SPIRITUAL GIFTS
The objective of this information brochure is to explain and help our church family understand the use and meaning of spiritual gifts, as explained in the Bible. It is not the intent to theologically analyze, defend or exegete our position; neither is it our desire to attack the motives or discredit the many sincere Christians who may differ.
For the purpose of this study, we have established two foundational rules: One, the Bible is the final authority for faith and practice (2 Tim. 3:16, 17), and will alone be the foundation for our guidance and understanding. Second, human experience, reason or feelings is not a solid foundation upon which we base our doctrine.
By spiritual gifts is meant that special provision, sovereignly given by God through the Holy Spirit to the believer during the church dispensation, in order to equip and enable the believer to minister spiritually. Every believer has at least one spiritual gift (1 Cor. 12:11), and they are intended for the edification of the church, not personal display (1 Cor. 12:7). They should not be confused with natural talent and abilities, nor the fruit of the spirit that is mentioned in Gal. 5. Spiritual gifts are tools to accomplish ministry, not toys to play with, or for personal exhibition.
Spiritual gifts are mentioned and listed in four major places in the New Testament: 1 Cor. 12:8-12, 28; Romans 12:6-8; Eph. 4:11; 1 Peter 4:10-11. In each place, a different list of spiritual gifts is mentioned, apparently implying that the number and nature of spiritual gifts may vary according to a particular locality or need. It is possible, however, to categorize the gifts that are given to aid in our understanding and application.
A. Sign Gifts: (1 Cor. 1:22; 14:22: Sign gifts were intended to provide a supernatural manifestation of God in order to confirm the message of the Apostolic church, in the absence of inspired Scripture (Mark 16:20; Mt. 9:6-8). There are six sign gifts that we believe were temporary and fulfilled with the completion of Scripture and Apostolic Age (1 Cor. 13:8-10; 2 Pet. 1:19-21; Hebrews 2:3-4).
1. Tongues: The divine enablement to communicate to the unbelieving Jew in a foreign language not previously known (Acts 2:4-8).
2. Interpretation of Tongues: The divine enablement to interpret the foreign tongue so that the church can understand and be edified (1 Cor. 12:10).
3. Healing: A temporary and usually dramatic reversal of the natural decay or bodily function in order to authenticate the message, ministry and power of Christ and the Apostles (1 Cor. 12:9; Mt. 9:6-8).
4. Miracles: The incidental change or reversal of the natural pattern of life or nature, intended to confirm the message of Christ and the Apostles (1 Cor. 12:10; Mk. 16:15-20.
5. Prophecy: The divine and direct revelation of truth given to men of God in the absence of written revelation (2 Pet. 1:19-20; Heb. 1:1-2.
6. Knowledge: The supernatural ability to understand and proclaim the message of salvation and Divine truth without the availability of scriptural revelation: (1 Cor. 14:29-37).
B. Speaking Gifts: 1 Pet. 4:10-11
1. Teacher: One who clarifies truth for the edification of the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:7).
2. Prophet: One who proclaims truth and righteousness, for the edification, exhortation and comfort of the church (1 Cor. 14:3; Eph. 4:11).
C. Serving Gifts: 1 Pet. 4:10-11
1. Pastor/Teacher: The Spirit-given capacity and desire to serve God by overseeing, training and caring for the needs of the Church family: (Eph. 4:11).
2. Exhorter: The Spirit-given capacity and desire to serve God by giving practical motivation and application to God's word (Rom. 12:8).
3. Mercy-shower: The Spirit-given capacity and desire to serve God by identifying with and comforting those who are in distress (Rom. 12:8)
4. The Server: The ministry of one that is committed to caring for the practical function and needs of the believer in both spiritual and physical matters (Rom. 12:7)
5. The Giver: The Spirit-given sensitivity and capacity to minister to others in a financial way (Rom. 12:7-8).
6. The Administrator: The Spirit-given capacity to organize, administrate and promote the order of the various functions of the church (Rom.12:8; 1 Tim. 5:17)
7. The Evangelist: One who has a unique sensitivity to and aggressive inclination to reach the Lost for Jesus Christ (Eph. 4:11; Acts 21:8).
God expects the believer to do four things relative to his spiritual gifts: (l) Perceive: or discover what your spiritual gifts are (1 Cor. 12:31; (2) Perfect: Develop your spiritual gifts to the best of your ability (Eph. 4:12); (3) Practice: Exercise and use your spiritual gift, or it may be lost (Rom. 12:3-8); (4) Protect: Avoid abuse or misuse of your spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 14).
For help in discovering your spiritual gifts, we recommend the Spiritual Gifts Inventory; published by Church Growth Institute; Lynchburg, VA; $2.50. This is a self-graded test that enables you to discover your spiritual gifts.
An important distinction must be made between those gifts that had a limited purpose and those that were intended to be practiced throughout the church dispensation. Those gifts designated as "sign" gifts were miraculous manifestations in order to demonstrate the power of God in an unusual way and confirm the words of the messenger. Emmanuel Baptist Church is a non-charismatic church in that we do not believe the gifts of tongues, interpretation of tongues, healing or miracles are intended for use today. These gifts were given for a limited purpose and have disappeared after the conclusion of the Apostolic Age and completion of the written Word of God (1 Cor. 13:8-10; Hebrews 2:3-4). In recent years, however, a great deal of emphasis has been placed on the gifts of healing and tongues, at least by some churches; thus, deserving special comment:
The Gift Of Healing
The gift of healing in the Bible was practiced in such a way so that it left no doubt that it was an extraordinary manifestation of God's power. Healing was a sign gift given to some during the Apostolic age, to authenticate their message and ministry. For this same reason Jesus used healing (Mt. 19:6-8).
No one can doubt today that God heals, for He designed our bodies to do just that naturally. Yet our Lord and the Apostles went beyond the natural healing process and actually raised the dead, restored withered limbs and gave sight to the blind.
It must be candidly admitted that no place in the world today is healing performed just as it was during the Apostolic age. This is because the need of a "sign" to the unbelieving is no longer necessary. Since the Word of God was established, we now have a more "sure word of prophecy" (2 Pet. 1:19-21). The active presence of the Bible is far more powerful and convincing than any miracle (2 Tim. 3:16-17). See also: Mark 16:15-20; Mt. 9:6-8; Hebrews 2:1-4. For this reason, there are no legitimate "divine healers" today.
Though God does heal today, it is usually evidenced through the normal healing process, not a dynamic sign. Still, it is not always God's will to heal, as evidenced by Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:25-30); Paul (2 Cor. 12:1-9); Timothy (2 Tim. 5:23); Trophimus (2 Tim. 4:20); Gaius (3 John 1-4). These were men who were certainly walking with the Lord, yet it was not a part of God's purpose and plan to heal them.
The Gift Of Tongues
The first mention of the gift of tongues is in the book of Acts, Chapter 2. The setting was the day of Pentecost and Jews of many nationalities were in Jerusalem. The opportunity for evangelism was great, but the language barrier was a real obstacle. God overcame this obstacle by giving a gift to speak in the language of the foreigners, even though it was not previously known or understood. Tongues are thus defined as a "sign" to the nonbeliever (1 Cor. 14:22). The various languages spoken are listed in vs. 8-13. This is easy enough to understand, however, in 1 Cor. 12-14 we see the carnal Corinthians practicing a "tongue" that was not the same as found in Acts 2. They were using tongues as a form of personal display and aggrandizement. Rather than using a legitimate gift as defined in Acts 2, to edify the church, they were edifying themselves! For this reason we see the Apostle Paul rebuking and correcting them for their abuse of the gift, (1 Cor. 13-14), not promoting tongues. In fact, Paul spoke of tongues as being childish and inferior (1 Cor. 14:1-5; 14:19-20). Tongues is listed last among spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:28-30); and Paul suggests that the better alternative to tongues is teaching, in that it edifies the church (1 Cor. 14:1, 5). We get the idea from the text that the Corinthians were self-absorbed and interested only in display and exhibition of their "gifts".
That the purpose of tongues was fulfilled with the completion of the Apostolic age is evidenced in that tongues was not mentioned in the later epistles or in the address to the churches of Asia in the book of Revelation, implying that even then the gift had disappeared. Further evidence that the gift of tongues has ceased today is seen in the absence of actual practice. The rules that govern tongues are outlined in 1 Corinthians 14; and where tongues are purported today, these rules are violated verbatim! The modern tongues movement of today is believed to be emotionally contrived, and not led by the Spirit of God. For a deeper study of the subject of healing and tongues, we suggest the following:
l. The Corinthian Catastrophe; George E. Gardner; Kregel Publications; Grand Rapids, Michigan
2. Speaking in Tongues and Divine Healing; Robert P. Lightner; Regular Baptist Press, Schaumburg, Ill.
3. How To Explain The Modern Tongues Movement Dennis Corle; Revival Fires Pub.; Claysburg, PA.
4. Biblical Tongues; Norman Sellers; Schoettle Pub. Co., Box 660594; Miami Springs, Fla.
5. Speaking With Tongues; Stuart Bergsma; Baker Book House; Grand Rapids, Michigan