A Holy Phenomenon • 1 Corinthians 12:1-6

Review & Overview

1. Previous Study’s Review

Back in Chp.7:1: Paul said, now concerning the things of which you wrote to me…     so the church had several questions for Paul…    

Chp.7: Paul dealt with questions regarding romantic relationships: Marriage, divorce, remarriage & being single…     

Chp.8-10: Our Christian Liberty & Freedoms

Chp.11: Worship Services, dealing with the divine order for men & women…     &     Communion Services…

We looked at & learned about several things regarding Communion Services or the Lord’s Supper & the love feast.

We saw the importance of having a Right Heart in receiving the elements…   &   Remembering it’s all about Jesus as it pertains to the elements…

2. Current Study’s Overview

Now in chp.12, 13 & 14 Paul deals with the 5th question from the Corinthians regarding the Spiritual Realm & The Manifestations of the Holy Spirit…   Read..

There are good scholars with different views as it pertains to the topic of Spiritual Gifts… 

If you’re taking notes we want to look at 2 things regarding The Manifestations of the Holy Spirit…

Involves Not Being Ignorant Vs. 1-3

Involves Knowing The Source Vs. 4-6

1. The Manifestations of the Holy Spirit Involves Not Being Ignorant Vs. 1-3

1.1 We Are Not To Be Ignorant Concerning The Spiritual Realm Vs. 1

Ignorant: agno-eo, 22,      agnostic…         not to know…      not to understand…

turn 1 Cor.2:12-15. because we need the Work Holy Spirit to enable us to understand to know…  Read.    

1 Corinthians 2:12–15 NKJV

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.

John 14:26 NKJV

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Back to 1 Cor.12: And notice what Paul does not want us to be ignorant about,    vs.1a.

Spiritual:  pneumatikos, 26,  from pneuma:  wind, breath, Spirit…    

so pneumatikos is one who is filled with the Spirit or controlled by the Spirit we might say…         as it pertains to Spiritual things…

Notice the word gifts is in italics which means it’s not in the original text… Turn to... 

1 Corinthians 14:1 NKJV

1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

1 Corinthians 14:12 NKJV

12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.

Now there are to 2 major views regarding this:

Some scholars say that chps.12, 13 & 14 deal with only the Operations of the gifts… or  the Manifestations of the gifts… and so these are not the actual gifts themselves…  

We do have the gifts here & in addition we also have the manifestations of the gifts…    I understand both views…  

1.2 We Are Not To Be Ignorant Concerning the Evil in the Spiritual Realm Vs. 2

Before the Work of the Holy Spirit they were simply Gentiles: ethnos,  heathens,   nations,   pagans… being directed…     or  carried away or led by dumb or silent idols…     

The Corinthians were idolaters and unknowingly they were enslaved by evil spirits & were led by these demonic influences.

And because of that they witnessed supernatural manifestations of the spirit world and they heard demonic utterances.

At times, they sometimes would surrender their control to the influence of these evil spirits, and they would say and do things beyond their own conscious self.

And because of all these weird religious practices in Corinth the Christians became Confused between the Work of the Holy Spirit…            &         the Work of dumb idols…

Problem:  They couldn’t tell a Counterfeit…         from       the Real Thing…

APPLICATION: Guys! We need to be Directed or Led by the Holy Spirit in this same area…

turn 2 Cor.11:13-15.  Because not all signs, wonders & prosperity come from the Lord…

2 Corinthians 11:13–15 NKJV

13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

turn  2 Thes.2:9-10   There are many cults, that are prospering & performing signs…

2 Thessalonians 2:9–10 NKJV

9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Romans 8:14 NKJV

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Galatians 5:18 NKJV

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

1.3 We Are Not To Be Ignorant Concerning the Testing of the Spiritual Vs. 3

Now that they are saved, the believers must know how to judge all spirit-manifestations, that is, how to discern between the voice of evil spirits and the authentic voice of the Holy Spirit.

John 10:25–26 NKJV

25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.

John 10:27 NKJV

27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

The test is the testimony that is given concerning the Jesus Christ. If a man says, “Jesus is accursed,” you can be sure that he is demon-inspired, because evil spirits characteristically blaspheme and curse the name of Jesus.

The Spirit of God would never lead anyone to speak of Jesus in this way;

A person who is being led by the Holy Spirit exalts the Lord Jesus. He leads people to say that Jesus is Lord, not just with their lips, but with their hearts and lives.

1 John 4:1 NKJV

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 John 4:2 NKJV

2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,

1 John 4:3 NKJV

3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

2. The Manifestations of the Holy Spirit Involves Knowing the Source Vs. 4-6

2.1 The Source for the Gifts Vs. 4

Gifts:     charisma…   17 times…             

There are 4 different Gk words for our one word Gift: 

1. Dorea: the H.S. Himself being the gift…          

2. Doma: office or person using the gift…            

3. Merismos: gifts to confirm the Word.            

4. Charisma: free gift or charismatic gifts…

There are a few question we want to look at regarding these Gifts:  6…

1. What are the Gifts?:  turn Rom.12:6-8… because charismatic gifts are Supernatural…   not    Natural…

A lot of people are naturally gifted,  in the arts…   sports…  intellect…  

but  Paul lists 7 main or motivational gifts that are supernatural…   not   natural… these are the charismatic gifts…

Romans 12:6–8 NKJV

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Lord willing we’ll talk more about this next week in vs.7-11

2. Why do we Need the Gifts?:  vs.7b it’s for the profit of all…   to   build up or edify the body of Christ…

So when we’re using the Ministries of the Lord vs.5, we will be operating in the Spirit not the Flesh…

3. Does Everyone have a Gift?: According to Vs. 7 each one has a gift...

1 Peter 4:10 NKJV

10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Ephesians 1:3 NKJV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

2 Peter 1:3 NKJV

3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

4. Are the Gifts for Today?:  The answer is yes, turn 1 Cor.14:5, 39-40…  

1 Corinthians 14:5 NKJV

5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

1 Corinthians 14:39–40 NKJV

39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

Acts 2:38–39 NKJV

38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

Speaking of those who will get saved.

5. What is My Gift?: How do I know what my gift is? And the answer is, you’ll know & so will everyone else…

Your gift will simply & naturally flow from you… it won’t be work, effort, sweat… 

it will be something you want to do & there will be fruit…    &    others will recognize that it’s your gift…

And they will recognize when it’s not your gift… they’ll say bro please stop, try something else you’re making it hard for yourself & you’re making it hard for the rest of us…

6. How Many Gifts are There?: Well you’ll have to wait for next week because there are two different views on that and we will go into detail in what they are.

2.2 The Source for the Ministries Vs. 5

Ministries:   diakonia,     administrations,     office… 

turn Eph.4:7-12. there are differences of ministries…  seems there are 5 different ministries or offices…  Read...  

Ephesians 4:7–12 NKJV

7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” 9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

Vs.8 Gifts,    doma,   5 offices.…

Apostles:   apostolos,   one who is sent out, messenger…    we’re all sent out ones…

Prophets:  prophetes,    not fore-telling…   but    forth-telling the existing Word of God…

Evangelists: preacher or proclaimer of the Gospel…    we’re all called to do this…

Pastors:  poimen,  Shepherd,   one who has a heart for others…    mom’s, dad’s this is us…

Teacher:  instructor, teacher,    one who imparts truth to others…

And the idea is that we all have at least one of these offices and we will be using one or more of the 7 gifts from Rom.12:6-8 in these offices or ministries…

That’s not to say there aren’t other gifts…    Lord willing we’ll talk more about that next week…

Let’s go back to 1 Corinthians 12

2.3 The Source for the Activities Vs. 6

There Are Diversities of Activities Vs. 6a - energema, 2,    energy…       power…     effectiveness…

The Power or Effectiveness of our ministries & the exercising of our gifts comes by & from God…

It’s not based on our abilities or our power or strength…    it’s a work of the Spirit not the Flesh… 

Zechariah 4:6 NKJV

6 So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.

And the ministry we’re involved in is not better or more important then another…

The Same God Who Works In All Vs.6b - What ever gift we have…    whatever office we hold…   is equally important as the rest… 

Lord willing in 2 weeks we’ll talk about that in vs.12-31… 

Whatever gift we have…  &  whatever office we hold…   we need to step out in faith & use it…

1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received…   

2 Timothy 1:6 NKJV

6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

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