Age of the Holy Spirit Archives

How Do We Give Space to the Holy Spirit in Church?

Book of 1 Corinthians – part 4

We have been examining the apostle Paul’s epistle, 1 Corinthians, where he addresses unity in the church, sexual immorality and how to be more effective in evangelizing. (See Apostle Paul Brings God to the Corinthian Church; What’s the Big Deal About Sexual Immorality; and The Apostle Paul Met People Where They Were At.)

Paul now shifts his teaching to focus on how to carry on a church service that honors God. The first thing he tackles is ‘Communion’ – the taking of the Lord’s Supper.

He had received reports that the wealthy Corinthians had been getting drunk off the wine and ate all the bread – leaving nothing behind for the poorer parishioners. Paul is not happy:

Don’t you have your own homes for eating and drinking? Or do you really want to disgrace God’s church and shame the poor?

For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people – an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.”

For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again. 1 Co. 11:22 – 26. NLT

So, it is a good thing that we celebrate Communion often. It freshens our remembrance of all that Christ has done for us.

Now, the apostle upbraids those Corinthians that have vilified the offering:

So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself. 1 Co. 11:27 – 29. NLT

Thus, it is necessary to examine ourselves first, for any sin that we have not confessed and repented for, before we take Communion – praying to Jehovah first, seeking a pardon for that transgression(s). Then, we are freed to partake.

If God also decides that you need a chastening for your disobedience, take comfort in knowing that it’s strictly Father’s way to keep you on your heavenly path:

If we were properly judging ourselves, we would not be judged, but when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined, so that we may not be condemned with the world. 1 Co. 11:31, 32. CSB

Next, the apostle turns his teaching towards the ‘gifts of the Holy Spirit’ that are given to empower us – bringing us closer to God. The Holy Spirit’s prime mission is to produce a closer kinship with our Father – in the arena of His word, His love, and His redemption, which deepens our understanding of His Son as well.

You can feel the Holy Spirit at work within you, in those moments when you are filled with an unction to seek Jehovah God on a deeper level.

Paul begins:

Now there are [distinctive] varieties of spiritual gifts [special abilities given by the grace and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit operating in believers] but it is the same Spirit [who grants them and empowers believers]. And there are [distinctive] varieties of ministries and service, but it is the same Lord [who is served].

And there are [distinctive] ways of working [to accomplish things], but it is the same God who produces all things in believers [inspiring, energizing, and empowering them]. 1 Co. 12:4 – 6. AMP

One God, one Son, and one Spirit – working together harmoniously, to bring these gifts to you. Why?

But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit [the spiritual illumination and the enabling of the Holy Spirit] for the common good. 1 Co. 12:7 AMP.

The expression of the Holy Spirit is a gift available to any believer. It is not a supernatural enhancement of an ability that you already have; it is God Himself working through you.

The apostle now lists the gifts of the Spirit, tells us what they are for, and illuminates the proper practice of them with regards to nurturing the church service (1 Co. 12:8 – 10):

THE WORD OF WISDOM

This has been presented in two ways. The first, as an imbuing power of the Holy Spirit that gives one a heightened understanding of the wisdom of God, to bring others to a greater comprehension of that same wisdom, and how it applies to the specific situation for which the power has manifested.

Secondly, it may show up as a prophetic word of God regarding a future event.

THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE

This is a gift of revelation about a present fact that could not have been revealed in the natural sense – a message from Jehovah that applies to a situation or person, usually related to an immediate need.

THE GIFT OF FAITH

It is a Holy Spirit injection of faith that bolsters the recipient’s own belief – beyond their present level. This is a faith that assures one of God’s abilities to accomplish the seemingly impossible. Indeed, it opens the door for Him to do so, for a specific situation.

GIFTS OF HEALING

People can be gifted with a healing moment of God, through the Holy Spirit, to bring a supernatural healing to others. It may also manifest as an immediate healing or as a healing ‘boost,’ e.g., as an anointing of healing over a physician’s intervention.

GIFTS OF MIRACLES

An occasion where the Holy Spirit works through the recipient, allowing them to perform a supernatural act that defies natural physical laws.

PROPHECY

It is defined in three ways. First as a revelation in a particular moment for edifying or comforting a congregation, or a particular congregant. Secondly as a revelation given to one to be able to see into the heart of another, often used to help evangelize. Thirdly, as a revelation of things to come.

DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS

A supernatural ability to distinguish between the Holy Spirit, and the demonic spirits of Satan – especially to be able to differentiate which spirt is motivating another’s thoughts, speech, or actions.

SPEAKING IN TONGUES

This Spirit-filled gift enables one to speak in a language that one does not normally speak, as what happened to the first church on the day of Pentecost [1]

A variation of this, is referred to as ‘speaking in a heavenly tongue’ or ‘praying in the spirit.’ It is commonly unassociated with any known language. It is used mostly to augment the efficacy of our private prayers.

INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES

Within a church service, sometimes one is allowed to speak in the aforementioned heavenly language if the speaker feels that they have a message that God meant for him or her to give to the congregation.

But, and it’s a BIG butt, there must also be present one whom can interpret what is said, (it could be the speaker him or herself), so that the congregants can benefit from the truth brought forth by the Holy Spirit.

Paul then addresses all the gifts in general:

It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. 1 Co. 12:11 NLT

So, your gift is whatever the Holy Spirit imbues you with, and it may be different from what others have. Do not worry about the gifts that you do not have. It doesn’t make you any less of a follower of Christ:

Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not! 1 Co. 12:30 NLT

Whether one possesses a particular gift or not, no one in the Kingdom of God is unimportant:

For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body – so also is Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free – and we were all given one Spirit to drink. 1 Co. 12:12, 13. CSB

Now, the apostle qualifies the use of the spiritual gifts, saying that if the usage of them is not grounded in love, they are meaningless:

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of the angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. 1 Co. 13:1 – 3. NLT

What kind of love does God want to see in our Christ-like walk?

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! 1 Co. 13:4 – 8. NLT

Indeed, Paul tells us when the spiritual gifts will no longer be necessary:

Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless. 1 Co. 13:9 – 12. NLT

That would be when Christ returns…

Goodnight and God bless.

[1] Ac. 2:1-18

Age of the Holy Spirit

We have examined Christ’s death and resurrection of our Savior, and what He accomplished on the Cross. (See What Did Christ Accomplish on the Cross – parts one and two) – which culminated in Jesus’ ascension to heaven.

The Old Testament taught us about God’s creations. And we watched painfully as how humankind repeatedly turned away from Him. Yet, He always kept an outstretched arm – beseeching them with His love and the gift of His salvation coming through the Messiah, for 1500 years.

In the Gospels of the New Testament, Jesus shows up, the personification of Jehovah God. He laid down His life for our salvation – glorifying His Father, who in turn, glorified His Son. Subsequently, the resurrected Christ was elevated again to His rightful divinity at His Father’s right hand in Heaven. And Jesus was entrusted with the care of all God’s children, through the Holy Spirit.

For the remainder of the New Testament, we will explore the rest of what Christ wanted us to know. All of which is given to us by the apostles, through Holy Spirit inspiration.

We begin in the Bible book entitled The Acts of the Apostles, whose authorship is ascribed to the apostle Luke. It describes the formation of the early church when Jesus left. (He never really ‘leaves, He is always everywhere, like His Father), we are just referring to His body…)

After Jesus ascended, the 11 apostles returned to Jerusalem and stayed in an ‘upper room,’ that became their meeting place. Along with other disciples of Christ, this initial group numbered 120. It included the women who were at Jesus’ tomb, His mother, and His 4 brothers.

This new ‘church of Christ’ gathered in that upper room to pray. Peter addressed them, saying that Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Christ was a fulfilled prophecy pursuant to the apostle’s death. And he quoted a psalm to ask for divine retribution:

Pour out your rage on them, and let your burning anger overtake them. Make their fortification desolate; may no one live in their tents. Ps. 69:24 – 26. CSB

Peter also quoted another psalm about a mandate to replace Judas Iscariot’s vacancy left by his suicide, so that there would be twelve apostles once more. That new apostle was named Matthias.

Let his years be few; let someone else take his position. Ps. 109:8 NLT

On the day of Pentecost, (the 2nd annual harvest festival – celebrated fifty days after Passover), the church gathered in the upper room again:

Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. Acts 2:2 – 4. NLT

So, the church members are being empowered by the Holy Spirit to be able to speak in different languages – which they use, to praise God for His mighty works.

The commotion of the cacophony of different languages drew a curious crowd, many of whom were foreign travelers, amazed that these Hebrews spoke their language. Others thought that they were speaking gibberish, or that they were intoxicated.

Peter rebukes them, saying that it is far too early in the day to have been drinking. Then, he delivered his 1^st sermon, beginning by declaring that this phenomenon is a fulfilled Old Testament prophecy. [1]

‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.’ Acts 2:17 NLT

‘And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below – blood and fire and clouds of smoke. The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the LORD arrives. But everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.’ Acts 2:19 – 21. NLT

God is telling the crowd, through Peter, that the countdown has now commenced for the earth’s final days before the end of time, and for the redemption of His children.

And Peter says that this ‘speaking in tongues’ is the first manifestation of Jehovah’s power, through the Holy Spirit, to facilitate that end.

Peter continues his preaching, saying that God had sent His Son to perform miracles so that they might believe. But that they killed Him instead. He also informed them that some of the members of this first church had actually seen the resurrected Christ.

Finally, Peter said that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was proof that Jesus was now at the right hand of His Father. Then, he upbraids them again for their complicity in Christ’s crucifixion.

In response, the crowd grew sorrowful and regretful, and they plead to Peter to tell them how to right their wrong. He answers:

“Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away – all who have been called by the Lord our God.” Acts 2:38, 39. NLT

Three thousand people were added to the ‘first church’ that day:

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.

They worshipped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people.

And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. Acts 2:42 – 47. NLT

Now the adventures begin…

Peter and John went to the Temple to pray. As they arrived, they came upon a crippled man who was begging for alms. Peter answers:

“I don’t have any silver of gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Act 3:6 NLT

The man was healed! He followed Peter and John into the temple, leaping and praising God. Temple parishioners gathered around this ‘healer.’

Peter protests, saying that God did the healing, glorifying the Son. The healing was done in Jesus’ name through the recipient’s faith in it.

Then, he brings both the nature of Christ, as well as how this crowd had dealt with Him, into a sharp and telling focus:

“This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release him. You rejected this holy righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!’ Acts 3:13 – 15. NLT

Like any good preacher, Peter lets his audience feel their sin for a few moments, (to see their lack and their need). Then, he offers them salvation:

“Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance. But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah – that he must suffer these things.

Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets.” Acts 3:17 – 21. NLT

“You are the children of those prophets, and you are included in the covenant God promised to your ancestors. For God said to Abraham, ‘Through your descendants all the families on the earth will be blessed.’” Acts 3:25 NLT

Peter is saying that Jehovah intended for the Jews to receive salvation first, so, he is re-extending His invitation.

And the number of the new congregants swelled to 5000…

Goodnight and God Bless.

[1] Jl. 2:28 – 32.