Spiritual Gifts
Revelation or Communication Gifts
1 Corinthians 12:1-31
In this lesson, we will explore prophecy, kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues. Each of these gifts are to operate with the understanding of scripture. Everything we do must compliment the Bible and not add to the Word of God. The gifts we will discuss today can be misused. Therefore, we must be careful but willing, to be used by God in these gifts.
Prophecy
2 Peter 1:19-21
A. The scriptures are not for private interpretation. We must never manipulate
Scripture to teach what we want to. The Word of God is the "Sure Word Of
Prophecy".
B. Even before we study prophecy, we must remember that the Word of God is
complete. We cannot add to nor take away from the Scripture. Psalm 119:89,
"For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven".
The "Prophet" and the "Gift of Prophecy" differ.
A. The Prophet is an individual sent from God. Prophecy is a message sent from
God. The Prophet is a man of God sent for a particular work.
B. The Gift of Prophecy is God enabling us to speak words of encouragement,
and edification, and comfort.
How should this gift operate?
A. 1 Cor. 14:33, "God is not the author of confusion".
1. There should not be any discord in the operation of the gifts of the
Spirit.
2. 1 Cor. 13:8-10
3. Eph. 2:20-22
4. 1 Cor. 14:29-31
Kinds of Tongues
A. Ever since the tower of babel, when God confused the language of man, there
has been a need for this gift.
B. Romans 8:26-27
C. 1 Cor. 12:10. In this verse the word "diverse" was not in the original
manuscripts. Therefore we should refer to the gift as "kinds of tongues".
D. "Kinds of Tongues" differs from "tongues" the initial evidence of the Holy
Ghost. Acts 2:4-8, Acts 10:44-47
E. The tongue. James 1:26, James 3:8
F. He is not truly Lord of our lives until we allow him to control our lives. This
includes our tongue.
G. 1 Cor. 14:2, Unknown tongues. Here we see Paul write about "devotional
tongues" or tongues that are spoken by the child of God in prayer.
H. 1 Cor. 14:18-33
I. The gift "Kinds of Tongues" is necessary to break down language barriers.
Individuals can be used to speak in other languages than those inherited by them.
Interpretation of tongues
A. As a message in tongues comes to the church, there is the need to interpret the
message. If a message is not interpreted, there may be confusion.
B. When a message in tongues is being interpreted, the individual is moved on by
the Holy Ghost to "translate" or "interpret" the message. At times the individual
will be the same person who spoke in tongues; at other times another individual
will interpret.
C. At times the message will be spoken in the mother tongue, i.e. English, and not
need interpretation.
D. The message will edify. God will not use the gifts to divide His church.
Everything is to be done decently and in order.
Additional comments on the "Gifts of the Spirit"
A. 1 Cor. 13:8-10 Here we see that the "gifts", as we know them today, will cease. Some people say the gifts are no longer in operation today. Verse 10, we see that "when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away". That which is perfect is Jesus. When he comes there will be no need for
prophecies, tongues, etc..
B. James 1:17, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above".
C. The gifts of the Spirit are meant for the edification of the church and must be
motivated by the Holy Spirit.
D. Eph. 4:11-13
E. When the gifts operate in a spirit of brotherly love and genuine concern for
others, we will see the miraculous.
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