Teaching this
subject to those who are unfamiliar with it is like describing a landscape
painting one brushstroke at a time. The partial picture sometimes produces as
many questions as answers. As I read the paragraphs below, I see so many points
that need further explanation and clarification, but which must wait for future
posts to complete the picture. The
subject cannot be covered in one post. So…I will proceed as best as I can, and
hope that my friends will follow the process until I have covered the subject
sufficiently. Meanwhile, I do welcome any questions or comments that the reader
may wish to present. –Billy Long
The
Manifestation of the Holy Spirit
”Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not
want you to be ignorant….But the manifestation of the Spirit is given
to each one for the profit of all…” 1 Corinthians 12: 1, 7
It is fitting that the
Apostle Paul begins his discussion of spiritual gifts by expressing his desire
that the church not be ignorant of them. This statement implies there is
knowledge and understanding to be gained beyond a casual reference or quick
dismissal of the subject. It also implies the apostle knew that, in spite of
the pervasiveness of the supernatural working of the Holy Spirit in the early church,
there would be the possibility of spiritual gifts
being either neglected or abused. His concern is valid today and should
motivate us to search out knowledge, understanding, and experience.
We can learn much from
teaching, but experience is necessary to really understand the manifestations
of the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught by word and by example. The disciples learned
by listening to His words, watching Him in action, and practicing what He
taught and modeled. Trying to understand the manifestations of the Holy Spirit
without experiencing them is like trying to be an automobile mechanic just by
reading the manual. It requires not only study, but also training. The Bible is
our manual and is absolutely foundational, but James tells us to “be doers of
the word and not hearers only.” Experience gives substance and weight.
Otherwise, we remain in the arena of intellectual discussion and doctrine. The
apostle Paul said the gospel did not come in word only but also in power and in
the Holy Spirit.
“Charisma”
This Greek word is
translated “gift” and is rooted in the word for “Grace.” It refers to a broad
range of spiritual gifts, and by definition signifies they are the operations
of God’s grace. “Charismata” (spiritual gifts) encompass three main areas: Offices,
Ministries, and Manifestations. Here is a general definition of each.
(1) Office gifts are given
to equip and strengthen the body of Christ. They include apostles, prophets,
pastors, evangelists, teachers, and are special callings.
(2) There are various,
specialized areas of service which are in fact ministries, but not offices.
These include teaching, ministries of miracles, healing ministries, serving,
giving, prophesying (not the office of prophet), administrations, etc. All
Christians can have ministries or areas where they are gifted to serve.
(3) The manifestation of
the Holy Spirit as listed in 1 Corinthians 12: 7-11. Paul lists nine ways in
which the Holy Spirit manifests Himself. They are…
The word of wisdom
The word of knowledge
Faith
Healing
Miracles
Prophecy
Discerning of spirits
Tongues
Interpretation of tongues
Any Spirit-filled
Christian can potentially move in any or all of the nine manifestations of the
Spirit as they are needed. These operations of the Spirit do not refer to
specialized ministries or one gift that a person carries around with him, but
rather to a variety of ways the Holy Spirit may use any believer at any time as
He chooses or as the need arises.
It is also important to
note that the terms in this list refer to specific, supernatural acts of the
Holy Spirit and not to natural human talent and acquired skill. For example,
the “word of knowledge” does not refer to “knowledge” in general but rather to
a “word” of knowledge. Jesus’ word to the woman at the well is a good example.
“Manifestation”
The term “manifestation”
used in 1 Corinthians12:7 means that the Holy Spirit comes to reveal Himself as
the presence of Christ at work through His people. He is not a vague, distant,
impersonal presence, not just a doctrine, or emotions, or some nice concept we
refer to in our liturgy. He is the
active presence of God revealed. Peter
described it as “this which you now see and hear” (Acts 2:33). Paul
described it as the “demonstration of the Spirit and power” (1 Corinthians
2:4). The Holy Spirit desires to carry us beyond empty ritual and theology and bear
witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ in tangible ways. This happens when
we present ourselves to Him and allow Him to work.
Definitions of the Nine Manifestations
A Word of Wisdom
This does not refer to
wisdom in general, but to a specific word of wisdom for a specific situation, a
special word given to help in a difficult situation or a time of perplexity. It
does not refer to philosophical wisdom, but to practical wisdom, helping us to
know what to do, how to do, or what to say. It is a word that clarifies and
gives divine perspective in a matter.
A Word of Knowledge
As noted above, this
refers to a special word of knowledge, not to general knowledge acquired through
study or by efforts of the natural mind. It is a supernatural knowing.
There are many example of
this is the lives of the old Testament prophets, Jesus, and the apostles.
Faith
There are three categories
of faith.
1. Faith dealt to every Christian, the faith involved in
salvation. Romans 12: 3 says that God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
2. Faith which is a general trust and confidence in God.
This faith is revealed in how we face life in our daily walk with God.
3. A manifestation of the Holy Spirit as listed in 1
Corinthians 12: 9.
Faith as a manifestation
of the Holy Spirit does not refer to the usual or general faith that is always
active and present with the Christian, but to a special faith for a specific
purpose. It refers to a surge of confidence given for a particular need or
circumstance. It is the supernatural emptying of doubt as an individual, by
divine revelation, receives clear insight into the knowledge of God’s will and
purpose regarding a matter, resulting in the absolute certainty that it will
come to pass. It involves special insight into the will of God with the
certainty that it will be done. This insight is accompanied by the grace to
either pray or speak it done. This type of faith produces outstanding and unusual
events.
Healing
Healing is a supernatural
working of the Holy Spirit to cure sickness and disease in the name of Jesus.
This was a common occurrence in the early Christian church. Jesus commissioned
the church to heal and then placed healing in the church as one of the
manifestations of the Spirit available for all believers. It can also be a specialized ministry. The
following methods were used in the Bible: Prayer, laying on of hands, anointing
with oil, speaking the word of faith, simply believing, the use of handkerchiefs
or aprons, having the sick person do something (such as wash or dip in water),
and touching the garment or shadow of one anointed with healing ministry.
Miracles
Miracles can be defined as
God using someone to do the impossible or various supernatural works.
Miracles in the Bible include the dead being raised, food multiplied, walking
on water, special healings, creative miracles, limbs restored, and miracles of
provision.
Prophecy
Prophecy in the New
Testament church was not “preaching.” Prophecy is speaking by immediate
revelation and by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It can relate to past,
present, or future. The time aspect is not primary, but rather it is the Lord
speaking to encourage, comfort, strengthen, or to bring some revelation.
Prophecy is the Holy Spirit’s moving upon one to speak a word from God to a
specific person or people. It can be an intense and dramatic word or a quiet
and gentle word to remind someone that God loves them.
There are three levels of
prophecy:
1) The office of a prophet (Ephesians 4: 11, Acts 21:
10-12).
2) The ministry of
prophecy in which a person is specially gifted in ministering to others
prophetically (Romans 12: 6. Acts 21: 9).
3) The manifestation of the Holy Spirit (“You can all
prophesy.” 1 Corinthians 14: 24, 31).
Discerning of spirits
This refers to supernatural
revelation giving one the ability to discern (recognize and know) what type of
spirit is at work in a person or situation.
It is the ability to know if the source is God (of God), an evil spirit
(of Satan), or the human spirit (of man). Another aspect of this particular
gift is the ability to discern a person and his character. Jesus demonstrated
this type of discernment many times as He “saw” or discerned the nature,
character, and motivation of people around Him. This gift operates when it is
specifically needed and when the Holy Spirit chooses. It is not intended to cause
one to be critical, condemning, and always trying to judge others.
Tongues
“Tongues” (“languages”) is
the supernatural ability to pray in another language (either earthly or
heavenly) by means and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. When praying in tongues,
a person’s spirit is praying. It can be intercession or praise and worship. It
strengthens the believer and builds him up. This type of tongues does not need
an interpreter, and there is no limit to the number of people who can worship
or pray together in this manner. All of the examples of tongues given in the
book of Acts are of this type. In each of these occasions there are more than
“three at the most” who are praying in tongues. Every Christian can pray in the
Holy Spirit in intercession and praise.
A second type of tongues
is the message given to the church or a prayer in tongues given before the
church. In this case an individual is moved to speak a message in tongues while
the church listens quietly. This is to be interpreted, and is limited to two or
three at the most.
Interpretation of Tongues
The interpretation of
tongues is the Holy Spirit giving someone an interpretation of or response to a message
previously given in tongues. There are varying opinions as to the nature of the
interpretation. It may be a literal translation of a message given in tongues
to the church, or possibly a prophetic response to a prayer in tongues given
before the church.
(For a complete study on the subject of “tongues” the
reader is encouraged to go to this link
http://councilroom.blogspot.com and read the entire series of articles on “Praying
in the Spirit.”
Summary: Pursue Love and Desire Spiritual gifts
The gifts are for every
believer and not just for some special person up front on stage. They may be spectacular, but usually they
will reflect the quiet and gentle moving of the Holy Spirit as Christians reach
out to one another with compassion and care.
The apostle Paul tells us to “pursue love and desire spiritual
gifts.” When we move in the manifestations of the Holy Spirit we are expressing
our hunger for God’s active presence among us and we are showing our love and
care for those around us. Jesus healed people because He was moved with
compassion. We will move in the gifts of the Spirit as we are moved with His
compassion. The gifts therefore are instruments of God’s love. I pray for
the sick because of God's compassion for those who suffer. I want to
move in prophetic insight because there are people who need an encouraging word
from God. I want to have a word of wisdom because someone is perplexed or
confused and asking God for direction. I want to see miracles because so many
people are facing impossibilities and need the “waters to part.” I want to pray
in the Spirit because it strengthens my prayer life, strengthens my spirit, and
helps release my ability to move in the other gifts of the Spirit, which will
in turn touch others with the compassion, presence, and power of God.
When we speak of spiritual gifts, we are speaking of the presence
of Jesus Christ working among us. We are not necessarily focusing on the
spectacular and the dramatic, although these do occur from time to time. But
mostly we look for those unobtrusive and often unnoticed acts of the Holy
Spirit working in the background and which flow among us as life and grace,
quietly, yet deeply touching and blessing the lives of those around us. It is
those daily, obscure, and non-spectacular acts of obedience that strengthen the
church. It flows out of the individual’s desire to be used of God, and his
willingness to reach out to people with love and compassion.
“Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts.” 1 Corinthians 14: 1
