#21) Gifts of the Spirit

God has not left us to fend for ourselves. In every believer, He has bestowed a special gift. These gifts are known as the gifts of the Spirit. Each one is special in its own unique way.

Ask congregation if they have heard of the gifts of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:8-10
For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.

While others are listed in Scripture, we will focus on the ones above. We can see that the gifts include:

1) wisdom
2) knowledge
3) faith
4) healing
5) miracles
6) prophecy
7) distinguishing of spirits
8) speaking tongues
9) interpretation of tongues

The truth is always important. In fact, John 8:32 tells us that the truth will set us free. It is my hope that after this lesson, we will all have a better understanding of these gifts as well as an understanding of the errors of many churches today in their private interpretation of the gifts.

1 Corinthians 12:4 & 11
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit………But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

The gifts are not something that we pick and choose. They are given by God and God alone. He has a plan and He gives each gift as He wills. We are to seek out what it is that He has given to us so that we can better serve Him but we are not to seek out specific gifts in hope that He will bless us with them at a later date. We are given our gifts at the moment of salvation.

1 Corinthians 12:8a
For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit,

The Greek word used for “word” is logos. It refers to a speaking ability. The Greek word used for “wisdom” is sophia. It refers to the ability to put God’s Word into practical use. Pastors, counselors, & encouragers are all people who would probably possess the gift of wisdom as they all speak practical advice from Scripture to others.

1 Corinthians 12:8b
and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;

Once again, I can see the word logos being used. Because of this, we know that the gift of knowledge is another speaking gift.

1 Corinthians 2:14
But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

Only one led by the Spirit can understand the things of the Spirit. While this is true of all believers, some have been gifted with the ability to dive in deep, exegetically extract the knowledge of Scripture, and relay it to others. This is a gift of teachers. I believe I personally have been gifted with teaching as well as with knowledge. We can also safely say one who has the gift of a word of wisdom also has the gift of a word of knowledge as one must know the Word of God before they can speak of it. The 2 are very similar yet quite different. The gift of a word of knowledge is the ability to relay the knowledge in a spoken manner while the gift of a word of wisdom is the ability to apply it practically in day to day use while also instructing others how to do so.

1 Corinthians 12:9a
to another faith by the same Spirit,

This gift of faith is not the same faith that brings salvation. Every believer has this gift.

Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

Saving faith is indeed a gift. Do not be mistaken. The only reason we are saved is because God, in His grace, gifted us with saving faith. Despite this truth, this is not what Paul is speaking of in verse 9. The spiritual gift of faith is the ability to trust God more than most people.

1 Corinthians 13:2b
and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

Matthew 17:20
And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.

We can see a differentiation. Saving faith is our belief in Christ which is granted us in the Spirit. The spiritual gift of faith being referred to above is one who trusts in the power of God through prayer. It is one who trusts in the goodness of God in times of adversity. It is one who trusts in the sovereignty of God in times of confusion.

Matthew 16:8
But Jesus, aware of this, said, "You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread?

This seems to imply that there are varying degrees of faith. While all believers have the fullness of saving faith, some have more faith than others regarding trusting the promises of God. Those with the spiritual gift of faith will be a step above the others in this area. This is not something to brag about but rather, something to put into practice to edify the Church. This person, through their trust in God, can encourage other believers through their actions. In their steadfastness, they can encourage others to stand firm. In their calmness, they can encourage others to cast their anxiety on God. They can be a living example of Philippians 4:13.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

I believe the apostles had the gift of faith as did all the other martyrs throughout history. It takes a lot of faith to stand up for God in the face of death and speak unashamed that Jesus Christ is Lord.

1 Corinthians 12:9b
and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,

The spiritual gift of healing was the ability to fully heal someone. This is not the same as doctors. Doctors heal through modern medicine as well as the study of the body. Those who were gifted with healing simple said it and it was so.

Matthew 10:1
Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.

Acts 8:5-7
Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them. The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing. For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed.

Matthew 10:1
Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.

Matthew 8:16-17
When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: "HE HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES AND CARRIED AWAY OUR DISEASES."

Notice what it says in Matthew 8:17.

Matthew 8:17
This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: "HE HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES AND CARRIED AWAY OUR DISEASES."

The very purpose of the gift of healing was in order to fulfill Scripture. While the previous gifts are all permanent gifts, there were some gifts that were temporary. This is one of a few that we are going to discuss called the “sign gifts.” The gift of healing was meant to be a sign. Jews saw Gentiles as being a lower class that God would never look upon. Jesus commonly taught of the Gentiles being grafted into the vine. Salvation was no longer limited to Jews only. Imagine the response when they saw Gentiles healing people in the ways described in the above verses. The blind could see. The paralyzed could walk. The dead were brought back to life. All of these things were done to authenticate the message of the apostles. Today, the Word of God has already been authenticated. We are no longer in the transition period from the old covenant to the new covenant. We are no longer given the gift of healing as its purpose has been fulfilled. God may still heal if He chooses to do so but that power is no longer gifted to believers to perform themselves.

1 Corinthians 12:10a
and to another the effecting of miracles,

This is another one of the temporary gifts. The gift of miracles was not meant for boasting nor was it meant to edify the Church. They were meant to authenticate the apostolic message just as healing did.

John 20:30-31
Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

Even the miracles and signs produced by Jesus were not for the purpose of showing off or personal gain. They were produced in order to authenticate the apostolic message and confirm the name of Christ.

2 Corinthians 12:12
The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.

Hebrews 2:3b-4a
After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles

The gift of miracles has a purpose of confirmation. It confirmed the authenticity of the apostles. It confirmed the authenticity of Christ. Today, we have God’s complete Word with full authority. We no longer need the confirmation because we are out of the transitional period. Because of this, the gift of miracles has ceased to exist. It fulfilled its purpose.

B.B. Warfield
These miraculous gifts were part of the credentials of the apostles, as authoritative agents of God in founding the church. Their function confined them distinctly to the apostolic church, and they necessarily passed away with it.

1 Corinthians 12:10b
and to another prophecy,

Prophecy is one that has been cause for much confusion over the years as well. We think of a prophet as being a man who can tell the future. While this was often the case in the Old Testament, this is not the case today. Prophecy is not one of the temporary gifts. It is a permanent gift of God that He continues to give today. However, it is a very different office today.

The Greek word used for prophecy is propheteia. It simply means to speak forth or to proclaim truth of God. There were indeed many times in the Old Testament where God used prophets to speak newly revealed truth that had previously been concealed. This was divine revelation. However, this was not the primary purpose of the gift. The primary purpose of prophecy was to speak forth publicly of God in a profound manner. Sometimes it was new revelation while other times, they only reassured people of truth that was already revealed previously.

Revelation 22:18
I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book;

We have God’s complete revelation. It ended with the revelation of John in the book of Revelation. If one claims to have a newly revealed Word of God, it must be recorded and added to Scripture just every other bit of prophetic words were. God’s revelation is not meant for just a specific area of believers. His Word is applicable to all believers everywhere and He made it available to us all in Scripture. No one is to add to Scripture. His divine revelation has ended and is complete within Scripture.

The gifts of knowledge and wisdom go hand in hand. Both of those gifts accompany today’s prophecy. Today, one with the gift of prophecy is able to know and share God’s revealed word through the gift of knowledge while also being able to apply it through the gift of wisdom.

Revelation 19:10b
For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

John 5:39
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me;

1 Corinthians 14:37
If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment.

The spirit of prophecy is to testify of Jesus. That testimony is found in Scripture. If one claims to be a prophet, he needs to teach from Scripture and proclaim the testimony of Jesus found within. He is not to add to Scripture by proclaiming a new word but is to speak forth the already written word through his special gift.

1 Corinthians 12:10c
and to another the distinguishing of spirits,

This is a very special gift in a day of deception. It is the unique ability to be able to tell the difference between the authentic and the counterfeit.

John 8:44
You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Satan is a liar. He is the father of lies. He does his hardest to twist the Word of God and lead people astray. He often takes sound doctrine and adds a slight twist to it so that it is believable enough but still false enough that people will go away from the Truth. We discussed some of these things last week.

1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

This is something that we are all called to do as believers in Christ. We should all be searching the Scriptures. However, one with the gift of the distinguishing of spirits has a built in alarm system so to speak. They hear something false and it sounds the bells and whistles. I often feel this way when I hear people speak. Something just sounds off about it and it prompts to me either speak out or to search the Scriptures myself. More often than not, I find that indeed the person was taking it out of context or was speaking a lie. One with the gift of discernment will often recognize a false teaching though those around him see nothing wrong with it.

1 Corinthians 12:10d
to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.

Tongues is the most controversial gift out of them all. Many people believe it has continued into the present day while many others believe they ceased upon the completion of God’s Word. I fall into the latter category in the belief that they have ceased. Before we can get into whether not they still exist, we first need to look at their purpose.

1 Corinthians 14:22a
So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers;

That sign is clarified in Isaiah 28. The whole purpose of tongues was as a sign of judgment to unbelieving Israel during the transition period of old to new covenant when the Gentiles were being grafted in. It was seen as outlandish that a Gentile would possess anything of God. After all, the Jews were God’s chosen people. This was the sign of judgment that 1 Corinthians 14:21 quotes.

1 Corinthians 14:21
BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF STRANGERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN SO THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME

Tongues were always real languages. Had it been gibberish, the Gentiles would have looked insane. This would not have been a sign of judgment on Israel as they would have looked at the Gentiles as being lower than they already viewed them. They were real languages that authenticated the work of God in them.

Acts 10:45-46a
All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God.

Acts 2:6-8
And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. They were amazed and astonished, saying, "Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born?

I already stated in 1 Corinthians 14:22 how it says tongues are a sign not to those who believe but to unbelievers. Keep this in mind.

1 Corinthians 14:2
For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.

1 Corinthians 14:4
One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.

This is not a praise directing people to speak to God in a private prayer language as is the argument of every Charismatic I have ever spoken with. It is the exact opposite. First of all, we see Paul is telling of the greatness of prophecy because it edifies the Church. Tongues were not meant to do this. Tongues were not even primarily for the believer. They were for the unbeliever's benefit. If tongues were meant to be a prayer language, why would Paul so boldly state that they are not for the believer? As with the other temporary sign gifts, the gift of tongues was meant to authenticate the apostolic word.

Furthermore, let's go back to verse 2. It says that one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Many Charismatics take this to mean they can pray to God in a private prayer language that is not meant for men. However, further examination of the text refutes this theory.

It clearly says the man who does this speaks mysteries. He speaks things he does not understand. In a sense, it amounts to futile babbling that he only hopes is making it to God in some cohesive manner on the other end. Also notice that the spirit is speaks of is not the Holy Spirit but rather, the spirit of the man.

Charismatics make the claim that the private prayer language is meant for self edification and not for others. In verse 22, Paul says tongues are not meant for the believer. This is strike 1. Furthermore, we know that tongues need to be understood in order to have any edifying effect whatsoever. Verse 2 does say that tongues edifies oneself while prophecy edifies the Church. Paul was being sarcastic here. We see sarcasm being used all throughout this epistle such as 4:8-10 and 14:16. The Corinthians desired the "wow" gifts for selfish reasons. There was a sense of satisfaction in them knowing that they had what they thought to be the greater gifts that everyone could see. He was pointing out their selfishness. There was no actual edifying going on. They just had a sense of self satisfaction in their “achievements.”

1 Corinthians 14:6
But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching?

Unless there was interpretation, there was no profit. If there is no profit, there is no edification. If there is no edification, there is no point.

1 Corinthians 14:12
So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.

The Corinthians desired gifts that could astonish. Paul was instructing them to take this zeal and apply it to the edification of the Church instead of toward selfish desires that are not of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:14-15
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.

Paul is saying that to pray in tongues as a private prayer language (as they were apparently doing even back then) is in vain. Paul goes so far as to say it is unfruitful. If there is no fruit, there can certainly be no edification. Paul doesn't just leave it as being unfruitful for the Church as he differentiates in other passages. He plainly says it is unfruitful period. Unless the one speaking can understand it, there is no fruit. This is because his mind is unfruitful. I've actually heard Charismatics claim that freeing the mind is the goal. Paul says the exact opposite. He does not continue by saying to let your mind run free and pray an unknown tongue to God hoping that He will understand it and edify you. Paul says instead he will pray not only with the spirit but also with the mind. One can only pray with the mind if he understands what he is praying.

1 Corinthians 14:13
Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

Notice it does not say pray that someone can interpret. It says for the speaker to pray that he can interpret. This was more sarcasm. Paul knew they were speaking gibberish and he challenged them. If they weren't going to stop, at least pray that they can interpret their own nonsense.

1 Corinthians 14:28
but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.

This is another one used by Charismatics to claim they can pray to God in an unknown private prayer language. I have already given more than enough evidence that there is no such thing as a private prayer language because it is unfruitful, unprofitable, and has no edifying value whatsoever. In turn, the praying to God mentioned in verse 28 can only mean in their own language. If they felt compelled to speak in tongues but there was no interpreter, instead let that man remain quiet and pray to God with value in his own language.

1 Corinthians 12:3
Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed";

Many Charismatics say that they have experienced it so it can't be false. Well, the above verse should refute this in full. Apparently, some were claiming to speak in the Spirit yet they were saying, "Jesus is accursed." In the same manner, just because someone has claimed to experience the gift of tongues does not mean it is valid if it is outside of the framework of Scripture and goes against the very rebukes of Paul.

1 Corinthians 13:8
Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.

Upon first glance, it appears that prophecy, tongues, and knowledge will all cease together at some point. However, further study shows different timelines. The Greek word used for cease is pauo. It means to simply cease to exist or to run out much like a battery that loses charge. It just dies off. The Greek word used for done away is katargeo. It implies an external force putting a stop to something. It sets tongues apart from the rest. It says prophecy and knowledge will be done away but tongues will cease.

1 Corinthians 13:9-10
For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.

Here we can see knowledge and prophesy being together again. However, notice tongues is not found. Let’s look at it again.

1 Corinthians 13:8-10
Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.

The gifts of knowledge and prophecy will be done away with the coming of the perfect however, tongues is not mentioned because it will have already ceased to exist beforehand. Some say since it does not list the other gifts, we can’t come to this conclusion. However, it was speaking of all three (prophecy, knowledge, and tongues). It mentions all three of them, differentiates the way tongues will go, and then mentions the 2 that will still be around.

I do not believe the perfect is the completion of Scripture as things are still far from perfect. I do not believe the perfect is the coming of Christ for the same reason. I believe the perfect to be when I get to Heaven. Only at this point will all things be perfect. Until then, the gifts of knowledge and prophecy will remain. We know the gift of tongues will have ceased to exist sometime before then. It is a matter of figuring out if that time has already come or if it will come sometime in the future. I hope I have given enough Scripture references to show how it is over and how the sign of judgment has already been delivered.

O. Palmer Robertson, The Westminster Theological Journal
Tongues served well to show that Christianity, though begun in the cradle of Judaism, was not to be distinctively Jewish...Now that the transition [between Old and New Covenants] has been made, the sign of transition has no abiding value in the life of the church.

Today there is no need for a sign to show that God is moving from the single nation of Israel to all the nations. That movement has become an accomplished fact. As in the case of the founding office of apostle, so the particularly transitional gift of tongues has fulfilled its function as covenantal sign for the Old and New Covenant people of God. Once having fulfilled that role, it has no further function among the people of God.

Regarding the signs gifts being temporary, Scripture itself attests to it.

Hebrews 2:3b-4a
After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles

2 Corinthians 12:12
The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.

We covered earlier that the sign gifts were meant to authenticate apostolic teaching. These verses seem to indicate that the sign gifts had already faded away. It is as if he is telling a story of the past to tap their memories and keep them going strong. They had been shown. It had been confirmed. It was not a current ongoing confirmation by signs and wonders but rather a past tense instance of something that had already taken place and was no longer.

Thomas R. Edgar, The Cessation of the Sign Gifts
Since these gifts and signs did cease, the burden of proof is entirely on the charismatics to prove their validity. Too long Christians have assumed that the noncharismatic must produce incontestable Biblical evidence that the miraculous sign gifts did cease. However, noncharismatics have no burden to prove this, since it has already been proved by history. It is irrefutable fact admitted by many Pentecostals. Therefore the charismatics must prove Biblically that the sign gifts will start up again during the Church Age and that today's phenomena are this reoccurrence. In other words they must prove that their experiences are the reoccurrence of gifts that have not occurred for almost 1,900 years.

If you ever get into a discussion of the sign gifts with a Charismatic, you will doubtlessly hear the question, “But have you ever experienced them?” or perhaps the statement, “You can’t comment on something you have never experienced.” As we covered earlier, we are all called to prove all things through Scripture. If this can’t be done, we are to reject the experience as invalid. God will never give us something that is outside of Scripture but Satan just might throw a twisted half-truth our way. Be diligent in your study of the Word and ask God to show you what He has gifted you with so that you may edify the Church.