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15. Question: Did the gifts of the Spirit cease after the early Church was established?
Answer: No! Absolutely not. Yet I believe that the confusion lies in the fact that there is a vast difference between the historical outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the day of Pentecost and the actual reality of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church. For the writer of Hebrews speaks of the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit under the Apostles (which we read of in the book of Acts) as being in the past tense.
“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?” Hebrews 2:1-4
Yet many in today's Christian Establishment take the Scripture which says: “…but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” out of its proper context to twist the meaning of the passage (which we are coming to and shall consider very shortly,) in order to support their dogmatic rejection of the gifts of the Holy Spirit as being still operational in the Church. And in most cases these same individuals who reject the gifts as being still operational in the Church, also shun any spiritual and every supernatural reality of the Christian Life. And yet strangely, some of these same individuals have no problem believing and admitting to the reality of satanic powers as being operational in the world of the Occult and upon the unconverted.
And I’m the first to admit that satanic powers are indeed a reality, for they are not just operational in the world of the Occult and/or upon the unconverted. According to the Word of God, the kingdom of Satan is dead set against God’s own Children and His Church. And thus it is written:
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:10-12
Therefore, you would think that such individuals would have the common sense to understand that if the early Church needed the gifting and power of the Holy Spirit in their day, then how much more do we need it now in this hour of such perilous darkness? Yet thankfully God has not left us ignorant on this matter, for it is written that God has given gifts unto men in the Ministry of His Church through its leadership for the edifying of the body of Christ: “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” In other words, the gifts of the Spirit as being operational through the Ministry, in and unto the body of Christ, are still a reality. And shall be unto we all come to perfection in Christ as one body at the resurrection of the Just.
“But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” Ephesians 4:7-14
And we know that Paul was not just speaking about the leadership of the Ministry as being His gifts to the Church because He also wrote to the Corinthian Church concerning spiritual gifts. Saying that while there are indeed diversities of gifts, there are also differences of administrations and diversities of operation. In other words there are a variety of gifts which are ministered differently for a variety of purposes. Those gifts being: The word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, the gifts of healing, the working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, divers kinds of tongues and the interpretation of tongues. And it is clearly obvious that the main purpose for the gifts of the Spirit is not for the empowerment of any certain class of leaders or individuals in the Church, but they are distributed to all the members for the needs of the entire body to care for one another.
“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 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. 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 worketh 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 worketh 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. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 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? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 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? 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.” 1st Corinthians 12:1-31
Therefore we see that the difference between the initial outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost and the reality of the gifts of the Spirit in the life of the Church, is that the outpouring with all its supernatural signs, wonders and miracles was an act of God bearing the Apostles witness to the world as the early Church was being established; Whereas, the reality of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Church, is for the edification of the Church to care for the Spiritual and physical needs of the body. The first being an expression of God’s love for the world, the second being an expression of God’s love for the Church. And that is why the Apostle Paul goes on to write: “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.” And following on into the next chapter we come to what many have referred to as the “Love Chapter” of 1st Corinthians Chapter 13 which speaks of and defines what true love is. Only love as interpreted as “Charity” in this passage.
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” 1st Corinthians 13:1-7
Thus we now understand that when considered from the context of the previous chapter: (Concerning the gifts of the Spirit as being given for our edification and care for one another in the body.) In no way was that Apostle Paul speaking of doing away with the gifts of the Spirit here. He was simply explaining the vanity of misapprehending the purpose for the gifts, which is to walk in love toward one another in the edification and care for the body. And if I might share my own opinion here, I personally believe that we Pentecostal are in part responsible for the gifts of the Spirit being rejected by many of those who contend that the gifts have ceased.
Because the sad truth of the matter is that we have more ministers selfishly exploiting the gifts by counterfeiting them, than there are those who are actually exercising the true gifts in love and compassion toward those in need. And as far back since the decade of, and beginning in the early nineties, we have witnessed a satanic outpouring of a counterfeit revival in not only the heretical Charismatic movement but also in some of our traditional Pentecostal Denominations and Churches. And to call such “laughing revivals” a falling away is an understatement.
And I believe the reason that Satan has been able to breach the spiritual walls and has gained such an entrance into the visible Church at large, (Not the true spiritual Church that is being built upon God‘s Word mind you.) is because we have lost our sense of God's Holiness and the fear that is due Him. Nothing is sacred anymore and there is no reverence for even His Word. They have taken every thing that is holy and have made it into an occasion for entertainment. They have desecrated not only the Word and Worship of the Creator, but also the Cross. America's Church is reprobate and very few even comprehend the coming retribution of God against us. What America needs is repentance in her Churches, not some revival to add numbers to her religious social clubs and entertainment centers. What we need is a true baptism of the Holy Ghost which can only occur if America's preachers repent and go back to the Old Rugged Cross and message of separation and true holiness.
For in reality, such charismatic and hippy rock-n-roll revivals as we have seen over the last half of the last century are the direct result of this aforementioned counterfeiting of the spiritual gifts. And the Holy Spirit being the Spirit Truth will not suffer being a partaker in such falsehoods. And nor will He allow His blessings to be exploited as carnal vices by those who seek to use them as an emotional fix just like a drunkard uses alcoholic drink to inebriate themselves. And it is more than a coincidence that such revivals are marked by religious leaders and their congregations staggering around claiming to be drunk on the Spirit. For such behavior is only spiritually indicative of the fact that Satan will never leave such undefended ground unexploited. In that if you give place to the Devil he will take it.
The Hide and Seekers Turning the Spiritual things of Christ into a Carnal Vice
To understand a wretched man just look within thyself The curse of being born in sin the groanings can be felt
Broken hearts become hard as stone yet few crumble as soft as sand The Master Potter molds the clay and forms the vessel once again
Chaotic souls in the land no peace do they possess Others drift not really sure their souls can find no rest
In Hell they gnaw and gnash in pain on earth they cry and scream Blinded unto their most inner need they're numb as if in a dream
So some exhaust their bodies dry still no Living Waters spring In giving themselves to pleasure's sin death holds a certain sting
Some get high as others drink they are bound by chains of sin Drifting and tripping into delusions deeper they descend
Some sell their flesh on the corner while others pay to partake their sin Yet it's all done to numb the pain which screams from deep within
The soul it reaches out for more never to be filled The inner most cries of the longing sighs testify that the void is oh so real
The fix for some is vice and evil while for others it's nice and good If only they could save themselves? If only they really could!
Some Preach the Word they stand so tall as warriors they have such pride Some boast of gifts, speaking in tongues yet they live the Charismatic Lie
Some pray loud for the sick only to be seen of men While some dance, run, shout and yell as others praise and stand
Some cast out devils, and some fast and pray while others just sit to watch in Awe Yet if all the flesh were exposed much of it would fall?
Men drowned in sorrows to touch that place their souls to satisfy With a gutter or religious fix to make their yearnings to subside
Thus what separates the sinner from the saint is true repentance before the God who died for all ''Hide Not Thyself from Thine Own Flesh'' but who shall heed the call? © 1990 Raymond Bolton Pena
So it is no wonder that many have turned away from the gifts of the Spirit in disbelief. And yet it is tragic because such people are also to blame for their own unbelief. For just as it would be wrong to throw out the baby with the bath water simply because others abuse the baby by trying to drown it; So likewise, it is wrong to discard the gifts of the Spirit simply because others practice the extreme abuse of exploiting those gifts. So let’s now consider the Word of God which such nonsensical contradicters twist to pervert common sense by contending that the gifts of the Spirit have ceased to operate in the Church.
“Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” 1st Corinthians 13:8-12
It is indeed true that the Bible tells us that tongues shall one day cease. Yet we also read that knowledge shall vanish away as well. And yet if that time has come than I would not be writing this article and nor would you be reading it. And in case there be any who misunderstand, the writer is not saying that at some point in the hereafter everyone’s mind is going to go blank. What he is talking about is “necessity” here. He is speaking of the difference between knowing the light of knowledge in part and actually becoming part of that light of all knowledge when there is no longer any necessity for the gifts because we will then see the Giver face to face.
For the text goes on to reveal when the gifts shall cease by saying: “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away...For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
We are told here that when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away with. And those who seek to twist the meaning of this text will contend saying: “That which is perfect is the finished Word of God so therefore since we have a completed Bible, tongues must cease.” Yet that makes no sense because remember, the text goes on to reveal that we now: “see through a glass darkly; but then face to face:” Yet face to face with whom? Well, it goes on to say: “...then shall I know even as also I am known.” And considering the fact that Jesus shall tell many “I never knew you.” And this text is speaking of coming into spiritual maturity to walk in the love of God in light of eternity. It is only logical to conclude that the Apostle Paul is speaking of seeing Jesus face to face and being known of Him;
Therefore, we must conclude that it is not until the perfect kingdom of Jesus Christ comes and we shall see Him face to face, that the gifts shall then cease. And how can we be sure that this is true? I will tell you! It is true because in Paul's second letter to these same Corinthians he wrote: “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2nd Corinthians 3:18) You see, Paul was taking about finally seeing Jesus face to face.
And again, speaking of the last days which began at Pentecost and are still ongoing, The following account is the same prophecy which speaks of God pouring out His Spirit upon all flesh and is also inclusive of the coming days of wonders and signs in the heavens and upon the earth. And here we find the Apostle Peter telling us that the promise of this same Holy Spirit outpouring is also to all that are afar off.
“But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved....Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts 2:14-21, 38-39
So in answer to the underlying question: “Are are the gifts of the Spirit still in operation today? We must acknowledge that according to the Bible they most certainly are.
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