time, not lifetime roles. But the end of the chapter is an exception. It helps to know that there is a distinction between a gift and a station. I may be able to administer medical assistance without being a doctor or nurse. I may be able to teach without being a certified teacher. I can share the gospel without being an Evangelist. I may be able to prophesy without being a Prophet. You see the difference?
What I want to make absolutely clear is that if the Holy Spirit dwells in you, then you can move in all of the gifts. Not in every circumstance, but as needed. Remember the authority bit; we can move in our authority because we are under authority, and like Christ, we only do what we see the Father doing.
This post is getting long, so I’ll end with a story. Awhile back, the old TAG youth group had an interesting night. During our worship, one girl suddenly began experiencing travail (the sensations of childbirth as God’s way of birthing something in the spiritual).
At the same time, another girl was weeping uncontrollably, while yet another was laughing uncontrollably. This went on for over an hour. The next morning, during the Sunday service, it all started happening again. But some of the roles changed. The girl who had been laughing was now weeping. Someone else was laughing. So, while we didn’t have a “laugher” or a “crier,” the roles needed by the Holy Spirit were still filled.
2 comments:
Really cool man, I learned a lot!
Was the purpose of the experiences of the three girls ever realized? It doesn't immediately make sense to me that these things were happening, so, just as with tongues, there should be an interpretation by an individual that recognizes through the Spirit what it means.
In my life, I've never seen God move in the ways that you describe. I don't think it's simply the absence of belief in these gifts because the Spirit can manifest anywhere it wants. Does it have to do with a lack of love or the absence of the Spirit in our body?
I could understand the manifestation coming over a person but that person rejecting the moving of the Spirit because they are reluctant to embarrass themselves in front of a congregation that wouldn't accept it, but somebody like me is not reluctant to have the Spirit manifest a gift in me. I desire these experiences, but I've never had one.
These are some of the things that nag at me. Speaking candidly, I read your posts and desire the radical relationship you have with God, but my insides feel cold and emotionless. All I seem to have is an intellectual relationship with God. I never cry during sad times, I never feel moved to dance in the Spirit, and I don't feel very much when I pray. During worship we sing old hymns and I never get into it because I don't know what the words I'm saying even mean.
I do get excited when I learn about the Bible and discover layer upon layer of meaning, but I find that that excitement comes and goes.
I'm really hungry for more on this series. It's extremely interesting to me.
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