T. J. de Ruiter, Pentecostal Pastor & Bible
Teacher in The Netherlands
The apostles Paul enlists nine gracious gifts - in the New Testament
Greek 'charismata' - of the Spirit in the First Letter to the Church at
Corinth, chapter 12:4-11.
We can divide them into three groups as follows:
Manifestations of wisdom and knowledge through the Holy Spirit
1. The gift of wisdom; verse
8
2. The gift of knowledge;
verse 8
3. The gift of discernment;
verse 10
Manifestations of the power of the Holy Spirit
4. The gift of faith; verse
9
5. The gift of healing;
verse 9
6. The gift of working
of miracles; 9
Special inspirational utterances through the Holy Spirit
7. The gift of prophecy;
verse 10
8. The gift of tongues;
verse 10
9. The gift of the interpretation
of tongues; verse 10
Let us briefly look at the nature and power of each gift of the Spirit
of Christ as distributed amongst the believers.
1. The gift of wisdom; vers 8
"To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom," is a very correct translation of the Greek in the RSV.
Definition of this gift: A manifestation of wisdom, of which the Spirit of God must be recognized as the Source as it could not have been produced or uttererd by the human mind.
This wisdom gives undoubtedly the best solution of a conflict or a problem. It gives the best and effective answer to a difficult question, the best way of acting in a problematic situation and the best, even excellent ability to apply practical knowledge in a very direct way.
Paul is not referring to natural wisdom, that grows with the years through
experience and learning, but to instanteous wise utterances, that solve
a difficult matter to the glory of God, defeating unholy and evil intentions
of men. Looking back on such a wise utterance one has to say: This was
an answer, that I had not prepared or reached by deep and profound thinking.
It was given me in that moment I needed it and I contribute that saying
to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
2. The gift of knowledge; vers 8
"and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit."
Definition of this gift: Speaking with such a knowledge and insight, that it must be said that it was supernatural, of God and could not have been thought of by the human mind.
This knowledge is in harmony with the Holy Scriptures, true, factual, trustworthy and pure. These utterances have usually to do with human matters or problems. Examples Exodus 31:3; 35:31; 1 Kings 7:14; 2 Chronicles 1:10-13; Isaiah 11:2; Daniel 5:12; Colossians 2:3.
Paul is not referring to natural knowledge, that one built up through
learning and experience and even not to instinctive knowledge. He is speaking
of al knowledge of which must be said that it could not be known, but by
divine inspiration.
3. The gift of discernment; verse 10
"To another the ability to distinguish between spirits."
Definition of this gift: The ability to discern the hidden source of spiritual power through which a person is thinking or/ and acting, which could not be discerned by human insight. This gift makes it clear in a every authoritative way if person is either acting out off his own spirit, or through a superhuman evil spirit or through the Spirit of God. Read also 1 John 4:1-6.
We must discern this gift from:
(1) Psychological insight in the nature, psyche and hidden motives
of men.
(2) Insight through occult practices as channeling en fortune
telling.
4. The gift of faith; verse 9
"To another the gift of faith by the same Spirit."
Definition of the gift of faith: A strong conviction or certainty, not reached by human reasoning or feelings that expresses itself in a prophetic utterance or a word of authority and power, that makes things happen, in and through which God in the Name of Jesus is glorified.
This kind of faith knows that with God all things are possible and that everything is possible for him that believes. This faith knows no doubt with regard to the coming into being of the thing that is proclaimed or prophesied. There are many instances in the Bible in which we see the gift of faith in operation.
The Greek word for faith is 'pistos.' The word means in the first place
the thing that gives faith and certainty. But is also has the meaning of
faithfulness, evidence, oath, faith.
De gave van geloof werkt dikwijls samen met de gave van de werking van
krachten en van genezingen. Zie het voorbeeld uit Handelingen 3 bij de
behandeling van de gave van werking van krachten. Het is voor het zuiver
inzicht wel belangrijk te onderscheiden hoe deze gave van geloof kan functioneren.
5. The gift of of healing; verse 9
"To another gifts of healing by the one Spirit."
In the first place do I draw your attention to the Greek language here. The word 'gift' and the word 'healing' are both plural in the Greek text. Consequently we should translate 'Gifts of healings.' There are two main teachings about this 'Gift of healings.'
a. The apostle teaches that there are believers that received the special gift to communicate the healing power of God through His Spirit to the sick. Some evangelists and pastors claim to have received such a gift. But most pastors, elders and evangelists who see people healed by their word of faith and authority or by laying on of hands or anointing with oil will affirm that they have no special gift to heal, but that God does the healing.
b. That the apostle Paul uses two plurals in this verse indicates that he takes the view that the healings themselves are gifts of the Spirit and that he is not teaching that some have a spiritual gift to heal those, that are ill.
If we enlarge on this view - which seems to be true to the text - and
look at verse 11 in this passage of chapter 12, we read that the Spirit
gives His gifts as He wants or wills. Here is an answer why so many dear
children of God are not healed, even though many prayed for them. The Spirit
grants a healing to the one, but withholds the blessing of healing to another
- why? He must have a valuable and perfect reason to acts as He does. Let
us also bear in mind that in this age demonstrations of God's healing power
are just foretastes of His glorious healing and restoring power that will
work perfectly in the coming age, when His Kingdom will be established
on earth and evil powers bound. Till that age we remain in frail, vulnerable
and mortal bodies and live in a dangerous and evil world.
6. The gift of working of miracles; 9
"To another the working of miracles."
Definition of this gift: The manifestation of exceptional powers in the Name of Jesus, that can not be ascribed to human strength or energy or workings. With the purpose to intervene in a natural process or condition in order to show the supernatural power of the Almighty God.
The Greek word 'dynameiôn’ - is in some Bibles translated as 'powers'
or 'energies, but 'miracles,' or 'wonderful works' is surely the best translation.
7. The gift of prophecy; verse 10
"To another prophecy."
The Greek verb that in the New Testament is used - 'profêteuô' - has the meaning 'communicating a divine revelation,' or 'communicating something that is hidden,' or 'predicting some future event.'
The Hebrew word for prophet is 'Nabi' of 'Navi' and the verb is 'Naba.' This meaning of this verb is interesting as it originally means 'to bubble up' or 'let words flow in abundance,' or 'singing and speaking under divine inspiration,' and 'speaking as a madman.'
Definition of the gift op prophecy: Speaking under an alleged influence of the Holy Spirit, making known Gods will with regard to a certain person, situation or condition, either in the presence or in the future.
Paul states in 1 Corinthians 14:3,4 that in the church prophecy is for the edification of believers, either in exhortation or in encouragement. It speaks for itself that prophesying can be combined with the gifts of wisdom, knowledge and discernment.
The apostle Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 14:29-33 that prophetic utterances
must be evaluated and judged by other believers. New Testament or Church
prophets should not claim infallibility for their utterances. When they
resist evaluation of their prophecies they place themselves above the teaching
of the apostle. Such believers are at least lacking in godly humility.
8. The gift of tongues; verse 10
"To another various kinds of tongues."
Definition of this gift: A supernatural utterance by the Holy Spirit in a language not learned by the speaker. The listeners understand seldom the utterance without an interpretation.
The apostle Paul knew this gift personally and used it much in his private prayer; read 1 Corinthians 14:18,19. He regarded it as a special way of communication with God; read 1 Corinthians 14:2.
From 1 Corinthians12:10 we can with certainty derive that Paul, as a spiritual leader, allowed speaking in tongues in church meetings. But he makes it also clear that if somebody speaks in a meeting of believers in tongues that it should be interpreted; read 1 Corinthians 14:12; 26. In a church meeting we should seek the edification of each other and that is by understanding of what is said; read 1 Corinthians 14:5; 13.
Speaking in tongues, combined with the gift of interpretation can be
a powerful sign to an unbeliever that God is present and speaking to him;
read 1 Corinthians 14:22-25.
9. The gift of the interpretation of tongues; verse 10
"To another the interpretation of tongues."
This gift is connected to the gift of speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues is usually not understood by those present, but the interpretation is understood. Here are three principles to bear in mind:
a. The interpretation can be a translation of the message in an unknown
tongue.
b. The interpretation can be a translation of the main content of the
message in an unknown tongue.
c. The interpretation can be an explanation of or enlargement on the
message in a unknown tongue.
It is possible that there is a significant difference in duration between the message in an unknown tongue and the interpretation.
The person that speaks in an unknown tongue may - in a church meeting it is even his responsibilty - pray for the interpretation. He himself could receive the translation; read 1 Corinthians 14:5,13. But verse 27 in this chapter makes it clear that another person could receive the translation and feel free to give it.
May 2003, translated from our course on Spiritual Gifts in the Dutch
language.
For the Dutch speaking / Voor Nederlands sprekenden: vraag om de studie
in het Nederlands
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Pastor
T. J. de Ruiter
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