While researching Protestant denominations, I learned this interesting bit of information: Most, but not all, evangelicals and Pentecostals believe people still receive gifts from the Holy Spirit - including speaking in tongues - when they are saved. Although speaking in tongues is Biblical I have never heard of any new Christians doing so. The same article states other denominations hold the belief that this stopped a long time ago. This makes sense, but they lump together all Holy Spirit gifts, not just speaking in tongues. I don't believe it is all or nothing. What do you think?
I think that one has to define what are "Fruits of the Spirit" from what is call the "Sign Gifts".
Fruits of the Spirt are found in Gal. 5:22-23...……
“But the fruit of the Spirit is
love,
joy,
peace,
patience,
kindness,
goodness,
faithfulness,
gentleness and
self-control.”
The fruit of the Holy Spirit is the result of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the life of a Christian. The Bible makes it clear that everyone receives the Holy Spirit the moment he or she believes in Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:9.
1 Corth. 12:13.
Ephesians 1:13-14.
One of the primary purposes of the Holy Spirit coming into a Christian's life is to change that life. It is the Holy Spirit's job to conform us to the image of Christ, making us more like Him.
The "SIGN Gifts" were given to the Apostles personally by the Lord Jesus Christ. THey included.....
speaking in tongues,
visions,
healing,
raising the dead,
prophesying.
Surviving poison snake bites
Polluted water
Cast out demons
Jesus gave these gifts to the 11 Apostles in Mark 16:14-20...……...
"Later He appeared to the
eleven as
they sat at the table; and He rebuked
their unbelief and hardness of heart, because
they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to
them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name
they will cast out demons;
they will speak with new tongues;
they will take up serpents; and if
they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt
them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then,
after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And
they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen."
Now I have not read through all of this thread but in almost every instance I have seen, there are those who believe they have the gifts of tongues and healing.
Now people who WANT TO have the gift of tongues and healing will argue that they are blessed with these gifts. However, please understand that In all Bible cases, a Christian received the sign gifts,
either directly from Christ on earth or else through the agency or presence of the apostles.
The only exception was the apostle Paul, who saw Christ in a vision and was appointed by Him to be the apostle of the Gentiles.
In no case did anyone receive the gifts without being in the immediate visible presence of Christ or His apostles, and no one except the apostle Paul ever received the gifts directly from the ascended Christ except in the presence of one or more of the apostles.
2 Corth. 12:12...……...
"The signs of a true apostle were performed among you
with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles."
