Bible Studies

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Holy Spirit Study
LESSON V: The Greater Gifts
(All scriptures are from the ASV unless otherwise noted.)

1 Corinthians 12:28-31 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, divers kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But desire earnestly the greater gifts. And moreover a most excellent way show I unto you.

From the previous studies we have learnt that our personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ begins at the time of our confession of Christ. (Romans 10:8-10) We also know that baptism by water is more than simply a public acknowledgment of our confession. Even Jesus himself was baptized. After which it is recorded that something like a dove descended upon him. As Christians, we recognize this as the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 3:13-17) In fact, we are taught by Jesus that baptism is an important, if not absolute necessity to the salvation process. (Matthew 28:19 and John 3:5-6) Through our salvation in Jesus we have access to the spiritual gifts that God provides for us to live successful, victorious Christian lives. Our access to these gifts is provided through the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

We have also learnt that the gifts are numerous. There are two types of gifts for which this study is concerned. Those are spiritual gifts and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The three major spiritual gifts are faith, hope and love. The greatest of these is love, also known as charity. Through faith, hope and love, our gifts are increased and manifold bringing us into the perfection of Christ. They build in us righteousness of God, and increase our wisdom and knowledge, thereby increasing our ability to witness and testify effectively for Christ to the glory of God. In our last study we considered spiritual warfare as the gifts God provides to enable us to overcome our spiritual enemy, satan. The Full Armor of God is a group of gifts that when used daily, assist us in overcoming many obstacles and stumbling blocks to our faith. Each one of these pieces of armor, and indeed every spiritual gift God offers can be gained through our study of God's word. As God's word increases in us, as we begin to live and breathe his word as a natural course of our daily lives, our spiritual gifts increase. As our spiritual gifts increase, we become more able to serve God in various ministries. God provides specific gifts of the Holy Spirit in order to equip us in these ministries, and he also provides these gifts in certain instances for the performance of miracles, and to edify (instruct and encourage) the Body of Christ, His Church. It's important to note that while we may desire the gifts from God, it is ultimately he who gives them. His choice and his timing.

I believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit may be given for a single occasion, for a period of time, or for a lifetime. I also believe that these gifts are available to us only when it is God's will for us to use them. Because of this, we must be in tune with the guidance from the Holy Spirit to be aware of when God is asking us to use them. In other words, I may have the gift of healing through prayer by laying hands on someone, but I am not called to lay hands on everyone who is sick for their healing. God lets me know what actions are called for in different situations.

I. GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

At the very beginning of his ministry, Jesus made one gift of the Holy Spirit available to some of his disciples and Apostles. The authority to cast out demons in his name. (Luke 10:19) This gift is now available to all Christians from the moment they are saved. It is a gift that is especially important to new Christians, since the enemy will immediately assault a new convert to try and steal their soul back away from God.

The simple act of speaking the name of Jesus invokes incredible power against the enemy, and the ability to accomplish great things for God. But Jesus tells us that we must have faith in his ability, in his name to do all things. God's word also tells us that it doesn't take great faith to do great things, just a little faith is all that is needed.

Faith, hope and love is something Jesus taught a great deal about during his three years of ministry. Faith in Him as the Son and pathway to the Father, hope in salvation through belief in him, and love as the bedrock of all the teachings in the Bible. That is why love is considered the greatest gift. Without it, we may know all mysteries, we may have all wisdom and understanding but our faith will be dead, our lives will bear no fruit for God, and those without the love that Christ taught will never make it through the gates of heaven.

READ THE SCRIPTURES BELOW THEN ANSWER THE EXERCISE QUESTIONS

Luke 10:17-21 And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject unto us in thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan fallen as lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy:and nothing shall in any wise hurt you. Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes:yea, Father; for so it was well–pleasing in thy sight.

John 14:12-14 Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, that will I do.

#Matthew 17:14-21 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a man, kneeling to him, saying, Lord, have mercy on my son:for he is epileptic, and suffereth grievously; for oft–times he falleth into the fire, and off–times into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. And Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked him; and the demon went out of him:and the boy was cured from that hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast it out? And he saith unto them, Because of your little faith:for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. But this kind goeth not out save by prayer and fasting.

Matthew 22:34-40 But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, gathered themselves together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, trying him: Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second like unto it is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments the whole law hangeth, and the prophets.

John 15:12,13 My commandment is this: love one another, just as I love you. The greatest love you can have for your friends is to give your life for them.

EXERCISE

1) Have you ever used Jesus name to overcome the enemy? Why do you think this is important to your spiritual health?
2) Why is it important to use the name of Jesus in prayer and when witnessing to others?
3) How does all "the law and the prophets" hang on (depend on) love for our neighbors? Who is your neighbor? How are you to love them?

II. USING THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

John 20:19-22 - When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had said this, he showed unto them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace be unto you:as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit:

The key to this scripture for me is that even after all the time they had spent with Jesus, after all the miracles they had witnessed, and after having received so much personal teaching from Jesus himself, these men were hiding in fear! Without their Jesus who had been crucified, they completely lost faith and hope. They seemed to have forgotten all that Jesus had taught them. Peter denied ever having known Jesus. Not once but three times. Judas hanged himself, and Thomas refused to believe what the other 10 had testified to until the resurrected Christ made himself known to him personally. Wow!

But Jesus was faithful and he anointed 10 of them with the Holy Spirit. He had promised he would do so, and by doing so he empowered the Apostles to carry on his ministry.

Those early days in the Church were exciting times! Right off the bat amazing things began to happen through the power of the Holy Spirit. At first, only the Apostles seemed blessed with the gifts, but as the Gospel of Jesus Christ was taught and received, God's wisdom and knowledge was granted to many Christians. God empowered his people, and the course of history was set. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Church was established for all time.

Acts 2:38,39 - And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him.

READ MY COMMENTS AND SCRIPTURES BELOW
THEN ANSWER THE EXERCISE QUESTIONS

Word of Wisdom - Wisdom is a gift specifically given to pastors for the purpose of leading their churches in the right direction and for protecting the members from influences outside/inside the church that would be harmful to them, their faith, and the goals of the church. Wisdom is also a gift God may give each individual Christian to help avoid the snares of the enemy, or to make certain decisions. It is a supernatural wisdom, given through the Holy Spirit for specific instances. It differs from the way we might consider the wisdom we gain through long term experience in our life, on our jobs, or in regard to a specific talent we posses.

Proverbs 2:6-10 - For Jehovah giveth wisdom; Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding: He layeth up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to them that walk in integrity; That he may guard the paths of justice, And preserve the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness and justice, And equity, yea, every good path. For wisdom shall enter into thy heart, And knowledge shall be pleasant unto thy soul;

Word of Knowledge - While wisdom might be described as the "what to do" knowledge might be described as "when to do it" In what situations, and when are we to use the miraculous wisdom God gives us? A leader in the Church may be inspired by the Holy Spirit to tell the pastor of a new idea he has for ministry, the pastor then may seek the wisdom needed to implement the program effectively.

Proverbs 3:19,20 Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths were broken up, And the skies drop down the dew.

Faith - We know that spiritual faith is increased by hearing the word of God, and in the scripture below Paul speaks of striving for that faith. Faith which is a spiritual gift. But then he expands the definition by telling his audience exactly what he means. A faith granted from God on behalf of Christ. There may come times in our lives when we are called to have more faith than what we are capable of as humans. God says he will never tempt us beyond what we can bear, and I believe that may also be stated, he will never put us in a situation we can't bear. Thus, the gift of supernatural faith. Faith that will enable us to give our lives for Christ if called to do so. Faith that will cause us to give extraordinary amounts of time or money to a specific cause. Faith that will allow us to perform miracles for God when he asks us to.

Philippians 1:27-29 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ:that, whether I come and see you and be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel; and in nothing affrighted by the adversaries:which is for them an evident token of perdition, but of your salvation, and that from God; because to you it hath been granted in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer in his behalf: having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Healings - We are all familiar with healers who seem to have this gift and who's ministries are built around it. It makes for a great TV show, and often thousands will throng to healing services in the hopes of being touched by a healer. The healing process usually consists of identifying the physical ailment, a powerful prayer, the laying on of hands, the falling out of the person receiving the healing and the resulting celebration dance of the person who has been healed. Many of these so called healers have been proven false, and many others seem to truly be working in the supernatural gift of healing. But I submit to you that God's gifts are not to be used for show or for financial profit. I've been witness to, and have been the recipient of supernatural healing. I have also been used by God to bring healing to others. I assure you, it is a simple process, done in Jesus name and without great fanfare and emotion. In the scripture below, Peter performs his first recorded act of the physical healing of another. In other instances of healing, some people were healed just by being in the shadow of a passing Apostle, and some were healed by touching the cloth blessed by an Apostle. Some claim that it takes great faith to believe in supernatural healing in order to receive it. That may well be true, but I also believe that my faith alone will heal another even if that one doesn't have the faith. The bottom line is this. Has God called me to pray for healing for a person. He gives the gift, and he calls. That is all that is needed. If you intend to work in the gift of healing then you must also be prepared to know when the gift is available and when it is not. It's a hard thing to deny someone your prayer for supernatural healing. But if the Spirit has not led you, then it would be a grave injustice to mislead that person, and potentially dangerous to their faith. With all that said, "Christian, pray for yourself." Scripture that by the stripes Jesus suffered during his persecution, we are healed. Through his suffering, we are made whole. This word empowers each Christian to pray for themselves and others for supernatural healing. At the same time, we must be ready to accept God's will, and seek to find the healing however he provides it.

Acts 3:6,7 But Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, that give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. And he took him by the right hand, and raised him up:and immediately his feet and his ankle–bones received strength.

Miracles - What is a for real supernatural miracle? It is an act of God: an event that appears to be contrary to the laws of nature and is regarded as an act of God. It is said that all the books in the world would not be able to contain the recording of all the miracles that Jesus performed after his resurrection. Do those kind of miracles happen today? Who does grant this gift to? How do you know if you've got this gift? I believe that these kind of miracles do happen today, many times without our notice, and often performed through the unwitting. Without our notice because people refuse to accept them as miracles from God, and unwitting because the gift to perform them is often so powerful that the ones using it are in a extremely heightened spiritual state when doing so. They do not ask for the gift, they are simply chosen at just the right time to use it. The fact is, all the gifts of the Holy Spirit are used to perform miracles. But as I stated, I do also believe that other miracles occur which are not the direct result of the intentional use of the supernatural gifts. We already know that Jesus said all it takes is a little faith to say to a mountain "go throw yourself in the sea" and it will be done. When considering the gift of miracles, what mountains face us and where can we send them? How will moving the mountain glorify God? We know that God says he will not perform miracles for those who seek them in order to believe. Because of this scripture, many faiths teach that God doesn't perform miracles through us anymore, and other faiths require substantial proof and certification before they will accept an act as a miracle. However, in the scripture below, Jesus makes it pretty clear to me what my faith in him can accomplish.

John 14:12,13 Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, that will I do.

Prophecy - A prophet is one who speaks the word of God. A modern day prophet, is often found in the form of a Sunday school teacher who, being moved by the Holy Spirit will share a specific lesson with the class on that day. Or a prophet may be one who, being moved by the Holy Spirit will address the Church about a divine interpretation of scripture which applies that that body specifically. Perhaps that word is in regard to the future ministry of the Church, or the outcome of an upcoming event. In the Old Testament, God spoke directly to the prophets in different ways. They were then instructed to take the word of God to a certain King, or to certain Jewish towns, or the entire Israel nation. A prophet has the unique ability and gift to discern God's existing word, the Bible, and then relate it to a specific person or situation. Christian counselors may be prophets in the sense that the Holy Spirit will often give them just the right words to use when counseling a client. Jesus told the disciples to not worry about what they would say when they were brought before the authorities. They were assured that the words would be given to them through the Holy Spirit. When the Apostle Peter gave his sermon on the day of Pentecost, he was filled with the gift of prophecy as well as wisdom. Prophets are not predictors of something that God has not already made known, they interpret the word, and they serve as the mouthpiece of that word when it is applicable to certain people or situations.

2nd Peter 1:16-21 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there was borne such a voice to him by the Majestic Glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: and this voice we ourselves heard borne out of heaven, when we were with him in the holy mount. And we have the word of prophecy made more sure; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day–star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.

Discerning of Spirits - How do you know I'm really a Christian, or anyone else for that matter? We are told that one day "the" anti-christ will come in the name of Jesus performing miracles and that he will lead many astray. We are also told that there are many already with the "spirit" of the antichrist that are leading many astray by false teachings? How can we discern the spirits? Well, it's fairly simple actually, and is something any Christian is capable of without a supernatural gift in order to do so. The word says, "by their fruits you will know them." In other words, if someone claims to be a Christian, does what they do reflect what they say? If someone claims to have a specific gift, is there any proof of that gift in their life or from others? The discerning of spirits as a supernatural gift; however, is specific to identifying what tactic the enemy is using, or what type of spirit is possessing a person. In the scripture below, Jesus identifies the spirit in the demon possessed man. Notice that Jesus was commanding the spirits to come out of the man, but that he was not successful in sending them out from him until after he had identified "who" the spirits were. 1 John 4:1-4 instructs us on how to recognize a spirit of the anti-christ (false teacher), and Jesus gives another example of a spirit that requires much prayer and fasting in order to cast out. (Matthew 17:14-21)

Luke 8:26-31 And they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is over against Galilee. And when he was come forth upon the land, there met him a certain man out of the city, who had demons; and for a long time he had worn no clothes, and abode not in any house, but in the tombs. And when he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God? I beseech thee, torment me not. For he was commanding the unclean spirit to come out from the man. For oftentimes it had seized him:and he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters; and breaking the bands asunder, he was driven of the demon into the deserts. And Jesus asked him, What is thy name? And he said, Legion; for many demons were entered into him. And they entreated him that he would not command them to depart into the abyss.


Divers Kinds of Tongues - In the scripture below, the first recorded instance of the gift of speaking in tongues is recorded. Shortly afterwards, a miracle of tongues covered a multitude of people from different countries in a different way and for a different purpose. In the first instance, the disciples and Apostles were gathered together. Jesus had finally been taken up from them after his resurrection, and they had chosen another Apostle to replace Judas Iscariot. Although Jesus had already "breathed on them" and imparted the Holy Spirit to them, they were awaiting the activation of the spirit which Jesus said would soon be evidenced in a profound way. Although it is not recorded here, I can imagine them sitting around worshiping, praying and praising God for all he had done as the Spirit of tongues came upon them. Since Paul speaks of not having tongues without interpretation, I also believe that as one spoke in tongues, another interpreted, and God's word for things to come was made known to the group. In the second instance, a form of the gift of tongues was imparted. It was not the spiritual gift Christians receive, but rather a temporary miracle given by God to the people to enable them to communicate with one another. The Day of Pentecost was an important day for the faith to be established in a big way. Many people from other countries had arrived in the city. They would soon hear a powerful sermon delivered by the Apostle Simon Peter. Scripture records that as a result, about 3000 people were received salvation that day. We know that they were all baptized since Peter instructed them, "Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." We know from the continued scripture that many more were added to that number daily. Wow! It must of been exciting times.

Acts 2:1-4 And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Interpretation of Tongues - In the book of 1st Corinthians, chapters 12, 13 and 14 the Apostle Paul covers the gifts in depth. He speaks a great deal about the gift of tongues and interpretation. He instructs that if we seek to use this gift in Church, fine, but there needs to be interpretation also. In other words, if I speak in tongues, I or someone else should then interpret what was just said for the benefit of the entire body. Otherwise, he points out, the practice does nothing except to edify ourselves and is done for show rather than for glorifying God. My church does not practice the speaking of tongues in our services, but many of us pray in tongues in private. When I pray in tongues, I am expressing something I can't state with my human vocabulary, and interpretation is not needed. But the bottom line for using any and all the gifts can be found in our last scripture reference.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord. And there are diversities of workings, but the same God, who worketh all things in all. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit withal. "

EXERCISE

1) Why do you think the Apostles lost their faith so quickly after Jesus was crucified?
Have you ever experienced a total loss of faith? How was it restored?
2) Name three supernatural gifts you have been blessed with. Name three examples of God's miracles you have been witness to. Do you believe in supernatural miracles?
3) How did the gift of the Holy Spirit empower the Apostles? Early Christians?
4) What gifts do you desire to be blessed with? How would you use them to serve God?
5) Name two reasons God gives Christians supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit

III. CONCLUSION

Brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus died and rose again so that we might be saved, that we might have life and have it abundantly, and that we might have supernatural power to live a victorious Christian life. Most of all, Jesus wants us to expect to become like him. To speak as he spoke, to live as he lived, to have the kind of faith in the Father that he had, and to have the power to overcome all the obstacles we face in life.

A large portion of that power and strength comes from our association and fellowship with the body of Christ, or the Church. If you don't have a Church home, I encourage you to find one. The gifts that God gives one person, is meant to strengthen and edify all the others. Together, we form an unbreakable bond between ourselves and God. A bond that makes our Christian walk so much easier. The goal of any Church should be to prepare disciples to "Go". To go and witness to what they know, to share what they've learned with others, and to bring the lost into the Church so that our numbers will be increased, God will be glorified, and more will be saved.

Next week I will post the final lesson in this series, Anointing of the Holy Spirit. I hope that as you have been following these studies, you will have already received that anointing. If not, I pray you will.

If you need prayer for the anointing of the Holy Spirit, you may contact me through the FW messenger and I will certainly pray for you. Or you may visit my website and submit a prayer request there. You may even call 24/7 for any type of prayer. Call the World Wide Christian Prayer Ministry at 918-850-3657.

In Christ's great love - Ron Brady

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