What I find funny with some of these PASTORS WHO HAVE CORRECTLY POINTED OUT THE FOOLISHNESS OF SOME CHARISMATIC AND PENTACOSTELS abusing the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. To that, I say amen.
barking like a dog and prophesying against the very word of God. and fleecing the flock taking money.
BUT
Many of these same "pastors " wear $1000 suites as they provided an expository message and explain how the gifts have ceased from
only three verses in the whole bible found in
1cor 13:8-10. Yet they will rip out the full context and other text that speak against this very mindset that does not agree
with their opinion.
What does the text say?
first, the context of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit starts in Chapter 12 through chapter 14.
In Proper Hermeneutics that our dear Baptist who I will leave nameless
failed to tell you is:
1. 1cor chapter 12, 13, and 14 are known as unit chapters because they are all contextual on the
topic of "gifts of the Holy Spirit established in
chapter 12 when Paul said NOW concerning the Gifts of the Holy Spirt in verse ONE.
Paul's: teaching of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and nowhere in the text does he ever say
the gifts are no longer needed or have stopped. That is interjected by those who have a bias on the gifts.
And charismatics are no better if they too use only a verse here or there to prove they are for today.
What must we do? We must observe the full context of the topic which starts
chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians and move through chapter 14.
A VERSE NUMBER IS NOT THE STARTING OF THE CONTEXT.
The numbering of verses was done to help us read yet the context can be starting in a different chapter and not ending with a verse.
chapter 12 says the opening
context and topic are provided.
1. Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
Paul is saying right here the topic
then he says :
2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus [c]accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.
Paul did not say YOU are carried away by dumb idols, he said you were and led to do so. Paul says there, I am telling you how to know what is of the
Spirit (Holy Spirit) when
he is speaking or
one says Thus saith the Lord if it is True :
validation of the Holy Spirit is:
#1 verse 3 "
no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus [c]accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit."
now, what is the gifts? And what are they used for?
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: 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 gift of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
This is the opening to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. No language here is even suggesting the gifts are going to stop or will not be for all. Chapter 12 says nothing to that effect, it is "correction" and what they do when they are used correctly.
We know the gifts are from the Holy Spirit and what the gifts are because they are listed; now what do they do?
they are gifts for the body and they are many of them, not just the nine gifts what gifts are listed in chapter 12?
- There are diversities of gifts
- There are differences of ministries
"the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:"
Through the Holy Spirit
- the word of wisdom
- word of knowledge
- faith
- gifts of healings
- the working of miracles
- prophecy
- discerning of spirits
- different kinds of tongues
- the interpretation of tongues
for what reason?
But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
are these the only gifts in Chapter 12?
No.
28 "And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. "
what are the Best Gifts? The ones you need at the time for Comfort, exhortation, edification, teaching, preaching, praying for the sick, or sending out to other areas to church build, the kingdom work.
Nothing being said is suggesting this is going to stop.
Chapter 13 says :
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 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. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body [a]to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
this is not saying
the gifts of the Holy Spirit have ended or will end it is saying IF you use the gifts without LOVE YOU ARE NOTHING!
- use them for a show, they are nothing
- use them to make money they are nothing
- use them for self-gain they are nothing
Use the gifts of the Holy Spirt in any other way than Love to God and man is NOTHING!
in context to love this is what love is and is not:
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Not one thing here says the gifts of the Holy Spirit have ceased or will. in almost two chapters.
Then right here below, is the attempt to say they have :
8 Love never fails.(this is the context) But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
nothing here says the gifts of the Holy Spirit have ceased. nothing.
Chapter 14 opens with :
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. Doesn't sound like they are stopping contextually.
the last verse of this chapter says :
39
Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
What is the application? from our observation, and interpretation I conclude :
from chapters 12 through 14 we see
- The teaching of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and how to verify if they are real.
- What they are for and what are they, as listed in the text
- The reason for them
- How to use them in love and what they are not for or how to be used
- We are told to desire them and use them in love
- Be mature Be in order and discipline
- Final desire them.
Nothing on they have ceased or will cease or stopped or not for today. It is not in the word of God. and you can't build a position on three verses in the Word of God when the three chapters do not support the outcome one desires.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are for today your accepting or not doesn't mean they have stopped.