Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to 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: but all these work that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will.
For 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. For 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. For the body is not one member, but many." (I Corinthians 12:1-14)
There are a couple of points worth noting -- that specifically differentiate between the scriptures and what the modern day religious culture promotes. First, tongues are given as a sign -- not to believers but rather, to those who do not believe. How do we know? Because as the Word and our own born again experience confirms (the s/Spirit and the Word agree!), believers have already experienced the grace and goodness of God.
Further, as we learn from the day of Pentecost, the gift of tongues was given to believers so that the non-believers from every nation, the observers of the gathering in Acts 2, understood tongues as an expression of an occurring audible and visible manifestation. Some might say that the tongues were of a peculiar happening. Did the Lord not say through the prophets (particularly Joel) hat one of the signs that would occur in a believer's new birth experience is that believers would speak with a new tongue? Of course, because when the Lord does a new thing (as prophesied afore) He provides a confirmation also -- that believers have been adopted into the family of God.
"For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see My glory." (Isaiah 66:18)
Jesus said, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues ..." (Mark 16:16-17)
"And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:3-4)
To some extent, this heavenly language, recognized as tongues may be surprising to Adam’s offspring but they are quite the norm to members of the family of God Indeed, through the manifestation of tongues, God endeavours to prompt the attention of unbelievers. Yet in spite of all that they hear and see, God too often declares their unbelieving eyes and ears are still closed.
"In the law it is written, "With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear Me," saith the Lord." (I Corinthians 14:21)
There are in this world a vast diversity of different languages. That is how earthly humans communicate. But God has a language too. How else would He have been able to counsel with Himself in the beginning? Indeed, it is recorded that in the beginning was the Word. Wisdom! God framed the world with His own Word. God said, "let there be" and be there was.
In the upper room, where the 120 believers gathered together as instructed by Jesus, all of a sudden a sound appeared, like that of a mighty rushing wind. This sound filling all the room where the people were gathered. In some ways, if one needs an analogy, the sound might be compared to today's surround sound. Here, in this room, suddenly there appeared unto them tongues like as a uncontrollable fire (purifying) and it "sat." How else could one describe this experience that tongues "sat" upon each one of them?
"And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judæa, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God." And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, "What meaneth this?" (Acts 2:8-12)
Just like God's plan of salvation, the gift of tongues was personally delivered to each believer. And as detailed in the scriptures, they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. Speaking as this same Spirit gave them utterance -- but in a new language. A holy Spirit language. To those of you who ask why a new language? The response is simple. The people were being reborn. The people were receiving a sound mind. The people were now born of God, not by the will of the flesh nor by the will of man but born of God. Born by the blood of the Holy Ghost, when God (in the form of a Son) shed His precious, holy blood on a cross so that we might have life. (Acts 20:28; John 1:10-11; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6)
Each person in the midst was purchased, redeemed and justified ... now the children of the second Adam, who is the Lord Himself, a brand new spiritual people indwelt by the Spirit of their Father have been born into the Kingdom of God. Our heavenly Father who gave up His own life as a Son, thereby grafting us into Himself causing us to become partakers of His free gift of salvation. He is the one who loves us with an everlasting love. It cost the Lord His life as a Son to redeem us as His people, Redeeming (bringing us back) to the place where we could walk and talk and fellowship with God. (as friend with friend)
Indeed, He brought us back from the place of condemnation so that we could fellowship with Him. Remember, Adam did not originally hide from God. Adam started His hiding when sin consumed him. The old covenant no longer applies because Jesus redeemed us -- paying the price once and for all -- and now because of redemption and God's ultimate sacrifice of sacrifices (God Himself as a Son willingly committed Himself as a living sacrifice), we can be saved. Jesus allowed Adam’s fallen sinful race to pursue Him, an opportunity to commune with God our Saviour.
After the kindness and love of God our Saviour, who willingly endured an agonizing, brutal animalistic, inhumane torture, that culminated in crucifixion, so that you and I can receive His gift of salvation. (Titus 3:4-7) Jesus paid the price in full -- once ad for all.
But there is a second point that needs to be made here. That is, the religious culture negates apostle Paul's writings (note that Paul received his understanding of the gospel by revelation), when Paul asks -- do all speak with tongues?
"Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And 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?" (I Corinthians 12:27-29)
To some extent, this heavenly language, recognized as tongues may be surprising to Adam’s offspring but they are quite the norm to members of the family of God Indeed, through the manifestation of tongues, God endeavours to prompt the attention of unbelievers. Yet in spite of all that they hear and see, God too often declares their unbelieving eyes and ears are still closed.
"In the law it is written, "With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear Me," saith the Lord." (I Corinthians 14:21)
There are in this world a vast diversity of different languages. That is how earthly humans communicate. But God has a language too. How else would He have been able to counsel with Himself in the beginning? Indeed, it is recorded that in the beginning was the Word. Wisdom! God framed the world with His own Word. God said, "let there be" and be there was.
In the upper room, where the 120 believers gathered together as instructed by Jesus, all of a sudden a sound appeared, like that of a mighty rushing wind. This sound filling all the room where the people were gathered. In some ways, if one needs an analogy, the sound might be compared to today's surround sound. Here, in this room, suddenly there appeared unto them tongues like as a uncontrollable fire (purifying) and it "sat." How else could one describe this experience that tongues "sat" upon each one of them?
"And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judæa, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God." And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, "What meaneth this?" (Acts 2:8-12)
Just like God's plan of salvation, the gift of tongues was personally delivered to each believer. And as detailed in the scriptures, they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. Speaking as this same Spirit gave them utterance -- but in a new language. A holy Spirit language. To those of you who ask why a new language? The response is simple. The people were being reborn. The people were receiving a sound mind. The people were now born of God, not by the will of the flesh nor by the will of man but born of God. Born by the blood of the Holy Ghost, when God (in the form of a Son) shed His precious, holy blood on a cross so that we might have life. (Acts 20:28; John 1:10-11; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6)
Each person in the midst was purchased, redeemed and justified ... now the children of the second Adam, who is the Lord Himself, a brand new spiritual people indwelt by the Spirit of their Father have been born into the Kingdom of God. Our heavenly Father who gave up His own life as a Son, thereby grafting us into Himself causing us to become partakers of His free gift of salvation. He is the one who loves us with an everlasting love. It cost the Lord His life as a Son to redeem us as His people, Redeeming (bringing us back) to the place where we could walk and talk and fellowship with God. (as friend with friend)
Indeed, He brought us back from the place of condemnation so that we could fellowship with Him. Remember, Adam did not originally hide from God. Adam started His hiding when sin consumed him. The old covenant no longer applies because Jesus redeemed us -- paying the price once and for all -- and now because of redemption and God's ultimate sacrifice of sacrifices (God Himself as a Son willingly committed Himself as a living sacrifice), we can be saved. Jesus allowed Adam’s fallen sinful race to pursue Him, an opportunity to commune with God our Saviour.
After the kindness and love of God our Saviour, who willingly endured an agonizing, brutal animalistic, inhumane torture, that culminated in crucifixion, so that you and I can receive His gift of salvation. (Titus 3:4-7) Jesus paid the price in full -- once ad for all.
But there is a second point that needs to be made here. That is, the religious culture negates apostle Paul's writings (note that Paul received his understanding of the gospel by revelation), when Paul asks -- do all speak with tongues?
"Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And 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?" (I Corinthians 12:27-29)
Or that apostle Paul would rather that we who believe prophesieth, unless there is a believer within the assembly with the gift of interpretation?
"I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?" (I Corinthians 14:5-7)
When Paul writes, "I would that ye all" -- doesn't that suggest that not all would speak in tongues?Again, Paul confirms that tongues are for a sign -- not to them that believe, but to them that believe not.
"Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believes not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:" (I Corinthians 14:22-24)
In understanding the gifts, know that we are to desire spiritual gifts -- plural -- and that the Lord our God and Saviour gives "severally" as He will. Again, plural. So if you speak in tongues (tongues of men or of angels) know that there is so much more that the Lord wants to give those who love Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.
If you have not spoken in tongues, get to know your scriptures and what the Lord wants us to know about spiritual gifts -- so that we are not ignorant of the Lord's blessings upon His people. Remember too, that heaven and earth in its entirety was His inheritance. Jesus, being the only begotten Son of God, bequeathed all of His inheritance to us. As a gift. All of this inheritance was bequeathed to us, while we were (yet) still His enemies. Think of this. Indeed, if that be the case, just imagine the treasures that lie yet in store for us. The scriptures state that eye has not seen, neither has ear heard the things that God has in store for all the offspring of Jesus. The same Jesus, who Himself seeded us in his death.
Except a seed of wheat fall into the ground and die. It will only be one wheat, but if it dies it brings forth much wheat. Jesus is the Seed and like the wheat example, He wants us to multiply. He wants us to accept the gift of His salvation - His one-time sacrifice on the cross. Further, He wants us to become His people - Jesus People. If any man or woman be the offspring of Jesus he or she is now a new creation in God. And yes, as a consequence, we will speak as His Spirit gives us utterance.
Like the apostles in Acts 2, we are not to forbid the speaking in tongues. For he that speaks in an unknown tongue is not speaking to man. He is speaking to God, praising and magnifying Him for His goodness and grace. And in the s/Spirit, the language spoken from the heart speaks mysteries. But we also know (according to the scriptures) that not every one will speak in tongues.
For clarity, "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? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way." (I Corinthians 12:29-31)
Except a seed of wheat fall into the ground and die. It will only be one wheat, but if it dies it brings forth much wheat. Jesus is the Seed and like the wheat example, He wants us to multiply. He wants us to accept the gift of His salvation - His one-time sacrifice on the cross. Further, He wants us to become His people - Jesus People. If any man or woman be the offspring of Jesus he or she is now a new creation in God. And yes, as a consequence, we will speak as His Spirit gives us utterance.
Like the apostles in Acts 2, we are not to forbid the speaking in tongues. For he that speaks in an unknown tongue is not speaking to man. He is speaking to God, praising and magnifying Him for His goodness and grace. And in the s/Spirit, the language spoken from the heart speaks mysteries. But we also know (according to the scriptures) that not every one will speak in tongues.
For clarity, "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? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way." (I Corinthians 12:29-31)
If we answer yes to tongues, then we should also be responding in the affirmative to the other questions -- are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? have all the gifts of healing? do all interpret?
Thus, meditate on these scriptures and ask the Lord Jesus to fill you with His understanding and wisdom and knowledge. And let's all desire all the spiritual gifts, the operations, the administrations, the aides, and more, plus all the spiritual gifts that the Lord Jesus has for us His people. Let Him give you severally as He will. Peace to all who are in Jesus!
Stand in the offering plate.
Stand in the offering plate.
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