When we examine the spiritual gifts (gifts of the Holy Spirit) to believers for the edification of the Church we find that there are two broad categories: (1) the temporary gifts and (2) the permanent gifts.
The gifts of apostles and prophets were limited to the Apostolic Age. The sign gifts are called “signs, wonders, and miracles” and were also limited to the apostles and their companions. The gift of tongues was also a sign gift (for Jews), and we are told that prophecies, tongues, and knowledge (supernatural) would cease (1 Cor 13:8-10).
In searching the New Testament, we will find spiritual gifts discussed in (a) Mark 16, (b) 1 Corinthians 12-14, (c) Romans 12, and (d) Ephesians 4. And all of these should be taken into account before the sign gifts are separated out. Those who insist that the sign gifts listed in the New Testament are still in effect seem to (1) forget all about the other gifts and (2) imagine that Cessationists believe that all spiritual gifts ceased. The truth is that the majority of spiritual gifts have remained, but are never discussed or emphasized. As a result, Christians are not consciously exercising all their gifts.
The gifts which have never ceased are as follows:
1. Casting out of demons
2. Words of wisdom
3. Words of knowledge
4. Faith
5. Discerning of spirits
6. Helps
7. Governments
8. Ministry
9. Exhortation
10. Liberality
11. Mercy
10. Evangelists
11. Pastors
12. Teachers
What should be noted is that EVERY GENUINE CHRISTIAN MUST HAVE AT LEAST ONE OF THESE GIFTS: But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal (1 Cor 12:7)
As we can see, if all these gifts were being exercised, every church would flourish spiritually. But if no one brings these gifts into focus, then all that people can think about is tongues and healing.
John Gill provides insight into the meaning of some of these gifts in his commentary:
The word of wisdom: by which is meant "the manifold wisdom of God"; the wonderful scheme of salvation through the incarnation, sufferings, and death of Christ, in which God has "abounded in all wisdom and prudence"; together with all other deep, mysterious, and sublime doctrines of the Gospel, the knowledge of which were peculiarly given to the apostles in the first place, who have the first office or ministry in the church, by "the spirit of wisdom"; and which they had a faculty, a gift of declaring, opening, and explaining unto others [and which continues in some Christians].
To another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit: meaning either knowledge of future events; or an universal knowledge of the Scriptures of truth, and the doctrines contained in them, of the whole mind and will of God therein, which is a distinct thing from saving grace.
To another faith by the same Spirit: Not the grace of faith, which is common to all believers, though given by the same Spirit: but rather the doctrine of faith, and ability to preach it, and boldness and intrepidity of spirit to assert and defend it in the face of all opposition. [also extraordinary faith which is present in some believers]
To another discerning of spirits: by which gift such that were possessed of it could, in some measure, discern the hearts of men, their thoughts, purposes, and designs, their secret dissimulation and hypocrisy... by which also they could distinguish the Spirit of God from the lying spirits in men [including evil spirits speaking through men]
Or ministry, let us wait on our ministry: The word sometimes signifies the whole ecclesiastical ministry, even the office of apostleship, as well as the ordinary ministration of the Gospel; seeA cts 1:17; but here "deaconship", or the office of ministering to the poor saints, as in Acts 6:1, being a distinct office from prophesying: or preaching the word, and should be used, exercised, and attended to with diligence, care, and constancy; for such who are appointed to this office, are chosen not only to a place of honour, but of service and business, in which they should behave with prudence, sobriety, and humility.
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: This is the other branch of prophesying or preaching, and which is more practical, and lies in giving a word of exhortation to the saints, as their particular cases call for; for as prophets were teachers, Acts 13:1; so also exhorters, Acts 15:32; and one considerable branch of the ministry, and which is more principally the pastor's work, as well as to teach, is to exhort all sorts of persons, young and old, rich and poor, high and low, bond and free, under his care, with all longsuffering and doctrine. The words will bear to be read [may also be read thus], "he that comforteth, on consolation"; and so the Syriac version renders them, "and another who is a comforter, in his consolation".
While Paul lists the spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, he focuses on tongues and their abuse (and proper use) in chapter 14. Chapter 13 is all about the greatest spiritual gift which is agape love (called “charity” in the King James Bible). What does Paul teach in the 14th chapter of 1 Corinthians?
1. The gift of prophecy is pre-eminent for edification.
2. The gift of tongues is the least of the gifts (since 5 words of prophecy are greater than 10,000 words in tongues).
3. Tongues were a sign to unbelieving Jews, as prophesied by Isaiah.
4. There must be an interpreter (or interpretation) for tongues to be spoken in the church.
5. Only two or three may speak in tongues within a church meeting.
6. Women may not speak in tongues within a church meeting.
The gifts of apostles and prophets were limited to the Apostolic Age. The sign gifts are called “signs, wonders, and miracles” and were also limited to the apostles and their companions. The gift of tongues was also a sign gift (for Jews), and we are told that prophecies, tongues, and knowledge (supernatural) would cease (1 Cor 13:8-10).
In searching the New Testament, we will find spiritual gifts discussed in (a) Mark 16, (b) 1 Corinthians 12-14, (c) Romans 12, and (d) Ephesians 4. And all of these should be taken into account before the sign gifts are separated out. Those who insist that the sign gifts listed in the New Testament are still in effect seem to (1) forget all about the other gifts and (2) imagine that Cessationists believe that all spiritual gifts ceased. The truth is that the majority of spiritual gifts have remained, but are never discussed or emphasized. As a result, Christians are not consciously exercising all their gifts.
The gifts which have never ceased are as follows:
1. Casting out of demons
2. Words of wisdom
3. Words of knowledge
4. Faith
5. Discerning of spirits
6. Helps
7. Governments
8. Ministry
9. Exhortation
10. Liberality
11. Mercy
10. Evangelists
11. Pastors
12. Teachers
What should be noted is that EVERY GENUINE CHRISTIAN MUST HAVE AT LEAST ONE OF THESE GIFTS: But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal (1 Cor 12:7)
As we can see, if all these gifts were being exercised, every church would flourish spiritually. But if no one brings these gifts into focus, then all that people can think about is tongues and healing.
John Gill provides insight into the meaning of some of these gifts in his commentary:
The word of wisdom: by which is meant "the manifold wisdom of God"; the wonderful scheme of salvation through the incarnation, sufferings, and death of Christ, in which God has "abounded in all wisdom and prudence"; together with all other deep, mysterious, and sublime doctrines of the Gospel, the knowledge of which were peculiarly given to the apostles in the first place, who have the first office or ministry in the church, by "the spirit of wisdom"; and which they had a faculty, a gift of declaring, opening, and explaining unto others [and which continues in some Christians].
To another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit: meaning either knowledge of future events; or an universal knowledge of the Scriptures of truth, and the doctrines contained in them, of the whole mind and will of God therein, which is a distinct thing from saving grace.
To another faith by the same Spirit: Not the grace of faith, which is common to all believers, though given by the same Spirit: but rather the doctrine of faith, and ability to preach it, and boldness and intrepidity of spirit to assert and defend it in the face of all opposition. [also extraordinary faith which is present in some believers]
To another discerning of spirits: by which gift such that were possessed of it could, in some measure, discern the hearts of men, their thoughts, purposes, and designs, their secret dissimulation and hypocrisy... by which also they could distinguish the Spirit of God from the lying spirits in men [including evil spirits speaking through men]
Or ministry, let us wait on our ministry: The word sometimes signifies the whole ecclesiastical ministry, even the office of apostleship, as well as the ordinary ministration of the Gospel; seeA cts 1:17; but here "deaconship", or the office of ministering to the poor saints, as in Acts 6:1, being a distinct office from prophesying: or preaching the word, and should be used, exercised, and attended to with diligence, care, and constancy; for such who are appointed to this office, are chosen not only to a place of honour, but of service and business, in which they should behave with prudence, sobriety, and humility.
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: This is the other branch of prophesying or preaching, and which is more practical, and lies in giving a word of exhortation to the saints, as their particular cases call for; for as prophets were teachers, Acts 13:1; so also exhorters, Acts 15:32; and one considerable branch of the ministry, and which is more principally the pastor's work, as well as to teach, is to exhort all sorts of persons, young and old, rich and poor, high and low, bond and free, under his care, with all longsuffering and doctrine. The words will bear to be read [may also be read thus], "he that comforteth, on consolation"; and so the Syriac version renders them, "and another who is a comforter, in his consolation".
While Paul lists the spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, he focuses on tongues and their abuse (and proper use) in chapter 14. Chapter 13 is all about the greatest spiritual gift which is agape love (called “charity” in the King James Bible). What does Paul teach in the 14th chapter of 1 Corinthians?
1. The gift of prophecy is pre-eminent for edification.
2. The gift of tongues is the least of the gifts (since 5 words of prophecy are greater than 10,000 words in tongues).
3. Tongues were a sign to unbelieving Jews, as prophesied by Isaiah.
4. There must be an interpreter (or interpretation) for tongues to be spoken in the church.
5. Only two or three may speak in tongues within a church meeting.
6. Women may not speak in tongues within a church meeting.
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