It is or it isn’t

(1 Cor 12:4-7 NKJV)  There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. {5} There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. {6} And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

 {7} But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

For the last few entries I have been talking about the differences of all believers and the diversity of the gift of holy spirit.  Borrowing from Paul in (1 Cor 14:36 NRSV)  Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?), I have to ask the same question when it comes to the holy spirit and its works and operations in the church.  I have spoke with so many people over the years who acknowledge the holy spirit but deny the results that should be evident. 

I know that many will just say it is the fruit of the spirit that should be the results, according to Galatians 5.22-24.  On a personal level, yes, it should, but not alone.  Fruit stands for maturity, so on a personal level we crucify our own flesh and become more like Christ.  This is a true sign of spiritual growth.  I will never say that having the spirit manifest in you is a proof of ones spiritual maturity.  It seems only those who are mislead and immature would even think that one is spiritually mature just because the spirit is manifested. 

Let’s look at the above verse seven and try to see what is being said here.  For either the holy spirit is true and will be manifested or not.  You can’t have it both ways.  If the holy spirit is the gift and presence of God, then even today, it should be manifesting in those who claim to have God’s spirit.  You cannot claim to have God’s spirit at work in you and then deny its work or say it is no longer needed to be manifested.  Please, those who believe this prove it soundly in scripture.  You cannot say it was just for the Apostles, for the scripture above and many others show us that many believers had the holy spirit manifest in them.  It seemed to be common for believers to have holy spirit manifestations.   

The Greek word used in verse seven is  phanerosis, meaning exhibition, expression.  So, maybe we can read 1 Cor.12.7, like this, but to each one (believer) is given the expression of the Spirit for the common (advantage) good (increase) of all (believers).  The spirit may work differently in each person but the fact still remains that there should be an outward exhibition.  So, what happened to today’s church.  I think it fell victim to a long history of traditions over God’s spirit.

Now, if some of you will just get off your doctrinal high horse and stop worrying about who has all their doctrines right and let God’s spirit work.  We might start seeing a body of Christ coming together for the good of all and a spiritual exhibition of the spirit to an unbelieving world. Either the gift of spirit, God has given the church comes with power and manifestations or it doesn’t.  It either has power to change life’s and demonstrate God’s love and power or it does not.  I have come to the conclusion that today’s churches must have come to the place of acceptance of holy spirit as just a salvation tool and nothing more.  We come to rely more on men’s teachings and abilities in medicine, psychology, and talents than the power and grace of God.

Let’s look at a place where Paul deals with churches who rely on teachings, rules, and abilities.         

(Gal 3:1-5 NRSV)  You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly exhibited as crucified! {2} The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? {3} Are you so foolish? Having started with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? {4} Did you experience so much for nothing?--if it really was for nothing. {5} 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?

If we are to believe Paul is steadfast and consistent in His teachings then we know Paul was one who encouraged outward manifestations.  So, was the Galatians ones who freely believed and moved in spiritual gifts and manifestations and slipped back into traditions and laws over the power of the spirit?  It seems this way.  Paul even made the claim that it was through the holy spirit and power he was an effective minister to the Gentiles Eph. 3.7.

(1 Cor 2:4-5 NRSV)  My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, {5} so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

(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.

(Col 1:26-29 NKJV)  the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. {27} To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. {28} Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. {29} To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

So if it was the holy spirit that made Paul effective, because of exhibition and power, is this for us also?    (2 Cor 4:7 NRSV)  But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.  I believe Paul is not talking exclusively, but corporately here.  He is including all those he was writing to and all those who would read His letter.  

(Heb 13:20-21 NRSV)  Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, {21} make you complete in everything good so that you may do his will, working among us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

It is the work of holy spirit that is able to do that complete work. If the holy spirit is at work, then should we not see it on exhibition.  I will not try to tell you what that is supposed to look like in every person, for we know that it works differently in each individual.  All I am saying, there should be a manifestation if there is truly a gift of holy spirit.  I see no place in scripture where the holy spirit is in silent presence, there only as a salvation tool and nothing more.  Over and over again we see that holy spirit is an active gift to help the believer as well as the over all church reach the given objective given by our Lord.  That is to preach the gospel message of the Kingdom of God and all that it entails.  We are empowered to bring our work to an effective completion, to allow the spirit to bring our own lives to an effective completion.

When Jesus comes we will know him for we will be like him in every spiritual way.  The manifestation is given for the whole body to benefit.  As we enter the nine areas of manifestations lets us enter with an open heart and mind to God’s gift to us.  Let’s cast off pre-mind sets and stereotypes we cast on others.  If we are truly lead by God’s spirit then we should be relying more on Him and not on our own abilities.  Should we not be open to let the spirit do a work starting within us then in the rest of the church?  So in closing I have one more question. When it comes to the manifestations of God’s spirit, What Happened to us the Church?