The Powerful Gifts Of The Holy Spirit And What Should Current Believers Expect?
POWERFUL GIFTS SHAKE UP JERUSALEM AT THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH
When the Holy Day of Pentecost that Israelites had been celebrating for many centuries came after the resurrection of Jesus in Jerusalem, great power became available to many for the first time. This Holy Day is the one chosen by God to birth his new covenant church in spiritual power, because it is the feast of first fruits. We are first fruits.
Acts 2:1-4 NKJV 1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Sixteen known languages were miraculously spoken to the crowd attracted by the sound effects. Thousands were converted on that annual Sabbath. The church was born with power that created a big stir within the city of Jerusalem. Eye opening and jaw dropping miraculous events took place at this first Christian Pentecost.
Acts 3:2-6 NKJV 2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us." 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."
The man not only walked he leaped and danced having never learned. It was an eye catching, dramatic event. The healing of this man seen for years at the Temple crippled, took the entire city by storm.
Acts 3:9-10 NKJV 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God. 10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
The entire capital city of Judea was excited about the power and gifts displayed by the disciples of Christ.
Acts 5:12NKJV 12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch.
The new covenant church started off in Jerusalem with a bang!
THE IMMATURE CORINTHIAN CHURCH COVETED THE SPECTACULAR GIFTS
Paul, in his letters to the Corinthians, chided them on their immature attitudes. They egotistically wanted and seemingly competed, for the the most spectacular gifts of the spirit. They did not truly appreciate the more pragmatic gifts or the gift of love. Today we can learn from their pettiness and fully embrace all wonderful gifts given by God to his church. Paul explained to them that all get gifts from God. All the gifts work together. God's various expressions of spiritual power are in actions in many forms and among various members of the church. Each person has roles to play as assigned by God for the benefit of the entire church.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 NKJV 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
The believer is given a gift or two to serve the good of the entire congregation and God's work.
1 Corinthians 12:11-12 NKJV 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.
Paul explains this obvious truth to the immature church that they must appreciate whatever gifts God has given them and that they are all valuable and honored.
1 Corinthians 12:15-19 NKJV 15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be?
Paul is saying of those gifts, what is more valuable a head of hair, or functioning stomach?
1 Corinthians 12:20-22 NKJV 20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.
Paul says love needs to be our over riding motive, we all must serve based on love. It is the better way.
1 Corinthians 12:30-31 NKJV 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
Paul inserts the love chapter chapter 13 in the midst of his discussion of spiritual gifts. They should strengthen the church and build it up with their gifts not show them off.
1 Corinthians 14:1-4 NKJV 1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy... 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
1 Corinthians 14:20 NKJV 20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature... 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
WE MUST USE THE GIFTS GOD HAS GIVEN US TO SERVE IN LOVE
A mature Christian would say that we all must use whatever God has given us to serve as best we can. We now live in an age no longer full of spectacular manifestations of God's spirit. We now have quiet healings and quiet miracles and quiet teaching events. But these less spectacular gifts are still very important. Let us look at some of these very useful though less flashy gifts from God.
1 Corinthians 12:8-9 NKJV 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the same Spirit,
Every congregation can use more members who have the gift of wisdom. Finding people who can give cogent, timely advice to help, is getting scarce in our misguided society. All should pray for more wisdom. Each group can use people with a lot of knowledge especially biblical knowledge, but all kinds of useful knowledge is beneficial. A great contribution can be made to a group with people who have a gift of faith. They can strengthen members whose faith is faltering. They can help many become more stalwart.
1 Corinthians 12:18 NKJV 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.
Some will assert that they do not have any gifts. Meditate upon our lives and look for aptitudes, skills or proclivities with which to serve. All are gifted by God to serve.
Romans 12:7-9 WEB 7 or service, let us give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, to his exhorting: he who gives, let him do it with liberality; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.
Some of us have the gift of service and that is a wonderful gift. Some have a gift of exhorting or encouraging. When one is discouraged a member with the gift of encouragement is very valuable also the gift of mercy or helping those who need emotional or other types of help is so needful for a group. Paul says serve them cheerfully. The gift of giving to the church is vital and some people really have a crucial gift of financial management. Some are good administrators who get things done effectively. All must be done out of service, motivated by love of God and the brethren.
