Spiritual gifts: Unconfusing them

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,016
4,316
113
#81
Very difficult subject (spiritual gifts) which is why there's so much controversy, and equally difficult to unravel and explain. But let me explain it this way.

First, look at the way Paul started his letter to the Corinthians starting at 1 Cor1:10 where he's discussing contentions and divisions in Corinth and the need for unity which sets the stage for the rest of 1 Corinthians.

Also keep in mind, this was written to them in their time, addressing their near term issues, and not to us nor considering some event in the distant future.

And too, keep in mind that the early church was a fledgling body with little to guide and hold it together, and prone to division, contention, and falling away, such as was also warned about in the Hebrew letter as well.

You have to first ask yourself and answer the question as to what is "that which is perfect"? Did not provide (where this came from. You find it in 1cor 13:8-10)

The aforementioned question and answer to it is found in Ephesians 4:13 wherein it discusses 'till we all come to the unity of the faith unto a perfect man, the perfect man being the perfection of the body of Christ: this being then the previous need for the miraculous manifestation of the various gifts noted in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. We now have the bible to guide us and no longer need the piece meal parts of the body.( No where in the bible does it say the gifts are no longer needed because we have the Bible)

The "face to face" and "known as we are known" is relating to the distinction between the old testament readings, and coming to Christ via the New Testament and the comparison to the veil in reading Moses, and we now, they then, being able to look into a glass or mirror and seeing a reflection of Christ as opposed to our own image.

This is a type of eisegesis of 1 verse found in 1cor chapter 13. That is opinionated. Remember, one verse is used, yet they created a narrative that is not even supported by the text they used.

To piece it all together, you must look at the gifts and the logic in, and need for them at that time, all being necessary in the early church to edify it, as well as to grow the church such as by use of tongues, being a sign to unbelievers.

Out of context, doesn't know or understand Prophesying tongues & interpretation contextually with chapter 12,13 and 14 of 1corintians

I've posted all the pertinent parts of scriptures from 1 Cor 12, 13, Galatians 3, and Ephesians 4. Look very closely at the similarity of words used and phraseology and piece those similar words and phrases together to get the true picture of their meaning as relates to the subject matter.

Left out chapter 14 of 1cor when chapters 12 through 14 of 1corthinians are unit chapters

1 Corinthians 12:8-31

8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.12For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.14For the body is not one member, but many. 15If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.27Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.28And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

1 Corinthians 13:8-12

8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

2 Corinthians 3:7-18

7But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 9For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 10For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. 11For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.12Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 15But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 17Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Galatians 3:23-27

23But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Ephesians 4:7-16

7But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.9(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

LOL, this was more confusing than anything I have seen in a while. Jumped from so many texts to and out of Context, I might add too.

I will highlight the areas. I did not go thru the whole thing because t was way to confusing and wrong :)
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
113
#82
Very difficult subject (spiritual gifts)
I don't think so.
there's so much controversy
That is likely because so many manmade ideas have been thrown into the mix.
Also keep in mind, this was written to them in their time, addressing their near term issues, and not to us nor considering some event in the distant future.
The Word of God is for all times and addresses our needs... both yesterday, today, and in the future (at least until He returns for us.)
 

Evmur

Well-known member
Feb 28, 2021
5,219
2,618
113
London
christianchat.com
#84
Gifts are faked all the time. Read Jeremiah. Read about the 400 prophets of Baal. NT speaks of false teachers & prophets in the last days.
The word manifestation can be used positively or negatively according to how it's used in scripture.
Did God speak to you when you got saved? we know the preacher did, you heard his voice or read his words but didn't God also speak? wasn't it the voice of the Holy Spirit which awakened your soul?

And you responded

When you responded did God give you something? a most precious gift?

Why do you find it so difficult to believe that God continues to speak to you? or having given you the most precious gift of all, even His Son, God would continue to load gifts upon you?

In what way can Christ be the same to your community yesterday and today and forever unless the Holy Spirit work through YOU as He worked through Jesus.

... I think Christians do not love people around them and that's why they do not seek God for the power to effectively minister. So they make up this excuse to God

"I knew that Thou wast hard hearted and reapeth where Thou streweth not so I made up this doctrine that the gifts ceased with the early church"
 

hornetguy

Senior Member
Jan 18, 2016
7,097
1,732
113
#85
you dare to judge whether a brother's prayer to his God is acceptable or not, that's what I mean

... I wouldn't like to do that
oh, that's what you meant.... I would not like to do that either..
I was replying to your response about "praying in tongues"..... someone else questioned whether they were truly tongues, or just gibberish, and you responded that if it was offered with a sincere heart, it was all good....(even if it was gibberish, apparently)

My point is, if it IS truly just gibberish, but offered with a sincere heart, what good is it? Did God ask us to "pray" gibberish to Him? Jesus taught us how to pray, and there was no gibberish involved. Simply offering "something" to God with a sincere heart doesn't make it acceptable.... reference Cain.
 

hornetguy

Senior Member
Jan 18, 2016
7,097
1,732
113
#86
"I knew that Thou wast hard hearted and reapeth where Thou streweth not so I made up this doctrine that the gifts ceased with the early church"
Do you talk like this all the time? Just wondering....
 

Evmur

Well-known member
Feb 28, 2021
5,219
2,618
113
London
christianchat.com
#87
oh, that's what you meant.... I would not like to do that either..
I was replying to your response about "praying in tongues"..... someone else questioned whether they were truly tongues, or just gibberish, and you responded that if it was offered with a sincere heart, it was all good....(even if it was gibberish, apparently)

My point is, if it IS truly just gibberish, but offered with a sincere heart, what good is it? Did God ask us to "pray" gibberish to Him? Jesus taught us how to pray, and there was no gibberish involved. Simply offering "something" to God with a sincere heart doesn't make it acceptable.... reference Cain.
I think you speak gibberish in english. I say they are communing with God from the heart, God reads the heart

Paul prayed with groanings what about that? who does he think he is groaning at God?

The onlookers at Pentecost thought the apostolic crowd were talking drunken gibberish.
 

hornetguy

Senior Member
Jan 18, 2016
7,097
1,732
113
#91
I think you speak gibberish in english.
Me? You've never heard me speak...
Paul prayed with groanings what about that?
Publicly?
The onlookers at Pentecost thought the apostolic crowd were talking drunken gibberish.
They were speaking known tongues.... to me, Mandarin sounds like gibberish.... but it is a known language.

Look, take a deep breath, I don't care what you do, or how you choose to commune with God.... that is between you and Him. But when you try to teach other people that they NEED to speak gibberish, and call it "tongues".... I find that to be incorrect, at best, and spiritually damaging at worst.
 

Evmur

Well-known member
Feb 28, 2021
5,219
2,618
113
London
christianchat.com
#92
Me? You've never heard me speak...

Publicly?

They were speaking known tongues.... to me, Mandarin sounds like gibberish.... but it is a known language.

Look, take a deep breath, I don't care what you do, or how you choose to commune with God.... that is between you and Him. But when you try to teach other people that they NEED to speak gibberish, and call it "tongues".... I find that to be incorrect, at best, and spiritually damaging at worst.
... I know you ... I seen you in the Untouchables

publicly or privately we are discussing whether "gibberish" or groanings constitute real prayer in God's eyes

God says never mind what YOU or I say. God says "I wish that ye did all speak in tongues"

... that is in the completed canon of scripture.
 

hornetguy

Senior Member
Jan 18, 2016
7,097
1,732
113
#93
... I know you ... I seen you in the Untouchables
:ROFL::ROFL: I'm not gonna ask which one you're confusing me with.... :LOL:
God says "I wish that ye did all speak in tongues"
Actually, I think that was Paul that said that..... :p
publicly or privately we are discussing whether "gibberish" or groanings constitute real prayer in God's eyes
I agree to an extent.... but.... Paul gave pretty explicit instructions as to what public prayer (in the assembly) should look like.... and if everyone was gibbering or "groaning", even if it WAS sincerely prayer, it would not be a good thing. Sort of the origin of the term "Holy Rollers" for pentecostal churches. If everyone is rolling around on the floor, gibbering, laughing hysterically, moaning, etc... I don't think Jesus envisioned his church acting that way. Paul said that any visitors would leave immediately, thinking the assembly was crazy...
 

Evmur

Well-known member
Feb 28, 2021
5,219
2,618
113
London
christianchat.com
#95
:ROFL::ROFL: I'm not gonna ask which one you're confusing me with.... :LOL:

Actually, I think that was Paul that said that..... :p

I agree to an extent.... but.... Paul gave pretty explicit instructions as to what public prayer (in the assembly) should look like.... and if everyone was gibbering or "groaning", even if it WAS sincerely prayer, it would not be a good thing. Sort of the origin of the term "Holy Rollers" for pentecostal churches. If everyone is rolling around on the floor, gibbering, laughing hysterically, moaning, etc... I don't think Jesus envisioned his church acting that way. Paul said that any visitors would leave immediately, thinking the assembly was crazy...
... you can't do that

you can't say this is Paul or John or Peter but this is God "I willest above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospereth"
That's God

But the overwhelming majority of us agree that in public tongues should be used in conjunction with interpretation, have you ever interpreted?.... how are you so expert in these matters?

You should visit your local bunch of "happy clappers" see what they do rather than take it from the box.
 

hornetguy

Senior Member
Jan 18, 2016
7,097
1,732
113
#96
But the overwhelming majority of us agree that in public tongues should be used in conjunction with interpretation, have you ever interpreted?.... how are you so expert in these matters?
Goodness, no. I don't speak in tongues... the Spirit has not seen the necessity in my having that gift. I never claimed "expert" status... just going by what I have read in my studies.
you can't say this is Paul or John or Peter but this is God
Well, in at least one occasion, Paul stated that what he was saying was simply his opinion, and not God's.... and when he was talking about tongues, he said "I would that you all spoke in tongues.... " notice he did not say "God wants you all to speak in tongues"....
This leaves the strong possibility that this is simply Paul's wish, nothing more. This is not to diminish what he said, but I don't want to "put words in God's mouth" either.... Paul said, "it's good to not marry"..... does that mean that God tells us to not marry? or was that just Paul, giving us his opinion?
You should visit your local bunch of "happy clappers" see what they do rather than take it from the box.
I'm fairly familiar with the milder pentecostal groups.... my mother in law worshipped with one of those....
 

Edify

Well-known member
Jan 27, 2021
1,559
656
113
#97
Did God speak to you when you got saved? we know the preacher did, you heard his voice or read his words but didn't God also speak? wasn't it the voice of the Holy Spirit which awakened your soul?

And you responded

When you responded did God give you something? a most precious gift?

Why do you find it so difficult to believe that God continues to speak to you? or having given you the most precious gift of all, even His Son, God would continue to load gifts upon you?

In what way can Christ be the same to your community yesterday and today and forever unless the Holy Spirit work through YOU as He worked through Jesus.

... I think Christians do not love people around them and that's why they do not seek God for the power to effectively minister. So they make up this excuse to God

"I knew that Thou wast hard hearted and reapeth where Thou streweth not so I made up this doctrine that the gifts ceased with the early church"
You misunderstand me. Just because there's tons of fakers out there doesn't mean I dont believe in the gifts.
I totally believe in them.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,016
4,316
113
#98
oh, that's what you meant.... I would not like to do that either..
I was replying to your response about "praying in tongues"..... someone else questioned whether they were truly tongues, or just gibberish, and you responded that if it was offered with a sincere heart, it was all good....(even if it was gibberish, apparently)

My point is, if it IS truly just gibberish, but offered with a sincere heart, what good is it? Did God ask us to "pray" gibberish to Him? Jesus taught us how to pray, and there was no gibberish involved. Simply offering "something" to God with a sincere heart doesn't make it acceptable.... reference Cain.
is the word Gibberish in the Bible? LOL