To Speak or Not To Speak

(1 Cor 12:10 NRSV): to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

Speaking in Tongues, Glossolalia, or prayer language, today no matter what your background in church or doctrinal belief is this seems to be a much debated subject.  Out of all the manifestations, the one that would seem to be easiest to understand it is probably the most misunderstood and improperly taught.  

Before I start on this subject, I want to make it clear that I speak in an unknown language and believe it is for every believer.  In this article I will try to make my case clear and help separate some myth and misunderstandings.  I want to talk about the manifestation of speaking in tongues and it being different from the ability to speak an unknown tongue in prayer.

I grew up in Pentecost and started speaking in what I will call my prayer language, (I will hope to explain this better later.) at the age of ten.  I was not looking for it and it was not in a church setting.  I was in someone’s home in a prayer meeting with my parents, just kneeling there because that was what I was told to do.  Like any other ten year old my mind wondered to and fro not really praying.  Then there was a presence there I had felt and seen before in services where God’s power was at work.  I knew I had a call of God on my life and as much as a ten year old could, I loved God and loved to see His power at work.  You see by the time I was ten; I had already seen many great undeniable miracles and felt that God had miraculously answered a prayer for me a few years earlier.  I knew how much I wanted to follow God and serve Him in ministry.  That night I cried out to God for all He could give me and I began to speak in an unknown language.  No one was pushing me to speak, this just happened by my simple faith.

Over the years I have heard much teaching on this subject, from that it is not of God to some wacky charismatic emotionalism.  I have even heard some say it is from the Devil.  Then on the other hand we have in my time had people going around holding classes teaching people how to speak in tongues like it was just another language a person could learn.  In groups I had been around, there have been some who say you are not even saved if you don’t speak in tongues.

I hope to break through some of these barriers in this simple post.  You know my back ground now and may say that I am no different than any of those other tongue talkers.  I want you to know that over the years I have been observing and studying, asking questions.  I often never found answers to my questions from others and I want to be one who helps others like you find some answers.  I was taught that the Holy Spirit was a separate endowment and completed my salvation, speaking in tongues was the evidence of that endowment. I no longer hold that view and please let me explain. 

To start, I have come to believe that the gift of holy spirit is not a person, but God’s presence and power given to all believers at the new birth.  We are all born of that incorruptible seed by God’s spirit.   (study John three, Acts, Romans eight, Galatians four, just for starters)  this is the baptism of Jesus that John spoke about in Mathew 3.11.  In Acts 10 Cornelius and his household upon hearing the gospel message believed and spoke in tongues, this all happened at once.  (I may deal with this subject more in another blog , but for now let’s get back to tongues)

Now that we have cleared the air where I stand and where I am coming from let’s talk about tongues. Let’s deal with the ideal of a prayer language, a language of another people.  Is it for everyone?  Why should we allow it?  Is it the only evidence of God’s indwelling presence?  How should we teach it?  How should it operate in the church?  Do we need it in today’s church?  Did God stop this after John the Apostle died?

We should start at the birth of the church since this is when the gift of holy spirit was poured out and as far as I know it has not been taken back.

(Acts 2:1-4 NASB)  And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. {2} And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent, rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. {3} And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. {4} And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

(Acts 2:6-8 NASB)  And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because they were each one hearing them speak in his own language. {7} And they were amazed and marveled, saying, "Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? {8} "And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born?

Notice the phrase “as the Spirit was giving them utterance” compare it to what Paul said when He was addressing the manifestations of the spirit.  (1 Cor 12:11 NKJV)  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. It is the spirit that is at work, not our own wills and desires.  The scripture never tells us that they spoke another actual language, but is does say everyone heard their own language spoken.  I am not saying they were not speaking another human language just pointing out an observation.  There are those who believe they spoke in a heavenly language and there are those who believe they spoke in another human language.  Since there is no real follow up writings on this matter it may not be completely proven one way or the other. 

Let’s say that they spoke in another language, because if it was not then there should have been someone there to interpret, according to Paul.  How else would the whole assembly there be edified and stop to hear Peter’s message.  This falls in line with the ideal of spreading the gospel message.  As Paul addressed it in 1Cor.12, “to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues”, the spirit moves on some with different kinds of tongues.  In 1 Cor 13.1 there are tongues of men and angels.

So let’s say that the spirit can choose to move within someone to speak in another language to draw attention to a group of unbelievers for the gospel.  Then could not the spirit move upon someone to hear and understand another language for the gospel sake?  Besides those who do not believe that signs and wonders are for today, I believe God still does and will use signs such as this to further the gospel message.  I have read many past missionary accounts of such manifestations and heard many more stories. It needs to be noted that many of those stories where in times past when men and women heard the call and went to another country with no formal training or interpreter.  Today most missionaries have formal training in a language group or have interpreters, hence the lack of need for such a manifestation. Another point to make is if the manifestation of tongues is another human language, then there is no point in needing them in an assembly of believers.  So I have come to understand that the manifestation of tongues is not the same as a spiritual prayer language.

I want to be clear here that nowhere in the Bible are we ever commanded to speak in tongues, it is the spirit that gives the utterance to those who are willing.  Concerning speaking another language it is not often needed in ordinary gatherings that would explain what Paul said in (1 Cor 12:30 NKJV) Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

You see all those in the upper room that day where willing and anticipating for something to happen.  God will not force or command you to speak; it is about a spiritual connection with Him in relationship.

Let’s look at another aspect or part of speaking in tongues.  I call it a prayer language or speaking unto God.  For starters we will look at some scriptures and then I will share from my heart what I feel is a solid point of view.

(1 Cor 13:1 NKJV)  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels,

(1 Cor 14:2 NKJV)  For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

(1 Cor 14:4 NKJV)  He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

(1 Cor 14:14 NKJV)  For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

(1 Cor 14:15 NKJV)  What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

(1 Cor 14:39 NKJV)  Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

(Rom 8:26-27 NKJV)  Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. {27} Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

(Jude 1:20 NKJV)  But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, (all above emphasis mine)

I think one could make a clear case that there is a language not known to man.  Maybe a language of angels or even a spiritual language that God speaks to our inner person, bypassing all our logic. A language God speaks that will bring healing to the deep emotional wounds within us.  Paul seems to make it clear that it is unto the Lord and could be done in song, groanings, and is personally unto the Lord.  This should not be done out loud and by everyone at the same time, for it just leads to confusion.

What about this prayer language? Should everyone speak it?  Is it what the early church heard when others spoke as God’s spirit fell, such as in Acts ten?  Could this have been what they looked for as evidence? In my own life I know what it has meant to me and how it has strengthened me in times of my troubled spirit. 

Let me describe it this way.  I can study and know God and His ways through His word, but in times of a deep troubled spirit that alone does not get me through.  God created my emotions and He wants us to worship Him with all our being, not just out of our knowledge.  Do we need knowledge and truth? Absolutely, yes! Should I depend solely on the emotional?  Absolutely, not! Too much of either one will make one unbalanced.  I am a Star Trek fan, and there are two main characters, one called Spock who denies his emotions, the other is Kirk who lives by his emotions.  By themselves they are unbalanced, but together they make a great team of knowledge, logic, and emotion.

What does a prayer language do for me?  It is a builder of my most inner man.  Those deep emotional scars are laid bare and healed.  It is like a deep intimate relationship with the one you love.  You can know everything about them and learn to understand them, but that is not what makes the deep loving relationship.  It is that deep personal intimacy of becoming as one and reaching deep within each others emotions that makes a relationship great. I truly believe this is what God wants from us, like what Jesus said in John four. (John 4:23-24 NKJV)  "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. {24} "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." As Jude tells us building up our faith, strengthening our inner man.  It is what the Bible calls the seat of who we are, often calling it our heart; some call it the spirit of man.  It is where our moral battles take place and where real spiritual growth happens.  This is where I believe God wants to really connect with us and a spiritual prayer language makes that happen.

There has been a number of times I have been so worn and wounded within that all I could do was go to my God, Daddy, Lord in prayer.  I could not pray in a language I knew but only jibberish, and groaning. After a long period of time I would feel a deep emotional release in my spirit. I was built up and strengthened for my journey in life.  It is in those times I hear from God and know in my heart He is at work in me.     

So I pray and worship in the spirit as often as I can.  I don’t do it for others; I do it for me and my relationship with God.  Yes I speak in tongues and feel my life would be incomplete without it. 

I have run out of time today and will continue this next time.

Counterfeit or Real

(1 Cor 12:10 NRSV)  to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

In our world high cost and ways to make a fast buck, there are so many counterfeits.  At times without a trained eye it is hard to tell the real from the counterfeit.  I remember a trip I had to the Philippines some years ago.  As I was walking through a park I was confronted by many sales people.  One was persistent shoving sunglasses in my face saying “Ray bans”.  Finally after a time I asked how much and he shouted out only $10.  Knowing that good quality sunglasses cost much more than that, I asked to take a closer look and found the spelling off by one letter, COUNTERFEIT!  On another trip to another country with a companion we ran into a similar situation and I had a hard time convincing my travel partner not to buy, for they were counterfeits.

Then, there was a time in our own city when I saw a scam at work.  Many years ago I owned a remodeling business.  One day while working on a room addition someone pulled up in a car telling us they got stuck with several new VCRs and needed to sell them.  I had an employee get suckered.  I tried to tell him it was too good to be true and that he should not do it.  At that time VCRs were still costly and the guy was offering them at a bargain price.  I thought maybe they were stolen, but the guy showed some kind of receipt.  I still had my doubts, but the young man wanted a VCR.  He gave the man the money and the guy drove off.  Now the box seemed to be still stapled and sealed by the manufacture.  The young man opened the box and what was inside was a big brick.

You see, this is how false teaching and deceiving spirits work.  They seem legit and promise big things, but when all is settled each person that had been deceived is left empty and disillusioned.  Satan, the enemy of the church works much the same way, in his attempts to trip up God’s people to cast off their faith.  The spirits of evil and deception operate in churches by people who look like any other believers.  On the outside they look like the real deal, but what’s inside is empty and false. 

In the Christian world we have so many different teachings and doctrines; it is hard for one to tell the real from the counterfeit.  From the churches earliest years, even before all the founding Apostles were even gone there were those creeping in with false teachings.  Read the letter to the churches in Revelations and see what many of them dealt with, as well as the following examples.

 (2 Pet 2:1-2 NRSV)  But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive opinions. They will even deny the Master who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. {2} Even so, many will follow their licentious ways, and because of these teachers the way of truth will be maligned.

 (2 Tim 2:16-18 NKJV)  But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. {17} And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, {18} who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.

This is why we need to know God’s Word and be filled with His spirit and allow Him to lead us.  As Paul wrote to the Corinthian church about God’s spirit manifesting in the believers and the body of Christ.  We find him telling them that as needed the spirit will work in a manifestation of knowing what spirit is at work.  To put it this way God wants to work through us so we can tell the difference between the counterfeit and real.  Let me say this, for there to be a false, there has to be a real. 

The false is always similar to or almost exactly like the real.  A person would not be so easily deceived if the false looked nothing like the real.  We need to trust in the leading of God’s spirit to help us know the difference.  We cannot lean on our own feelings and emotions because they too can be easily tricked.  We cannot solely lean on our traditional doctrines because they could be teachings of men replacing biblical truths.  We cannot trust in the majority, like a good magic act a whole crowd of spectators are all fooled even if just one is not.  There are so many teachings today that are popular and have a great number of followers, but that does not make it truth.  We have many ministries and churches full of emotion and demonstrations, but when in times of real trial we find so many empty and wanting.  Don’t get me wrong I myself love a great worship experience that I put my whole heart and emotion into, but I don’t put my faith in that.  I must be full of the Word of God and trust in His spirit to lead me into truth.

  (2 Tim 2:15-16 NRSV)  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. {16} Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and more impiety,

(John 16:13 NRSV)  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

There are real spiritual manifestations today, but we should not take those for granite and test them all.  In all the years of growing up in Pentecostal, Charismatic church’s, what I have seen is a real lack of proper teaching and understanding of the spiritual manifestations.  Because of the lack or improper teachings, we have seen so many misunderstandings and abuse in the churches that allow spiritual manifestations. 

I believe there are three areas we need the discerning of spirits. First, we have an enemy, Satan, who is a liar and deceiver, out to trip up God’s children.  Satan and his demons know how to incite our emotions and present something that looks and feels so real.  If we are not careful we get so caught up in excitement and personalities that we get tricked into accepting something to be real when it is actually not from God.

Second, there is the human element of error or deception.  This is because of several reasons.  As stated before improper or lack of good teaching on this matter is a major reason.  I have also seen well intentioned people jump out a head of God’s spirit and operate on their own; this is often with disastrous results.  Then we have men and women who for gain use tricks to look like it is God’s manifestation.

Then there is the real, but because of the false many shy away in skepticism.  They need to be around those who in love will minister God’s goodness.  They need to be around those who will allow the skeptics to ask questions and through relationships trust those to judge and prove what was manifested is of God.

We are instructed to test all things and see if they are from God, yet, often we throw logic out the door and let too many things happen in churches that should not be.  Then, we have Charismatic leaders who put down those who question what they have done.  Let’s face it, if someone says they are a prophet and they miss it far more often than hit it they should be called out on their false prophecies.   Yet, we should not be too critical or judge a mater not of God just because the person being the instrument of the manifestation does not have the same doctrinal views as yours, unless it is a denial of Jesus that came in the flesh and the son of God.  Let’s see what the word says about this.

 (1 Th 5:21-22 NRSV)  but test everything; hold fast to what is good; {22} abstain from every form of evil.

(1 John 4:1-13 NRSV)  Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world. {2} By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, {3} and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. And this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming; and now it is already in the world. {4} Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. {5} They are from the world; therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. {6} We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us, and whoever is not from God does not listen to us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. {7} Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. {8} Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. {9} God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. {10} In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. {11} Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. {12} No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. {13} By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.

In closing this week, I want to say that discerning of spirits is probably one of the most important to operate in the body of Christ.  This is the one that requires God’s love at work and good teaching. Without God’s love at work we will come off prudish and judgmental.  This is a manifestation that requires patience and quietness to wait on the Lord in matters of the manifestations.  It can not be confused with intuition and feelings.  A person must be strong and of great courage, because there will be times to speak out against something that is accepted by the majority.  Yet, I feel those that God uses in this manifestation need to be meek and humble before God and all men.  If today, there is a need for a certain manifestation to be in operation when any others are present, it is this one.  We need to know the false from the real.

Let’s Prophesy

(1 Cor 12:10 NASB)  and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.

(1 Cor 14:1 NRSV)  Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy.

This seems today to be a hard subject due to all the various opinions and beliefs on prophecy.  From the wide range of; there are no more prophets and everything God needs to say through prophecy is all ready spoken, to men running around calling themselves prophets and speaking all kinds of things in God’s name.  No wonder there is so much confusion on this subject.

Let’s start with dealing with a prophet and a word of prophecy.  There is a difference between the two and not knowing this can cause confusion in its self.  In Ephesians 4.11, Paul lists a gift of a prophet for leadership in the body of Christ.  A person who is a prophet is a spokes person for God. In the Old Testament they were also called seers, (1 Sam 9:9).  These men not only prophesied, such as foretelling the future, but were also called upon to forth tell in times of need.  Such as when a King would prepare to go to battle they wanted to hear from a prophet.  The prophet would not always tell how the battle would go but just to say go or stay.  A prophet would also be a judge of matters and be a spiritual leader to a king or a group of people.  They would lead other young men in ministry such as the school of prophets in the Old Testament. 

Now, in the New Testament we do not see this role so defined as in the Old Testament.  However, I do see the role in leadership using Old Testament structure.  I do not think it was an accident that Paul listed a prophet for church leadership.  So, what should that person be like and their role.  After years of church and prayerful study I will offer up my opinion.  A New Testament prophet is a person committed to God and the purpose of ministry.  Given the authority to speak with boldness the word of God bringing judgment and corrections needed in the body of Christ.  I will agree with those who say God has said all he is going to say concerning the future of the church and the world.  However, I still think He wants to speak to us today for our every needs and conflicts in life.  So is there a need for men and women to hear from God and speak boldly in forth telling in our needs?  Such as the young ladies in Acts 21:9.

 I spoke to you about what a prophet is, but that is not the same as the manifestation of prophecy.  One can prophesy and not be a prophet.  In many places in the Old Testament when God’s presence showed up just about everyone in God’s presence would prophesy.  King Saul is a good example of such.  Even in the New Testament you can find people who were not a prophet but in the presence of God they prophesied.  So, what is the manifestation of prophecy?

I have over the years come to understand that the manifestation of prophecy is the simple forth telling of God’s purpose and understanding of where you are in life.  Could it be a little future telling?  Who am I to reject such an ideal?  In all my years I have seen many times a person speak of a future event for someone personally or a world event and seen it come to pass.  When I see such prophecies I do cringe a little due to the fact I have also seen many not come to pass.  Could this be why Paul said in (1 Cor 13:9 NKJV)  For we know in part and we prophesy in part.  Let’s face it we are all imperfect and are at times misguided. 

We should never throw out God’s wonderful manifestation based simply on the failures and miss giving’s of a few uninformed people.  Are there false preachers who prophesy falsely for mere gain?  Yes, but they are perverting what is real and available to the body of Christ.  The manifestation is for all believers as the spirit moves upon them as He wills.  God does want to use all those who will trust and obey Him to speak through them, either by His word or spiritual revelations into certain matters.

Paul tells us that He desired for believers to prophesy. 

(1 Cor 14:1 NRSV)  Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy.

(1 Cor 14:3-5 NRSV)  On the other hand, those who prophesy speak to other people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. {4} Those who speak in a tongue build up themselves, but those who prophesy build up the church. {5} Now I would like all of you to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. One who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

(1 Cor 14:39 NRSV)  So, my friends, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues;

Based on what Paul is saying in 1 Cor. 14 that prophecy is to build up other believers and the body of Christ.  What so many call the manifestations of wisdom and knowledge have incorrectly identified what they are. (See the previous articles on the manifestations of wisdom and knowledge.)   It is the prophetic work of God’s spirit that gives a person insight into a situation or another person’s life.  This is for the sole purpose to encourage, uplift, and at times even correct a situation or person.  It is under this umbrella of the manifestation of prophecy that one can speak truth, uplift, and forth tell, yes, even speak about some near future event for the edifying of the body and person hearing the prophecy.

Those who throw out the ideal that the manifestation of prophecy could be just this simple, miss out on so much God has for us.  Do I live my life based on just prophecies?  Absolutely not!  I must have my own prayer and relation time with God my father.  I must study the word of God for myself and know God’s purpose for my life.  It is when we do all the above we find encouragement through the prophetic, confirming what God is doing in our hearts.  This way we are not lead astray by teachings of men. 

(1 Th 5:20-23 NASB)  do not despise prophetic utterances. {21} But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; {22} abstain from every form of evil. {23} Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Rom 12:6 NRSV)  We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith;

Do not confuse the office of a prophet with the manifestation of prophecy.  Peter used the words of the prophet Joel in telling us that prophesying is a part of God’s spirit being poured out on all believers.  (Acts 2:18 NRSV)  Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.

We should be careful not to be like the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ time.  They had interpreted the laws and words of God to the point that they could not even see what was right in front of them. If God has done away with the gifts and manifestations then we must ask are we done advancing the gospel message.  There seems to be a direct correlation between the gospel message, gifts, and manifestations.  What is the church supposed to do today?  Get into our groups and hold the fort so to speak or just maintain?  Isn’t that what the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ time were doing?

If the gift of God’s spirit is still in the church, then we should allow, even expect it to manifest in all areas mentioned in the word of God.  I cannot find any solid scripture proof that God has done away with part or all of His gifts and manifestations.  If you choose not to believe they are for today, leave alone those who do.  Why do you have to fight with those who do believe in the manifestations?  Like wise if you believe in the gifts and manifestations, leave alone those who do not.  Is this something really worth fighting over?  Speaking to both sides, I say you forgot to read 1 Cor.13.    OK, so I myself believe that the gifts and manifestations are still for today.  None of us are perfect and we all still make mistakes, thank God for His grace.  Just because someone does not have the same doctrines as you, does not mean their heart is not in the right place and you cannot nullify who God chooses to use or how He works.

(1 Tim 4:14 NRSV)  Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.

Paul encouraged Timothy to stir up the God given gift in him.  How did Timothy get this gift, by a council of leaders laying hands on him and prophesying over him.  I want to encourage you to seek God and stir the gift of holy spirit in you.  Let God’s spirit and power manifest in you.  We have a whole generation that needs godly leaders to show the way and speak truth to all.  This will take still today God’s spirit being manifest through us.  For all the ministries and churches that seem to be doing it wrong we need those in truth to stand up.  This world is full enough with hate and discord in need of healing and truth, we have been given the gospel message of peace, let’s speak it in demonstration and power.

 (2 Pet 1:19-21 NRSV)  So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. {20} First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, {21} because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

God wants to speak through us a message of truth to a whole world in spiritual darkness.  Let’s prophesy!

It’s a Miracle

(1 Cor 12:10 NLT)  He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and to another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to know whether it is really the Spirit of God or another spirit that is speaking. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, and another is given the ability to interpret what is being said.

Is the time of miracles over?  Was it just for the first church apostles? Does God still miracles through His church today?   All of these questions have been asked by many and there have been various answers to these questions.  There are many who would have us to believe that miracles were only performed by the twelve apostles and are no longer a part of the church.  I have also heard a well known national preacher say that miracles are no longer needed today.  There are whole books written debunking modern miracles and ministries that proclaim them.  I can not speak for all the others or try to pass onto you the ideal that I am an expert, but desire to share what I feel and have experienced.

Personally, I can not say I have had any miracles done through me, yet I believe God still works miracles in and through His church.  In past post I have mentioned how I grew up in church.  In all the years of growing up I have been exposed to what I feel are real miracles.  I have seen and been close to some who have received a miracle.  I myself am a living testimony to a miracle.  Let me start with my own story.

I can not 100% prove my story, but I am sure there may be some kind of medical record somewhere.  I do however have the record of my parent’s testimony and I am here alive today.  It was when I was born in Schuyler, Nebraska, February 26 1959.  I was born with a blood condition called hemolytic disease and the doctors told my parents I was not going to survive without a blood transfusion. My parents were both young in the Christian faith, and struggling in their marriage.  I was a child of promise to my mother and the first son.  When the doctors told my father what was needed or my chance of survival was not good, he knew to do only one thing, pray.  After a time I think it was a day or two they noticed improvement and checked my blood again.  My blood type was changed, there was no blood transfusion and the doctors could not explain how my blood had changed.  I went home with my parents a healthy baby. I am a living miracle.  Either for some reason my parents concocted this bizarre story or you have come to late to tell me God does not do miracles. God is still in the miracle business.  

During my lifetime because of my parents and churches I have been in, I have born witness to what I would call miracles. So, what makes a miracle? Webster says: 1: an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs 2: an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment 3 Christian Science : a divinely natural phenomenon experienced humanly as the fulfillment of spiritual law  The creek word used in the New Testament is dunamis, doo'-nam-is; force (lit. or fig.); spec. miraculous power (usually by impl. a miracle itself):--ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work. Notice the Webster definition, a divine intervention in human affairs.  Then look at the word used in the Bible and its wide range of use of the word. I think it could just be summed up to say dunamis is God’s power at work through humans.  According to first Corinthians twelve it is God’s gift of holy spirit manifesting in human nature, not God just showing up and showing His power.  Everything God does in this age is through His church which is though us believers.  So if I can say this, miracles happen when someone is obedient and allows God to work through them.

This wide range word dunumis is used in many ways in the Bible so let me share a few.

 (Mat 6:13 NKJV)  And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

(Mat 11:21 NRSV)  "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

(Acts 1:8 NRSV)  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

I want to point out here that there were many more than the twelve that Jesus spoke to upon leaving this earth.  This promise of power is a part of the gift of holy spirit to help evangelize with the kingdom message.  I guess my question is this. If there is a need for evangelism still today with the kingdom message, then should there not be a need for the gift of holy spirit and power to be still at work?

(Rom 15:19 NRSV)  by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and as far around as Illyricum I have fully proclaimed the good news of Christ.

(1 Cor 2:4 NRSV)  My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

(1 Cor 4:20 NRSV)  For the kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power.

We should take notice of Paul’s words.  I feel he makes it very clear that the message of God’s kingdom depends on a show of God’s spirit manifesting in the church with power. Yes, we can say it does not happen with everyone all the time.  You can take a journey through the whole Bible and see that.  Like myself, I will say that I have not had a miracle happen by my hands or actions that I am aware of.  Yet, I still believe God is at work and still working His power through His church. Like a well known preacher used to say “expect a miracle today”.  If you refuse to believe and obey God and you never expect God to work in you then guess what, you won’t be disappointed, but that does not prove God is not doing miracles through others.

The main thing we all must remember it is God’s gift to the church and to all those who belong in His church.  It is God that is manifesting not the ability of man.  Yes, there are those who have exploited God’s gift and preyed on spiritually blind people. It is time that the true church and believers arise and claim full heartily what belongs to all those who are born again.  God gave you the gift of holy spirit and as he chooses wants to manifest His power through you, to help you proclaim the kingdom message.  Let’s share more of God’s word on this subject.

(Acts 2:22 NRSV)  "You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know—

(Acts 8:6 NRSV)  The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did,

Today, there are those who say that this power was given only to the twelve apostles and died with them. Yet, we see God work through people in the Old Testament.  Then we see Jesus make a declaration in Mark 9.39 about a person who was performing miracles outside of Jesus’ group.  Notice, Jesus did not try to stop this person and say this person could not do what he was doing because he was not one of the chosen twelve.  Philip in Acts eight was not one of the twelve, but one of the chosen deacons in Acts six. Then all through human history and church history God keeps showing up by manifesting His power through human vessels.

 (Acts 15:12 NRSV)  The whole assembly kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles.

(Acts 19:11 NRSV)  God did extraordinary miracles through Paul,

(1 Cor 12:28 NRSV)  And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues.

(Gal 3:5 NRSV)  Well then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?

It looks like the Galatians had spiritual manifestations as well as the Corinthians.

 (Heb 2:4 NRSV)  while God added his testimony by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, distributed according to his will.

There are many more scriptures I could add but time and space will not allow.  I grew up seeing miracles and sitting at the feet of many great men and women of God as they shared their stories of God’s miraculous power at work through God’s church. I am not talking about well known televangelist or pastors.  I am talking about old praying mothers and faithful men who expected God to show up and do a work that no man could do.  The stories of how God worked through ordinary men and women of faith for raising the dead to miraculous power.  I have read the stories of men and women who put their very lives on the line in dangerous mission fields, and seen God at work through them for the miraculous. Close to my life, I remember the time when I was a young child; our family had no money and no food.  Dad went to a place in the church to pray and came out with a new twenty dollar bill, he said as he prayed it floated down in front of him. There was no one there but him. 

You see we have a whole world out there that needs the truth about God’s kingdom, and to know God is still who He says He is.  They need to see God loves them and cares about their needs and wants to show His power to heal and set them free.  In my own words saying what Paul said, “talk is cheap we need a manifestation of God’s power and goodness through His children who declare His kingdom message.” 

Gifts of Healing

As I have been writing on the manifestations of the holy spirit, I have been trying to broaden our view of the work of the spirit.  Over the years I have noticed that many churches and people often hold a narrow view of God’s spirit at work.  I have seen those on both sides of the doctrines of spiritual manifestations miss out on so much, simply just because of their narrow views.  Just the other day I read a post by a person who seemed against the manifestations, write, “If Paul had the gift of healing why couldn’t he heal himself?”  This person may know a lot about the Bible, but it seems clear that by having such a narrow view of God’s spirit at work, he obviously missed all the times people where healed through Paul and the times God did work in Paul.  Such as the time he was bitten by the viper, or the time he was stoned and left for dead.  I think if we will are willing, we can take a fresh look at the potential of what God’s spirit can do in His children. Let’s broaden our view and take a fresh look at what God wants to do in us and through us.

 This week I want to talk about the gifts of healing.  From this point on it seems the rest of the areas of manifestations are pluralistic, like they have many ways and types of working.  Healing is the only place the plural use of gift is used. So, let’s look at the possible ways God may work healing in us and others. To start with, one area today’s modern church has missed it when it comes to God’s spirit manifesting, is it’s to be at work in every believer and not just for a church service confined to the inside of four walls. 

(Mark 16:17-18 NASB)  "And these signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; {18} they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it shall not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

Now, before you bible scholars write me and tell me the above verses was not in the original, then you have to admit the Bible has errors and could not be deemed the word of God to us.  Unless you can provide an original version we need to accept the whole and learn to reap God’s truths from the whole Bible not our favorite passages. 

Let’s get back to my thought.  I took notice the word gifts is used when it comes to healing.  Just like previous verses in chapter twelve. (1 Cor 12:4 NKJV)  There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

Peter told the crowd on the Day of Pentecost that the holy spirit was a gift.  Paul tells us in Romans 5.17 that God’s righteousness is a gift to us through Jesus.  Eternal life is a gift to those who believe in Jesus, Romans 6.23.  Ephesians 2.8 tells us that our salvation is a gift.   Paul even said his ability to minister was according to the gift of grace given to him, Eph. 3.7.   I think we could maybe make a point that healing is a gift given to us through the work of Jesus on Calvary.  Isn’t that what Peter declared when he wrote his epistle.

 (1 Pet 2:24 NASB)  and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

If healing is a gift then that would not make how it works automatic, it must be received and used. Let’s go back to that verse in chapter 12 and see that Paul wrote gifts, like there was more than one.  Could there be many, maybe more than we could really number.  If the holy spirit is diverse and works diversely according to each person on whom God chooses to manifest, could not healing also be that diverse.  Each person God redeems and puts His spirit into is unique and one of a kind.  You see, out of the millions of people on this earth there is not another one like you.  Then when that is coupled with God’s spirit working in and through you as he chooses for the good of His kingdom, it becomes uniquely different from all others.  Let me put it this way.  There is no one who will work in the spirit like you, there may be those who are similar but only you can do what God’s spirit does in and through you.    

Let’s recap before going further.  There are many gifts and many types of healings that God’s spirit manifest.  Let’s not let the professional evangelist or preacher rob the rest of God’s children of what belongs to every believer.  We will look at a few healing scriptures and then talk some more.

  (Acts 10:38 NASB)  "You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him.

(James 5:16 NASB)  Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

(Heb 12:11-13 NASB)  All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. {12} Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, {13} and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

(Acts 28:8 NASB)  And it came about that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him.

(Acts 5:16 NASB)  And also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits; and they were all being healed.

(Rev 22:2 NLT)  coursing down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.

I know there are other scriptures and many examples of healings in the Old as well as the New Testament. For time and space I will just use the above and hope to make a point to broaden your view of God’s wonderful gift.  I will not spend time telling you of the many healings I have received in my own life and bore witness to.  I just want to get you to look at God’s manifestations differently and come away with desire to maybe dig deeper into the Word of God and your own heart and see God at work.

Like I pointed out early on, that we have received many gifts from God through the completed work of Jesus, healing being one of them.  So, what should this look like for us?  A good question to ask is, how many ways could a person be healed? Another is, how many methods could God use?  The problem is, with our human nature we see something work one way and we box it up and think it should work the same way every time. Then when it does not, we get upset and walk away saying, “I knew it really didn’t work.”  Too many of us think we have a corner on how God works, and I am always amazed by how God always proves to us that we don’t. 

Could we say that as much as each person is unique in whom they are and how God’s spirit moves in them, that healings are the same?  First of all there is not a person who comes to Jesus that does not need a healing in them. Some sickness is physical others mental, then many spiritual. Every human has been affected by the sickness of sin.  We are all broken in some way. Every person needs a different kind of healing.  Some sickness maybe obvious in a physical way, others are hidden in the deep recesses of our mind.   No boxed formula will work the same for every person. 

It is like our modern medicines that we all rely on so much.  What may work on one person may not work on another, even if they have the same sickness or they may experience different side effects.  It is because of our own personal bodily make up or genes.  Two people can get the exact same medication and one is healed and another gets sicker.  When I see that happen I don’t see people getting mad and rejecting all medicine, they keep going to the doctor and trying other medications.  Yet, when it comes to God, when we don’t see somebody get healed after some prayer we go around rejecting it all, claiming it’s not for today or it does not work.

By reading the scriptures I selected, I hope you may begin to see healing comes in many forms and ways.  There may need to be a certain commitment from us, an act of obedience, forgiveness, repentance, or patience.  None of us have the right to judge another over their healing.  One may seem to be outwardly broken, but what they need greater is a deep inner healing.  Then there are those that seem to be healed but deep within they are still broken.

Does God want us to be healed?  I really believe he does.  Why else would he make it a point and a part of the work of Jesus?  Why is the healing in the leaves of the trees in the New Jerusalem for all nations?  We all talk about when Jesus comes back there is no more sickness and everyone is healed, but in the mean time we are all supposed to suffer?  God’s bread to the children is healing. 

In all I feel God’s people need to be showing a broken sin sick world how to be healed.  Then along with that as God moves on us to demonstrate God’s love and power, see some receive healing by the laying on of hands.  Is this wonderful gifts of healings just for us to use in our gatherings, praying for the same ones over and over again, getting frustrated because we are not seeing results?  Or, is it first for us to take for ourselves and be healed inside and out.  We should be seeking God to fix our broken minds, hearts, and spirits.  Then as we begin to heal, start reaching out to others and believing God to heal them as well.  It is not us that does the healing, but God though the gift of holy spirit. We may never see everyone healed, or at lest we think they are not healed, but let’s not throw it out, trust in God, and keep on letting Him manifest  in you. God works his healing gifts in many ways, through many different people. Some healings are right before us others take time.

To sum it all up, let me say this.  Healing works in so many different ways, so let’s not put God in a box.  God could use you to lay hands on someone. You could be the one who is used to bring healing to a troubled situation by just being a peace maker. Maybe it could be a loving tender word to a troubled soul.  The point is God wants to manifest His wonders in and trough you. It starts with you. Let the healing begin.

Manifest Faith

(1 Cor 12:9 NRSV)  to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,

(Rom 12:3 NRSV)  For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

The manifestation of Faith, what is it.  Over the years and in the age we now live in this is a word that has lost its true meaning.  Due to many of today’s religious leaders this is something I feel is blown way out of proportion.  There are many terms for what faith is today.  By some, you would think there are many levels of faith.  Some are made to feel like they do not have enough faith and spend years and many methods to get more faith. Others are told they could do anything because they have great faith. So what is this faith that God gives?  What is a manifest faith that the spirit only chooses to move upon people as it sees fit?  To start I want to make clear what I feel faith is not, then take a look by scripture what faith is.

Faith is not creative.  Your mind maybe able to conceive an invention and you can speak it all you want for years but that will never create anything.  As Solomon said, there is nothing new under the sun.  Only God can speak something into existents where there is nothing.  Through out the Bible there is no example nor is there in the history of anybody that created something out of nothing. I know there are many teachers that will say our words can create, but biblically this is not true.  Only by twisting scripture can you make it seem so.

Faith can not stand alone.  Faith is not a person or thing; it only works in conjunction with something else. Like James put it. (James 2:26 NRSV)  For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.  Faith has to be put into something or made active by action.  There are people who think that just because they think they have faith they can just sit down confessing by faith, but doing nothing.  Guess what they get for their efforts? Nothing!  You can confess all year long you are going to lose weight, but if you do not change what you eat and get up and exercise you are not going to change a thing.

Faith is not supernatural.  Faith is not a special power given by God to perform anything.  Faith will not fill in places where you are lacking.  Faith mixed with anything does not make it work better.  It will not make your words and wishes come to pass.  Having faith will not make you any smarter, richer, or stronger.  Faith can not go out and grab something and bring it to you. You will not step out your door one day and move mountains out of your way or dry up trees because they did not have fruit on them.  Having faith will not make you instantly a better person.   Just because you confess faith doe not mean all troubles will leave you or healings will instantaneously come.

What is faith and why does God give it to us and what to manifest it through us?  To find these answers we need only look into God’s own word. 

 (Heb 10:35-39 NRSV)  Do not, therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward. {36} For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. {37} For yet "in a very little while, the one who is coming will come and will not delay; {38} but my righteous one will live by faith. My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back." {39} But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith and so are saved.

(Heb 11:1-3 NRSV)  Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. {2} Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. {3} By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

I know a lot of people like to quote Heb. 11.1, but by itself is so easily twisted and misunderstood.  If you were to read the Bible in the flow it was meant to be you would see, faith is something to be place in someone or something.  That someone should be God.  Faith is the root of faithful, or you could say steadfast, hope, confidence. In the context and flow of the above scripture the writer is telling believers that no matter what happens we need to have confidence, hope in, and remain faithful to God. Faith is having assurance that even if we do not see yet what God has promised, we will see it if we do not fall back. This is what will get God’s attention in your situation.  By completely trusting God, we can understand Him and trust that he created all things, even when the pressure is on us like today that would cause us to doubt.  All the examples of great men and women in the Bible put their very lives on the line in their faith in God. Why is that important?  Read verse six of Hebrews eleven.

(Heb 11:6 NRSV)  And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

(2 Pet 1:4-9 NRSV)  Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust, and may become participants of the divine nature. {5} For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge, {6} and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, {7} and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love. {8} For if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. {9} For anyone who lacks these things is nearsighted and blind, and is forgetful of the cleansing of past sins.

Faith in God will cause us to truly walk in obedience to God’s commands.  You cannot be out of the will of God when you are being faithful to Him.  When you put your complete trust in God you will be able to see the outcome he has intended for you, but you will have to live it out in this life.   Notice Peter is telling us just believing is not enough, it is a daily walk and daily growth that we have to work on.

Let’s look at what Jesus had to say.

(Mark 11:22 NRSV)  Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God. Jesus himself wants us to put our faith in God.  He is the creator of all things and He has laid out His plans to the end.   So if our faith is in God what should that look like using Jesus as our example.

(Mat 21:21-22 NRSV)  Jesus answered them, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' it will be done. {22} Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive."

Many people have taken the above verse and say they can do any of the mentioned things if they just have enough faith.  I want to show you it is never about how much faith you have, it is how solid and in whom it is in.  Just believing you want a mountain moved will never get it moved, because you are not the mountain mover.  Look what Jesus said about himself.  (John 8:28 NRSV)  So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me.  By following Jesus example we should see Jesus did not speak to the fig tree of his own will but only by God His Father’s will.  Is what you are trying to do truly the will of God or yours?

(Mat 17:20 NKJV)  So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you

Jesus instructed his followers when they asked why they could not heal and deliver a boy.  Jesus was blunt and to the point.  Their faith was not fully placed in the right person.  Unbelief is anything that is not placed in the right person.  Who, knows what happened the Bible does not say. Maybe they tried to just emanate Jesus or they tried to do it in their own strength it does not matter.  Jesus simply said the right confidence in God produces results.

So why does God first give us faith or how does he? I think it is this simple.  God makes the first move so we could have faith in him.  It is not that He just hands out faith to us, but acts first towards us so we could put our faith in him.  How, you may ask?  To start, He first sent Jesus who died for us, so all we need to do is respond.  He loved us first, so we could have little faith to love him back.  He acted on our behalf while we were still sinners or just running from him.  He has showed us His nature in many ways so we could have faith in Him.  He has given everyone this ability to put our confidence in Him.  From the beginning of time He has been showing Himself to mankind to put their trust in Him.  Even in the case of Abraham, God made the first move and then Abraham responded by putting his faith in God,  You do not read that Abraham put his faith in God first, but God showed up for Abraham.

So why does Paul say it the way he did?  (Rom 12:6 NRSV)  We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith;  Then in 1 Cor.12  he puts in the list of manifestations.  So, if I may I want to offer my honest feelings about this manifestation. 

God wants us to have all our allegiance to him and confidence place solely in Him.  We should never get the ideal that it is a faith that comes from us.  I could never in my own strength be able to see God’s wonderful works working in me.  I should never trust in or rely on my own abilities.  I must never do my own will when it comes to ministry and serving in the body of Christ. In spite of my failures and mistakes God is still at work in me and through me.  The Gifts and manifestations are a work by the holy spirit and not of man, so God goes to work first and then I put my faith completely in him.  Then the manifestations begin to truly work, not because I am the one working them but my faith is in the one who is doing it.  It is God’s spirit at work in me.  I do not manifest, but His spirit is the one manifesting God’s love, power, and glory in and trough me, if I willingly put my faith in Him.  Then if it is God at work I do not take the credit if it works and I am not responsible if it does not.  All God has asked of me is to but my faith in him and remain faithful. In closing the manifestation of faith is God first working in us as He chooses to revel Himself and power that our faith will completely and solely be in Him.