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What do we mean by Spirit Gifts, and more importantly, what does the Bible mean by Spirit Gifts? Surprisingly, considering the prominence the subject is given in many churches, there are only seven verses in the Bible where the words "spirit" and "gift" appear together and most of them are to be found in a couple of chapter of Paul's first lesson to the Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 121Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
So we can list the Gifts as follows:
Prophecy, in its widest sense incorporates teaching and proclaiming the word of God. This is something that many would say they do. Occasionally someone claims a new revelation from God, but their track record is not very impressive to say the least! In 1 Cor. 14:3-5 we read "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God...But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort...He who prophesies edifies the church...He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified."
Miraculous powers is a very general term and may cover such things as the powers given to Elijah and Elisha, such as making axe heads float, being able to outrun a speeding chariot, turning poisoned food into safe food etc. So of the nine gifts listed in the scriptures, perhaps five would be claimed by most, if not all Christians, although many would feel that these attributes had been acquired through study of God's Word and spiritual growth, rather than an instantaneous manner, such as a laying on of hands. The term "miraculous powers" is a general one and perhaps best put to one side. This leaves three gifts which we can look at more closely; healing, speaking in tongues and interpreting tongues.
HealingOne of the best-known evangelists in America today is Benny Hinn. Although we cannot make sweeping statements based on the activity of just one man, because he is so well known and because his claims are so dramatic, it might be a good place to start, when considering the role of the modern-day faith healer. Much of the following has been extracted from certain websites both supporting and questioning faith healing.One of the tools of Benny Hinn's trade is the phenomenon known as being "slain in the Spirit" which is a trademark of modern charismaticism. Put simply, the preacher or healer, places their hand on the person's head, the Holy Spirit is passed in some way and the person falls to the ground. This is not a phenomenon that can be found recorded in the pages of the Bible. Given some of the examples, we have to ask whether this is the power of God working or the power of mass hysteria and auto-suggestion. At one crusade, a man Hinn had "slain in the Spirit" fell on a prostrate elderly woman and broke her hip, resulting in her death. The lawsuit was settled out of court. Other examples of Hinn's false healing powers: An elderly Hinn follower was turned away from one entrance to ARGO Stadium in Sacramento, CA because she had not given enough money to enter there. Later, on the stage she was "slain in the Spirit," and while she was lying on the floor a huge man, likewise "slain," landed on top of her, breaking her leg. In 1993 in Basel, Switzerland, Hinn prophesied over a man with cancer that he had many years to live. He died two days later. In Nairobi, Kenya early in May 2000, four patients released from a hospital to attend Hinn's "Miracle Crusade" died while waiting for prayer.
Let us look briefly at some other faith healers in the news. The case follows several deaths involving members of the church. In 1999, a church couple pleaded guilty in Mesa County to child abuse resulting in death after the death of their 18-day-old son, Warren Glory. The infant died of pneumonia and meningitis in February 1999. Josh and Mindy Glory were sentenced to a 16 years' probation and ordered to seek medical care, when required, for their surviving child. In another 1999 case, a baby boy died three days after his birth at the family home. Officials determined that Billy Ray Reed died of a congenital heart disease. No charges were brought against his parents despite the coroner's opinion that the child might have survived had he received routine medical care or been monitored by doctors.
What did Jesus himself say about miracles?'Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.'' Jn 4:48Though Jesus rebuked those who sought after miraculous signs, the Charismatics and others like them believe 'signs and wonders' are the preferred way to bring people 'to Christ'; they even have a name for it - ''Power Evangelism.'' The common vehicle for 'evangelization' is a miracle service with some kind of altar call at the conclusion. We would never say that God does not or cannot ever intervene in the natural order of things if that is His will, but what we are talking about here is a belief that miracles should be common, expected as God's standard way of meeting our needs, and the everyday norm of evangelization.
Jesus verified who He was by the signs and wonders He performed, which were incredible things only he could have done, and fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies concerning Him. But, according to God's word, signs and wonders can no longer be looked to for verification of truth - For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Mt 24:24.A better guide would be to examine the beliefs of a church and see if they fit with Bible teaching. Nevertheless, there has developed an obsession with the miraculous. Claims of miracles occurring at these services (or in distant countries where they cannot be verified) are multiplying and becoming more and more wildly unbelievable all the time. Yet so far there have not been any medically verified, true, supernatural, biblical miracles; it is pretty much the traditional faith healing story, with most claims concerning those ailments most susceptible to emotional influence, as in all the religions and systems of thought centered on producing healings. Although Jesus' name is used, the truth about exactly who Jesus is and what He accomplished, and the fact of man's sinfulness and separation from God are often not explained at all. The need for and the fact of the cross of Christ is quietly disappearing from evangelization messages. In the place of salvation from sin, the movement seems mainly to offer the hope of physical healing or New Age style ''inner healing'' of emotional wounds. The Toronto church is now claiming that God is performing ''dental miracles'' during their services- fillings and crowns are supposedly miraculously appearing in peoples' mouths, and many are flocking excitedly to these services. The Gospel message can have a powerful effect on those with emotional problems, giving joy and hope where there was only previously despair and sadness. But this is part of the gradual change that is wrought in a person's life; the putting off of the old man and the putting on of the new. But let us remember the miracles performed by Jesus and the Apostles in the first century; the instantaneous healing of cripples, the blind, the deaf, the lepers and the raising from the dead of Lazarus and others. If we take away the show-biz and the hysteria out of the healing services that are held every Sunday offering miracles on demand, is there any true evidence of healing in the same league as that of the first century?
Speaking in Tongues:Definitions of "speaking in tongues":The term "speaking in tongues" has been used to describe two very different phenomena: Xenoglossia and Glossolalia. Xenoglossia: This is the ability to spontaneously speak a foreign language without first having learned it, or even been exposed to it. This term is derived from two Greek words: Xenos, which means "foreign" or "foreigner", and glõssai, which means "tongues" or "languages." Stories of xenoglossia are well known, particularly within the Pentecostal movement and psychic research. But one source claims that "no scientifically attested case of zenolalia has come to light." Still another writer states that essentially all claims of xenoglossia are hoaxes. He claims that only one credible case has ever surfaced: that of a "Jewish woman who slipped into another personality" during hypnosis who was able to speak in Swedish. This is the speaking in tongues exhibited by the Apostles at Pentecost. Glossolalia: This is the most commonly meaning of "speaking in tongues." This term is derived from two Greek words: glõssai, which means "tongues" or "languages," and lalien which means "to speak." It is observed in some tribal religions and within some Christian denominations, notably Charismatics, Mormons in past times, and Pentecostals. One source defines it as "a phenomenon of intense religious experience expressing itself in ecstatic speech." Still another source comments: "To the outsider, hearing someone speaking in 'tongues' is like hearing so much gibberish."
A direct study of the reality of glossolalia in churches: Again, we must wonder whether this is the Spirit at work or the human mind. Pentecostals and others are motivated to speak in this way because of the expectations of their religious culture. They are expected to speak in tongues; thus, they do speak in tongues. There is even doubt as to there being two distinct types of "speaking in tonques" as described in the Bible. The word glossa (which is applied to the ecstatic type of outpouring rather than intelligible speech) appears in the Greek New Testament not less than fifty times. It is used to refer to the physical organ of the tongue as in James 3:5; once in reference to the flames of fire shaped like tongues (Acts 2:3); at least once in a metaphorical sense when referring to speech as in the statement, “my tongue (speech) was glad (joyous)” (Acts 2:26). As far as I understand the remaining usages of the word it always means a language. In the NIV translation on 1 Cor 12, "language" is given as an alternative rendering of "tongue". The supernatural phenomenon which took place at Pentecost was the exercise of a gift whereby many people from many countries, gathered at Jerusalem, heard God's message in their own language. This was indeed a miracle of God. Is there any proof at all in Scripture that would make tongues-speaking in the New Testament anything other than known languages? I believe not.
The importance of GiftsI Cor 1227 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts.What do we learn from this passage? There is a hierarchy placed on certain roles within the church - not on the people, but on the roles.
After that, come the other gifts; working of miracles, healing, administration, speaking in tongues. Verse 31 is most important; it says "Eagerly desire the greater gifts", namely Apostleship, prophecy and teaching. Then Paul says "I will show you the more excellent way", in other words, something more excellent even than these spirit gifts. And if we turn to chapter 13, we see that this most excellent way is Love. 1 Corinthians 131 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.So not only does this chapter firmly put spirit gifts in their place, but in verse 8, we see a clear statement that these spirit gifts would not be around forever, but would pass away. But what is this "perfection" that is referred to? There have been several suggestions put forward, one being that it is when Christ returns to earth. Would miracles cease when Jesus returns to set up the Kingdom? Rather the reverse, I would have thought! The second and more likely suggestion is that the "perfection" is the Word of God, namely the Bible. Until the Holy Scriptures were completed, spirit gifts were required to help establish the church, but once the canon of scripture was complete, all that was necessary for Salvation was described in its pages. This Scripture states that the Gifts were sent to testify to the great salvation first announced by Jesus.
Hebrews 21 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.There is no reference here to on-going spirit gifts through the ages. This is also borne out by history. The various gifts of the Holy Spirit disappeared from view after the death of the apostles. But the gift of "Tongues" reappeared in the late 17th century: in southern France during the attempted extermination of Protestants (Huguenots) by the Roman Catholic church. This was after an absence of over 1,500 years. If spirit gifts are proof of salvation as some pentacostals and charismatics claim, was there no-one saved for 1,500 years?
Anyone who believes that the Gifts of the spirit are possessed today should ask themselves these simple questions:
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The Dawn Christadelphians