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Holy Spirit Gifts And Powers
Sandra Bontemps
" But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another different interpretation of tongues. And God has appointed these in the church: First apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues." Corinthians 12:7-10, 28
The basis of all the gifts of the Holy Spirit is love. Love, not the experience of a gift, is the qualifying factor for those who would exercise spiritual gifts. No gift becomes the exclusive possession of any believer for his personal edification and pride. Rather, the gifts are placed in the church to be exercised by the body for the mutual edification of the believers and as a means for expanded ministry.
The Gift of Tongues
Speaking in tongues, or a prayer language, is one of the sign gifts in confirming the validity of the Holy Spirit, affirming His abiding presence and assuring the believer of an invigorated living witness. It is not viewed as a qualification for fullness of the Holy Spirit, but as one indication of that fullness.
Moving beyond one’s fullness in the Holy Spirit, it is important to understand the impact of the Spirit’s full-operation of gifts in and through the life and witness of the church. The Spirit-filled experience is so much more than just ‘speaking in tongues.” In reality it is coming into the fullness of the gifts and fruit of the Spirit.
The gifts are placed in the church as resources to be utilized at the point of need for ministry in the body. This means that not every believer will have the same gifts as every other believer. Rather, the Holy Spirit is the Author and Dispenser of the gifts to bring about integrity in worship and kingdom expression.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
It should be understood that by "baptism of the Holy Spirit" the traditional Pentecostal does not refer to that baptism of the Holy Spirit accomplished at conversion, whereby the believer is placed into the body of Christ by faith in His redeeming work on the Cross (I Corinthians 12:13). Thus, we should never view a non-Charismatic as “less saved” or less spiritual than ourselves.
The nine gifts of the Holy Spirit are listed in I Corinthians 12:7-11. Their purpose is specific- to profit the body of the church. These strengthen the body of the church and expand its ministry of evangelism.
Prophecy
a. To speak with forthrightness and insight, especially when enabled by the Spirit of God. Joel 2:28
b. To demonstrate moral boldness and uncompromising commitment to worthy values.
c. To influence others in one’s arena of influence with a positive spirit of social or spiritual righteousness.
Because all three categories of gifts - The Father’s, the Son’s and the Holy Spirit’s involve some expression of “prophecy,” it is helpful to differentiate. The Bible says if we pray for one of the gifts, to pray for the prophetic gifting, which can belong to every believer, “all flesh.” The Holy Spirit’s gift of prophecy I Corinthians 12, refers to super-natural prompting. The office gift of the prophet, which Christ gives to His Church through individual ministries is yet another expression of prophecy; those holding this office must meet both the Old testament requirements of a prophets accuracy in his message and the New Testament standards of life and character required of spiritual leadership.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
I Corinthians 12:8-10, 28
Word of Wisdom
Supernatural perspective to ascertain the divine means for accomplishing God’s will in given situations.
Divinely-given power to appropriate spiritual intuition in problem solving.
Sense of divine direction.
Being led by the Holy Spirit to act appropriately in a given set of circumstances.
Knowledge rightly applied; wisdom works interactively with knowledge and discernment.
Word of Knowledge
Supernatural revelation of the divine will and plan.
Supernatural insight or understanding of circumstances or a body of facts by revelation, that is without the assistance of any human resource solely by divine aid.
Implies a deeper and more advanced understanding of the communicated acts of God.
Involves moral wisdom for right living and relationships.
Require objective understanding concerning divine things in human duties.
May also refer to knowledge of God or of the things that belong to God, as related in the gospel.
Prophecy
Divinely inspired and anointed utterance.
Supernatural proclamation in a known language.
Manifestation of the Spirit of God - not of intellect.
May be possessed and operated by all who have the in-filling of the Holy Spirit. I Corinthians 14:31
Intellect, faith and will are operative in this gift, but its exercise is not intellectually based. It is calling forth words from the Spirit of God.
Prophet
A spiritually mature spokesman/proclaimer with a special, divinely focused message to the church or the world.
There were many false prophets in Bible history. These were men that claimed to be prophets but did not even know God.
In John Paul Jackson's, “The Art of Hearing God” we studied the role, purpose and function of revelatory ministry in the church. And the road to revelatory servanthood and authority. We studied terms for the Prophet. Prophetic time periods. How to deliver God’s Word. How to listen and diagnose before prescribing. A person’s character is greater than the gift!!!!!! We can discuss these four quadrants. We all need to work and learn about the gifting, and skills and communication. Application. Interpretation. Proclamation. We were told over and over to resist the soulish desire for fame, recognition and glory! This anointing takes a very special grace.
These courses, which I recommend highly, provide practical tools to awaken and enhance a deeper understanding of knowing God. We were taught skills to hear God’s voice. To hear more clearly we must first of all, develop greater intimacy with Him. God’s prophets display the glory of God. James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” All true prophecy lines up with the scriptures and glorifies God. It will bear good fruit and spread life and light.
Proverbs 18:15 “The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge. And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”
Many times revelatory people tend to have the mind-set that they should be the ones listened to rather than the ones doing the listening. Listening helps to foster and develop unity. Humility leads to understanding and wisdom. Humility sensitizes our spiritual hearing, whereas pride dulls our ability to hear. We must all be careful and practice spiritual listening. How much strife and division can be prevented if we practice this, instead of hasty speech and voicing impetuous opinions. James 1:26 “An ear that is open and a tongue that is bridled is necessary to those who would walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:16
These are more of the things we learned in Streams Ministries, “The Art of Hearing God,” by John Paul Jackson. If we are to minister with words and our prophetic calling, and have God’s anointing, we must study these important truths from God’s Word, and seek training and guidance, in order to be approved, and to show ourselves acceptable unto God. And we must find others wise in these ways. We should be under the authority of a pastor, a church and hold ourselves accountable to other prophetic leaders, in unity and one accord.
In Mark 12, Jesus tells us that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, strength and mind. And to love our neighbors as ourselves. And then He adds a further statement in Matthew 22:40, “On these two commandments hang the Law and the Prophets.” Listening is healing. Because it creates healthy relationships. And helps to connect us all together in UNITY.
If we do not allow the time for spiritual listening, we will gradually lose the ability. Spiritual listening requires that we prefer the other person over our own need to be heard. It is grounded in lovingly wanting to understand the other person’s perspective. It is a concrete means of applying all “the fruits of the Spirit.” Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (meekness), self control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23, Spiritual listening is a function of Godly character. It requires us to be other-focused rather than self-focused. Spiritual listening draws us closer to one another. It helps us become more whole, healthy and holy. Humility. Teachability. Iron sharpens iron. James 1:19 gives us a threefold admonition, that we cannot hear the implanted word of truth, (have prophetic gifting) if we are slow to hear, quick to speak and quick to wrath. Humility sensitizes our spiritual hearing, whereas pride dulls our ability to hear. Spiritual listening is an act of mercy. It forms deeper relationships and shows compassion and integrity. This also demonstrates to others how God listens to them. And instills hope in their hearts.
The way we respond to correction reveals our true character. Listening to correction is difficult and our flesh recoils because this kind of listening requires us to humble ourselves and swallow our pride. However, if we allow God to use this instrument, we will grow in wisdom and Christ-likeness. How we react affects our character formation and our divine destiny. The wise person is aware of his or her own failings and shortcomings. All of us need to receive correction, instruction and be teachable. To remain in wisdom we must always be teachable. Proverbs 17:10 and I Peter 5:5 tell us that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Matthew 18:3-4 tells us Jesus' words that if we humble ourselves like children we are the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Francis Frangipane says, “To inoculate me from the praise of man, God baptized me in the criticism of man, until I died to the control of man.” Words can bless or curse. They can discourage or build faith. Possibly the greatest reason for the Church’s lack of light, power and a closer relationship with the Lord is her critical spirit. Isaiah 58:9 tells us the Lord promises light, restoration, righteousness, the glory of the Lord and answered prayer if we remove the yoke of the critical spirit (pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness.) Proverbs 12:18 tells us that reckless words pierce like a sword. But the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 25:11 tells us “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold, in settings of silver.”
Isaiah 50:4-5 “The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned. That I should know how to speak. A word in season to him who is weary. He awakens me morning by morning. He awakens my ear to hear as the learned. The Lord God has opened my ear.”
Intentionally or unintentionally the statements of others - especially authority figures -can act as curses on our lives. These negative judgments - curses really - may slice into the child like a knife and remain for a lifetime, until Jesus frees him and replaces the lie with a true estimate of who he truly is. Faith in Jesus and His loving purpose for our lives must be our motivation, no matter what the setbacks or circumstances. Thank God for all circumstances. This sacrificial praise releases the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. Pray for others that might have hurt you that the Holy Spirit will speak to their spirit, bringing them wisdom, discernment and insight. And conviction. So they may repent before the Lord. Always forgive those who trespass against you.
We renounce the lies of darkness when brought into the light and we seek to see ourselves as Jesus sees us, and we call on His healing power of faith.
Our level of involvement in gossip, criticism or judging others describes our character. If we refrain from this it speaks highly of our deep love and compassion for others and our integrity. Seeking to understand others, rather than criticize them allows us to act from a position of knowledge. We also gain respect, trust and influence in our personal relationships. But if we ever try to impose our position of influence on another person, against their will, or cross the boundaries, we will probably lose the relationship.
This is the first of many messages to follow on "Holy Spirit Gifts and Supernatural Power."
A Personal Thank You To The Following Men and Women Who Have Changed My Life and My Personal Journey Into The Heart of God In Very Powerful and Profound Ways.
I wish to give grateful credit and heartfelt acknowledgment to the following: This message is based on a combination study on “Holy Spirit Gifts and Power,” by Dr. Paul Walker’s message in the New King James Version, “Spirit Filled Life Bible.” And Streams Ministries, conference study,“The Art of Hearing God”by John Paul Jackson, and “Communion With God,” by Mark and Patti Virkler, which I studied and taught. Praise God when I study many powerful books, by so many mighty men and women of God; and hear different anointed messages or attend conferences and seminars and I flesh and live it out it becomes my own! We pray that Holy Spirit will continue to teach, fill us as we are on a journey to know more about God and the supernatural empowerment of His Holy Spirit. When we take so much truth, wisdom, knowledge and insight in, and we begin to speak it forth, then it becomes an integral part of who we are in Christ. So it will never be my intention to quote someone and not give them credit.
I just want to take this opportunity to thank all these men and women of God. I know many people in my life, like writer, speaker Ann Platz, a mighty woman of God, and a personal spiritual mentor and special friend of mine, has poured so much into me. She has graciously said to all her mentorees, “Take this and use it for God’s glory in any way you choose.” I have heard Patricia King with Extreme Prophetic Ministries, www.extremeprophetic.com, and Ryan Wyatt with Abiding Glory, www.abidingglory.com, say the same thing. These mighty men and women of God just want to get the good news and message out! I praise God for what they have already taught me. And I encourage you to go to their websites and find out more about their individual powerfully anointed ministries. They have been life-changing for me personally.
Blessings to you,
Sandra Bontemps
You may subscribe here to InJesus,
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from Aspire Ministries.
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