Month: July 2019

 

 

“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” – Titus 3:5 (NIV)

 

INTRODUCTION

Last week we indicated that there are eleven ministries of the Holy Spirit and started with His

ministry concerning the spiritual gifts.  We ended on “not using the gifts in love” and said that

those who are blessed with gifts often abuse it and that only eternity will reveal the number of

men in the ministry who should never have been there.

 

We continue our study this week on the Holy Spirit ministry concerning the spiritual gifts as

follows:

 

5. THE NUMBER OF THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS.

In three main passages, the Apostle Paul lists eighteen separate spiritual gifts for us.  These passages are:  Romans 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-7; Ephesians 4:11.

 

6. THE NATURE OF THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS

It would seem that these eighteen gifts can be placed into two basic categories, the permanent stationary gifts and the temporary sign gifts.

 

7. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS
8. The Seven Temporary Sign Gifts.  These would include the gifts of apostleship,

prophecy, miracles, healing, tongues, interpretation of tongues, and knowledge.

At this point it is relevant to ask by what right do we designate the sign gifts as temporary in duration.  The answer is found in the miraculous nature of the gift itself.  Imagine yourself to be a spokesman sent from God some twenty centuries ago, before most of the New Testament was written.  You have a message from the Lord.  But how can your listeners be sure you are not one more false prophet among the many of the day?  One dramatic indication of your genuineness would be the ability to perform miraculous signs.  Note the following verses which bring this out. “He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” – John 3:2.  “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.” – John 20:30   “I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done” – Romans 15:18.  “I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.”  – 2 Cor. 12:12.  “God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” – Heb. 2:4

The sign gifts were given primarily to validate the authority of the Saviour and His apostles prior to the writing of the New Testament.  Afterwards, this miraculous proof was no longer needed, for the Scriptures themselves reveal the true from the false.

(1)   THE GIFT OF APOSTLESHIP

A reference to certain men called by Christ Himself and endued with special power to function as the official “charter members” of the newly organized church.  “ So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,” – Eph. 4:11.  “And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.” – 1 Cor. 12:28

(a)   Apostolic Requirements.  One must have seen the resurrected Christ.  “Beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” – Acts 1:22.  “Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?“ – 1 Cor. 9:1.

(b)   Apostolic Number.  The total number of the early apostles  was not limited to twelve – Luke 6:13; Acts 1:26; 14:14; Romans 1:1; 11:13; Gal. 1:19; 1 Cor. 9:1; 15:7; 2 Cor. 11:5; 12:12.

(2)   THE GIFT OF PROPHECY

“to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing

between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.” – 1 Cor. 12:10.  “ Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”  “During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.  One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)” – Acts 11:27-28.  “After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.  Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.” – Acts 21:10-11

 

(3)  THE GIFT OF MIRACLES

A supernatural ability to perform those events outside and beyond the realm of nature; the ability to set aside for a time the regular laws of nature.  “And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.” – 1 Cor. 12:28

 

(4)   THE GIFT OF HEALING

A supernatural ability to cue human ills, whether of physical, mental, or demonic origin. “to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,” And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.” “Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.” – 1 Cor. 12:9, 28,30.

 

• The purpose of the gift of healing. As in the case of miracles, this gift was apparently given to attest to the authority and power of the one doing the healing.

 

• The limitation of the gift of healing. Christ did not heal all those He encountered –

Luke 4:25-27; John 5:3-9.

 

Paul was limited in his healing abilities as seen in his own affliction – 2 Cor. 12:7-10.

 

As seen in the case of Epaphroditus – Phil. 2:26-27

As seen in the case of Timothy – 1 Tim. 5:23

As seen in the case of Trophimus – 2 Tim 4:20.

 

(5)        THE GIFT OF TONGUES

“to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.” – 1 Cor. 12:10.

 

“Until the completion of the New Testament God used the gift of tongues to act as a sign to the unbeliever (both Jew and Gentile) and as a means to edify the believer.  “Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.” – 1 Cor. 4:22

 

(6)        THE GIFT OF THE INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES

1 Cor. 12:10 This is the supernatural ability to clarify and interpret those messages uttered in an unknown language.

 

(7)        THE GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE

The supernatural ability to receive by revelation and transmit by inspiration, a portion of the Word of God.  “To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,” – 1 Cor. 12 8

 

To be continued!

Stay blessed!

Source: Wilmington’s Guide to the Bible

 

For further inquiries please contact us on Tel Nos. 0302-772013 or 0268130615

Email:  saltnlightministries@gmail.com

Website: saltandlightgh.org

^“We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.  And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with Him.” – Romans 6:6-8 (NLT)

 

INTRODUCTION

People should be able to see a difference between Christians and non-Christians because of the way Christians live.  We are to live full of light.  Paul told the Ephesians to leave behind the old life of sin, since they were followers of Christ.  Living the Christian life is a process.  Although we have a new nature, we don’t automatically think all good thoughts and express all right attitudes when we become new people in Christ.  But if we keep listening to God, we will be changing all the time.  As you look back over last year, do you see a process of change for the better in your thoughts, attitudes and actions?  Although change may be slow, it comes as you trust God to change you.

 

Our old way of life before we believed in Christ is completely in the past answered – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:  The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Cor. 5:17  We should put it behind us like old clothes to be thrown away.  When we decide to accept Christ’s gift of salvation, it both a one time decision, as well as a daily conscious commitment.  We are not to be driven by desire and impulse.  We must put on the new nature, head in the new direction, and have the new way of thinking that the Holy Spirit gives.

 

We have decided to quote straight from scriptures today to remind us that the word of God is indeed “living and active.”

 

LIVING AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT

^“With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused.  Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.  They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.  But that isn’t what you learned about Christ.  Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.  Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.  So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

 

If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.  Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.  And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:17 -32

 

LIVING IN THE LIGHT

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.  Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.  Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.  Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.  You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

 

Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.  Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!  For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.  Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.  It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

LIVING BY THE SPIRIT’S POWER

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.  Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.  Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.  And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Ephesians 5:1-20.

 

 

All Scriptures are from the New Living Translation.

 

Remain Blessed!

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