The Holy Spirit Gives To Some A Special Gift Of Faith

And since we have

the same spirit 

of faith,

according to what

is written, 'I believed

and therefore I spoke,'

we also believe and

therefore we speak.

2Corinthians 4:13

     All those who have come to believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ have been given the gift of faith: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8). To make a decision for Christ is not done be any necessity except it be only a decision for whatever reason, i.e., a crisis, a desire to belong, the words have some ring of truth, a group euphoria or a titilating of the emotions or senses, but is not necessarily caused by the engrafting of the Holy Spirit who gives the faith needed for true conversion. Yet there may be some of the above experience when a person has been given the faith from God and exercises that faith and believes upon our Savior. Unless a person come to the point where he has come to know and understand that he is totally depraved, then he will not just decide to follow and believe the gospel, but will become devoted to Christ for it is a fact that he is sinful, and that there is nothing good in him so that he would turn to God; then knowing the God has saved you causes a emotion that is not definable; yet some try to express this emotion outward, when it is an inward change, a change caused by God: "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)" (Ephesians 2:4-5). Who is Paul speaking of as being saved? The world? NO! It is to the saints who are in Ephesus: "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 1:1). Don't miss the point of Paul; it is to the saints who are faithful in Christ Jesus, who by means of this faith grow in sanctification and allowing the Holy Spirit to teach him, guide him as this is a true saint of God, to whom Paul is writing and to whom has been given the gift faith by the grace of God. Some Churches speak and teach that man by some goodness can choose God for themselves; No! The Bible speaks of the elect, and to be an elect means that someone outside of yourself elected you, in this case it is God. We should be shouting Hallelujah for God in His mercy chose us, a choosing of us for eternal life with Him and not to destruction as the Holiness of God in His justice requires; for we are seen through the intercession of our Savior Jesus Christ. This should cause praise to come forth from our lips and a change in our life.

     Now all believers have faith, but God gives a special gift of faith and this He does at His good pleasure. An example of such faith is George Muller of Bristol, England, a man who cared for thousands of orphans, traveled thousands of miles, sent thousands of Bible and tracts and all by prayer and a special faith to believe that God would tend to all his needs and the needs of those under his care; all this by faith and not by asking for money; God provided in a special way, not for the praise of George Muller, rather a praise to God who give George Muller this faith in order to accomplish this task assigned to him. We can think of missionaries who by faith, a special faith given to them by God so that they could minister in ares of strife, facing death, hardship, etc. and this with a joy that can only come from God in order that the gospel would be preached in all the earth. Remember, the gifts of the Spirit are for the benefit of the Church, for individuals and the Church at large. The gifts of the Spirit are not just for us to feel holy, and acceptable to God, they are not just for an individual, but for the edification of the Church, the ekklesia, the called out ones; who has been called, the ones God chooses? Then some are given this special gift of faith so that they could exercise that gift in order to spread the gospel and to give aid to those in need in ways that most people could never do without this gift. Any decision to follow Christ and be devoted to Him is not by the will of man, but man must choose and this he does by the faith of grace given to him by God, therefore salvation comes by the gift of faith. 

     Are you harboring this special gift of faith in fear, or distrust? Go to the pastor and speak of such things and get advice as the pastor is there for the Church, for individuals, and pray, then go about in faith and do the work that the Holy Spirit assigns to you. For the rest of us, we have faith and are to exercise that faith in many ways that the Holy Spirit will allow us to be confronted with, i.e., speaking to others about Christ, as they ask, by ready, study, pray, or in other ways that are a benefit for your family, and church. You may have more that one gift of the Holy Spirit and these other gifts will be addressed in the next blog.

And you He made alive,

     who were dead in

trespasses and sins, in 

     which you once walked

according to the course of 

     this world, according to

the prince of the power of 

     the air, the spirit who 

now works in the sons of

     disobedience.

                      Ephesians 2:1-2

May the grace of our Lord be with your spirit

Richard L. Crumb

The Holy Spirit Gives A Variety Of Gifts

There are diversities of Gifts,

but the same Spirit.

there are differences of ministry,

but the same Lord.

And there are differences of ministries,

but the same Lord.

And there are diversities of Activities,

but it is the Same God

who works all in all.

But the manifestation of the Spirit

is given to each one

for the profit of all.

1Corinthians 12:4-7

      We have covered the prominent and primary gifts that have been given to the Church. As anyone can surmise, those gifts are present in the Church today and for the same purpose. All gifts should be understood by the written word of God and not by our presuppositions, as many have done and are misleading people into error. The Spirit of God grants to some people special gifts that are most needed in the operation of the Church and for the promulgation of the Gospel. One such gift is that of wisdom. Now, we all have some wisdom, some more than others, and some as we all do have some spiritual wisdom but that one that has this special given gift by the Holy Spirit has it in a degree much larger and prominent than those who are not so gifted. We can see that Paul demonstrated such wisdom, not just an eloquence, but a wisdom that can only come to him by the Holy Spirit granting to him spiritual wisdom. This unique manner of giving a special capacity of wisdom is so that the Church grows by means of this wisdom in a spiritual way. Those with such wisdom make sound decisions based upon their knowledge of God's word, and directed by the Holy Spirit to use such wisdom to benefit believers, and the Church at large. 

     Paul writes that the Holy Spirit gives the gift of knowledge which concerns that this person has more than some acquaintance with God's word. This gift of knowledge is applied by wisdom to practical situations causing that the gift of wisdom and the gift of knowledge must work together, a cooperation between those who have this gift either singularly or have both gifts in one person. Jesus gives us this narrative where a believer may need both gifts. This narrative as to when a person is arrested and brought before the magistrate: "But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit" (Mark 13:11). Does that mean that we are not to study God's word, and just sit back and wait for the Holy Spirit? No! God will take from you what you have put in, that is by a disciplined study God will teach you, and will apply that teaching to your mind during times of crisis, or need. This special gift is so that the person will have the capacity to learn what the Holy Spirit is teaching us and who shows us how to use that knowledge: "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear" (1Peter 3:15). The gift of knowledge while applied to some in a special manner has no meaning that we as Christians having not gifted in that way are to sit back and let others lead and grow in the knowledge of God. No! We all must study to show ourselves approved by God (2Timothy 2:15), and Peter makes this fact clear: "but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. (2Peter 3:18). 

     All congregations must have one who has these special gifts of the Holy Spirit. We may recall that after prayer a certain person would come up with the correct direction and a right decision. We all are to be wise, we all are to be knowledgeable, and we all are to make use of what we have been given by God, our talents, our gifts, all for the benefit of the Church and propagation of the gospel. 

    There are other special gifts for the Church and I will address those in the next blogs. Until then, use your gift, if you see things that must be done, do them, even if you do not feel that this is your gift: it might be, or that the Holy Spirit is directing you for the moment to care for the body of believers.

Therefore prepare yourself

     and arise.

And speak to them all that 

     I command you.

Do not be dismayed before

     their faces, Lest I dismay

your before them. 

                      Jeremiah 1:17

Rejoice For God Will Destroy The Enemy

Richard L. Crumb

 

The Holy Spirit Gives the Gift Of Teacher

But there were also

false prophets among

the people, even as

there will be 

false teachers 

among you, 

who will secretly 

bring in destructive 

heresies,

even denying the Lord

who bought them,

and bring on themselves

swift destruction.

2Peter 2:1

     Church-goers flock to Churches that have extravagant "shows" and eloquent speakers. The emphasis on revelatory gifts are promoted as though those gifts are the mark of a Christian; they are not, for many of those revelatory gifts can be found to be practiced by pagans. Jesus speaks of what is true of a Christian: "and said (Jesus, my addition), 'Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3). A Christian is not one that can spew out gibberish as though God would hear that one speaking as though it was necessary for spirituality, nor are people to cloister themselves, as did the monks; we give such admiration to the "Desert Fathers." Jesus makes it plain by calling upon Christians to become as little children, that is, to be taught, to have faith, as does a little child, and then to be converted, not just make a decision. We speak little of conversion but that is the heart of Christianity; people are converted. A decision is not necessarily a conversion for you may decide one way today and another the next day, but a conversion is to completely change, to repent, which means to turn around 180 degrees and walk completely different, to become devoted to our Savior Jesus Christ. Becoming converted to Christianity is not like going to Europe where the electricity is DC (Direct Current) and here in the United States we have AC (Alternating Current) and for our, i.e., hair dryer to work in Europe we need a converter. That conversion is instantaneous, but that is not true of Christian conversion. Yes, we are considered righteous and are immediately sanctified in the eyes of God for He sees us through His Son, but our conversion. and our sanctification in this life, is a daily work and the final conversion and sanctification, will be in heaven, that is if you are willing to be taught as a little child. We need help! God provided that help by gifting some to be teachers.

     The Greek word for teacher is: "διδάσκαλος" and is a noun and means teacher, not just instructor, although teaching requires instruction, but as a Christian to be able to teach the things of God. Some are specially gifted to be teachers but this does not remove the necessity for all to be able to teach, especially fathers who are to instruct and teach their wives, and children; they are the head of the home are they not? But some just remain as children, or tacitly approve of what is being taught them, lazily accepting Christianity. This attitude as not lost on the writer of Hebrews: "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food" (Hebrews 5:12). Paul in writing to the Roman Church spoke of the need for teachers and for what teachers are to do as teachers: "Indeed you are called a Jew (A Christian; my addition), and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, and instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself?....(Romans 2:17-21a). It is often true as in the case of John the Baptist that by their special God given abilities, the gift of teacher, draw large crowds. It is not the largeness of the crowds that are important, it is the words of the teacher that are most important, it is the motives of the teacher that are important, it is that the teacher is not only gifted by the Holy Spirit but is led and guided by the Holy Spirit. Do not be fooled, or misled, and then attend a euphoric atmospheric Church because their services are dynamic and seemed to have the Holy Spirit. Are they teaching God's word?

     I have written about the five gifts of the Holy Spirit, those gifts that are relevant for the Church today, to lead the parishioners in the truth of God's word, there are the prophet, the evangelist, the Apostle, the pastor, and the teacher. You may be one of those that God has given one of those gifts. You may be called to use your gift(s) in foreign lands as a missionary, or to be a force within your congregation, whatever, use your gift, pray that God will enlighten you as to your gift, read your Bible where the Holy Spirit will instruct you. In the very least, teach your family God's word by taking time for prayer, Bible study, and speak often to your family members about God, not just a testimony, but about God, His Holiness, and His redemption by Jesus Christ. You may not have that God given gift of teacher, but you are to teach, first yourself, then others, don't be a apathetic Christian. God will not use you unless you place yourself in the position to be used. Choose your leaders according to the truth that they preach and teach and this you do by being familiar with God's word because we are asked to remember those who are our leaders: "Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you (Not teach you how to achieve some revelatory gift, my addition), whose faith follow, consider the outcome of their conduct" (notice that last phrase, "consider their conduct, be aware"). "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive (not pathetically apathetic, my addition), for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you" (Notice that warning; " that would be unprofitable for you")" (Hebrews 13:7, 17).

Then the LORD answered Job

     out of the whirlwind, and said:

"Now prepare yourself like a man;

     I will question you, and you

shall answer Me."

                       Job 40:6-7

We are servants of God

Richard L. Crumb

Jesus The Great Shepherd and Pastors The Undershepherds

Now may the God of peace

who brought up our Lord Jesus

from the dead, that great Shepherd

of the sheep, through the blood 

of the everlasting covenant, 

make you complete in every

good work to do His will,

working in you what is well 

pleasing in His sight, through

Jesus Christ, whom be glory 

forever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21

     One of the gifts of the Spirit is that of pastor a particular gift that is in existence today as all the other administrative and operational gifts are so that the Church will be benefited. These gifts have never ceased and we can find men in the Church who are gifted by the Spirit in such a way so that the Church benefits and the Gospel is proclaimed. Often though, the Church assign the name pastor to men and even women who are not gifted by the Spirit only that they are or have been placed in positions of authority. Therefore, it is important to have the right understanding from Scripture as to this gift of pastor. 

     The Bible does not use the word pastor often and in the Old Testament the Hebrew word for pastor is: "ra'ah" meaning one who tends a flock or a shepherd. The New Testament only uses the word for pastor once (Ephesians 4:11) and the Greek word: ποιμέος derived from; ποιμήν, is the word for shepherd signifying that a pastor is a shepherd,one who tends to the flock. Jesus Christ is the chief shepherd (John 10:11), and men who are gifted by the Holy Spirit as pastors are undershepherds watching over the flock the congregations, the parishioners. Both Timothy and Titus were shepherds who nurtured and taught the Church they oversaw. Pastors are not to be the sole guardian of the Church for it is for all Christians to be on guard against false teaching, or heresy attempting to thwart the Church, to undermine believers. More than just being able to watch over the Church pastors need help, Sunday School teacher, Bible study leaders, and even those who will clean the Church, take care of the yard making the grounds and the Church presentable to the community. We must allow our pastors to read and study, to prepare sermons, to visit the sick or those within the congregation; we are to help not just sit back and absorb. We allow the pastor to use his gift from the Spirit as fully as possible by our helping in every way we can in their work. Christianity is not a spectator sport, or religion, it is one in which every Christian is a player and participates in the work to spread the gospel. Some may be good speakers, others may have one of the other gifts without the gift of pastor, only those gifted with this special gift of the Spirit know what it means for they are constantly moved to preach, teach, help those in need, even at a cost to themselves, and at times the family who also need our help as they minister to their husbands who are pastors. The question we must ask ourselves: "Am I a participant or a laid back Christian?" We will be called before the Lord on the Last Day, the Day of Judgment, to give an account of all that we have or have not done. Furthermore, as John so aptly puts it: "My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him" (1John 3:18-19). John makes it very plain and clear that Christians must show love to one another: "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love" (1John 4:7-8). We are to remember that we do not work for salvation, we work for God and that God, as any good employer would do, will call us to account whether we showed love or was it simply hate for there is no in between for love and hate: "Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world" (1John 4:17). This call to love one another is not a suggestion, it is a commandment: "And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also" (1John 4:21).

     Those men who have been called and gifted to be pastors are there to benefit each and every one of us and we through our efforts to assist give him the time needed to do just that: pastor us, to shepherd us, and to lead us in the truth. 

And we have known

     and believed the love

that God has for us. 

     God is love, and he 

who abides in love abides

     in God, and God in him. 

Let no one deceive you: pray, read His word

Richard L. Crumb

The Holy Spirit And The Gift of An Evangelist

Preach the word!

Be ready in season 

and out of season.

Convince, rebuke, exhort, 

with all longsuffering 

and teaching. for the time

will come when they will not

endure sound doctrine,

but according to their own desires,

because they have itching ears,

they will heap up for themselves teachers;

and they will turn their ears away 

from the truth, and be turned 

aside to fables.

But you be watchful in all things,

endure afflictions, do the work 

of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

2Timothy 4:3-5

     Paul was not speaking about non-believers when he spoke of people turning aside from the truth. Yet, Paul admonished to Timothy to "Preach the Word!" Further on he said to Timothy to do the work of an evangelist. The Greek word for evangelist is "εύαγγελιστοϋ" and the prefix "εύ" means "good" and the root word is "αγγελιστ" meaning to "announce" or to
"bring good news" with the suffix: "οϋ" which is genitive meaning "of"; therefore an evangelist is one who brings good news. What is the good news that is to be brought forth by an evangelist? The incarnation, the oblation, the death, and the resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The death of Jesus Christ, the one who we just celebrated as to His birth, His coming to take on the form of humanity for one purpose and one purpose only, to pay the debt that man could not pay, to redeem the children of God. Many so-called evangelists today are nothing more than touting psychological babble and Jesus Christ is hardly mentioned, our sins are hardly mentioned, they by their very action and words are not true evangelists. The word evangelist is translated in Scripture where it occurs three times in, Acts 21:8; 2Timothy 4:5; and Paul writes; "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers" (Ephesians 4:11). This gift of an evangelist is given in a special manner in that the evangelist has a special ability to communicate the good news; the gospel. 

     An evangelist may teach, preach and do the work of a pastor, but his primary message centers on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that men must place their faith in Him. An evangelist, and we also, do not know who has been given this free gift of faith, but that is no matter for an evangelist, for we, and him, have been called to be the light of the world as He was and is the Light of the world, and that by means of this light men are to repent of their sins. An evangelist centers his message upon the gospel.

     Evangelist are known far too often by there being emotional outbursts, people rushing to an altar, crying and much euphoric production and we hail the evangelist as being from God and speaking for God. True, there may be some crying when one becomes aware of their true sinful nature, and just as often people silently commit their lives to Christ. This is not the job of an evangelist to attempt to produce emotion for his main job is to speak of the good news and allow the Holy Spirit to move an individual enabling, and drawing him so that by this faith their will can choose to believe. The Scriptures are clear that no man can or will choose God without God enabling them, and this enabling comes about by the free gift of faith. Yet, we have "evangelist" spending much time to achieve visible results, they want to see results, they validate their evangelism by the number of people who respond. God made this clear that it is by Him that the battle is won: "Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD'S, and He will give you into our hands" (1Samuel 17:47). Often evangelists believe people respond to the rhetoric, a rhetoric that is due to their influential exhortation; it is not, people do respond to the word of God when they hear this word preached, but until they truly come to realize that they are sinful, totally reprehensible to a Holy God, and that only by the Only Begotten Son of God who paid the price for their sins, and by that faith implanted in them by God will they truly submit to the will of God. The Scriptures nowhere invite us to seek results, and if an evangelist has no results, I think of Jeremiah, Scripture, God, does not give a rebuke. Evangelists, pastors, and often we, look to see if a person has made a decision, but a decision is easy especially when a person undergoes a personal trials. Until they have come to truly realize what God has done by sending His Son to take on humanity, all this being decided upon in eternity for Jesus is God and God is eternity, then they respond and devote themselves to Jesus Christ. There may be different methods used by an evangelist, but only the message counts, for only the message of the good news will bring conviction upon a person, it is God's work to convert, the work of the Holy Spirit. It is conversion that counts, not decisions, for a conversion is to completely turn aside from what a person was, what they were doing, and to become fully devoted to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

      We may not have this special gift of an evangelist, but we can evangelize as this is the work of all Christians. We become so involved with day to day issues, desires to have things which may be necessary but not always advantageous. We buy, we spend money we don't have, we make decisions to make us happy, to give a certain joy, and we even spend time in Sunday Schools, and other activities that are important and not necessarily wrong; but what is the motive, are you doing what Jesus commanded us to do, is that command first and foremost in our lives? Are we living for Him or for us? Is Christ first in our lives, are we evangelizing our children by taking time to teach them God's word? Jesus commanded first the eleven disciples on the mount in Galilee, but that command is not just for them, we are able to read what is the will of God. The disciples died, the message was carried forward by both everyday individuals and by those who have this gift of an evangelist. Jesus commanded: "Go therefore and make disciples (not decisions: my interpolation) of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20).

Then Jesus said to them,

     "Follow Me, and I will

make you become fishers 

     of men."

                                    Mark 1:17

Pray To God, and He Will Direct You

Richard L. Crumb

           

The Holy Spirit And the Gift of Prophet

And God has appointed

these in the church;

first apostles, second prophets,

third teachers,

after that miracles, 

then gifts of healings,

helps, administrations,

varieties of tongues. 

Are all apostles? 

Are all prophets?

Are all teachers?

Are all workers of miracles?

Do all have gifts of healings?

Do all speak with tongues?

Do all interpret?

but earnestly desire the best gifts.

And yet I show you a more excellent way.

1Corinthians 12:28-31

     The answers to those questions listed above is: NO! This then begs the question; "why are there schools attempting to teach supernatural gifts?" I know of one school that charges upwards of $4000.00 per session, and lower amounts for smaller sessions, with about 800 students, this is somewhere in the range of $3,200,000.00 per session without the additional monies derived from the smaller sessions. Simon would be proud, they are making money selling the free gifts of the Spirit. How heretical can a person be? With the list of gifts demanding an answer Paul does not place them high on the scale of gifts for he will show them a more excellent way. This divisive practice among so-called believers must be addressed point blank using the Scriptures for the answers that are so badly needed and this is the attempt that I am hoping will bring sanity to a run amuck religiosity that is ravaging the Church. 

     Many Christians today speak of God giving to them some revelatory vision, or guiding, speaking to them in such manner that makes the reason for the Word of God to be not necessary. One such revelatory gift that the propound as from God is that of prophecy. A prophet is a proclaimer of a divine message, a seer, indicating that the "prophet" was a person who had immediate conversation with God (1Samuel 9:9). In the Old Testament a prophet was one upon whom the Spirit of God rested and their messages largely exclaimed divine purposes of salvation and glory to be accomplished in the future. In the New Testament the prophets prophesied by preaching divine counsels of grace already accomplished and the foretelling of the purposes of God in the future. The Greek word for prophecy is: προφητεία, and is not necessarily or even primarily, foretelling. It is the declaration of that which cannot be known by natural means for it emanates from God and is the foretelling of God's will, whether with reference with the present, past, or future. It is speaking forth the mind and counsel of God. In Apostolic times there was two parts to this gift: One concerned the communication of words from God to men through the prophet and this was a supernatural gift. God did not leave this gift without instructions as to whether what a person spoke was true or false. God did this by means of others who would have the gift of discernment. New Testament Christians were to test all things but this then means that prophesy must be tested. Paul in addressing this gift of prophecy made the purpose of this gift: "But he who prophesies speaks edification an exhortation and comfort to men" (1Corinthians 14:3). As time went on the gift of prophecy was given to the local ministers who preached God's word for the edification of their parishioners. In time also, this gift no longer existed as it did in the first century and the need for predictive prophesy would cease, especially so after the letters of canon became written and copied so that believers would have the word of God that they could read and no longer have the need of verbal communication of the word of God. 

     God no longer needed to reveal "new truth" for there is now a Bible, and as most Bibles do have, a concordance, furthermore the canon is closed. Today many masquerade as apostles and prophets of Christ but we are warned of such people: "for if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted--you may well put up with it!... For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ" (2Corinthians 11:4:13). There is a mandate that Christians examine everything and to hold on to that which is good (1Thessalonians 5:21). This means that we are to be under true teaching learning to ascertain the truth from the false, we need to be rooted in the Bible.

     What about those who claim to be prophets or have the gift of prophecy? The requirement is that the test they must pass is that they be 100% correct; there is no room for error! Seek the gift that is more excellent.

Truly the signs 

     of an apostle

were accomplished 

     among you with 

all perseverance, in signs

     and wonders and 

mighty deeds.

                     2Corinthians 12:12

Today, Yield, Submit To God

Richard L. Crumb

The Most Important Gift Christians Receive--The Holy Spirit

Now we have received,

not the spirit of the world,

but the Spirit who is from

God, that we might know

the things that have been

freely given to us by God.

1Corinthians 2:12

     The greatest gift that God gave was His Son who by means of His death upon the cross gave to all who God gave to him; redemption. I am not speaking of an experience of redemption, rather the fact of redemption. If all we feel is the experience of redemption then we are only left with our experiences. Experiences are not the ground of reality for if we are not led outside our experiences then our reality is determined by our experiences. What this means is that experiences become more real than the reality, the reality of the gift of redemption. We live for experiences. These experiences are only subjective and the object of the experiences are us and not the Savior. Oh! We might point to the Savior but the real fact is that far too often people live for experiences. Is Jesus Christ the Lord of your experiences or do you try to lord it over Him? Is any experience dearer to you than our Lord Jesus Christ? We must not care for experiences, we must be sure of Him. Faith that is sure of itself is not faith for only faith that is sure of God is true faith. Belief is not an intellectual act, it is not built upon experience; belief is a moral act whereby we commit ourselves to Him. When we build our relationship to God on experiential Christianity there is only a mental understanding, and acquiescence allowing for a form of group euphoria to overrule your worship. It is God who draws us, and it is God who gives to us gift(s), the gift He so graciously gives is redemption; this alone should humble us, that we will live eternally with Him, not because we are so good, that we have demonstrated some emotional outburst of an religious experience, but because He has drawn us to Him freely. Now we can have an intelligent appreciation and understanding of that transaction of God. 

     There are two types of gifts mentioned in the Scriptures, organizational or gifts of office, and revelatory; one is never ending, the other has an end. Upon those two types of gifts are objections, objections that certain gifts do not end and that they are to be present in the Church today. Is this true? We must know and understand what the Bible declares is true and not to promote a teaching that is not based upon the Bible. 

     I will begin with the gifts of office, those gifts of organization that are still present in the Church today and the first is that of Apostle.The Greek word we translate as apostle is: άπόστολος; derived from άπό (from) and stello (to send); therefore it is describing the person who is sent forth. There are those who are attaching this word apostle to themselves and desire to be known and called apostles. Is this correct and Biblical? Jesus is called the Apostle: "therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus" (Hebrews 3:1).The twelve men chosen by Jesus Christ were called apostles: "And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles" (Luke 6:13). Some would question that Paul should be called an apostle, but He was chosen directly by Jesus Christ: "Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord" (1Corinthians 9:1)? There is a wider sense of the word apostle, the one sent forth, and we can see from the bible that Barnabas, Epaphroditus and Timothy were messengers of God's word and in this sense they were apostles or ones sent forth. All Christians are to be sent forth with the word of God, to speak the word of God, to live their lives according to the word of God, they have been chosen by God to be His messengers. In the first sense of the word where those chosen directly by God, the twelve and then Paul were a special chosen people and in that sense there is to be no succession of this chosen apostles, they were eyewitnesses to the Son, Jesus Christ. Missionaries especially show the evidence of the gift of being an special chosen or gifted individual and they go forth with the message of God and they plant Churches wherever they go. Therefore in the secondary sense of the word there are apostle, or those sent forth in a special way to preach and teach and build Churches, even undergoing harsh and often terrible circumstances, a special calling for a few chosen people. 

      This is the beginning of our examination of the gifts and I will take each gift separately and carefully examine the Scriptures for the answers we seed in regards to the use of the gifts for today.

For if there is a willing mind,

     it is accepted according to

what one has, and not according

     to what he does not have. 

                         2Corinthians 8:12

Pray, Read God's Word, Daily

Richard L. Crumb

What Is My Spiritual Gift?--How Can I Recognize My Gift?

Therefore I remind you

to stir up the gift of God

which is in you through

the laying on of my hands.

For God has not given us a 

spirit of fear, but of power

and of love 

and of a sound mind.

2Timothy 1:6-7

     The question that many Christians ask themselves is; what is my gift? Another question then is: How can I use my gift? There is a desire that is prevalent among Christians to have a gift and will often go to extremes to find that gift seeking such an answer that often leads to misuse and a misunderstanding of spiritual gifts. There are schools teaching such things as "supernatural gifts" and students from all around the world in search of the above questions will pay huge sums of money to find their gift. Books on this subject are many with worksheets, and questions, and methods to find ones strengths. They might help, but many spend thousands of dollars to find the answers they so seek. For some this search leads to depression, a sadness that overwhelms them as they seemed not to find that "special" gift. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with these books but I fear that many are mislead and spend money unnecessarily when the answers are to be found more simply. It is not wrong to attend schools to learn the Bible and to be taught such things as history of the Bible and to become leaders within the Church, but, to charge to learn "supernatural gifts" is wrong and the Bible gives clear understanding that this method is not from God. Read Acts 8:9-24 and see exactly why to charge for these gifts is opposed by the Apostle Peter: "Then thy laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon (the sorcerer) saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, 'Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.' But Peter said to hi, 'Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! you have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God" (Acts 8:17-21). These "supernatual gift" schools are nothing more than a personification of Simon. Study the life of Simon and you will find exactly how he turned out. 

     How then, can a person realize their gift? Must an Apostle or Church leader lay their hands on a person before he can receive the gift of the Spirit? Some say that this is so. Paul made it clear in the opening Scripture that a person has the gift(s) within in them and the fact that Paul laid his hands on a person was to give to that person an unction to "stir up that spirit." If those at Pentecost did not have laying on of the hands of the Apostles, yet received the Holy Spirit, then this laying on of hands is not required, it is an anointing for a person to use what God has given. 

     The first then in regards to knowing your gift is to recognize that God gives gifts and He wants you to use your gift(s) and your talents. He wants those gifts to be used for His glory, not that He needs this glory, rather that by means of your gift people come to know Him and recognize that there is a God, a personal living God. Secondly, to discover your gift there must be careful and thoughtful prayer. We pray that God will guide us to know our spiritual gift. We must have no reservation in our using of our gift. Why give knowledge of our gift if we have no real intention on using it, no matter what the cost? We need to face our fears that God may call us to do those things which we have been reluctant to do, i.e., teach a Sunday School class, hold a Bible study in our home, etc. A third investigation as to our gift(s) is to know what the Bible declares and teaches about spiritual gifts. There must be Bible study on our part. Fourthly, we must step out of our comfort zone and find out what our abilities are, what circumstances in our lives that have led us one way or the other. How have those gifts emerged in our lives? Try different situations, and use other people to help us, be a good listener and then we will find that our gift(s) will become evident, not only to you, but to others.

     This process to know our gifts is a lengthy one and can often lead to discouragement, that is why those schools that promote "supernatural gifts" are so often attended, people are looking for some quick answer, a fast track to find their gifts. God wants us to use our gift(s) but until we understand our gifts, have made the effort to find our gifts, by the methods described above, then we will be ready for God to use us. We must be submitted to the Lordship of Christ then we will be blessed and ready to bless people with our gift(s). 

     Accept that gift(s) that God has given to you and use it as fully as possible. We may be called to serve in position of great influence, or we may serve in some humble fashion, you may be called to use your gifts as a homemaker a most important use of God's gift(s). We are to be devoted to God, to His Son, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us: "but the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all..." (1Corinthians 12:7).

     The groundwork has been laid and we have a basis upon which we can examine those listed gifts. This will be the work of the next blogs.

Therefore, since we have

    this ministry, as we have

received mercy, we do not

     lose heart.

                      2Corinthians 4:1

We walk by faith

Richard L. Crumb

Why Are Christians Given Spiritual Gifts--Their Purpose?

For we must all

appear before the

judgment seat

of Christ,

that each one may

receive the things

done in the body,

according to what

he has done, 

whether good or bad.

2Corinthians 5:10

     God is a Holy and awesome God. Due to Him being Holy is more than an attribute of God, rather it is what God is and all attributes derive their existence by means of His being Holy. Holiness must oppose sin and cannot have any association with sin for if God's holiness accepted sin in any manner, mode or fashion, then He is not completely holy. God will not contend with sin as we so often due in this life, that is we say one thing and do another, but because of His Holiness He will completely do away with sin. That being so then all who are sinners will be done away with wiping out sin forever. The Son of God has always existed, the incarnation always was present, salvation for those whom God has elected to be His children has always had its completion; for God there is no time and He did not wait for us to do good so that He would choose us for His children. The Holy Spirit has always been the guarantee for His selection of His children that they are and will be preserved for eternity: "Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee' (2Corinthians 4:5). God from eternity upon eternity decreed all things and nothing happens that God as not decreed and ordained. Well then, you might say, I will just sit back and wait until I die because I am going to heaven and it doesn't matter what I do! The Arminian's and the Pelagian's have accused the Reformers who believe in election that what the Reformers teach is wrong and causes people to acquiesce and live tacitly as Christians. In other words the Doctrine of Election breeds slothful and lazy Christians. Unfortunately that has some truth to that accusation. On the other hand Arminianism has promoted a liberal Christianity and people are doing things in the name of Christianity that are not Scriptural but feed the emotions. Yes, it must be admitted that good things are happening on both sides of the aisle; people, children are being fed, there are anti-abortion clinics to save lives, hospitals, and hospice homes are managed by Christians who have good motives. But by and large many are either doing little or nothing, or are doing things for the wrong reasons. Even though motives for doing things are correct there is still the matter of the gifts that due to poor theology are misused and believed by those who do other good things. 

     God made man in His image but we are not a god, as some would teach (Mormons), rather we are human and are only an image of the Holy God. God has not usurped our humanity making us nothing more than puppets. As Human we have the ability to choose how to live, what to do; i.e., shall I walk, take a train, fly, or drive to L.A.? Shall I have a greasy hamburger or a organic salad? (I vote for the hamburger, Ha!). God in His Providence allows us to be human and we will be judged according to our actions. This is true whether we profess Christ as Savior or not. God directs and controls all things, those things we choose to do whether good or bad and by means of His Providence works all events to achieve His purpose. Paul gives us this word: "(for the children not yet being born, or having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls) (Romans 9:11). 

     The opening verse should be a wake-up call for Christians for that verse is not for unbelievers but for believers. The "all" in that verse are Christians, it is to them that Paul writes those words. Sinners are judged already, their end is death, a being thrown into the Lake of Fire, but Paul is not speaking to sinners, but to Christians. Christians will be called to account as to how they used their gifts. I am not speaking of salvation, that we were saved is complete and finished at the cross. From all eternity God determined by means of the death of Christ that His children would be saved and He sees His children through His Son and therefore we are holy in His sight and we are saved. We are saved but we are human, our eternal salvation where no sin exists comes when we are in the presence of God, His Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Godhead, yet we are not fully sanctified in this life all sin has not been removed from us and we need to be taught His Word, His principles, His Law, and we need to apply those principles, the Law in our life. God in all His mercy has distributed gifts, spiritual gifts, that will guide us and teach us, not just how to live, not just how to worship, rather that we come to know God. by knowing God we will become devoted to God and this knowledge that God being Holy will save us and that for eternity. I am afraid we put up quite a fight to have our independence, such is taught by this world, and we have yet to humble ourselves in His sight. 

     The gifts of God, those spiritual gifts are to unite the Church not divide it, but that is not the case for the Church is divided among itself only to bring condemnation upon it by those unbelievers. There is One God, One Son, One Holy Spirit, and not three, but One, the Godhead, all in unity as we are to be, therefore in our aid God has given us gifts for His children. For many so-called Christians their foundation for their faith is "gifts" and they hold those gifts close to themselves and only admit in some minor fashion that Jesus Christ is Lord, and all that they may have is from God, and the most important gift God gave was His Son. 

     Allow me to give to you this long passage from Paul, read it slowly, let it sink in, measure yourself, (I am!) according to His word: "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stray, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, god will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are" (1Corinthians 3:11-17). Yes, some will enter into heaven with the stench of smoke on them, but the good news is this, we now, at this moment can use or gifts, or talents in such a manner that our work will reveal what sort it is.

O Timothy! Guard what was

     committed to your trust,

avoiding the profane and idle

     babblings and contradictions

of what is falsely called knowledge--

     by professing it some have 

concerning the faith. 

Grace be with you. Amen

                                1Timothy 6:20-21

Richard L. Crumb

Spiritual Gifts and Talents-Knowing The Difference

And Adah bore Jabal. 

He was the father of those

who dwell in tents

and have livestock.

His brother's name was Jubal.

He was the father of all those

who play the harp and flute.

and as for Zillah, she also bore

Tubal-Cain, an instructor 

of every craftsman 

in bronze and iron....

Genesis 4:20-22a

     The Scriptures are easy to understand for they plainly expose to us the truth that the Holy Spirit gives to man all that man has and by the Sovereignty of God and His Holy decrees, His Providence, all He maintains and empowers has only one end in mind; that being a people for His name. This fact is often forgotten and a sense of self-pride overrides the truth and we believe that what we have is simply who we are and the talent that we demonstrate. Paul in writing to the Corinthian Church and speaks of this problem, a problem that was being practiced in their Church, that is misplacing their admiration upon those who have a certain talent. In their case it was placing their admiration upon Apollos who had the talent of being able to speak well. Paul writes: "For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it" (1Corinthians 4:7)? 

     The Scriptures list about twenty gifts. In the Old Testament we will find some gifts that are not listed in the New Testament. Upon examination of the gifts we will notice that some gifts are similar to natural abilities or talents, and others are spiritual. We all know of people that display certain talent(s) or as we say, a special gift for this or that and we wonder then, what is the difference between spiritual gifts and natural talent? I try to play the guitar like the musician Santana (ha, that is a joke) only to realize that he has a talent that I do not possess. This does not mean that I don't have talent for all people have talent of one kind or another. But we must not forget that all we have comes from God. 

     God gives to all a talent(s) and has the ability to transform that talent by the power of the Holy Spirit and to use that talent as being spiritual. This makes it hard to understand the difference between spiritual gifts and natural talent. The question we need to ask ourselves is whether or not drawing a distinction between the two is necessary; both come from God and He uses what He has given for His purposes. However, under the discussion at hand, that is, spiritual gifts, we consent the gifts and talents exist but now we focus on the supernatural ones that the Holy Spirit gives to a person for the benefit of the Church. 

     In the world today we place upon the pedestal of honor those who seem to have a special talent. We not only place them upon a high pedestal, we pay them lots of money and give to them such admiration for being so talented. It is true that many of these people have worked hard at their special gift and do well in their use of that gift, but far too often wear that gift as an ornamental piece of jewelry for their personal enjoyment; we follow them along as those they are such special people with such special powers of talent: just ask a paparazzi who do all they can to extol a person of talent. We as Christian often do the same with men who display a certain talent; we chase after them with our mouths salivating for more; it seems that Apollos groupies exist today. The gifts given to man are only tools to be used by man, especially those spiritual gifts that are for the use in the functioning of the Church. Often those gifts are held high as a distinction that makes them feel holy, and the person revels in the fact that they have a certain gift(s). 

     Moses writes to us about a son of Judah; His name Bezalel: "And I (that is, God, my interjection) have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship. And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you" (Exodus 31:3-6). I will add a witness to the fact that all we have has come from God: "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" (James 1:17). So why should anyone boast? You have what God has graciously given. Unfortunately what God has given to man was corrupted at the fall by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and we can see that this corruption has often caused men and women to misuse their God-given talent and of Spiritual gifts. We are commanded as was Bezalel, to us use our gifts, or talents. Is this being done? Ask yourself! Or are such talents or gifts you have only satisfying you and giving to you some measure of personal enjoyment, we place ourselves on a pedestal, a pedestal that shows how talented we are, how important we are as though we have what we have because we are so great, so important? Or are we quietly using our gifts to bring to others the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our everyday, even in mundane activities? If we are called to be a pastor, a teacher and be in the public eye; are we using our gift to glorify God or ourselves? What then is the purpose of spiritual gifts? This will be our next subject.

I will give You thanks

     in the great assembly;

I will praise you among

     many people.

                      Psalm 35:18

May Our Eyes Be Opened By God

Richard L. Crumb