Now Concerning Spiritual Gifts, Pr. 2

From the moment we began our study in 1 Corinthians we noted that this church was marked by division. Now that we reach the twelfth chapter we see the sin of division continues. but we begin to see a new theme develop.

Here their division is over the usage of Spiritual gifts, which ones are to be more desired to others. The theme, however, that Paul pushes is unity instead of division. The analogy he begins in this passage, that of the human body, will continue through the next two chapters.

Church, we are not to be divided, we are to be united. We are not to point the finger at one another, but to lift one another up, to encourage and work together. This cannot be done if there is division in the church.

Last week we discussed the issue of speaking in tongues, I won’t sugar coat it, they struggled with this gift. They longed for it, they sought it, they applauded it, to the point that they looked down on the other gifts. Paul had to correct their misunderstanding of the usages of the gifts of the Spirit. Notice first Paul addresses...

The Danger v. 1-3

1 Corinthians 12:1–3 KJV 1900

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 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.

The reference to them being Gentiles is a reference to two facts:

They were not Jews.

The word Gentile is a blanket term in Scripture that refers to “pagan”

You don’t need me to explain to you that the Greek culture was polytheistic, worshiping many gods. Corinth was a cesspool of such worship and all the immorality it promoted. Notice verse two...

Paul says they were “carried away” and “led”.

Carried away = taken off, dragged away as a prisoner would be hauled off to prison

led = be driven toward something

In this case they were carried away by idol worship, this means they had placed their faith in some dead idol, which Paul reminds them was in reality the worship of demons. They had been, in a sense arrested and carried away by demonic influence.

The Issue at Hand

Their new found affection for the gift of tongues had quickly replaced their “dumb idols”.

It was new, it was exciting! It was miraculous, and when used properly it was necessary. However, as we will see as our study unfolds, they were not using this gift properly. Rather they were bragging about it.

Evidently, the usage of this gift had gotten so out of hand, that in a service someone stood up and began speaking in tongues. During the course of their speaking in a foreign language they actually called Jesus accursed. Look at what Paul says in 1 Cor. 12:3

1 Corinthians 12:3 (KJV 1900)

3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed...

Paul says no one speaking by (in) the Holy Spirit, would dare call Jesus accursed! If the Spirit of God will not call Him accursed, I ask you, what spirit was it? Not the holy spirit, but an evil spirit.

My friends, more often than not, in services where tongues is being practiced incidents such as this one are taking place. A pastor friend of mine once shared a story of such a meeting in which during the service someone stood up and began speaking in tongues, in this case the tongue was French. The person speaking had no idea how to speak French. He went on for several minutes until a visiting missionary who happened to speak French stood up and stopped the service. Turns out the man was actually blaspheming the name of God, and had no idea!

Here is the danger in this church: People were so excited by this gift in Paul’s day (and in our’s as well) that they do not take into consideration what is actually being said! They are begging and seeking this gift so fervently they are willing to open themselves up to any spirit at all, as long as they can “speak in tongues”. That is the real danger presented by such a fascination with this gift.

Next to the danger we must understand the...

The Dilemma v. 4-6

The chief dilemma was that there are more than one Spiritual gift. To place the majority of emphasis on just one of these gifts was to overlook the importance of all others.

The word “diversities” means, literally distinction (many purposes) and variety.

Not only are their many gifts, there different “administrations”

Administration = ministry. The purpose of the gifts is to be used in the proper ministry.

Next we see there are a variety of “operations” that is “workings” - that is opportunities to exercise the gifts.

Different gifts, different ministries, different workings but don’t get caught up on what is different and miss what is the same!

Notice these gifts are all related to the SAME:

Spirit (Holy Spirit)

Lord (Jesus Christ)

God (God the Father)

The dilemma in focusing on just one gift is that you ignore the others and you ignore that all the gifts come from God! James 1:17

James 1:17 KJV 1900

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Paul says, don’t shun your Spirit given gift! Instead, embrace it! This brings us to our final point...

The Distribution v. 7-11

God did not and will not ask for your recommendation for which gift you are to receive. They are given in His divine sovereignty. 1 Cor. 12:11

1 Corinthians 12:11 KJV 1900

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Notice:

The Purpose

1 Corinthians 12:7 KJV 1900

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

The gifts are given to profit the entire body of Christ, not just the individual.

The Plethora of Gifts

The word of wisdom

The word of knowledge

Faith

Gifts of healing

Miracles

Prophecy

Discerning of spirits

Tongues

Interpretation of tongues

This is not an exhaustive list of all gifts (more will be mentioned later in this chapter). What we have here is a comprehensive list of the “Interim gifts of the Spirit”. Next week when we return to this passage, we will dive into this list and discuss each one individually.

Take away: We need to learn from the mistakes of our past or we are doomed to repeat them. The purpose of this study is not to bash charismatic/Pentecostals, it is to take an honest look at what the Bible teaches on this subject and then draw our conclusions from there.

One of the chief problems of the modern day tongues movement is the same problem wiht the Corinthian church: they based their beliefs on their experiences. What is wrong with that? Plenty. Our belief is to be based on faith, and faith is to be backed up by knowledge. Our knowledge comes from what the Word teaches, and what the Word teaches is final.

Any experience that contradicts what the Bible clearly teaches is not to be trusted.