Doctrine of Spiritual Gifts, part 1

Today I am going to start a study on an often hotly debated doctrine, the spiritual gifts.  In this study we will go through and look at each spiritual gift and the doctrines involved.  Though we may touch into a few of the better Biblical commentaries, The Road to God Ministry will always translate the Bible LITERALLY and in a historical-grammatical context.  This way we will always take God at His Word, always.  In this hermenuetical fashion we will need to look at Scripture in three ways, to define:  what did the Scripture mean to those who originally heard it; what does the Scripture mean for us today; and what does the Scripture mean for us personally?

So you may ask yourself, "what's the big fuss over the spiritual gifts?"  The "fuss" is whether or not we, as a sinful race Romans 3:23), can receive a gift, learn a gift, or take the view that the spiritual gifts where a thing of the past age, when Christianity was born.  The "fuss" is that the varying ideologies regarding the gifts has caused new Christian denominations to be born.  Charismatic and Pentecostal churches are built upon the idea of receiving spiritual gifts from the Ruach haKodesh (the Holy Spirit).  Even today's Messianic Jewish movement now has a Charismatic side to it.

Note:  At no time do I or will I ever question the salvation of another believer regardless of their denomination or as to how they translate the Bible.  I often hear the phrase, "love the sinner and hate the sin," and I do.  

What are the spiritual gifts?  In answer I wish to direct you to a passage from the Bible that will often be discussed.  To the church of Corinth did Paul write,

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.  1 Cor 12:1-11 (KJV)
Thus Paul gave the Corinthians a list of spiritual gifts: 

1. Wisdom
2. Knowledge
3. Faith
4. Healing
5. Miracle Worker
6. Prophecy
7. Discerning of Spirits 
8. Speaking in Tongues
9. Interpretation of Tongues.

In Romans Paul writes of further gifts.

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.  Romans 12:6-8 (KJV)

1. Exhortation
2. Giving
3. Leadership
4. Mercy
5. Ministry 
6. Teaching

In Ephesians chapter four, Paul writes of another spiritual gifts.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  Eph 4:6-13 (KJV)

1. Evangelism

Spiritual gifts are the manifestation of blessings granted to Believers for a specific purpose.  Spiritual gifts are miracles.  Thus they must serve a purpose.

Part 2 of this study will begin with the gift of Wisdom.

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Crisis of Faith

We all hear things that we just don't want to believe because it turns out to be bad news?  It's part of life.  It's part of Scripture.  I always thought two verses of the Bible stated the bad news for the unbeliever.  The Gospel of Mattiyahu (Matthew) reads, "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Matt 12:30 (KJV).  The Gospel of Yochanan (John) states, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  John 14:6 (KJV).  Both of these verses state some pretty BAD NEWS for the Lost.  O believe that the question is, how are we going to react once we receive the bad news?  I often state that it is easy to hold strong to your faith in Yeshua (Jesus) when life is treating you well.  And I just don't mean well during rare circumstances like winning a lottery. I believe it is easy to hold to your faith when everything is just status quo.  Instead, it is when a true tribulation arises, whether the difficulties may be financial, physical, emotional or spiritual that, holding to that perfect faith in the Lamb becomes more and more difficult to maintain.  

OK, it's testimony time...I know from my own behavior what it means to hear the bad news and go through tribulations.  My health problem has turned out to be a disease called gastroparesis or stomach and intestines paralysis.  While waiting for the final diagnosis I have been told by a gasteroenterologist in 2011 that I had moderate to severe cirrhosis of the liver.  He made a false diagnosis, which I only confirmed this past week.  Thus I had a "Crisis of Faith."  This was where my first failure to God occurred, by not trusting in Him regardless of the circumstances.  Instead, I was a shaken man.   I can admit now that even though I never blamed or cursed God for giving me this life-ending illness.  I was a shattered man and the daily nausea and vomiting was not helping any.  It was just this past week that I was given both a piece of wonderful and terrible news.  My current doctor has confirmed that the liver is not scarred, thus no cirrhosis.  I am going to live!  But I was also told that my gastroparesis condition has no cure, no treatment and there is zero chance of any new protocols for new drugs at this time.  The one drug that worked turned out to be a dangerous starter of permanent Parkinson-like tremors that are for life.  My wife and I decided to terminate the drug and I have gone back to the 24-hour nausea and vomiting.  When the doctor confirmed the diagnosis I deduced that he was kind in telling me that I shall have "the stomach flu" everyday for the rest of my life.  Again I did not question my "Crisis" and the reasons God has placed this "thorn in my flesh"  I know it is a test of faith.  A test of patience.  

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

James 1:2-4 (KJV)

 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 5:1-5 (KJV)



 As a conservative translator of Scripture (Biblical literalist), I believe that there is a purpose for my bad news and tribulations.  Paul himself had a throrn in the flesh.

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

2 Cor 12:7-10 (KJV)

What it comes down to that I have two choices, God or man.  Should I continue to trust man or put all your faith in God?  For me it is a no-brainer, how is it for you?

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Time to Find Shalom (peace)

As I mentioned in previous blog posts, my health in 2012 has been far from good.  Being ill for the past nine months has left me confused, hurt and spiritually in need of the Holy Spirit.  I have spent many a night on the bathroom floor for 12 hours or more.  It was during these overnights when the bathroom floor became my mattress that I came to a wonderful and powerful truth.  I have come to realize that our emotions and feelings have no bearing on our salvation or change the love of God.

It does matter how angry we are.

It does not matter how depressed we are.

It does not matter what we do, for God's love is constant,never ebbing.

Thus I have come to the belief that it is God who holds a perfect love for all of His creations.

Thank you Yeshua for that love.

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