Many Gifts, the Same Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

"Now about spiritual gifts, brothers [and sisters], I do not want you to be ignorant...There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men [people]" (1 Corinthians 12:1,4,5,6).

This chapter of Scripture is one of the most controversial in the church. It is interesting that this is so, because in reading the words of this chapter, it seems quite clear. The only phrase that may not be quite as clear is "to another speaking in different kinds of tongues" (vs 10). Some interpret this to mean different known languages (English, Spanish, Aramaic, Greek, Hebrew etc.) that one speaks without having learned them. Others interpret it as a language that is not decipherable to people, but is a heavenly language that must be interpreted by someone who has a gift of interpreting the heavenly language, if it is spoken in the midst of the assembly. For the purposes of this meditation, I'm not going to outline the reasoning behind these different interpretations. If you are interested in understanding more (and I hope you are), let me know and I will recommend some commentary to you.

Perhaps the most controversial issue related to spiritual gifts, is whether or not some gifts of the Holy Spirit are operable today - whether or not God still moves in the gifts of physical healing as well as words of knowledge and wisdom, and prophecy. What some might think of as the more miraculous gifts.

Simply stated (because there are reasonings behind these positions that are quite involved, which you can read much more about if you are inclined - let me know and I can sent you some references to check out), there are believers who think that God has ceased to move in many of the ways described in the book of Acts (and in this chapter) - that God has certain dispensations (theological term) in which He acts throughout the ages. Others think that God acts in the same ways today as He did in the past and will in the future.

One of the greatest difficulties for believers to deal with is how there are many abuses and missuses of gifts of healing as well as signs and wonders. Therefore, instead of "testing the spirits" (1 John 4:1-6) to discern whether or not the supernatural acts are from God, the demonic or the flesh, some believers dismiss the manifestation of the Spirit in these ways altogether (because we have the flesh and the demonic who can mimic God's movement through healing, prophecy, words of knowledge and wisdom). It can be very uncomfortable and scary to be in the midst of signs and wonders, and not be sure if it is God, the demonic, or the flesh - people 'faking' it for all kinds of reasons.

John Piper has stated that:
“So what I think I can say for our guidance is this, [Are Signs and Wonders for Today?]:

1. On the one hand, we ought to honor the uniqueness of Jesus and the apostles and of that revelatory moment in history that gave us the foundational doctrines of faith and life in the New Testament.
2. On the other hand we ought to be open to the real possibility that this too might be a unique moment in history, and in this moment it may well be God's purpose to pour out his Spirit in unprecedented revival—revival of love to Christ and zeal for worship and compassion for lost people and a missionary thrust with signs and wonders.

I want to have my keel [center structure,frame (of a ship)]deep and stable in the once-for-all biblical revelation of God, and I want to have my sails unfurled to every movement of God's Spirit upon the deeps” (http://desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/are-signs-and-wonders-for-today).

I join John Piper, stating that I want to keep my footing firmly rooted in the revealed Word - Jesus and the Apostles - and be open to God's movement by the Holy Spirit in and through people, even as was true in Paul's day - as recorded in the book of Acts and written of in 1 Corinthians 12. Scripture says that the Gospel message is not about words, but power - see for example: 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, 1 Thessalonians 1:5.

What gift(s) have you been given by God? Are you yielding to the Holy Spirit to see these gifts used through you to the body of Christ and others for the common good?

"Lord, forgive us for times that we have relied on our own strength and abilities, convictions and commitments, understandings and tradition, instead of on Jesus Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, in the full counsel of God. Have Your way Lord - thanks Jesus for leaving so that the Holy Spirit would be sent by the Father...even so Come Holy Spirit, Come (John 14:15-27).