GIFTS, do you believe?

[CrystalCastaway]

Do you believe that the Lord gives us gifts? For example, the gift of healing or foreknowledge or any others? I understand the gifts of the Spirit but in the church that I was in for many years they said that the gifts were not for today. I never quite understood why they said that as I never have seen Scripture that says that. Why wouldn't the Lord give us special gifts?

 

[thisnamztaken]

Yes I do - both the spiritual gifts discussed in I Cor. 12:1-31, and what some call "motivational" gifts, such as those mentioned in Rom. 12:1-8.

Those that teach that the spiritual gifts ended with the early church usually base it on I Cor. 13:8, but the context of that passage/whole chapter is teaching the importance of love being the motivation for ministering any of the gifts.

 

[jehoiakim]

certainly some of the gifts are still here... and if we would learn how to even partially practice the most important ones, love and encouragement I think we'd have a reformation by tomorrow.

As for Prophecy, tongues and healing... I can say I think they all have existed and I wouldn't want to close the door to say he doesn't still use them. I have seen some of them first hand, although all of them I believe are quite rarer then some Christians would have you believe...

Prophecy... if you look at the prophets in the old testament, they did at times predict what was going to happen, but most of their time they spend exercising the gift of discernment and warning the people to turn back to God... certainlty that exists bust sadly many churches don't understand the gift and beat the prophets off with sticks... I personally have had dreams that came true that I know were prophetic, I have been given thoughts and words that were placed on my mind that were clearly not from my own mind. I experienced a vision that transformed my entire life... but truth be told i haven't had once of those dreams in... maybe 6 years? But I don't look at myself as if something is wrong I know it comes at the timing of the Lord. I know I am not alone, I have met a few others I genuinely believe have been given that gift at times, but sad to say the vast majority of what you find on the internet turns out to be false prophecy and the scripture is clear if a 'prophet' makes even one false claim they are not to be followed. Sadly the only denominations that believe the gift still exists don't really teach much about accountability with that gift and it is a total mess right now

Tongues... I have heard very reliable people tell me they hard tongues on a plain in their own language spoken by a foreigner who had no idea what he said... I have never seen tongues, I have have heard about genuine tongues only slightly more than never. Some would have you believe that tongues can be spoken as "tongues of angels' that cannot be understood by man... I don't think that is biblical and I believe strongly the verses they used are taken out of their greek cultural context. I think tongues when used are only used in intelligible human languages

healing I am not sure sure. I know I have prayed over people and they have been relieved of symptoms immediately that would not go away otherwise, even with medicine, but I've never been a participant in healing someone completely, so I don't know if those I prayed over were actually receiving some sort of healing or if it was all some sort of 'plasebo effect'

if you want to know if these gifts still exists and don't know who to ask, i suggest missionaries in 3rd world countries. I have known a few who were cessasionists (believing the gifts had stopped) but they changed their minds because they have seen God work in amazing ways.

 

[Leimeng]

~ God does not change in nature or means. The gifts existed under the old covenant and under the new. Since there is no current third covenant it is natural that they exist now. The Bible states that they exist and we are to seek after them.
~ Cessationism is a false teaching which promotes a different Jesus than that of the Bible and should thus be avoided like all cultic teachings.
~ Continue to discuss amongst yourselves...

Peace,

Leimeng

Flatulo Ergo Sum ~~~

(***Insert Personal One Liner Here***)

 

[A New Dawn]

Do you believe that the Lord gives us gifts? For example, the gift of healing or foreknowledge or any others? I understand the gifts of the Spirit but in the church that I was in for many years they said that the gifts were not for today. I never quite understood why they said that as I never have seen Scripture that says that. Why wouldn't the Lord give us special gifts?

I believe that the gifts that you are talking about are not for today, for the most part. They were for the building up and edifying of the church, and when the canon of scripture became available for guidance, the gifts were not needed anymore. I say "for the most part" because I do believe that there are places where Christianity has not been introduced and the NT is not available where the gifts are still used by God to bring the gospel to, as of yet, unbelievers. When the canon becomes available to that area, the need for gifts will diminish.

But, there are gifts that God gives to us all who are believers. That would be salvation by grace through faith.

 

[Paul.]

Yes, I believe the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for today.

I understand the gifts of the Spirit but in the church that I was in for many years they said that the gifts were not for today. I never quite understood why they said that as I never have seen Scripture that says that.

Jack Deere in his book - Amazon.com: Surprised by the Power of the Spirit (0025986211271): Jack S. Deere: Books - claims "At the close of the last chapter I said that the real reason Christians do not believe in the miraculous gifts is simply because they have not seen miracles in their present experience." (Chapter 5, first sentence)

 

[theWaris1]

I grew up in one of those church's that say only some gifts are not for today. Mainly the speaking in tongues, interpretations of tongues and the gift of knowledge. I don't think the same people believe in prophecy or other gifts either which remind me of the verse that says some have a form of godliness but deny the power there of, form such turn away..

I was one of those curious kids always questioning things, always making my teacher seek an answer. That curiosity remained with me for years even while I was on the run from God.

I did attend a church that believed they were all for today and prayed and sought the gift of tongues. I never received the gift of tongues which some believe is evidence of the holy spirit, I disagree. I learned that the gifts of tongues were given to ALL in the early church days and today it is given like all gifts as the spirit wills.

I believe that ALL the gifts are important for the congregation and should be used in the body as each of our body parts are vital to our well being.

I don't believe we always receive the gifts we desire but we should "covet the best gifts". I had a strong desire for a few years and now it's not so important to speak in tongues.

I have debated many tongues speakers and mostly disagree with the things they claim. Speaking in tongues is not evidence of, as they say... People can fake it.

It may be edifying to some but I know many who speak in tongues and show little signs of life nor behave as one filled with the spirit..

 

[theWaris1]

Imo, there are seven gifts of the spirit & Seven spirits, and then there are gifts that fall in these categories and seven more gifts under the main category.


The 7 gift categories of Romans12

• Prophecy
• Serving
• Teaching
• Exhortation
• Giving
• Leadership
• Mercy

2nd group from 1 Corinthians 8-10

• Apostle
• Prophet
• Teacher
• Miracles
• Kinds of healings
• Helps
• Administration
• Tongues

I believe that two of the above are the same gift.
Healings and Miracles seem to go together.
If you put the two together you have 7 in this group.

3rd group from 1 Corinthians 12:28

• Word of wisdom
• Word of knowledge
• Faith
• Gifts of healings
• Miracles
• Prophecy
• Distinguishing between spirits
• Tongues
• Interpretation of tongues

Healings and Miracles again. Same gift?
Tongues and the interpretation of is usually the same gift though it don't always come to the person at the same time and I know some interpret though they never speak in tongues.

It is possible to have several gifts given to a person though we all have one main or strong gift.
Many of these gifts overlap with others.



I believe the early church's would use all the gifts of it's members for edification and that it would be extremely helpful to know our gifts. Many church's don't really talk about the gifts.


If you know of any tips for gift discernment please share them..

Here is one tip..
IF you like details that bore the average believer & few really seem to care about the small things that fascinate you while studying the scripture..... Then you most likely have the "Gift of Teacher."

The teacher will seek out the hidden things or details that most people couldn't care less about.

We are the ones who usually add many tidbits to an otherwise boring story. We can drag out a story for hours with a highly detailed version.


Another gift ...
IF you love to help out around the church or elsewhere and go out of your way to make things happen that would just otherwise be placed on a long 'to do list'.. Then you have the "Gift of Helps" and may confuse that with the gift of administration. The people are often very scatter brained in there attempt to do so many things at the same time.



For the best in learning experience.. find a pastor with the gift of evangelism + the gift of a teacher and you should have one very interesting preacher..


Man do I love a good evangelist. They make it so difficult to sleep during a service. And that's a good thang when you have a sleep disorder.

.

 

[Leimeng]

~ Scripturally there are three broad groupings of gifts. These are:
* The 9 gifts of the Spirit. These gifts reflect the nature/aspect of the Holy Spirit which are used to bring people to Jesus.
* The 5 gifts of Jesus to the church. These are the fivefold ministry gifts which help the Church grow and mature.
* The gifts of the God the Father. These gifts are given to the members of the church to help them in their ministry callings and works they do.
~ Notice that the gifts reflect the Godhead in there operation and purpose.
~ All of the gifts exist today for any Christian who is willing to seek them as a part of their spiritual walk.
~ Continue to discuss amongst yourselves...

Peace,

Leimeng

Flatulo Ergo Sum ~~~

(***Insert Personal One Liner Here***)

 

[CrystalCastaway]

I agree that the gifts are still for today. I asked this question because growing up and even into my 30's I was told by three pastors that if I were experiencing anything that seemed to be a gift that it was satan. I knew in my heart it was a lie. Those were fundamental Baptist preachers. I believe that they are good people and Bible believing people but I also believe that they live a lot of their walk in fear in that they seem to keep God contained. OK, those are my thoughts and I thank you for yours.

 

[bulldog129]

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are definitely still around today. I do believe that they are given out as needed though. A country in Africa, for example, might have more Christians with the gift as healing as they do not have access to the same type of healthcare as in America. The same can be said about the other gifts. We might not see the more visible gifts in large amounts in America because they are not needed as they are in 3rd world countries.

 

[cajunhillbilly]

I believe the gifts are for today, but I also believe a lot of the "charismania" activities are fakes and misleading. The gifts are to be exercised in the church according to Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians, and not haphazard and in such seemingly "strange" ways. I think a lot of "charismania" activities bring dishonor to the name of Christ. Gifts are to be exercized "decently and in order" as Paul says.