The Gifts of the Spirit, Part 1

n. The Gifts of the Spirit.

(1) As to the . “Now concerning , brethren, I would not have you ignorant...For to one is given by the Spirit the ; to another the by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit: to another the ; to another ; to another ; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will” ().

(2) As to the . The first thing we would like to point out is that the gifts are not given to man because of his , but according to the : dividing to every man severally as he will.” The next thing we would call attention to is that gifts were given in order to the claims of Christ and His disciples, that Jesus Christ was truly the Son of God, and that the was at an end, and that the had begun. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation: which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?” (). Certainly there was a need for God to verify this new teaching which was begun by the Lord Himself inasmuch as the people had been under the traditions of the law for over fourteen hundred years, and thus it was hard for them to realize that God had done away with the and had established the New. Also, there were no New Testament Books yet written. Lastly, we emphasize the fact that no one believer receives every one of the gifts. “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. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?” () The answer is no.

(3) As to . How were these gifts to be used? The thirteenth chapter of I Corinthians plainly declares they should be motivated by love. Paul, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, states that if he had all the gifts, and had not love, he would be nothing; his life would be fruitless, and his rewards nil.

Some may ask, “Is the gift of tongues for today?” “Doesn’t the Bible say, ‘Forbid not to speak with tongues’?” This subject will be dealt with more fully in the next section; however, something may be said about it here.

does clearly state: “Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.” But if chapter 14 is to be used as permission to speak with tongues, then they who speak in tongues must be governed by this same chapter as to their use of this gift. Should a person, then, be allowed to speak in tongues in a church service? Certainly, if it is done according to 1 Corinthians 14. “If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God” (). Whenever the gift of tongues is employed, only two or at the most, three, can speak at one service. This rule would eliminate much of the so-called tongue movement of today. Next in order is that the speaking shall be “” — one at a time. This would eliminate even more tongue movement, for sometimes scores, and even hundreds are upon the floor at the same time. Then the Scriptures say that if there is no interpreter, let there be no talking in tongues whatsoever. More would be eliminated if this were followed. Finally, “Let your women keep silence in the church” ). This practically puts to an end all tongue movement, for the majority of those participating are women.

Many will rebel at the quoted passage, saying that it does not mean “tongues.” If this does not mean “tongues,” it refers to everything, including tongues, when it says for the women to keep silent in the churches. This, however, has reference only to tongues, for other portions of this same book of I Corinthians allow a woman to speak or pray in church. “But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven” (). “Prophesieth” means to “”; thus, a woman is allowed to “forth-tell” the Word of God at Sunday school, upon the mission field, and in like places.

The Gifts of the Spirit, Part 1

Gap-fill exercise