To another faith
by the same Spirit,
to another
gifts of healings
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
the interpretation of tongues.
1Corinthians 12:9-10
Let us begin: What is a "sign" gift? The simplest and clearest explanation is that they are obvious outward indications or "signs" of the working of God. Previously we examined the gifts of prophecy and of discerning spirits and they were determined to be gifts that the Church needs in all ages. The "sign" gifts are; healings, miracles, and tongues. It is these three gifts that demand the attention in many Churches today, they are practiced and promoted, but are they gifts that the Bible contends are for the Church today? These gifts do excite the imagination, and the emotions and there is a production of outward manifestations that are attracting many people, even some schools of some denominations and Churches teach a supernatural gift can be a persons, and charge a sum for the students to learn how to be mystically spiritual. Even if there was no charge, do these gifts have a place in the Church today? This is the point of contention among Churches and one that must be carefully examined by the Scriptures. We must leave at the doorstep of learning our presuppositions, our preconditioning, and our predeterminations so that we can obtain the truth, Scriptural truth. The approach in this study will by a grammatical/historical approach and the allowance that Scripture interprets Scripture for it is God's word, not our beliefs that are true. If we cannot examine a doctrine in this manner then all that has been done is to make the Bible fit your doctrine and not allowing the Bible to determine our doctrine.
Excitement and the titilating of our senses through advertisements, the use of sexual images, joking, or an attempt to use humor to gain our attention can be found in almost every corner of life. We demand, we want, we desire to be teased and excited, as can be seen in concerts, and in some Churches were exciting events are used to bring in people. People want this excitement, the are the "rubber-neckers" driving past an accident, those who will be the spectators at a fire, or some other event, especially if there is some horror attached with that event. But if a person was to hear of a preacher down the street preaching the Bible, there were no exciting little "ditties" of music, the chances for that person to go and see for themselves what is occurring is almost nil. Yet, when there are people performing "miracles" or "healing", they would drop what they were doing to attend such meetings. This fascination with the spectacular and the unusual derives from our curiosity and is not necessarily good or helpful.
The Bible has only four Scriptural references of the gifts of the Spirit: (Romans 12:6-8; 1Corinthians 12:8-10; Ephesians 4:11; 1Peter 4:10-11). These three "sign" gifts are listed together in only one place in the Bible, in the above opening verses. The questions that are foremost are why? Why only to this Church? Was this Church misusing these gifts and is the reason Paul addresses them as he does? A question that must be answered is whether or not those gifts were to be terminated and are not for the Church today? Let us soberly address these gifts because they are so divisive that even the pagan, heathen people who claim to be atheists see this division and laugh, or can only see this division to be a sign that Christian Churches do not have the truth.
Are you willing to take a sober, clear, and Biblical look at these gifts of the Spirit? Or, are have you so made up your mind in regards to these gifts that nothing can deter you from your beliefs? You can play like an ostrich and hide your head in the sand, but that does not answer the question and the witness so badly needed in this world will not be given, and even the one hiding behind a doctrine as these have not done what we are commanded, as Christians to do: prepare to make a defense for any question regarding our faith to anyone who may ask; you need the answer!
But he who does the truth
comes to the light,
that his deeds may be
clearly seen, that they
have been done in God.
John 3:21
By His Name You May dwell Safely
Richard L. Crumb
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