Tag: Gifts of the Spirit

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How to Understand the Gifts of the Spirit (Part 2)

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Gifts of the Spirit (Part 2)

© 2026 by C. O. Bishop

1st Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-31; Romans 12:4-9

Introduction:

I have avoided any attempt, so far, to definitively describe the various gifts of the Spirit, partly because, as God reveals them in a believer, they are self-defining. They become obvious.

But we have a desire to “define” everything, and that is OK. Some of the gifts do require some clear definitions. Let’s read about the gifts, and consider what they each mean.

1st Corinthians 12:8-10

8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 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:

1st Corinthians 12:28-31

28 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. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

Romans 12:4-9

4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

An Observation Regarding Gifts

Gifts are a manifestation of God working in a specific way through an individual. But the entire Body of Christ has a responsibility to God to be demonstrating the Character traits of Christ in our everyday lives. This is not “Gifting.” It is our Life.

Each of us is called to “grow up into Christ.” Ephesians 4:15. As we exercise whatever gifts  have been entrusted to us, it allows other believers an easer path to growth as well. So, while we may not have “flashy” gifts, if we are doing what God has called us to do, we are blessing others and we are living in obedience to the Giver of our gifts.

The gifts are given for the edification (the “building up”) of the whole body. They are not there just for us to “feel good about them.” We all have the same core responsibilities, regardless of our individual gifts.

Spiritual Gifts Vs. Spiritual Responsibilities

(Most of the following is copied directly from the Nelson Study Bible:)

Spiritual gifts are extraordinary abilities that the Holy Spirit gives to a believer by which to build up and encourage and help the church. Even though such attributes as faith, teaching, and giving are considered “gifts,” all Christians are exhorted to develop these character “traits.”

Some Christians Are Given…But All Believers Are Called…
Divinely supplied Wisdom
(1st Corinthians 12:8)

To Live Wisely
(Romans 16:19, Ephesians 5:15, Colossians 4:5)  
Divinely supplied Knowledge (1st Corinthians 12:8)  To Grow in Knowledge 2nd Peter 1:5
Extraordinary Faith
(1st Corinthians 12:9)		To Walk By Faith (2nd Corinthians 5:7) and
Abound In Faith (2nd Corinthians 8:7) to
Take Up The Shield Of Faith (Ephesians 6:16) and Pursue Faith (1st Timothy 6:12: 2nd  Timothy 2:22)  
Special Gifts of Teaching
(1st Corinthians 12:28, Romans 12:7)		To Teach Others The Truths Of God
(Matthew 28:20; 2 Timothy 2:2, 24)  
Supernatural Ability to Help
(1st Corinthians 12:28)		To Serve One Another In Love, (Galatians 5:13) and To Minister To Others (Romans 12:7)  
The Gift of Exhortation
(Romans 12:8)		To Exhort One Another Daily (Hebrews 3:13)  
The Gift of Giving
(Romans 12:8)		To Give, Not Grudgingly Or Of Necessity
(2nd Corinthians 9:7)  
The Gift of Mercy
(Romans 12:8)  		To Be Merciful
(Luke 6:36. James 2:13)  

So, What Gifts Really Need Defining?

  • Miracles—a display of supernatural power, changing physical reality in some way. Usually, miracles were done to meet a specific need, but they were ALWAYS to draw attention to the “person and message of God.” I say “were,” because there are many who teach that “miracles have ceased.”
    They teach that that gift only existed during the time of the Apostles. I do not think that it can be Biblically proven that the miraculous sign gifts have ceased, so I will not go any further with this idea. I will, however, confess that I have never known anyone who genuinely possessed this gift, or any of the other “sign” gifts.
  • Healing—Same as above.
  • Various kinds of Tongues—these were (are) human languages, but not having been learned by the speaker. They are being used to give a message glorifying God, and drawing attention to Him, not to the speaker. The gift probably still exists, but in my experience, I have only seen it used falsely…not coming from God, as far as I can tell.
  • Interpretation of Tongues—same again. I have never known anyone who truly had this gift. That doesn’t prove anything. But, speaking from my own experience, I can say that everyone I have personally seen supposedly demonstrating this gift, was doing so falsely.
  • Discerning of Spirits—I am not even really sure what this gift is. Some people think it is “seeing demons,” or something similar. Perhaps it is the ability to “see through” what people are saying and doing on the outside to discern the reason behind the behavior, the “spirit” of the person involved. Possibly to discern the gifting of another person.

At the very least, it is a spiritual gift, not a natural ability. Acts 16 may beone example of a time when it was demonstrated. Paul discerned that the young woman following them around, and telling everyone that they were “servants of the Most High God, who are announcing to you the way of Salvation” was demon possessed. Does that mean that this gift is always used for that? Not necessarily. But it may be the ability to discern the source of teaching, whether (or not) from God, as well as other special situations.

Going Beyond Human Ability

  • Faith—some are gifted with supernatural faith. They can believe God when every circumstance shouts, “All is lost!” They are the ones saying, “Look what God is doing!” when all the rest of us only see impending doom. We all have chosen to believe God for salvation: that is saving faith. We all are called to believe God for daily living, and we all are commanded to learn to use the “Shield of Faith.” But there is a gift of Faith, that shines beyond the common faith upon which we all have laid our hands.

Prophecy and Preaching

In 1st Corinthians 14:3, God states that “he who prophesies speaks to Exhortation, to Edification, and to Comfort.” In our culture we call that “preaching.” The word translated as “prophet” is the Greek word “profete.” It means “One who speaks for God.”

The King James Bible only uses the word “preaching” in the sense of proclaiming, or announcing. (1st Corinthians 1:23 “We preach Christ Crucified…”) The word translated as “preacher” is “keruka:” a “declarer.” 2nd Peter 2:5 says Noah was a “preacher of Righteousness.” Both Jesus and John the Baptist “declared” or “preached” the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Today’s pastors are called to “speak to Exhortation, Edification and Comfort.” We try to limit ourselves to speaking the Word of God, thus offering ourselves as a conduit for His Word. We seek His Wisdom as to what portion of His Word to present at any given time. We are at His mercy for the results.

Many times, I have arrived here, very unsure that the message I brought is what He wanted for that day. But frequently I get confirmation, either from circumstances or from other people that it was right on target. I have no way to discern that ahead of time. All I can do is go to God’s “sheep-food bin,” the Bible, and seek to fill my “bucket” with food for His Flock. Ultimately, He has to fill the backet. I am simply privileged to “carry the bucket.” That’s it!

What About “Declaring the Good News of Christ?”

We call that “evangelism.”  If the job of the “Evangelist,” in Ephesians 4:11 is to “declare the Gospel,” then I have probably known several in that category. Everywhere they went, they led people to Christ. I have tried to be faithful to share the Gospel but usually it has met with “I’m not ready for that right now,” or some similar rejection of the message.

Ministry

“Ministry” simply means “serving.” We have confused the word in modern times, thinking it is a title of honor. (In Government, there are various “ministries” and no one seem to remember that a minister is a servant.) The word for “menial,” meaning a low position of servitude, has the same root as the word “minister.” If you reject “menial servitude,” then you are not a minister.

Teaching

Teaching transmits spiritual understanding from God’s Word to the willing heart. Teaching has not been accomplished, until learning occurs. This is not just the ability to “recite.” Rather, it is the ability to make it clear to the listener. It means listening to the questions and discerning what the real “missing piece” may be, so as to supply the “missing piece,” and produce understanding.

Giving

Some are gifted to give, freely, without hesitation. They also must be gifted with the wherewithal: they cannot give what they do not have. But they have the spiritual freedom from covetousness necessary to give from a free heart.

Exhortation

Exhortation can also be called “encouragement.” Some people are gifted to encourage others and to defend against despair or discouragement. They are vital to a healthy church.

Helps

Some are gifted to see a need and meet it, before others even see the need. By the time the rest of us wake up to the need, it has already been addressed by the helper.

Mercy

This goes along with Helps, in a way, but it is perhaps more geared to meeting emotional needs and meeting those needs with compassion, and without judgment.

Government, or Ruling

The “Bishops, Overseers, Elders, Presbytery, Pastors or Shepherds, (plural) are the assigned governing body of each local church. 1st Peter 5:1-4, Hebrews 13:17. We may dislike that concept, but it truly is one of the gifts, though difficult and sometimes stressful. Fortunately, in this church, it has usually been a blessing and a joy.

Love, Above All

I think you can see how all these gifts contribute to a healthy Church. What binds them all together? Romans 12:9 says “Let Love be without dissimulation…” Don’t be a “phony” where the agapé love is concerned.

Allow the Lord to Love through you, so that the gifts He has given will be what shines, and so that HE will shine through you!

Lord Jesus, let us learn to Love You above all else, so that we learn how You intend to use us in Your Work. Allow us to serve, as the true Body of Christ.

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How to Understand the Gifts of the Spirit (Part One)

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Gifts of the Spirit (Part One)

© 2026 C. O. Bishop

1st Corinthians 12:7-18; Romans 12

Introduction

Over the last two weeks, we examined the Gifts of God, then the Gifts of Christ. Now we will begin to examine the Gifts of the Spirit. There is a partial list, here in 1st Corinthians 12. There is another such list in Romans 12:4-8. The ones in 1st Corinthians tend to be the “sign gifts,” or at least those that require divine manifestation. The ones in Romans are more given to service to God, and help to one another. We humans are far more interested in the “sign gifts,” and things that “smack of the miraculous.” But that may easily be from a wrong motive.

Remember that God gave the signs primarily for the Jews, and universally, he gave them to direct people’s attention to the Person of Christ and the Message of Christ. Jesus only healed one man at the Pool of Bethesda, though there were many there, seeking healing. He healed that one (on the Sabbath) to initiate a conflict between His message and that of the Pharisees and temple rulers: Theirs was a stance of 100% legal standing, and even that from wrong motives. His was a message of salvation, healing, rest, and redemption…Grace.

He was fulfilling the prophecies of the Messiah. The hearers and those who witnessed the healings had a choice to make: Embrace the Gospel of the Kingdom, and its King, along with His healings, preaching, etc. or cling to the traditions of the elders, and reject the Person who brought life. The miracle served to bring the message into focus.

A Personal Example

On numerous occasions, I have prayed, “Lord, if You would give me the gift of healings, I would empty hospitals!” (And the answer immediately came to me: “Right! That is why you don’t have it! That is not the purpose of the gift!)

Everyone eventually dies, often of some final disease. The miraculous healings never eliminated illness or death: they only drew attention to the message of Salvation! Jesus didn’t raise all the dead, during His earthly ministry: He raised three that we know of, or maybe four, thus demonstrating His authority over Death. So, what is the purpose of the Gifts?

What Does God Say About It?

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 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: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

12 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. 13 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.

14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?  16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

The Purpose of the Gifts

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

Other translations say, “…for the common welfare.” The idea is that God gives every single believer one or more gifts by which the whole body of Christ is to profit in some way. In this chapter, we find that “there is one Body of Christ”, and every single believer is a part of that one Body, and every single member has a function. We are all designed to function. God calls no one to “just attend church,” but, rather, we are all called to personally serve the Lord Jesus, and to be a blessing to those around us.

We already learned elsewhere (Romans 8:9, John 14:16, 1st Corinthians 6:19, etc.) that every believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, so the only question before us now, is, “What should I expect in terms of function, because I am indwelt by the Holy Spirit?”

Paul gives a list (again, not exhaustive), of types of “gifts of the Spirit.”

8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 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: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

God Chooses The Gifts

Notice that God gives all the gifts as “He” (the Holy Spirit) wills. We do not get to “choose.”

12 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. 13 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. 14 For the body is not one member, but many.

15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

Paul’s Examples

Paul lists a number of gifts, as examples, with the intent of demonstrating that all are for the Body’s general health and function. They are not for the glory of the individual believer. God does not give the gifts for our own enjoyment: They are for the blessing and health of the whole Body of Christ. I am not attempting to give a “scholarly discourse” on the meaning and function of every gift, here, today, but I do want to use this same figure of a “body” in a slightly more graphic way.

A Modern Demonstration

Consider a single cell, taken from a living human body: From an athlete, an inventor, a teacher, a fashion model, or any other person, common or uncommon. But let’s say that it is a cell from the body of someone who is extraordinary in some way: the reason for their status is immaterial.

The point is that this single cell, examined under a powerful microscope, displays none of the characteristics of “greatness” that we saw in the tissue donor. It will simply look like a tiny, ugly, nondescript, essentially shapeless, and seemingly useless blob of tissue. That is a simple fact.

What is Inside is the Key!

But, it is also a fact, that, regardless of the location within the body, where you obtained the sample, whether from the brain, the nasal mucous membrane, the stomach lining, or whatever, every single cell from that same human body has, in its nucleus, the entire genetic code for the whole body. Ponder on that idea, for a moment, and consider how it might apply to the relationship between an individual believer and the whole Body of Christ:

God designed that particular cell (from a human body) for a single task: to produce a specific endocrine, perhaps, or, to help form one of the protective layers of the skin. But that cell, along with all the other cells, collectively made up the whole body from which it was taken, and, along with the collective experience of the whole body, together, they produced the person.

What about the Body of Christ? Each individual believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and, in fact, according to John 14:15-23, we can safely say that we are each indwelt by the entire Trinity, in the Person of the Holy Spirit. We each, then, individually possess the key (the code) to what makes the entire Body of Christ what it is…we have Christ! (See Ephesians 3:17)

And collectively, we are the Bride of Christ, (though incomplete, as yet) and collectively, we are being built into the Temple of God, though, for now, we are scattered across time and space.

What Do I Need to Know?

I don’t need to know how all the gifts work together: a single cell, which, along with others like it, comprises a hair follicle, for example, knows nothing about the function of the neurons to which it is connected. But those neurons connect it to the brain, and if a tiny weight, even a fruit-fly, lands on the hair that follicle has produced, the brain will sense it, and make a decision as to whether the touch is a threat, an irritant, or something which may safely be ignored.

Is It Fun to Have the Gift of the Spirit?

Not always! The prophet Jeremiah had an incredibly unsatisfying ministry: He knew God selected him as a prophet (though he embraced the gift very reluctantly, as he didn’t feel qualified.) He was a “mouthpiece for God,” to speak to the unbelieving, backsliding house of Judah. But, as far as we know, during his ministry, only two people believed his messages.

Did that mean he was ineffective, or even a “failure,” perhaps? No, it just means that humanity, as a whole, rejects the word of God, on a habitual basis. The false prophets of his time were quite popular, by comparison. (Give that some thought! Do you think that might be true today?)

Consider Ezekiel’s case: he always brought only what God said. But, it turned out that the people came to him for the entertainment value, not because they were receptive to the Word of God. (Ezekiel 33:30-32) They had no television, so they went to listen to Ezekiel!

Your gifting may not be particularly obvious, and may not result in human praise. Our calling is to do what God calls us to do: be a blessing to one another in ways that will profit the body of Christ, which will help or bless those in our circle of associates, and which, above all else, will honor God.

Sometimes it will be very satisfying, sometimes less so. Some of the gifts are fairly obvious, some are not. If you commit yourself to honoring God, and serving Him with your life, then He will reveal how he intends for you to function at your best. That does not mean that you will only do that one thing.

Consider Paul

Paul was an Apostle, and a teacher, and a prophet, I suppose we could say; but he was also a tentmaker; and when God required it of him, he served in that capacity.

Did people honor him, in that capacity? Well, I suppose we could say so; at least enough so that he earned enough money at it, for himself and his entourage to proceed with their journey. But, did they honor him as an apostle?

Sometimes…But sometimes they physically and verbally attacked him: they savagely beat him, stoned, whipped, and imprisoned him. Nearly everywhere he went, they verbally abused him, and, eventually, they executed him! Was he faithful to God? Yes, absolutely!

Was he always happy and comfortable in the process? I don’t think so! He suffered physical pain, and mistreatment many times, and he was grieved at the misbehavior of other believers, and sometimes of other apostles. He wept for the ones not obeying the Lord, just as Jeremiah did, and he asked to be relieved of a particular physical ailment, and was denied.

God told him that the ailment made it clear that God was the source of the power and life-changing message, not the messenger. Paul accepted God’s decree and he chose to rejoice in the ailment, knowing that it brought greater glory to God and made his own ministry stronger.

We will continue to examine the spiritual gifts, next week. Until then, if you want to read ahead, read Romans 12:4-8, and review 1st Corinthians 12:7-18

Lord Jesus, focus our attention on You, the Giver, instead of the gifts themselves, as being of primary importance. Help us to understand Your Word, and to apply it to our own lives in a manner that honors You.

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How to Understand the Spiritual Realities and Gifts

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Introducing The Spiritual Realities and Gifts

© 2025 C. O. Bishop

1st Corinthians 12:1-14

Introduction:

In 1st Corinthians chapters 1-11, Paul corrected a number of serious issues in the Corinthian Church. But now in chapter 12, (also corrective teaching) he goes back to the foundation of our existence in the Body of Christ. He shows how He put us there, and the results of the Holy Spirit having placed us there.

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

We should compare John 4:23, 24. “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

Spiritual Reality

Jesus told the Woman at the Well that God seeks those who worship from their spirit, and in complete truth. So, it is important that Paul not allow the Corinthian believers to remain ignorant. They would have no standard by which to measure “truth” or “falsehood.” It is also important that they understand there is such a thing as “Spiritual Reality:” Not all claims of “spiritual things” are true.

A woman once showed me a large painting her daughter had made. I could describe it as “ethereal.” It had swirls of cloudy, nearly shapeless, ascending color. But she claimed it was a “very spiritual” painting. I saw it as rather creepy modern art, with zero spiritual value. I had already attempted to share Christ with her. She had no interest. So, I said nothing in reply: I only nodded politely.

But there is a Spiritual Reality. And that is what God wants in us.

Spiritual Falsehood

Paul gave an example of spiritual falsehood. He said, 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

The word “dumb” here, means speechless. The idols were wood, stone or metal carvings. They had no life in them, no ability to give life, to move, or even to speak. Paul says that they were led to those idols by others. The spiritual lies tied to those idols enslaved them.

We know of the spiritual enslavement the people of the Dom tribe have escaped through Christ. They lived their lives in fear of the evil spirits associated with their fetishes and taboos. The Gospel came to them through Jim and Judy Burdett, and The Holy Spirit set them free from that fear: They learned to live the Reality of their relationship with Jesus.

Falsehood and Reality

3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

It seems clear that a true believer, speaking by the Spirit of God, will never malign the Lord Jesus. We have no trouble with the first statement: But the second clause is another matter.

People often used this verse attempting to “sort out false brethren.” They had the idea that it is “physically impossible” to say “Jesus is the Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. So, they made a person “repeat those words,” as some sort of “proof of Spiritual Reality.”

However: Many unbelievers also quote this passage. They “repeated those words” as “proof” that God’s Word is not true. So, we seem to have a problem! And the problem is not whether God’s Word is true: The problem is whether we understand it correctly.

Compare Scripture with Scripture

Remember what Jesus told the Woman at the Well: “God seeks those who will worship Him in Spirit and in Truth!” And while unbelievers can verbally, orally say that “Jesus is the Lord,” their spirit will continue to control their actions (and their other words) in such a way as to give the lie to that statement. They did not say it “in spirit and in truth.” They are “mouthing good words,” but it means nothing to them. Their “good words” are cloaking an evil, unrepentant heart. They know that we think it is impossible to “say those words” apart from the Holy Spirit. So, they are deliberately seeking to deceive us by their use of those words.

A Practical Example

I knew a missionary, many years ago, who told me how an unbeliever (in a primarily Muslim nation) accosted him at a bus stop or some similar location: He said, “You Christians say that no one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit! Well, ‘Jesus is Lord! Jesus is Lord!’ What do you say to that??”

The challenge shocked and surprised the missionary. He never saw the man before. He had no idea why the man chose to challenge him. The missionary looked off to one side and saw a group of Muslim men chatting on a street corner. So, he shouted to them, “Hey! This man says that Jesus is the Lord!” The men turned and looked at the man, who now was frozen in terror: He turned and sprinted away into the crowd, and in moments, he had disappeared. You see, the statement had held zero truth in him, and his behavior immediately revealed his spiritual reality.

We are trying to determine spiritual reality. A false spirit will eventually show itself, either through behavior or through heretical teaching, designed to turn people away from the Gospel.

What about the Gifts?

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

Notice that there seems to be a division, here: A separation of ideas. He calls out three categories of Gifts:

  • Gifts (gifts of the Spirit)
  • Administrations (gifts of Christ: the Lord)
  • Operations (gifts of God)

Do I think I understand all this? No! I don’t. But I must point out the stated structure as it is given. I cannot just set it aside and “ignore it,” because I’m not satisfied that I fully understand it.

God lists three different “sets” of gifts. We will see the “Gifts” called out as gifts of the Spirit in this chapter.

God lists some of the Gifts of the Lord, (Administrative gifts) in Ephesians 4:11-16. He says these gifts are people: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds and teachers. He gave them to raise up the believers into maturity as true disciples: they build children of God into true Followers of Jesus.

Some of the “Operations,” Gifts specifically attributed to God, we can see in 2nd Peter 1:1-15, and in Ephesians 1:3-14. We can see that He gave many of these gifts unconditionally: They are ours whether or not we are actually walking with God in obedience. He gave others, however, as conditional gifts: goals to be pursued and added to, through diligent pursuit of the God who calls us to walk with Him and to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. They are still gifts, only available to believers, but we can neglect them and miss out on their blessing.

And What is the Purpose of ALL the Gifts?

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

Some translations render this sentence as, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:”

NO gift of the Spirit is given for self-blessing, or entertainment, much less self-aggrandizement. All the gifts are for the blessing, help and profit of the entire assembly, and ultimately the broader Body of Christ. They are to produce unity and promote the Agapé love, never to produce pride, selfish behavior or division.

God warns us of false gifts in James 1:17-21 and of false wisdom in James 3:13-18.

A Partial List of Gifts

8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 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:

Some commentators deny that any of the “Sign gifts” are still in existence. They virtually always cite 1st Corinthians 13:8-12 as “proof.” The problem with that allegation is that they also insist that the “perfect” in that passage refers to the “completion” of the canon of scripture. So, they say that since the canon of scripture has been completed, (and I agree that it is complete) all of the things in that passage have ceased to exist.

However, I have never heard one of them also include the part that says, “Now we know in part, and prophesy in part, but then shall we know fully even as we are fully known.” None of them is so bold as to claim that they know Jesus fully: (literally “as well as He knows them!”)

Nor do any of them (usually) claim to have seen Jesus, face to face, when that passage clearly says we will! So, the completion of the scriptures cannot be the “Perfect” or “the completion” that is to come. So far as I can tell from scripture, all the gifts are still extant, but the sign gifts are very limited as to when and where they appear.

What About Sign Gifts?

1st Corinthians 1:22 says that “The Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom.” And (possibly without exception) every time the Spirit chose to perform a healing, or a miracle, or a manifestation of tongues, etc., there were Jews present who still needed convincing, at some level. In Acts 3, where Peter and John were used to heal the lame man, it was for the specific purpose of drawing attention to the message of the Gospel and to convince the crowds of watching Jews that the Holy Spirit was indeed at work among them.

In Acts 10, when Peter and a group of other believing Jews went to Cæsarea, and presented the Gospel of Christ to a group of Gentiles (the household of Cornelius,) the entire group believed the Gospel, and were born again on the spot! They also spoke in tongues: The languages that those Jews understood, and which the speakers had not learned. Why? Because the Jewish believers needed proof that the Gentile believers did not have to “become Jews to be saved!

As far as I can see from scripture, the usual manifestations of miraculous sign gifts are (a) to draw attention to the message of Christ, and (b) to convince the children of Israel that Jesus truly is the Messiah. As far as I can see, the modern obsession with tongues and signs does neither. You can make of that what you will.

The Underlying Source of ALL the Gifts

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

These gifts, regardless of how they manifest themselves and through whom, and at what times, are for the general profit and blessing, and edification of the Church at large. And, we do not get to choose what gifts we will have.

We can earnestly desire to have certain gifts. (Paul tells us to “desire prophecy! Preaching! See 1st Corinthians 14:1) But the Holy Spirit is in charge, and He alone decides who gets what gift. He uses our physical body as an illustration of that concept.

12 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. 13 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.

We are not going to spend a lot of time on this verse, but the baptism (immersion) of the believer BY the Holy Spirit INTO the Body of Christ, is the “real” baptism. Water baptism only commemorates the true baptism which occurred at the moment of saving faith.

Comparison: Body to Body

14 For the body is not one member, but many.

The point, here, is “every part of the physical body has a function.” They all work together for the good of the whole. An arm hair can transmit tiny vibrations to your brain, warning you that a mosquito has landed: Respond quickly, and you may avoid a bite. Ears can detect storms long before they are close enough to do damage. Respond promptly, and perhaps you can find cover.

Similarly, all the members of the Body of Christ work together to strengthen, feed, and protect the flock. We will look at this concept in more detail in the following messages. Meanwhile, read ahead: read Romans chapter 12 and Ephesians chapter four. Consider how God may want to use you to bless the other believers around you.

Lord Jesus, open our eyes to the Spiritual Realities you reveal in Your Word. Give us Grace to respond to your call, and serve one another in simplicity, to worship You in Spirit and in Truth.

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Jesus taught about The Indwelling Holy Spirit

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The Indwelling Holy Spirit

© 2023 C. O. Bishop

John 14:16-16:15

Introduction:

One of the things Jesus had to do in the few hours he had left with his disciples, was to teach them what to expect regarding the Holy Spirit. He was also preparing them for His own Departure, but, since He was leaving, they needed to know that the Holy Spirit would take the Place of Jesus in their lives, and actually indwell them.

John 14:16, 17

16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

This is a key passage, because in it we learn three things:

  1. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter (parakletos) who takes the place of Jesus as our comforter, protector and guide.
  2. The Holy Spirit will remain with us Forever! (No qualifiers, here!)
  3. The Holy Spirit is with us, and (since the day of Pentecost) He is in us.

He is God!

The Holy Spirit is God. We see that in Acts 5:3, 4, where Peter accused Ananias of having lied to the Holy Spirit, and then he clarified the accusation, by declaring, “You lied to God!”

He is a Person

He is a Person; specifically, the third person of the Godhead. In Colossians 2:9, we see that “in Him (Christ) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead, bodily.” Paul warns us not to grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) as He is the one sealing us in Christ until the day of redemption. He is not a “force:” (a force cannot be grieved.) He is not a feeling: Feelings have no authority and they cannot speak to a group of people, as in Acts 13:2, and, as God, send the servants of God out on a mission.

The Indwelling is permanent

In the Old Testament, no one was permanently indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Certain prophets were evidently temporarily indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but He gave no guarantee that He would stay, and David specifically begged that the Holy Spirit would not be taken from him, in Psalm 51:11. The New Testament believer has no need for such a “fear of abandonment.” Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would be with us forever.

Also, the Old Testament servants of God were frequently said to have the Holy Spirit upon them. Only in a few cases does the scripture suggest that He was in them. But Jesus made that New Testament distinctive very clear: the Holy Spirit was (already) with the disciples, but He would soon be in them! The New Testament, proper, began on the day of Pentecost, in Acts chapter 2.

John 14:18-21

18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

This is another important passage, because, along with verse 23, it underscores the truth of the Trinity. Jesus had just said that he would leave them and that, in His place, the Holy Spirit would come and indwell them. But, in verse 18, He says, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. And, in verse 19, He says that He is in the Father, that we are in Him (the position of believers is “In Christ!) and that He is in us! So, in the person of the Holy Spirit, we are also indwelt by Jesus Christ Himself!

John 14:23

And in John 14:23, He states that He and the Father would come and make their abode with the believer. As the Third Person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit fully includes the entire Godhead, just as we read in Colossians 2:9, that Jesus, (God the Son,) fully included the entire Trinity.

John 14:28

Finally, in John 14:28, Jesus reminds the disciples that the Father is greater than the Son. (Bear in mind that in Isaiah 9:6, we see that the Son shall be called the Everlasting Father!)

Do I understand this? No! I accept it by faith, because God says it is so!

God has the authority to make statements that I cannot understand. I can either accept them as truth, even though I fail to understand them, or I can reject them, claiming that they “don’t make sense!” As a teacher of God’s Word, it is critically important that I teach what the scriptures actually say, and not try to make them palatable by “filtering out the hard things.” I have to be faithful to teach the whole Word of God, even when it seems hard to understand.

John 15:26, 27

26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

Something was going to change: when the Holy Spirit came, the disciples would testify about Jesus, because the Holy Spirit would testify about Jesus. Remember Jesus had already told them they would be scattered, and flee, when He was arrested (and they were, and they did!) But now He tells them that when the Holy Spirit finally came, something was going to change.

In Acts 1:8, 9, He told them the same thing, just before he physically ascended, back into Heaven. He said “But ye shall receive power (“dunamis”…strength; ability) after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem and in all Judaea, and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

We are Called to Speak, and Called to Do, as He Does

The Holy Spirit speaks of Jesus. That is one of His character traits. He glorifies Jesus, in Word and in deed. And as He indwells us, He calls us to do the same. We have a problem, though: we still have our old sin nature, and we have to overcome a lifetime of habitual self-serving, in order to cut loose from our slavery to self and sin, and to freely follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

In Galatians 5:16, we are admonished, “Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” That is the only way we can serve God, and be free from our old slavery to sin. Jesus told His disciples, in John 15:5, “Apart from Me ye can do nothing.” It was the literal truth.

John 16:7-11

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

Jesus reminded them that it was necessary for him to end His earthly ministry, in order that the Holy Spirit could be completely free to indwell all believers individually. As God, He is omnipresent: He is in all places simultaneously. But Jesus chose to live His earthly life under the same physical rules that restrict each of us. So, while He remained in His earthly body, Jesus was bound to a single place and time at any given moment. He could only be in one place at a time.

Jesus is Omnipresent again, now.

Now, however, He is free to live in every single believer, in the Person of the Holy Spirit. He is free to act through each of us, and speak through each of us, to Glorify the Father by the Church.

Having finally come, the Holy Spirit has two separate spheres of influence: He lives in us, where He teaches, guides and protects us. But His service toward the World is completely different: He “Reproves the World of Sin, and of Righteousness, and of Judgment.”

By the Holy Spirit, especially as witnessed in His people, the World sees sin for what it really is. They may or may not respond in repentance, but they know sin, and by the same means, they know righteousness, and judgment. They can see that the judgment of God is coming.

John 16:13-15

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

The rest of the work the Holy Spirit does, is in teaching the believers: Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. He does not speak independently from the Written Word of God, but always within the context of God’s Word. He guides us so that we can see what is ahead. He receives all that Jesus is, and says, and does, and He delivers it to us at a level where we can understand it, or at least put it into practice.

He makes the whole Church to Function as it Should

He is the one who administers the Gifts of the Spirit, and He empowers the teachers and leaders He has given. The Holy Spirit is the one who fills the Body of Christ and makes it functional as a whole, rather than being just a cluttered pile of disconnected parts.

Notice, too, that, if the Holy Spirit is the One who is functioning, then the result will be that the actions and words will glorify Jesus, not the humans involved, nor even calling attention to the Holy Spirit Himself. He works to glorify Jesus. He does not speak of Himself, but of Jesus.

This parallels the story of the Servant in Genesis 24, who spoke only of the Son, and sought the Bride. He continued speaking of the Son, until Rebekah was able to look, for herself, to the bridegroom, and see Isaac. The Holy Spirit will glorify Jesus until we see Him face-to-face!

Ministry of the Spirit

In the outworking of the New Testament, we begin to see details of the change Jesus promised: We see the gifts of the Spirit laid out in 1st Corinthians 12. We see the unity of the Spirit, in Ephesians 4:3-5. And we see the Fruit (singular) of the Spirit, described in Galatians 5:22, 23.

We see that there is One Body of Christ with many Members. We see that there is One Holy Spirit, who works differently through each believer, in the various gifts, but they are always in keeping with God’s Word. (If they are not, then it is not the Holy Spirit who is at work.)

We see that the Unity of the Spirit (in that One Body of Christ) is created by the One Holy Spirit, but is to be maintained by the believers, collectively, by walking in obedience to Him.

We see that the Fruit of the Spirit has nine aspects, but that they all are to be there, in season: it is just one fruit, with nine characteristics, all of which have to be there.

Just the Facts!

This is not the “heady, psycho-babble” that typifies much of the foolishness taught today, about the gifts of the Spirit. It is simply the facts, as laid out in the Word of God. And, as we continue walking in the Spirit, the Lord raises us up as His servants and coworkers, so that the Gifts He has given find a place to function, and we rejoice to serve with Him.

Do I have to understand all the things God says about the Holy Spirit, in order to be aware of His leading in my life? No, I do not! If I am willing to obey Him and trust Him to lead me, then He will open doors before me and offer tasks for me to fulfill that will honor Him and please Him. He will direct our paths, if we are willing to follow His leading.

When we know the “general truths,” such as the fact that He has called us to be His witnesses, and that He has called us to leave our old ways of life behind, and commit ourselves to following Him in His Holiness, then we can start doing what we know to do, and looking to Him to lead us into a further walk with Him.

In Closing:

I want to close with one small point, in John 14:26. “26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

Notice that it says the Holy Spirit will teach us, but it goes on to say, “He will bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

Jesus primarily speaks to us through His written Word. Peter confirmed this, in 2nd Peter 1:19,  saying “We have also a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn and the daystar arise in your hearts.”

If the written word is the primary way Jesus talks to us, and if we are not spending much time in the Word, then He can’t say much to us…and “we aren’t giving the Holy Spirit much to work with,” in terms of bringing it to our remembrance. We can’t remember what we never heard or never read. We need to feed on the Word, to be prepared to follow His leading.

Lord Jesus, empower us by Your Holy Spirit, and raise us up to walk in your footsteps. Teach us to understand Your Will and to obey from the heart.

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