By Quentin Horn
FOREWORD
By Edward Byrd
Nothing gets attention like the unusual, the
paranormal, the spectacular. Most such things are
considered supernatural and even lost sinners are curious
about that which they do not understand or cannot
explain.
In the areas of religion, therefore, it is to be
expected that men who do not know the Bible very well, and
some who know it quite well, should be drawn by the marvel
of miracles, of healings and sensational demonstrations.
After all, if God is God cannot He do such wonders? There
is no question about it. He has in the past and He will do
such things in the end of the age (Rev. 11:3,6), so why
not today?
All of the logic is on the side of the
spectacular. And men are naturally inclined to think this
is to be on God's side. They are not aware that Satan is
powerful, that He has wrought mighty wonders in the past,
that he also will do the same in the future (Rev. 13:2,
12-15), and that if it serves his purposes he most likely
will do such things now. It matters not to him if there
seemingly comes good from it now and some men reap
temporary physical benefits, for his purpose is to deceive
and he will appear as a minister of righteousness in order
to deceive (2 Cor. 11:13-15). The problem for men
unacquainted with his tactics as revealed in the Bible is
to recognize the subtle deceitfulness of his "good" and
"powerful" works.
This same lack of understanding on the part of
most men means that they do not know that there were many
other gifts besides miracles and tongues. All of them
serve a purpose and fit into a pattern designed by God for
His people. His people Israel, for example, was prepared
to look for signs which might confirm the promises of His
prophets. (1 Cor. 1:22; Heb. 2:3-4). The world, on the
other hand, only seeks "wisdom" (philosophy) (1 Cor. 1:22;
Col. 2:8), or "some new thing" (Acts 17:21). So, to Israel
or the Jewish people miracles of healings, stilling of a
storm, feeding a multitude with a lunch, turning of water
into wine, and of raising the dead bore witness to the
power, presence, and promises of God. Thus such signs
usually accompanied each major change in God's dealings
with His people. At the call of a man, as Abraham when the
covenant was made, there were special signs. The Flood was
more than a judgment against sin; it was a sign to the
world. The Exodus from Egypt was marked by marvelous
events to convince both the Hebrews and the Egyptians that
God's people must go out of that land. When, as at that
time, great consequences hung upon the success of the
venture, Satan stepped in with his miracles to confuse the
issue (Ex. 7:11-12). Paul said that men were still doing
the same in his day (2 Tim. 3:8). It should be noted that
sincere men may ignorantly become the instruments of
Satan, not just in the matter of signs but in careless
words or deeds sincerely spoken or done, but not according
to God's Word.
Brother Horn is a most diligent Bible student,
but he is far from being a stuffy intellectual. He
believes in God's miracle working power. He believes that
God hears prayers from His people and often heals those
who are ill or in distress. He recognizes that the healing
of spiritual ills is a greater need than cures for the
body. The loosing of men from a bondage to sin, from
imprisonment by wrong ideas or ignorance, the raising up
of those spiritually dead or crippled, and the changing of
lives, of homes, and even of society, require as much
power and grace and love as ever the curing of a fever,
the opening of a blind eye or unstopping of a deaf ear, or
the raising of a corpse to life again could require. His
concern is that men are concerned with the lesser ills of
the body more than the greater ills of the soul. He is
concerned that Bible teachers tend to discount, or even
deny, God's provisions for men's spiritual needs while
trying to explain away the wrong emphasis on the lesser
gifts, such as healings, miracles, and tongues.
As signs designed to establish the authority of
Christ and then of His apostles these gifts served a
necessary purpose. Admittedly, however, their ministry is
to a short-term need. (Man's stay on this earth in the
body is, at best, a short stay.) This is not to say that
the body or its health are unimportant to us. But all must
admit that love, mercy, and faith generated in human
hearts is a far more vital need and requires the same sort
of power. But these are not as spectacular, particularly
to the man of the world. A miracle of physical healing
serves a human need, but only for the duration of the rest
of his physical life. Tongues served for a sign in areas
where the language spoken was understood, but if spoken
among those who did not know that language it only edified
the speaker (1 Cor. 14:4) and so should not be used at all
unless an interpreter were present to translate and then
only one speaker at a time and no more than two or three
in one service (1 Cor. 14:27-28).
Is it not a little strange, then, that tongues
and healings have become the major attraction among those
who claim the gifts today? A major television personality
has suggested that tongues is a special praise language in
which the speaker honors God though not aware of what he
is saying. One wonders how he or his wife or daughters
know whether they are honoring God or the devil when they
do this. Paul, on the other hand, declared he would pray
"with the spirit, and . . .with the understanding also" (1
Cor. 14:15).
A few claim the gift of prophecy today and a few
claim the gift of knowledge (inspiration). Often, however,
their prophecies fail and their knowledge is contrary to
that which is written in the Bible. This makes them highly
suspect.
The question which demands an answer today is
whether any or all of the gifts continue among God's
people today. Bro. Horn deals with this question in this
booklet. He will show the discerning reader that all of
the gifts were designed to produce mature spiritual sons
which Christ might bring to glory (Heb. 2:10). It should
be noted at the same time that the "Captain" of these
"sons" was made perfect through sufferings (not perfect
health) and that it is necessary that those "sons" enter
the kingdom through much sufferings (Acts 14:22). It is
surely Satan who would cause God's people to suffer, but
we may rest assured that God allows these things to happen
to us -- maybe even challenges Satan to visit them upon us
as He did Job -- in order to mature us as sons, teach us
obedience, produce holiness in us, and make us
perfect.
Then Bro. Horn shows that a number of gifts still
are given today to God's people for that same purpose of
maturing us and bringing us to that measure of the stature
of the fulness of Christ (Eph. 4:13-14), so that the body,
the church, may be edified.
One thought which Bro. Horn brings forth is of
special significance. It is an explanation of that "more
excellent way" (1 Cor. 12:31) which we should learn and
utilize to: become well-pleasing in His sight. It is a way
more excellent than the simple exercising of the gifts.
What could be more excellent than the gifts of apostles,
prophets, teachers, workers of miracles, healings,
tongues, interpreting?
It must be something which God has designed for
the maturing of sons in this age. One Bible scholar has
called healings, miracles, and tongues "kindergarten
gifts" for the weak or immature believer just starting
out. But God has a "more excellent way" designed to
"perfect the saints" in all sorts of situations and to a
degree which these "kindergarten gifts" could not possibly
produce.
A final admonition for readers of this booklet:
Please do not reject the conclusions which Bro. Horn has
documented here before you have carefully weighed them. Be
sure you understand him first. He confesses that there are
some questions for which he has very insufficient answers.
But to the major problem he has surely brought us a
challenging solution.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS
By Quentin Horn
AN INTRODUCTION
For many years we have been taught that there are
only three spiritual gifts remaining: faith, hope, and
love, 1 Cor. 13:13. In studying this passage of scripture
one thing kept coming to my mind: where does the Bible
ever say that hope and love are spiritual gifts? It seems
to me that the whole concept of hope and love being
spiritual gifts as in 1 Cor. 13:13 is strictly an
implication.
We know that the scriptures call love, Gal. 5:22,
a fruit of the Spirit. We can take the word hope all the
way from Acts 2:26, where it is first used, through 1 Jn.
3:3, its last usage, and we will not find one time where
it is called a spiritual gift or even a fruit of the
Spirit. Why have men wanted 1 Cor. 13:13 to teach what
they have said? Could it be that we are so afraid of the
Pentecostals charismatic movement teachings that for
debating purposes and/or to prove that spiritual gifts are
not in effect today that we have missed the real import of
spiritual gifts? Could it be that the church has been led
away from the source of her unity, Rom. 12:4-10; 1 Cor.
12:12-27; Eph. 4:3-6, by the "three gifts remaining"
position? Interestingly enough, even if three gifts only
remain, we all still would be charismatic in belief,
though it would be only a "three gift" charisma. The
unfortunate thing is that "charismatic" has come to mean
to most people, speaking in tongues or healing.
What we want to consider in this discourse is
what gifts are in effect today. Is the Holy Spirit working
through three, seven, eighteen gifts? Is it the gifts in
Rom. 12, or 1 Cor. 12, or perhaps Eph. 4 that we can
expect to function through? Or, maybe, God has no
spiritual gifts in effect today.
CHARISMA
Let us look at the word charisma and the things
that are called charisma. Charisma means a free favor,
free gift, benefit, endowment. This definition and any
used in this writing will be from the Analytical Greek
Lexicon. The scriptures where this term is used are: Rom.
1:11; 5:15, 16; 6:23; 11:29; 12:6; 1 Cor. 1:7; 7:7; 12:4,
9, 28, 30, 31; 2 Cor. 1:11; 1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6; 1
Pet. 4:10. In Rom. 12:6, 7 we find listed: prophecy,
ministry, teaching, exhorting, giving, ruling, and mercy
named as gifts. In 1 Cor. 12:8-10 we note: word of wisdom,
work of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy,
discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of
tongues. Then in 1 Cor. 12:28 are listed: apostles,
prophets, teachers, miracles, hea1ings, helps, government,
and tongues.
In Eph. 4:8 another word for gifts is used.
DOMA (PLURAL DOMATA)
It is said that Jesus gave gifts (domata) unto
men. (In Eph. 4:7 another word is used (dorea) which is
nearly always limited to the gift of the Christ or to the
Holy Spirit as a gift). This list of gifts (domata) names:
apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (or
as some suppose, pastor-teachers). The word doma means:
gift or present. This word is found in Mt. 7:11; Lk.
11:13; Eph. 4:8; and Phil. 4:17.
OUR PERSPECTIVE
Among many groups today we find the teaching that
all of the spiritual gifts are done away except for, as
they say, faith, hope, and love, 1 Cor. 13:13. The
argument is that prophecies shall fail, tongues shall
cease, and knowledge shall vanish away, leaving only three
spiritual gifts. This teaching goes on to say that when
that which is perfect is come, the completed Bible, then
that which is in part, prophecies, tongues, and knowledge,
shall no longer be in effect. Then, after the perfect
thing has come, we have only three gifts remaining,
according to those who teach this position.
Let us agree that the perfect thing is the
completed Scriptures. But it seems to me that the
perfection here is not just the Word itself, but what the
Word does to or for us. The scriptures for perfect
(teleios) are: Mt. 5:48 (twice); 19:21; Ro. 12:2; 1 Cor.
2:6; 13:10; 14:20 (translated men); Eph. 4:13; Phil. 3:15;
Col. 1:28; 4:12; Heb. 5:14; 9:11; Jas. 1:4 (twice); 1:17;
1:25; 3:2; 1 Jn. 4:18. The perfection here is not just
finish of the canon of the Scriptures, but also the
working of the Scriptures by the Holy Spirit in bringing
to pass perfection (that is, maturity) in our lives for
the sake of His body, the church, 2 Cor. 13:9-11. This
will not be a completed performance (Eph. 4:11-13) until
the end of this age or until the marriage of the lamb,
Rev. 19:7-8. This explains why we must understand the
meaning of "a more excellent way," 1 Cor. 12:31.
Further, Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 13:9, 10, "For
we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when that
which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall
be done away." Paul did not say that the spiritual gift
would be done away; he said that the knowing in part and
prophesying in part would be done away. What does it mean
that prophesies shall fail, tongues shall cease, and
knowledge shall vanish away? It is my opinion that that
which has failed, ceased, and vanished away
is the act of the Holy Spirit coming upon men with instant
power or ability to prophesy, teach, speak
in tongues, etc.
FITTING IT ALL TOGETHER
What does Paul mean in 1 Cor. 13:13 when he says
"and now abideth faith, hope, and charity (love); these
three, but the greatest of these is charity"? I believe
that the whole concept of the work of the church in this
age is seen in this scripture. Paul is telling us that the
underlying principle at work in the church age is faith,
hope, and love. The theme of Paul's and James' writings is
faith (Romans through James). The theme of Peter's
writings is hope. The theme of John's writings is love.
Then Jude consummates their writings by telling us to
contend for the faith.
Furthermore, we see Paul weaving this thought of
faith, hope, and love throughout his writings: Ro.
5:1,4,5; 1 Cor. 13:13; 2 Cor. 1:7,24; 2:8; Gal. 5:5,6;
Eph. 1:15,18; Phil. 1:17,20,25; Col. 1:3,4,5; 1 Thes. 1:3;
2 Thes. 1:3; 2:15; 1 Ti. 1:1; 2:15; 2 Ti. 1:13 (the word
hope is not used in 2 Timothy); Ti. 1:1,2; 2:2; Philemon 5
(the word hope is not used in Philemon); Heb. 10:22,23
(the word profession is hope), 24. James mentions faith in
his writings in 1:3,6; 2:1,14,15,17,18,20,22,24,26; and
5:15. James never used the words hope or love. Peter uses
faith in 1 Pe. 1:5,7,9,21; and 5:9; hope in 1 Pe. 1:3,21;
and 3:15; and love in 1 Pe. 4:8; 5:14. In 2 Pe. we see
faith in 1:1,5; hope is not used in 2 Peter; and then we
see love in 2 Pe. 1:7.
We find that John uses faith in 1 Jn. 5:4, and
none in 2 or 3 John. John speaks of hope in 1 Jn. 3:3, and
none in 2 or 3 John. John uses love in 1 Jn. 2:5,15;
3:1,16,17; 4:7,8,9,10,12,16,17,18 (twice); and 5:3. In 2
Jn. we note love in verses 3 and 6; and in 3 Jn. in verse
6. Jude has faith in verses 3 and 20; hope in no verses;
and love in 2,12, and 21. Revelation speaks of faith in
2:13,19; 13:10; 14:12; hope is not used; and love is seen
in 2:4,19.
In Ro. 1:5 Paul's writings begin with the thought
of "obedience of faith" (the article "the" is not in the
original Greek) to all nations. James speaks of "the
trying of our faith worketh patience" and "though a man
say he hath faith, and have not works, can the (in the
original) faith save him?" Peter's thinking is that Christ
"hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." John tells us
that "whoso keepeth His work, in him verily is the love of
God perfected; hereby know we that we are in Him." So we
see that the underlying theme of the church age is that of
faith, hope, and love, 1 Cor. 13:13. Completing this theme
is Jude's call to "earnestly contend for the faith once
delivered to the saints."
One of the great thoughts of God in scripture is
unity or oneness. In the Lord's highpriestly prayer of
John 17 He said, "and that the world may know that thou
has sent me and hast loved them as thou hast loved me."
The oneness of relationship is God's intent for our lives.
But how do we achieve this oneness? Jesus said in John
10:16: "And other sheep I have, which are not of this
fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice
and there shall be one fold and one shepherd." Paul tells
us in Eph. 1:10, "that in the dispensation of the fulness
of times He might gather together in one all things in
Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth,
even in Him." Paul spoke of the one body relationship in
Ro. 12:4,5; 1 Cor. 6:16; 10:17; 12:12,13,20; Eph. 2:16;
4:4; and Col. 3:15. This oneness, as far as Gentiles are
concerned, can only be achieved in and through the body,
the local church. A person cannot arrive at this position
as a new born believer only. It was never offered to us in
this manner. New birth or regeneration affords us the
opportunity to become part of what God originally
intended. In other words, the new birth is the beginning
step, but it is not the completed act.
Paul tells us in Eph. 3:3-6 of the great mystery
of God, that "the Gentiles should be fellowheirs and of
the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by
the Gospel." Paul also speaks of this mystery in Col.
1:26-27: "...Which is Christ in you (the church) the hope
of glory." Now this oneness is ours to enjoy today, Eph.
2:6: "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit
together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." But, again,
how is this achieved? Through the Spirit, Eph. 2:19-22.
This is what Paul is telling us in Rom. 12, 1 Cor. 12, and
Eph. 4. I believe the reason we have so much confusion,
division, lack of understanding today, is due to the fact
we have eliminated the very center of unity and power by
the wrong teachings of 1 Cor. 13:13. This center is the
Spirit's working through the gifts to bring about this
God-ordained unity in the churches.
I do not mean to say that a church cannot have
some or any unity or power without a proper teaching of
spiritual gifts. But it seems to me that the further we go
from the correct teaching of the Word on any subject, the
more of man's concepts we will find injected into the
local assemblies; "having a form of godliness, but denying
the power (the unity of the Spirit) thereof, from such
turn away" (2 Ti. 3:5). It is the working of the Spirit in
the body through His gifts that brings unity, oneness, to
the body 1 Cor. 12:3-13.
GIFTS TODAY?
The question that is of great importance, then,
is: what gifts are in effect today? Let us center our
thinking on this matter on 1 Corinthians 12. Let us then
take each gift one at a time and see what the whole of the
New Testament has to say about each gift, 2 Pe. 1:20. I
believe we will find each gift taught on in another
scripture besides 1 Corinthians 12, and if not, we will
see the reason why it is not in effect today. In other
words, we will find from Romans through Jude each gift
dealt with as to how it serves in practice today, or that
it is not a part of our church practice today, this in
passages other than 1 Corinthians 12.
1. First, we will look at "a word of
wisdom," 1 Cor. 12:8. The spiritual gift of wisdom is
not in effect today (few will claim it is) as it was then
in the church, as the New Testament teaches us in James
that "if any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that
GIVETH TO ALL MEN liberally; and upbraideth not; and it
shall be given him." Paul prayed for the church at Colosse
that "ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in
all wisdom and spiritual understanding." This is also true
of the Ephesian (1:17). Wisdom is not a spiritual gift
today for any man is to ask for wisdom directly from
God.
2. Next comes knowledge, 1 Cor. 12:8. We are told
in 2 Ti. 3:15 that we are to "study (be diligent) to show
thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth nor to
be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Peter
tells us to "grow in grace and in the knowledge of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Peter further states that
we should "add to (our) faith virtue, and to our virtue
knowledge." Knowledge is not a spiritual gift today for we
must apply ourselves to the word to obtain knowledge. Paul
also tells us in Col. 1:9,10 and 3:10 that we are to "be
filled with knowledge," "increase in the knowledge of
God," and "be renewed in knowledge."
3. The third gift Paul mentions (1 Cor. 3:9) is
that of faith. The scriptures are very plain as to how we
are to be increased in faith today, Rom. 10:17: "So then
faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God."
We can see that there would be no need to ask for faith as
a believer, and that we should not expect the Spirit to
come upon us with some special gift of faith, for the word
plainly tells us that faith comes from hearing the word.
Faith is also one of the nine fruits of the Spirit (Gal.
5:22).
4. The fourth gift listed (1 Cor. 12:9) is
healing. It is interesting to note that we do not find one
instance of healing in Paul's writings. Rather, Paul left
Trophimus at Miletum sick, 2 Ti. 4:20. Note Paul's
instructions to Timothy: "...Use a little wine for thy
stomach's sake, and thine often infirmities." Paul prayed
concerning his own thorn in the flesh that it might be
removed, but God said, "My grace is sufficient for thee."
The only instance of teaching concerning the raising up of
the sick after 1 Corinthians is found in James 5:14-16.
Here certain requirements are laid down which we do not
find in most or in any of the cases we hear of today. One,
the calling of the elders of the church together, not some
great, healing evangelist. Two, the anointing with oil.
Does this mean the literal use of olive or some other oil,
or is this a type of the Holy Spirit? The primary subject
under consideration in verses 13-18 is the effectiveness
of prayer, not that of healing. The word for healing in
the original Greek in verse 14 is different from the word
in verse 15. The Greek word in verse 15 could mean to tire
with exertion, labor in weariness, or exhaustion, as well
as to labor under disease. James could just as well have
meant here that one who is weary under sin will be raised
up and his sins be forgiven him. (Even if it were physical
sickness, the calling of the elders of the church and the
raising of the question of his committing sin, suggests
that illness may have come on us as a discipline because
of sin, in which case repentance, prayer , and a proper
relationship with the church must be sought, so that
forgiveness could be granted and health thus restored.)
Again, we do not find one time or instance of healing from
Romans through Jude. Surely if physical healing were to be
of such great importance as seen in the thinking of many
today, we would have just one church epistle with an
example of it, that is, some one actually being
healed.
5. The fifth gift under discussion (1 Cor. 12:10)
is the working of miracles (dunameon, power, Gal. 3:5;
Heb. 2:4; Mk. 9:39; Acts. 2:22; 8:13; 19:11). The King
James translators rendered this word miracles two other
times from Romans through Jude (Gal. 3:5; Heb. 2:4). The
Greek word used here is usually translated power. We do
not see Paul advocating at any point in his writings aside
from 1 Cor. 12, that others are to work miracles. We note
in Rom. 15:19; 2 Cor. 12:12; Gal. 3:5; and 1 Thes. 1:5
where Paul tells us of God's working through him with
powers. Another verse is Heb. 2:4 where the context makes
clear that the writer is speaking of the apostles, v. 3,
having witness to what the Lord spoke to them, both by
signs, wonders, all divers miracles (powers), v. 4.
6. The sixth gift is prophecy which we will
discuss later in this article.
7. The seventh gift is that of discerning of
spirits. The particular word for discernment is only used
two other times in the New Testament, Ro. 14:1 and Heb.
5:14. I do believe that people are able to discern today,
as between good and evil, Heb. 5:14, but there seems to be
no question in my mind that this discernment comes with
spiritual maturity through the word, not with a spiritual
gift. John tells us to try (prove) the spirits whether
they be of God. 1 Jn. 4:1. But the trying here is no doubt
by the word. 1 Jn. 2:19; 3:6; Jn. 17:17. We cannot have
supernatural discernment of spirits, or any other
discernment, separate or apart from knowing and obeying
the word.
8. The eighth gift is tongues. This gift is no
doubt the one causing the greatest controversy today. The
use or abuse of this gift has created as much confusion as
perhaps any area of the New Testament in our times. Jesus
said in Mark 16:17, "And these signs shall follow them
that believe; in my name shall they cast out demons; they
shall speak with new tongues." Luke then records the day
of Pentecost and the coming of tongues upon Peter and the
others as in Acts 2:3,4,11. Luke tells us of the Gentiles'
speaking in tongues at Cornelius' house in Acts 10:46 and
the disciples of Ephesus speaking in tongues in Acts 19:6.
Other than these verses the only other teaching on tongues
is 1 Cor. 12:10,28,30; 13:1,8; and 14:2,4,5,6,9,13,14,18,
19,22,23,26,27, and 39. As everyone surely knows by now
the word unknown is not in the original
text, as it was added by the translators.
As we look into the discussion on tongues we find
volumes have been written on the subject pro and con. I
would like to point out a few things on this matter.
Tongues are a sign to unbelievers, not believers, 1 Cor.
14:22. Paul tells us in 1 Thes. 5:11 to "edify one
another," not self. Paul further states in 1 Cor. 14:26,
"let all things be done unto edifying." Paul says, 1 Cor.
14:4, that tongues edify one's self, but he that
prophesieth edifieth the church. I believe that we can see
that out of the tongues movement of today the very
self-centeredness of our age, the age of feeling,
emotions. Paul wrote to Corinth to rebuke them of their
many sins in that church, including the abuse of tongues.
It seems very strange to me that this thing of tongues,
which has become so popular today, was not practiced by
any other church in the New Testament, except on the day
of Pentecost, the instance of Cornelius' household, and
the one at Ephesus (these being in the Book of Acts and
not a church epistle). Paul confesses to speaking in
tongues more than others, which suggests that his going
among those of many languages required this gift in the
early establishing of the saints. Missionaries to a people
of another language today must study to learn their
language.
Someone may ask about Acts 19:6. I believe the
Holy Spirit came upon these brethren to fulfill Acts 2:28,
that is, to show that the benefit of the Spirit as He came
on Pentecost in power to witness was to be for the
uttermost part of the world, as well as Jerusalem, Judea
(Acts 10:44), and Samaria (Acts 8:14-17). Once the
recognition of Spirit baptism had been established there
was no need for speaking in tongues. None of the church
letters from Romans through Thessalonians speaks of
tongues other than 1 Corinthians, and I believe this was
only there to correct wrong use.
9. The ninth gift is that of interpretation of
tongues. I believe the discussion on tongues would cover
this gift also, as this is directly associated with
it.
10. The tenth gift is that of apostles, 1 Cor.
12:28. I will discuss this and number eleven, teachers,
later along with prophecy or prophets.
11. The eleventh gift is teachers, 1 Cor.
12:28.
12. The twelfth gift shown is that of helps, 1
Cor. 12:28. It is not difficult from the Scriptures to
know that we are to help or aid people, particularly
brethren. As to the continuation of this gift, it would be
hard to discuss since this noun is only used just one time
in the N.T., the verb in Lk. 1:54; Acts 20:35; 1 Ti. 6:2.
It is rendered support in the second passage and partakers
in the third. An augmented (stronger) form is found in Lk.
10:40; Ro. 8:26, both of which emphasize the idea of
cooperation. It would seem that this responsibility "to
take hold over against" or "together with" is a
responsibility of all who love God today, whether or not
this is considered as a continuing gift.
13. The thirteenth gift is that of governments, 1
Cor. 12:28. This is the only use of this word in the New
Testament, so it would be difficult to discuss. A kindred
form from the same root is found in Acts 27:11 ("master")
and in Rev. 18:17 ("shipmaster"). In these passages it
means "steersman," the one responsible for directing the
ship. Such a gift was no doubt necessary in the earliest
days of the church until brethren could receive the
finished New Testament and thus verify the will of the
Lord through the Spirit and thus determine the course to
be steered. It is rather interesting to me at this point
that this gift would not present much problem to us as no
one is claiming it, as far as I know. Why are not people
making a big issue over the gift of governments? Why are
not people writing books and claiming great power through
this gift? As noted before, tongues and healings are the
big issue today.
THE GIFTS FOR TODAY
Before discussing those gifts I believe to be in
effect today, let us note a few scriptures on this word
gifts. Paul said he had the authority to impart gifts,
Rom. 1:11, but more importantly, for what reason were the
gifts given? Paul tells us that the church at Rome might
be established. This word established means: to set fast,
to render mentally steadfast, to settle, confirm, to stand
immovable. Paul told Timothy (1:6) to "stir up the gift
(charisma) of God . . . for God hath not given us
the spirit of fear, but of power and of love; and of a
sound mind." Paul wanted to give the Romans a gift for
mental steadfastness unto God's biddings.
Also, Paul states that the Spirit gives the gifts
severally (this means separately) as He wills. It is not
by our choice, but the gift is given by the Spirit at His
choice. In 1 Pet. 4:10 we see where the Spirit gives a
gift (the article the is not in the original) so that we
may minister one to another. Paul says (Ro. 12:10): "In
honor preferring one another," as members of one body (v.
4). In 1 Cor. 12 Paul details the working of the one body
in connection with the giving of gifts, that is, to enable
the one body to work together in harmony.
So, what gifts are in effect today? Let us look
one by one at those we have not discussed, following Ro
12: 6-8.
First, the gifts I believe that are in effect
today are those seen in this passage. Also, those in Eph.
4:11 are in effect, but these are not called charisma. It
should be noted that one receives the gift to minister to
others, never for his own benefit. I believe that one must
have scriptural baptism and be a member of a local church
in order for the Holy Spirit to work through the Spirit
given gift. I believe it is through the receiving the gift
(not charisma) of the Holy Spirit after baptism, Acts
2:38, that we are then granted our gift (charisma), and
this for ministry to others.
1. The first gift is that of prophecy. The word
means: a prediction of future events, a gifted faculty of
setting forth and enforcing of revealed truth, and a
matter of divine teaching set forth by special gift. We
should readily know that no one has the ability to predict
future events today, as this is settled through the
completed word. But there are those who set forth and
enforce revealed truth. The prophet is to use his gift to
edify the church, 1 Cor. 14:4. We are told not to despise
prophesying, 1 Thes. 5:20. Of the gifts listed in Eph.
4:11 this is one.
For the gift of prophecy, as well as all others
we shall discuss, it is well to note that though the
Spirit has given each one a gift, that person must develop
that gift through study of the word. But, as he does so
the unction of the Spirit is with us so that ye know all
things 1 Jn. 2:10,27. The Spirit works in the life of that
individual in a special way in the area of his gift for
him to serve the church and help bring unity to the
body.
Also, it may take time to know your gift, but be
patient. Further, through your one gift the Spirit leads
you to serve meaningfully in the area of all the other six
gifts. I believe only as we recognize our gift and begin
to develop the gift of each member can we truly come to
real Spiritual unity in the Lord's churches. Only as each
member knows this Spiritual gift can he truly add to the
working and unity of the church.
I have heard many people say, in connection with
doing something with or for the church, "Well, I can't
teach. Others have the impression that if they faithfully
attend the public assembly and give their money that they
have served God. We have lost the concept today that the
church is the church all of the time, whether assembled or
not . . . that we are to minister to the church all of the
time. How wonderful it would be if each member was adding
to the welfare of the body by the proper exercise of his
gift, with faith, hope, and love underpinning the
gifts.
2. The second gift is that of ministry or
serving. The server is one who meets the practical needs
of the body. Paul tells us in 2 Cor. 9:1, "For as touching
the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to
write to you." Then he details the practical need for the
church at Jerusalem to be served materially by the Gentile
churches. As he says in 2 Cor. 9:12,13, "For the
administration (serving) of this service not only
supplieth the want of the saints . . . while by the
experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your
professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for
your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all
men."
3. The third gift is teaching. The word
teaching means: to teach or speak (in a public
assembly), to directs admonish. The teacher is, first of
all, to teach himself, Ro. 2:21. Teaching is to be used to
bring about the perfection of every man, Col. 1:28. We are
to stand fast and hold the traditions (precepts, doctrines
handed down) which we have been taught. We are to command
and teach, 1 Ti. 4:11, and "teach and exhort," 1 Ti. 6:2.
We are to commit what we know to faithful men that they
may be able to teach others also, 2 Ti. 2:2.
4. The fourth gift is exhortation. Exhortation is
personal counseling to encourage spiritual growth, Ro.
15:4,5,16. The meaning of exhortation is a calling upon,
exhortation, incitement, persuasion, entreaty,
importunity, earnest supplication, solace, consolation,
cheering, and supporting influence, joy, gladness,
rejoicing, and cheer. One of the greatest chapters on
exhortation is 2 Cor. 1:3-7. As with each of the gifts
having its special ministry, so with exhorting. This gift
has a special work of cheering people on in the work of
the Lord, 2 Cor. 7:4.
5. The fifth gift is that of giving. This word
means to give a part, to share, impart or bestow. No
doubt, the person with this gift will many times be able
to handle money better than most. This person will
generally be the one to lead out in giving, not only in
money but in other areas, 1 Th. 2:8. Paul tells us in Eph.
4:8, "Let him that stole steal no more; but rather let him
labour, working with his hands the thing which is good,
that he may have to give to him that needeth."
Just here it might be well to mention that the
man with a gift is not the sole servant moving in the area
of his gift. All must give but one is the leader, the
setter of the example, the encourager to give. Other gifts
also overlap in similar fashion into the lives of men with
different gifts. All can do some teaching; all can do some
exhorting; all can show mercy, etc.
6. The sixth gift is ruling. The definition of
ruling is: to set over, appoint with authority, to
preside, govern, superintend, to undertake resolutely, to
practice diligently, and to maintain the practice of. We
can find that the one with this gift is a coordinator and
not so much a doer. He generally sees the job to be done
and how to do it. A good point to make here is that if we
understand what each other's spiritual gift is we can more
readily under stand why they do what they do, many times.
The one with the gift of serving will get in and do the
job, not thinking many times of how there might be a
better way of doing it. The one with the gift of ruling
may appear to some to be lazy, but this is really not
true, since his gift is administration, not doing. Also,
to understand each other's spiritual gift can help in our
marriages. Each person with a different gift will look
upon a situation with a viewpoint arising from his
spiritual gift. Knowing each other's gift and how that
person with a particular gift looks upon a situation can
be a great blessing, as we may wonder why the other person
does not understand why we see a circumstance a certain
way as opposed to how that person may view that
circumstance.
With this understanding, how much adverse
criticism could be avoided. How much lost motion could be
forestalled by listening to the suggestions of those with
gifts designed to meet the need. And, particularly, how
much lost time could be saved were we all advised to heed
those who can see needs in a given area before the rest of
us may be aware that such exists. This is true
specialization!
7. The seventh gift is mercy. The definition of
mercy is: pity, compassion, kindness, blessings, benefit
which results from compassion. The person with this gift
identifies with and has a great potential of being a
comfort to those who are in distress. All are to show
mercy, to comfort, and aid the distressed. But he who has
this gift sets the tone of the body's ministrations in
this area, leading out in this service.
THE DOMATA OF EPH. 4:11
Just briefly we would note the gifts in our final
passage touching on the subject. I believe the apostles
are those whom God has called as missionaries. We do not
have apostles today as Peter, Paul, etc. But we do see men
called for the specific work of missions (sent ones). Many
men were apostles (apostoloi) in the New Testament besides
the twelve or Paul, Acts 14:4,14; Gal. 1:19; 1 Cor 4:6,9,
and 1 Th. 2:7.
Prophets we have discussed as well as teachers.
Evangelists are men specially directed to lead out in
spreading the Good News. The pastor is one called to lead
the flock, a shepherd. One thing, I think, has been missed
in connection with any of these gifts, and that is, they
were all to perfect (mature) the saints for the work of
the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ, the
church. Christ did not give us evangelists just to get
people born again. NOTHING is done for the ultimate
purpose of man, but all things are done that Christ may be
exalted and the church edified. Unfortunately, we have a
man-centered message.
CONCLUSION
Finally, we would notice that the message of Ro.
12, 1 Cor. 12, and Eph. 4 centers around UNITY IN THE
BODY. This unity is to come from and through the Holy
Spirit of God. Each person is to contribute and bring
harmony to the church through his gift. The perfection of
the body can truly come as each one realizes Christ has a
ministry for his life, for Jesus and His church, through
that person's gift given by the Holy Spirit.
Our desire should be to present to Christ a
chaste virgin, "not having spot or wrinkle." As God works
through our lives through His Spirit we can truly begin to
fulfil Ro. 12:10-21. It is only through the working of the
Holy Spirit that there is liberty, 2 Cor. 3:17; that there
is life, Jn. 6:63; that there is power, Acts 1:8; and that
there is love in our lives, Gal. 5:22.
I believe that with the three-gift teaching of
today, which is the opposite extreme of the
miracle-working, tongues-speaking teaching, we have
limited the Holy Spirit from being able to give the unity
we need to walk in the calling wherewith we are called,
Eph. 4:1-6; 1 Th. 5:19.
NOTE BY THE EDITOR
The REMINDER is happy to bring its readers this
discussion on this vital, though controversial, subject.
We do not know whom to credit with the three-gifts
interpretation. It has been the one espoused by this
editor all of his ministry of more than forty years, with
a few modifications. For example, instead of saying that
the "perfect thing" (1 Cor. 13:10) is the Scriptures
completed, it had seemed to me, in the light of Eph.
4:12-13, that reference was being made to a state of
maturity to be attained by the young church. This state, I
had presumed, was reached by the time the apostles passed
off the scene and the New Testament was complete, so that
thereafter the "perfecting of the saints" was to be
accomplished by the body using the finished Bible and the
three remaining spiritual gifts.
Bro. Horn has approached this same teaching in
the application of "that which is perfect" to the thought
of "the working of the scriptures by the Spirit in
bringing to pass perfection in our lives for the sake of
His body, the church." Then he adds, "This will not be a
completed act until the end of this present age or until
the marriage of the Lamb". It is in this and one other
element that I find the challenge of this discussion. The
maturing of the body and of us individually must go on
right through this age. This is one of the challenging
thoughts. We have known that this maturing was necessary
but I had assumed that the church reached this in becoming
able to function as an indigenous body without the
ministry of apostles, simply because she had the
indwelling Holy Spirit and the finished scriptures. This
greatly reduced the significance of any ministry of gifts,
in my mind.
The other consideration was that I accepted the
idea that "faith, hope, and love" were spiritual gifts,
the only spiritual gifts, remaining today. Bro. Horn
suggests that these are not spiritual gifts at all. But
these are aspects of ministry working in and through other
gifts and for every member of the body. These essential
ingredients of our fellowship as directed by the Holy
Spirit in the function of seven remaining gifts give us "a
more excellent way" (1 Cor. 12:31) for producing the unity
and maturity of the saints in the body. This "way" is
designed to continue throughout the whole of the church
age.
My heart is impressed with the spiritual wisdom
of this presentation. It challenges each of us to
re-examine our privileges and see what God has given us as
a ministry to the church where we belong. It is HERE AND
NOW and does not shift the load off the individual, but
puts him in there to contribute what he can under the
Spirit's direction.
You may have to read this discussion several
times, as I did, before picking up its primary
significance: that of God's means for maturing saints and
preserving unity in his church. It is all here in this
brief booklet. The scripture references are
included.
For those who want an instant, pat answer to the
problem of tongues and healings it may be less satisfying.
It points out that some gifts simply are allowed to
disappear. Rest assured that there is a good reason. When
we realize that miracles and healings, for example, were
signs of "the kingdom at hand" (Mt. 10:5-8), then it
becomes evident that a continuing of such signs would be
misleading if there is a delay in the coming of the
kingdom, as there obviously has been since the King was
crucified. When the kingdom is again "at hand" (Lk. 21:31)
we may expect the signs to appear also, in God's two
witnesses (Rev. 11:3f.)
Others of the gifts (possibly as helps,
governments, etc.) became unnecessary as disciples matured
in understanding and in grace to fulfil these necessary
tasks.
Bro. Horn indicated that he could write many more
pages but cut the discussion short for the sake of its
being included in the paper. I feel confident he would
welcome your questions if you care to address him:
Quentin Horn
2953 Dupont
Shreveport, LA 71109
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