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Gifts of The Holy Spirit, The 1 Corinthians 12.1-5 Introduction:
We hear terms such as “faith healers” and “full gospel church.” They
refer to the belief that some today have the ability to perform miracles. Oral
Roberts built his empire upon the idea that God still performed miracles today.
Through out my preaching I have been asked a number of times about miracles.
Questions such as: 1) Who had them in the first century? 2) How did they receive
them? 3) Why or what was their purpose? 4) Do we have them today? If so, how,
and why? If not, why not? 5) Why would God grant people the ability to perform
miracles in the first century and not today? 6) Doesn’t the belief that God
has stopped performing miracles limit God’s power and ability? I)
The Holy Spirit; The Gift of the Holy Spirit, and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Are Three Separate Things A)
The Holy Spirit promised as a gift 1.
Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit, John
15 & 16. 2.
The “Baptism of the Holy Spirit” was administered by Jesus, Matthew 3.11 3.
Only occurred on the Day of Pentecost (Acts
2) and upon the household of Cornelius in Acts
10.
a. Peter referred to this in Acts
11.16 as being baptized with the Holy
Spirit
b. Peter also said they (the household of Cornelius) had received the
same “gift” as they (the apostles received on the Day of Pentecost),
Acts 11.17 B)
The Gift of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2.38 1.
This was given to all that would call upon the name of the Lord, Acts 2.21 2.
This “gift” was received as one obey the command given by Peter to repent
and be baptized for the remission of sins.
a. This gift was given to all Christians
b. Would refer to salvation, the forgiveness of sins, and being added to
the body of Christ C)
The miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit 1.
This would be the ability to perform miracles. 2.
A miracle is some more than some thing amazing, wonderful, or extra-ordinary. It
required the suspension or violation of the laws of nature.
a. Example: child birth may be wonderful but it is in harmony with the
laws of nature.
b. The birth of Jesus was a miracle for Mary was a virgin II)
The Purpose of Miraculous Gifts A)
To reveal the mind of God, 1 Corinthians 2.6-12 1.
The Gospel was concealed and had to be revealed. 2.
Without the apostles and prophets man would not know the mind of God. 3.
It should be noted that the mind of God has been revealed to man, Jude 3 B)
To confirm that which was preached 1.
How would the audience know if that which was being preached was from God or
not?
a. Similar question addressed in Deuteronomy
18.19-22
b. Moses performed miracles, as did many other Old Testament
prophets. 2.
The miracles could only come by the power of God. Acts
15.11-12
a. Some tried to duplicate the miracles.
b. See Exodus 7.10-13
c. The seven sons of Sceva failed
in Acts 19 not because God could not perform a miracle but because they
were not sent from God. 3.
We see the purpose of miracles stated in
Mark 16.20 and Hebrews 2.1-4 C)
To aid in evangelism – speaking in tongues 1.
Problem of going into an area and not being able to speak to the people in their
own language. 2.
In such cases one had to have an interpreter or the miraculous ability to speak
a language that one did not know. D)
To edify the body of Christ, 1 Corinthians 14.12 1.
Christians in the first century needed to be built up and strengthen. 2.
Think of the persecution and trials they faced and the comfort they could
receive from the miraculous gifts. III)
How Did They Obtain These Gifts A)
Not everyone receive a miraculous gift 1.
People did not receive a miraculous gift when baptized into Christ. The
Samaritan in Acts 8.12, 14-15 2.
Strange that so many today place great emphasis on the miraculous without
noticing how they were obtained. B)
By the laying on of the apostles hands, Acts 8.15-19 1.
This goes along with Romans 1.11; Acts
19.6 2.
Paul was not giving them the baptism of the Holy Spirit [only Jesus could
administer Holy Spirit Baptism]. IV)
Limitations of the Miraculous Gifts A)
Could only be received by the laying on of the Apostles hands 1.
This explains why Paul wanted to go to Roman and impart some spiritual gift. 2.
This would limit the duration to the life of the Apostles. 3.
This also explains why groups such as the Mormons claim to have Apostles today. B)
For a limited purpose 1.
To reveal the word of God, ! Corinthians
13.8-10 2.
That which is perfect refers to the law of God, James
1.25 3.
What are the parts? Connected to the perfect or complete 4.
Once the law was given and confirmed the purpose would have been fulfilled.
There would be no need of the miraculous gifts. 5.
Not to be used for personal reasons, 2
Corinthians 12.7; Phil. 2.25-27 C)
To be controlled and used wisely 1.
The person could control the gifts, 1
Corinthians 14.27-30 D)
Was not a basis of fellowship 1.
Not all Christians had miraculous gifts and those that did were not be be
held in higher esteem than those that did not. 2.
Misuse of these gifts was to glorify one’s self. 3.
V)
What About Faith Healers Today? A)
Miracles were “almost” always instantaneous 1.
A miracle violates the very laws of nature B)
They were to glorify God and not for self glorification or money C)
The miracle did not depend on the faith of the recipient |