gifts of the spirit by lee stoneking

7/31/2019 Gifts of the Spirit by Lee Stoneking

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Lee Stoneking

The great error of the various tongues movements in our presentday, outside of pure Apostolic Pentecostalism, is the lack ofunderstanding between the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and the diverstongues mentioned in I Corinthians 12:10, more commonly called the

gift of tongues. Most tongues movements misconstrue there twoentirely different experiences to the be the same experience.

The baptism of the Holy Ghost of the gift of the Holy Ghost (theterms 'gift' and 'baptism' being used interchangeably in the book of Acts to mean

exactly the same thing), is in reality the birth of the Spirit mentioned byJesus in John 3:1-8, promised and further illustrated by Him in Johnchapters 14 and 15, and culminating in actual fulfillment ofexperience in Acts 2:4. Peter, one of the first recipients, boldlydeclared this experience to the whole world; hence, "...to all that areafar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:39).

The divers tongues or so call gift of tongues is one of the ninegifts mentioned in I Corinthians 12:8-10, and consequently is anattribute of the indwelling Spirit, or we might say a product of theindwelling Spirit. The gift of tongues then is only present andoperable if one has received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost whichmakes it possible to qualify for the gifts of the Spirit.

If one has spoken in tongues, it does not mean he has the gift oftongues, it means that he has received the Baptism of the Holy Ghostand can properly identify with Apostolic first-church Christians. Onthe other hand, you may have the Baptism of the Holy Ghostspeaking with tongues and not have the gift of tongues through youspeak with tongues at intervals in your Christian experience.

Assuming then that all who read this book have received the Baptism of theHoly Ghost with the initial evidence of speaking with tongues as in Acts 2:4 at thebirthday of the church, let us go on to the gifts, or attributes, of that Spirit in one's

life.Regulating the Gifts

Many argue against the presence or the free operation of theSpirit because of the writings of Paul to the Corinthian Church. Paul'sstern remarks are not remarks of attack against the gifts or theirimportance, but rather they are points of wise instructive regulation


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for greater overall church order and spirituality.

The Gifts of the Spirit within the Corinthian Church has obviouslybeen abused and misused. If understood properly, the writings ofPaul to the Corinthian Church help us to see the great need forsupervision and regulation where the Gifts of the Spirit areconcerned. Anything divine place in the hands of man is subject toerror and misuse. The Gifts of the Spirit do not have to be made towork or forced to work, they work automatically when the Spirit ofGod is moving as a result of sincere fervent worship. Let me repeat,"The Gifts of the Spirit need constant regulation."

Understanding this need will then help us to see the greatessentiality for having the Five-fold ministry among us (Ephesians 4:11).

Apart from the regular ministries in the church, it behooves thepastors to appease the two guards who stand at the door throughwhich all must pass if they are to be used supernaturally of God,namely Prayer and Fasting, gaining for themselves the Gifts of theSpirit in their own lives, thus qualifying them to be in a position forproper regulation and supervision of the workings and Gifts of theSpirit within their local congregations.

Paul admonishes us in I Corinthians 14:1 to desire spiritual giftsand in I Corinthians 12:31 we hear him say, "Covet earnestly the bestgifts."Possessing the Gift

"Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there aredifferences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities ofOperations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all" (I Corinthians 12:4-

6). These verses teach us that there are different gifts, different

administrations, and different operations, but it is the same God orSpirit that worketh all in all. This illustrates to us that the Gifts of theSpirit are attributes of the Spirit of one God, though they be differentin appearance, administration, and operation.

"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal" (I

Corinthians 12:7). Here in verse seven we are helped to understand


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that the manifestation of the Spirit (or the Gift of the Spirit) is given toevery man or individual that all might profit. Hence, whatever giftsGod has bestowed, or in whatever way the Spirit of God may havemanifested Himself, it is all for the common benefit of the Church.

Some believe that the gifts are in the church as a whole and notin the lives of individuals on a resident basis. "...given to every man"in verse seven helps us to understand that the Gifts of the Spirit areimparted to individuals, and we further remember that the gifts andcallings of God are without repentance (Romans 11:29). Once anindividual is used by God with a particular gift, he can fully expect to

be used again in the same manner, for the gifts of the Spirit areresident, and they are not imparted to us from God on a repentancebasis.

If, as some say, the gifts are in the church and not resident inthe lives of individuals, then there would never be a time when amessage in tongues would come forth for church edification withoutan interpreter present to interpret, for God could use anyone in thatcongregation at His will. According to I Corinthians 14:27-28, if therebe no interpreter present, then let the 'message giver' become silent,hence we understand that the gifts are resident and belong toindividuals which God uses again and again. Within verse 8-10 ofchapter 12 the Bible state, "for to one is given..., to another..., and toanother given, etc.," signifying that the Gifts of the Spirit are literallygiven to individuals.

A person who has received the Holy Ghost automatically hasthe potential power to manifest the nine Gifts of the Spirit in his life asmentioned in chapter 12. It would be possible to possess all nineGifts of the Spirit in one's life. The gifts are for anyone who desires

and seeks them.In conjunction with the above paragraph, we need to quote

verse 11 of chapter 12. "But all these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." The word'severally' means separately and distinctly, thus we understandagain that the gifts are given to individuals, and that all nine of themare not showered down at once upon an individual, but rather they


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are divided separately to individuals as HE WILLS! There is a verydefinite indication here that the Will of God is directly involved wherethe distribution of the gifts into individual lives is concerned. With thisinsight into this particular scripture, we can see better the reasoningof Paul's statement, "But covet earnestly the best gifts" (I Corinthians12:31). The Baptism of the Holy Ghost in one's life automatically fillsone with the potential to obtain the nine Gifts of the Spirit which weare discussing. However, as in all aspects of our walking with theLord and securing and obtaining from Him we are also involved withthe perfect will of God in our lives which may deem us unworthy of orimmature for the possession of some gifts. God is always careful togive us that with which we can be trusted. Our motives, dedication,and consecration are determining factors for God's "dividing to everyman severally as He will."

The Gifts of the Spirit are set in the church carefully, intricately,and beautifully with great care and forethought as surely as the

jeweler sets with artistic exactness and design that which becomes apriceless work of art. The dependence we have upon each otherwithin the body or the church -- our place -- our setting -- is God'srighteousness which makes us a collective body and not a separateindividual entity without dependence upon other members of thebody. No one is a church within himself, though the church is withinhim. We need each other!

"For the body is not one member, but many. If the whole body were an eye,where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hathpleased Him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But noware they many members, yet one body. Have all the gifts of healing? Do all

speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts" (ICorinthians 12:14, 17-20, 30,31)

If God has graciously bestowed upon you His gifted touch andone or more of the Gifts of the Spirit have manifested themselves inyour life, then you must continue to exercise faith toward God and Hisgift in you life. You must, in other words, possess the gift, as surelyas Abraham was required to possess the land he walked uponDeuteronomy 3:18, 20; 4:1, 14, 22; 7:1 -- Note the emphasis on God's command to 'possess.')

We only really have what we possess and use! We must

acknowledge to God and to ourself that which God has given us. Wemust claim it is Jesus' Name and allow God to use us for His gloryand the furtherance of His Kingdom.


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In possessing and claiming that which God has done for us, weare helping to destroy the greatest enemy of us all, 'doubt,' which inreality is only faith in reverse, and we know that without faith it isimpossible to please God.

When the Gifts of the Spirit being to operate in your life there arestages you go through until complete understanding is developed. Inthe beginning when the Spirit of God begins to move upon someoneto impart a gift of the Spirit, the individual may be hindered byfeelings of fear, uncertainty, and a lack of boldness, to by faithbecome obedient to the unction of God and give forth that which theLord wants to manifest. There is a definite need to understand thatthe body of Christ (His church) can't sit back and say, "Spirit, do it."The Spirit can't do it, you have to do it --you are the body and theSpirit of God works through the various members of that body.

Hence, you and I must learn to recognize the voice of God in ourlives, cultivating the Gifts of the Spirit learning as we go to perfectlycooperate and work with God, so that the Great Work of the Spiritwithin the church can progress with dignity and power, thuscontinuing the New Testament Church in our present age.

Division of GiftsBeginning at verse eight of I Corinthians, chapter 12, the Gifts arelisted in this order:

1) Word of Wisdom2) Word of Knowledge3) Faith4) Gifts of Healing5) Working of Miracles6) Prophecy7) Discerning of Spirits8) Divers kinds of Tongues

9) Interpretation of TonguesThe Gifts of the Spirit can properly be divided into the threecategories as follows:I. To Know -- Revelation

1. Word of Wisdom2.Word of Knowledge


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3.Discerning of SpiritsThese three gifts have to do with revelation from God, things

that are revealed from God to us through His Spirit.II. To Speak -- Utterance

1.Divers kinds of Tongues2.Interpretation of Tongues3.ProphecyThese three gifts deal with anointed utterances. Because these

gifts are vocal, they are conspicuous and easy to identify, whereas you must lookfor some of the other gifts.

III. To Act -- Power

1.Faith

2.Gifts of Healing3.Working of MiraclesThese three gifts demonstrate the power of God -- they give

credence to His reality and presence.

I.To Know -- RevelationWORD OF WISDOMWORD OF KNOWLEDGEDISCERNING OF SPIRITS

These three gifts have to do with revelation from God, thingsthat are revealed from God to us through His Spirit. In order tounderstand the Word of Wisdom, perhaps it would be wise first tolook at the Word of Knowledge and then progress to the Word ofWisdom.The Word of Knowledge.......Note carefully that the Bible does notstate gift of knowledge but rather it states 'Word' of Knowledge. Anunction of the Spirit can come to you imparting words of knowledge,

facts from God about people, things, events, or places which youcould not possibly know unless God told you. Let me repeat, theWord of Knowledge is simply facts imparted from God to youthat you couldn't possibly know unless God told you. Thesefacts can deal with the past, present, or future. The Word ofKnowledge is insight, as if a curtain were drawn back and factsconcerning people, things, events, or places are revealed.


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For example, John on Patmos in the Book of Revelation knew the condition

of the seven churches of Asia Minor by the Word of Knowledge, and he was ableto give them the mind, will, and commands of God.

In Acts chapter five, verses one through ten, we find the Churchin great revival and Peter distributing the funds brought by thesezealous new converts who sold their possessions, bringing that priceto the Apostles' feet, so that every man might receive according as hehad need. Ananias with Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession --notice 'a possession' -- signifying that they had more than onepossession, and even on this one kept back part of the price havingagreed together in this lie. When Ananias came to Peter, Peter bythe Word of Knowledge knew what had been done and so stated it to

Ananias. Immediately upon the Word of Knowledge being executed,the judgment of God fell, Ananias was slain in the presence of all --some three hours later Sapphira came in before Peter; upon hisquestioning and receiving lyings answers from the lips of Sapphira,the judgment of God was re-enacted whereupon she was slain,carried out, and buried beside her husband!

How did Peter know all of this? He knew by the Word ofKnowledge -- facts from God -- insight from God. Imparted words ofknowledge from God to God's man, and boldly stated, brought thismanifestation of God's judgment, shaking that early church with great

fear and respect fro Apostolic authority and power. This is the needof our day; and revival, real revival, will bring these things again intosharp focus, so that at the hands of the ministry, may signs andwonders will be wrought among the people bringing purity andholiness within!

How many times has a pastor known facts about the people andsituations, and insight that staggered the understanding andcomprehension of a soul who felt with all confidence that everythingwas covered over so well and no one would ever know? Oh, the

marvelous potential power and understanding that God has for us ifwe would only believe and let God have His way!One man of God, known to many of us, bought a city dump

because the Lord said, "Someday a beautiful highway will go bythere." He purchased it for very little, but in a short time it was quitevaluable.

There is no gift of knowledge as such, but Oh, Lord, let us listen


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for the imparted Word of Knowledge from Thee that will save ushours of counselling, pain, grief, and tears. Just a few words, asentence, a paragraph can change the direction and course of alifetime!The Word of Wisdom

After we have now studied the Word of Knowledge, we canbetter understand the Word of Wisdom, for the Word of Wisdom issimply knowing what to do with the facts, i.e., properaly appliedknowledge.

The Word of Wisdom can be present or future imparted wisdomfrom God to direct -- a word of wise counsel -- the revelation of thepurpose of God concerning people, things, or events. Again let mestate that this wisdom can be present, future, or looking to the future.

For example, when Elisha received the facts concerningNaaman, the leprous Captain of Syria, he knew what to do with thefacts. Properly applied knowledge became the wonderful wisdom ofGod as the Prophet gave the means and method whereby Naamanmight be healed -- 'dip seven times in the River Jordan!' Elisha knewby the Wisdom of God what to do to achieve the desired result!

The Word of Wisdom is supernatural -- it is divine wisdom --divine counsel.

Jesus knew the treachery of His enemies. More than once theyhad tried to trap Him, twist His words that they might take Him bysome means. Luke 20:21 is such a setting as we hear them saying,"Master, we know that Thou sayest and teachest rightly, neitheracceptest Thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or no?" Jesus, perceivingtheir craftiness and knowing factually that they sought to trickHim (for if He answered Yes, it would be in direct conflict with their religiouslaws and if He answered No, it would be in direct conflict with the political laws)simply said, "Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscriptionhath it?" They answered and said, "Caesar's." In verse 25 the

wisdom of God was brought into sharp and explosive focus as theanswer silenced their wicked tongues, "Render therefore unto Caesarthe things which be Caesar's and unto God the things which beGod's. And they could not take hold of His words before the people;and they marvelled at His answer, and held their peace."

The author can remember specific times when upon pouring out


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problems to a man of God, the answer came so simply from his lips,the solution was so profound -- it made the problem seem like noproblem at all, and he has marvelled at such wisdom. He haslearned to look just beyond the man of God, and there over hisshoulder, he has caught a glimpse of the Word of Wisdom smilingconfidently at him. Such wisdom is too great for us, we marvel, wereach to attain, but it comes by a gentle unction of His divinepresence, and we are made to sit at the feet of all wisdom, even HisMajesty, the Holy Ghost, as He imparts those few words, thosesentences, those paragraphs, and then He is gone. But the lingeringawesomeness of His wisdom has saved us from the abyss of man'sinabilities and weaknesses. Tears vanish, the smile returns, and withconfidence, we turn and face our vanishing problems and find peacebeneath our cross; the load is lighter, the climb is less steep, and we

see the summit nearing.How many times have we ministries listened to the impossible

situations, the tangled lives, the facts -- Oh, the staggering facts andthen with a sigh of helplessness began to speak; and marvelled atthe wisdom coming from our lips speaking a solution that broughtright out of wrong, straightness out of crookedness, and leveledmountains to the ground. We fail to claim it, to identify it, but could itbe that the Word of Wisdom has flowed through you, and you failedto realize what it was? I believe so!Discerning of Spirits

Contrary to the much heard expression, "They have the gift ofdiscernment," there is no such thing as the gift of discernment tomean that one knows things or has insight into given situations.Many people misconstrue 'the gift of discernment' to mean the Wordof Knowledge which we have already discussed. The Bible does notstate that there is a gift of discernment, but rather it states Discerningof Spirits! There is definitely a gift of the Spirit, an unction from theSpirit of God upon one's being to impart to them the ability to discern

spirits in the lives of others. I John 4:1 admonishes us to "...believe notevery spirit, but try the spirits whether they be of God...."thus, we can readilysee Paul's proclamation of such power in one's life through the Giftsof the Spirit and John admonishing us to use it!

Discerning of Spirits allows us to know whether the spirit of aperson is of God or not. There are spirits or demons of many kindsthat attach themselves to people, either by oppression (a hovering


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lingering demon presence that seems to follow you wherever you go)or by possession (an actual entering in of the spirit of demon intoone's body and taking possession of an individual, residing within theperson and thus controlling him).

There are demons of alcohol, drugs, sex, cigarette smoking,hatred, jealousy, unclean spirits, etc. These spirits take advantage ofthe works of the flesh cited in Galatians 5:19-21 -- "Now the works of theflesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness,lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like...."

A person living in this life without the born again presence of the HolyGhost living in his heart to war against and subdue the works of theflesh can be approached by the oppressing or possessing power of

demon spirits and find himself totally unequipped to resist them --being in the end result, overcome by them. That person then willreflect the nature of that oppressing or possessing spirit. Manypeople commit acts of violence, live unbelievably immoral livesknowing that these things are wrong but they cannot helpthemselves, for they are, "Driven by some power," they say.

'Discerning of Spirits' enables us to identify these ungodly spiritsin others, and if they want deliverance and escape from such darkpowers, then we can call upon the all powerful Name of Jesus Christthrough His shed blood at Calvary and rebuke with all authority,

casting the spirits out and away leaving their victims free and fitreceptacles for the Spirit of all Spirits, even the Baptism of the HolyGhost!

In the ministry of Jesus throughout the Gospels we find Himdealing with deaf and dumb spirits, unclean spirits, and also note themany instances in the Gospels in which Jesus healed the diseasedand afflicted by casting out demons, thereby overcoming the work ofSatan. Note that in Matthew 8:16 Jesus healed all the sick who cameto Him and cast out demons with His Word!

Sometimes we have to identify the name of the spirit before youcan cast it out. You must ask what its name is! For example, oneminister noticed that a young man had come to his pre-church prayermeeting and, in the midst of effectual fervent prayer from themembers of his church, the demon powers threw the young man onthe floor, only to find themselves under fire from the man of God who


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commanded them to come out. The demons spoke from within theyoung man and said, "We will not come out, you do not have thepower to cast us out!" The minister, being full of the Holy Ghost andpower, using the authority of Jesus' Name, commanded the know thenames of the occupying demons. What a thrilling experience to hearthe helpless demons reply, "We are sex, alcohol, and drugs." Addingfurther bluff they said, "And we will not come out." With somecontinued wrestling in prayer and a final command from the man ofGod, the demons cried out and said, "They always win, we will haveto go!!!" They came out, and the young man was filled with theBaptism of the Holy Ghost speaking with tongues as the Spirit of Godgave him the utterance. Today he is preaching the Gospel!

The author has been in the presence of great men of God whohave walked up to total strangers and told them exactly what kind of

spirit they were possessed with and then by the Word of Knowledgetold them the exact details of their sinful practices. The strangerbeing exposed in his sin many times will scream out to God formercy, while others will walk away being content to remainpossessed and live in their sins, loving darkness rather than light,because their deeds are evil (John 3:19). The possessed personmust of necessity want to be delivered from Satan -- this, as you cansee, would have a great deal to do with deliverance in the life ofanyone, for the will of man is an unusual thing. God treats our will assovereign, He does not transgress our will -- He does not force,though He is ever present to set free. If we will to be bound, then weremain bound. If we will to be set free, then God through the Gifts ofthe Spirit (and in particular 'Discerning of Spirits') flows through theman of God, and demon powers are exposed and cast out leaving usfree!

On one occasion the author can recall being approached by atotal stranger in a strange city, and the demon power within the manspoke out and called the author by name, never having heard hisname or never having seen him before. The conclusion: the devil

knows who the servants of the Lord are but, Praise God, we through'Discerning of Spirits' can identify the powers of hell and cast themout, rending the chains of hell's emissaries!

We need to try the spirits and see if they be of God or not, andour instrument of detection -- Discerning of Spirits! How great are theways of God and with what care He has made a ways to keep us safeand secure from all harm within the spirit world. We as born again


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believers have power to subdue and control the possessed oroppressed. The devil and all his demon powers are ever subject tous through the all powerful Name of Jesus Christ!

II.To Speak -- UtteranceDIVERS KINDS OF TONGUESINTERPRETATION OF TONGUESPROPHECY

These three gifts deal with anointed utterances. Because thesegifts are vocal, they are conspicuous and easy to identify, whereas

you must look for some of the other gifts.Divers Kinds of Tongues

The term that is most familiar to us is, 'the gift of tongues,' buthere again we are involved with an applied term rather than a Biblicalterm. The Bible does not say gift of tongues but states 'Divers Kindsof Tongues."

If a person speaks at various times throughout this Christianexperience with joy and blessing as he or she is moved upon by theHoly Ghost, it merely means the the Holy Ghost is alive within them.Leading obstetricians have stated that with every normal life that isborn into this world, sound accompanies that life -- sound is sosignificant of life! As long as a person lives we can expect sound toissue forth from that life. So it is when we are born of the Spirit ofGod. Once we have received the Holy Ghost, we can fully expectthat living Spirit to speak through us from time to time as long as weare alive spiritually. To speak with tongues from time to time with joyand blessing simply means the Spirit of God is alive within us; this is

normal when you have been born of the Spirit!

Divers Kinds of Tongues can properly be divided into twoparts:

(1) Speaking in Tongues for 'Personal edification.'(2) Speaking in Tongues for 'Church edification.'


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(1) Speaking in Tongues for personal edification is a Gift of theSpirit within the 'Divers Kinds of Tongues' which enables one tospeak with tongues at will almost instantaneously. Let us clarify thisstatement. people who have a Divers Kind of Tongue for personaledification can close their eyes and begin speaking in tongues asthey turn their attention upon Him. It is just there -- as if the Spirit justhovers in their throat and mind. Some people with this gift can speakwith tongues in their mind; they can actually hear, as it were, thewords being spoken there.

This gift is of great spiritual blessing to the individual, for itallows the individual a marvelous outlet in his or her personal prayerand devotional life to God. I Corinthians 14:2 states, "For as he that

speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for noman understandeth him: howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries."And inverse four of this same chapter it states, "He that speaketh in an unknowntongue edifieth himself..." in Romans 8:26 we find this insight, "Likewisethe Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for aswe ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which

cannot be uttered." (Speaking in Tongues). How many times have wegone before God with a heavy burden, and our human understandingand mentality have failed to adequately express in our knowledge ofvocabulary the burden with which we are involved? We cannot put it

into words. Many times Holy Ghost filled children of God have said,"God, I cannot find the words, my burden is too heavy, please praythis prayer for me," immediately an unction comes from God, and wefind ourselves praying with the spirit of prayer lifts, the burden is alsotaken care of, and we sense that we have prayed through or touchedGod for that particular need. intercessory prayer is a wonderful thing!Many people have a Divers Kind of Tongue for personal edificationusing this gift in intercessory prayer and personal blessing.

Some people pray earnestly and for several minutes or even

longer and then being to speak in tongues. In contrast to this otherswill barely touch the floor with their knees and they will be speakingand praying with tongues. Why? Because the latter, in addition tobeing filled with the Baptism of the Holy Ghost speaking withtongues, also has a Divers Kind of Tongue for personal edification.

(2) Speaking with tongues for church edification is a gift of the


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Spirit within the 'Divers Kinds of Tongues.' This particular aspect ofDivers Kinds of Tongues differs from the Divers Tongue for personaledification, in that it is to be interpreted for church edification,designed by God to lift up, encourage, enlighten, strengthen orconvict the congregation depending upon the desire of the Spirittoward the need of that particular gathering.

As surely as God spoke to Moses from the burning bush andGod's people were heavenly informed, so God yet speaks to Hispresent people, the church, not in a burning bush but by surgingthrough a Spirit-filled vessel causing him to speak with tongues asthe Spirit gives utterance at which time we wait for the interpretationto come forth.

Now let us look at the actual operation itself. There is a distinctunction of the Spirit upon the 'message giver' directly from the Holy

Ghost which inspires and helps him to yield to the will of God, and hegives forth a 'message in tongues'; thus, we hear God speaking toHis people.

Most Spirit-filled congregations are aware of the supernaturalpresence of God coming down desiring to speak to His people.Usually there will be a total congregational awareness of God's desireto speak. It is as if a signal were given, and a hush will await theanointed speaking. out of an awesome stillness will come the voiceof God's 'message giver,' uttering words unknown to thecongregation. Following this utterance will come forth aninterpretation of the message in tongues, if there be an interpreterpresent.

Note in I Corinthians 14:27, 28 that Paul admonishes us that, "Ifany man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three,and that by course; and let one interpret, but if there be no interpreter let him

keep silence in the church, and let him speak to himself and to God." Weunderstand from this admonishment that we are safe and in mostperfect Bible harmony when we hear two, and at the most, three

messages and interpretations of tongues.Why, you may ask, are such regulations placed upon this gift?

First of all, that which God speaks is to be confirmed or established inthe mouth of two or three witnesses. Note: II Corinthians 13:1;Matthew 18:16; John 8:17. The Old Testament judicial procedurerested upon -- 'In the mouth of two or three witnesses'


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(Deuteronomy 19:15). We see this carried over into the NewTestament at the trial of Jesus when the great difficulty was gettingtwo or three witnesses to agree that they might convict Jesus. Thewitnesses were bribed, lewd men of the baser sort whose testimoniesagainst Jesus did not agree. We also note that this precept of two orthree witnesses is judicial spiritual procedure in the writing of Paul forthe church. Two or three manifestations of the Divers Kinds ofTongues for church edification, more commonly called 'messages intongues,' are sufficient for any given service in which God's peopleare gathered. The sign is wasted after the second or third time!

The author has talked with many who are gifted in speaking withtongues for church edification. Most people who are possessors ofthis gift of the Spirit know as they approach the house of God or atthe beginning of a service if God wishes to use them in that particular

service. The unction may be felt prior to or during the course of theservice and build up until, at God's proper time, it will come forth inpower and anointing. If the 'message giver' is inexperienced in thegifts of the Spirit, he may give forth the utterance from God before theproper time. If this happens the message will be less effective than ifthe unction had been held by the individual until God, by the movingof His Spirit, made place for it.

It is possible for one to speak out in tongues during a servicethinking that it is a message in tongues fro interpretation when inreality it is an utterance from the heart speaking out burden, praise,or blessing. A man of God in the pulpit, understanding the gifts of theSpirit, having possession of them himself, will be able to regulatepeople like this knowing the difference between the person speakingout and the 'heaven-sent unction.'

Messages in tongues will always compliment a service, addwitness to the sermon, or bring comfort to the people. Amazing howdifficult sometimes it is to remember the interpretation -- Why?Because the message is given for time and place, for thatmoment, for that people. Sometimes, however, God will speak

concerning future events, things, or places, and we then take thesethings to our hearts and hold them there with faith and prayer untilGod brings them into existence.

If there be no interpreter present, then the message giver is tospeak to himself. However, this is an evident sign that that particularchurch needs to seek for the gift of interpretation or the messagegiver pray that he may interpret.


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Messages in tongues given under the unction of the HolyGhost will never drive the lost away but on the contrary willmany times witness to them the supernatural power of Godamong His people. "Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them thatbelieve, but to them that believe not..." (I Corinthians 14:22).

Tongues Commentary

The subject of tongues has come to be one of the mostdiscussed subjects of our day. Scores of ideas and opinions arebeing broadcast everywhere. Some say it is of God, some say of thedevil, others that it was only for a few in Biblical times, etc. But in themidst of these things, we should desire to know what God's Wordteaches. God's Word is right! So we hereby set forth, not our ownidea, but that God has said!

Speaking with Other Tongues as the Spirit of God givesutterance is the manifestation God has given as a definite,indisputable, supernatural witness or sign of the Baptism of the HolyGhost.

One of the first mentionings of Tongues in the Bible, is that ofthe prophet Isaiah, who spake thus: "For with stammering lips and anothertongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest; and this is

the refreshing: yet they would not hear"(Isaiah 28:11, 12).Jesus, in giving the last commission to his disciples, foretold

Tongues as one of the five signs that should follow those who would

believe and obey the Gospel (Mark 15:15-18).It was when God first set up His Church and men were

privileged to receive the Holy Ghost, or Comforter, that God firstmanifested Himself to men in speaking through them in Tongues(other languages) -- Acts 2:4. Notice that they were ALL (about 120including 12 apostles, Acts 1:13-15) filled with the Holy Ghost, andbegan to speak with other Tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance(Acts 2:4).

A multitude of devout Jews out 17 nations gathered quickly

together upon hearing reports of such strange things, and beingamazed and confounded, they marvelled to hear Jews of one nationonly, speaking in their respective languages the wonderful works ofGod (Acts 2:5-11). While they were amazed and were in wonder andin doubt at the things which they were seeing and hearing, whilesome even mocked, Peter standing up with the eleven lifted up hisvoice and said unto them, "Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at


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Jerusalem, be this known unto you and hearken to my words: For these are notdrunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is thatwhich was spoken by the prophet Joel; and it shall come to pass in the last days,saith God, I will pour out my Spirit upon ALL flesh: and your sons and your

daughters shall prophesy"(Acts 2:12-18). Notice Peter said this mighty

marvelous manifestation of the Holy Ghost speaking with Tongues atwhich all were marvelling, is that which God said He was going topour out upon ALL flesh in the last days.

He further stated that that which they saw and heard(TONGUES and the accompanying manifestations) was a sign orwitness that the Holy Ghost, the promise of the Father in John 14:16had come! -- Acts 2:33.

As Peter continued and many were made to believe, they criedout and said, "Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said untothem, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for

the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For thepromise is unto you and to your children, and to ALL that are afar off, even as

many as the Lord our God shall call"(Acts 2:37-39). Here it is definitelystated that ALL who shall obey the gospel SHALL receive the sameHoly Ghost. Not only those present, but their children, and ALL whowere afar off, even as many as the Lord should call. My dear reader,this includes you!

For further proof we remind you of Cornelius and his household(these were Gentiles) unto whom Peter preached the same word and"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heardthe Word. And they of the circumcision (Jews) which believed were astonished,as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured outthe gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with TONGUES, and

magnify God"(Acts 10:44-46). Here again is proof that this mighty,supernatural manifestation of God is for ALL who believe and obeythe Gospel. These believing Jews who accompanied Peter soregarded TONGUES that, although they had believed that the HolyGhost was only for Jews, they were astonished and made to believethat these had received the same, for they heard them speak withTONGUES. If the Apostles so honored TONGUES, how can weesteem them less? If they regarded such signs as evidence of theinfilling of the Holy Ghost, why should we not do the same?

Again in the 19th chapter of Acts, men of Ephesus, after hearingthe Gospel by the mouth of Paul and being rebaptized in Jesus'Name, "The Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with TONGUES, and

prophesied"(Acts 19:6).


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Let me repeat what we have thus established: One of the firstmentionings of tongues was by the prophet Isaiah who prophesiedTONGUES as "The Rest and Refreshing" (Isaiah 28:11-12). It waspicked up by John the Baptist who taught us that though he himselfbaptized with water unto repentance, this Messiah or Christ wouldcome baptizing with the Holy Ghost and fire (Matthew 3:11).Tongues were foretold by Jesus as a SIGN that would follow everybeliever of the Gospel (Mark 16:16, 17). This experience was firstpoured out upon the Jews at Pentecost (Acts 2:4); then upon theGentiles at Caesarea (Acts 10:44-46); thus fulfilling the prophecy ofJoel, that it should be poured out upon ALL FLESH (Joel 2:28, 29;

Acts 2:15-18).Without any doubt or hesitation, we can sincerely say that Acts

2:4, 38 is the fulfillment of Jesus' teaching in John 3:5. The Baptism

of the Holy Ghost or gift of the Holy Ghost (the terms 'gift' and'baptism' used interchangeably in the book of Acts to mean exactlythe same thing), is literally the birth of the Spirit. The birth of theSpirit of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is entirely different fromthe Divers Tongues mentioned in I Corinthians 12. Thesignificance is different, the experience is different and theresult is different. There is a vast difference between theBaptism of the Holy Ghost given at Pentecost signifying theinfilling of God's Spirit and the Divers Tongues operating withinthe realm of the Gifts of the Spirit. They are not one and thesame!

It is true that Paul taught that all should not receive the DiversTongues (I Corinthians 12:10, 30); and that in the church he wouldrather speak five words with his understanding, that by his voice hemight teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknowntongue (I Corinthians 14:19); and if there be no interpreter, let himkeep silence in the church (I Corinthians 14:28); but nowhere didPaul condemn or degrade TONGUES. And again we repeat, Paul inthis instance is writing about an entirely different and distinct kind of

TONGUES than that which we have mentioned in the book of Acts.There we are given the description of the outpouring of the HolyGhost when ALL speak in other TONGUES as God's Spirit give theutterance (Acts 2:4); but in Corinthians we are instructed concerningthe gifts of the Spirit or the attributes of the Baptism of the Holy Ghostin one's life who has been biblically born again of the Spirit of God.

Paul in no way inferred that that which fell on the day of


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Ghost and began to speak in OTHER TONGUES as the SPIRIT (or God) gave

them utterance." This was God's doing!Verse eleven of chapter two say, "We do hear them speak in our

tongues the WONDERFUL WORKS OF GOD." This was God working!Again in Acts chapter two and verse 33, the message of Peter

states that it is Jesus that hath shed forth this which they were nowseeing and hearing.

In Acts 10:46 after those of Cornelius' household had receivedthe Holy Ghost it is stated, "For they heard them speak with TONGUES andMAGNIFY GOD." This experience was magnifying God!

This speaking with tongues is of God, and we further rememberthat Peter in quoting Joel explains speaking with TONGUES as theoutpouring of God's Spirit in the last days!

Interpretation of TonguesThe Gift of Interpretation of Tongues being one of the nine gifts

of the Spirit which we are discussing is directly connected with theGift of Divers Kinds of Tongues for church edification.

The Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 13:1 states, "Though I speakwith the tongues of men and of angels..." From this statement weascertain that men may speak with earthly tongues (languages) orheavenly tongues (languages). Regardless of whether an individualis speaking in earthly tongues or heavenly tongues, they are withoutexception always unknown to the one speaking with tongues. Why,you may ask, do you approach the reader from this position?

Simply because at Pentecost the Jewish dispersion and otherswho had gathered from at least 17 different countries for the JewishFeast Days, and who were now congregated around the upper room,heard Galileans who had never been to the various countries ofJewish dispersion speaking in the languages of the countries whereinthe dispersed were born. It was a puzzling miracle. The Galileanswere speaking fluently languages unknown to them. The Jews of thedispersion understood the languages clearly because they knew the

languages and recognized them. No interpretation was needed, theysimply understood the languages being spoken, Does this stillhappen today? Yes, an unbelieving Japanese man hearing an

American Pentecostal witness the glory of the Pentecostalexperience was unmoved by the testimony received, when suddenlythe American became moved on by the Holy Ghost and beganspeaking in tongues. The shock and astonishment of the Japanese


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man was readily seen. Why? Because the American who knew notthe Japanese language was speaking in Japanese, as the Spirit ofGod gave him utterance, telling the Japanese man of the truth andglory of God. The Japanese man was immediately converted, and hehimself received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost speaking withtongues!

The author himself knows personally a young man who receivedthe Holy Ghost at the age of ten in a Camp Meeting. The ten yearold seeking for the Baptism of the Holy Ghost suddenly received it.Visiting missionaries at the camp grounds from South American weresummoned to come close to the child as he received the Spirit ofGod. Immediately upon drawing near to the child, the missionariesexclaimed, "We understand the child, he is speaking Portuguese."The child knew nothing of Portuguese, but he was speaking with

tongues as the Spirit of God gave him utterance. What was the childsaying? I am sure you want to know. Among general praise andworship to God this statement was said repeatedly, "I am being filledwith a river of life!" Amen.

It still happens today, people receiving the Baptism of the HolyGhost speaking in earth languages unknown to them. Somemissionaries have reported natives receiving the Baptism speaking inclear fluent English never having heard or learned English -- Howgreat and thrilling are the ways of God. If only people would believe!people may also receive the Baptism of the Holy Ghost speaking withheavenly tongues (languages) which are unknown to anyone onearth. The important thing is that the believer speak with tongues asthe Spirit of God gives him the utterance. Whether one received theHoly Ghost speaking with heavenly or earthly tongues is immaterial.Whether one can be understood or not understood is also immaterial;but that they do speak with tongues is the important thing. Thereceiving of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost speaking with tonguesneither requires nor demands an interpretation -- it does not have tobe interpreted -- this is not the purpose of the experience!

The Gift of Interpretation of Tongues is the 'Siamese Twin' to theGift of Tongues (Divers Kinds of Tongues for church edification). Speakingwith tongues, as we have already discussed, for church edificationdefinitely demands an interpretation. This brings us to the subject athand; How does it work?

Interpretation of Tongues is put into being as are the otherGifts of the Spirit by an unction or prompting of the Spirit. As


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the message in tongues is going forth, the interpreter that Godwishes to use receives a signal, prompting, or unction of the Spirit.However it may happen for the interpreter being used by God, uponthis moving of the Spirit within him, he immediately reaches or feelsafter God for the interpretation. Some interpret by a word, a phrase, a sentence, or a vision.Let me explain. Regardless of how it may come to the interpreter,God expects the interpreter to by faith take the word, phrase, orsentence and utter that. Upon taking by faith and uttering what Godhas given, God will then with rapidity give the rest of the interpretationand the interpreter is expected to utter those received words,phrases, or sentences. God cannot give the complete wording of theinterpretation all at once to the interpreter, else some of it would beforgotten, or not given at all.

On one occasion the author can remember interpreting amessage in tongues with only one word to being with and that being,'Marching!' In his mind he kept reasoning with the Lord saying, "But,God that isn't very much to go on." But the word 'Marching' was allthat came. Knowing God as he does, without any further hesitationwhen the tongues utterance ceased, he simply spoke out withanointing, "Marching!" Still nothing else came, and so again he said,"Marching!" This happened a third time, and then suddenly beforehim unfolded a vision of saints robed in white marching toward pearlygates receiving the crown of life. The unfolding scene was simplytold to the congregation with anointing and the excitement of such anevent. There was no need for anything else -- the entirecongregation came forward and there upon bended knees they weptand praised their God for He had spoken to them!

Many interpreters interpret by vision. In other words while themessage in tongues is going forth, God will give them a vision. Forexample, once while a message in tongues was going forth, theauthor, having his eyes closed, suddenly saw before him the sun'srays falling upon the edge of a snowcap covering a mountain peak.

He noticed the trickles of melted snow water sparkling across theearth trickling downward only to become a small brook, bubblingdown through a forest bouncing over rocks, picking up more andmore water until it became a stream and flowed downward to thedesert which stretched away from the foot of the mountain. Whatwas God trying to tell His people? How would you interpret such ascene? What is the Holy Ghost going to let you understand and draw


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from his scene that He might speak to His people?The interpretation was very easy to receive and give forth. The

Lord wanted us to know that, "As the sun doth shine upon the edge ofthe snowcap, and as the water doth trickle away, bubbling andbouncing through the forest, becoming greater, swifter and wider onits journey downward, so doth My Spirit come down to you. As thecooling water from mountain heights doth quench the thirsty desertfloor, so doth My Spirit quench your thirsty soul and bring life..., etc."

Glorious strength, purpose, peace, enlightenment, and insightcan be received by the people of God through the marvelous Gifts ofthe Spirit which God has placed in His church.

Some have said, "Well, the message was short and theinterpretation long; therefore, I cannot accept this." All of us knowthat in interpreting one language into another, it may take many or

few words to convey the same meaning or idea into anotherlanguage, thus such statements as this are of no merit or value.

Notice that the Bible says Interpretation and not translationof tongues. Therefore, we can expect not a word for wordtranslation, but rather an interpretation of the message from God. Ifthis is understood, then there will never be a question or cause forconcern when interpretations are given. For instance, someone froman uneducated background may have the Gift of Interpretation andbe used by God, but his interpretation would lack the poetic, prose-like expression of a college graduate who would perhaps use flowingbeautiful words of expression. If two such people were to interpretthe same message in tongues, one would use perhaps even incorrectidiomatic expression, while the more learned individual would usebeautiful flawless poetic expression. (This, of course, would neverhappen -- only one interpretation would be given -- this is an exampleonly.) Does this mean then that one is correct and the otherincorrect? No, for the interpretation or understanding will be thesame, but the word expression would be different. We haveinterpretation and not translation of tongues among us.

God has placed wonderful protective measures within thechurch, so that the Gifts are not abused. But here again, we mustunderstand and know how to regulate the Gifts of the Spirit. In ICorinthians 14:27-30 relative to tongues, interpretation, andprophecy, there are statements such as, "...let is be by two, or at themost by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. Let theprophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If anything be


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revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace." Thesestatements are rules for perfect harmony and order within the usageof the gifts. It is a dangerous foolish thing to allow the flesh thechance to glory and become exalted in flaunting the Gifts of the Spiritfor self glorification, because someone else in a congregation withlike gift knows if you are genuinely in the Spirit or not -- they can

judge! There may be several people in a congregation with the samegift as yours, and they know if it is real or not when you give forthyour utterance. Perhaps the congregation will not always know, butanother possessor of like gift can tap you on the shoulder and sayafter church, "You were in the flesh, that wasn't of God" or "Youmissed it tonight!" How embarrassing for you and what a shadowyou have cast upon God's divine order and purpose. Theseprotective guidelines are set in the church to protect the body.

Conclusion -- be sure you know the voice of God, making certain thatGod has really desired to use you before you act!

Messages in Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues can sorichly enhance and permeate a service bringing the sharp awarenessof God's presence and interest in us. May His voice ever be heardamong us! May we never be a people without the sound of His Spirittrumpeting forth powerfully, majestically, and may the world know thatHe speaks to us in these troublesome times!The Gift of Prophecy

Prophecy can be divided into two parts: (1) forthtelling and (2)foretelling. We must remember that in either case, prophecy willalways be in harmony with God's Word. Prophecy will coincide withset doctrines of the Word. God's Word is forever settled! Prophecywill never replace the Bible nor diminish its worth, but the one willcomplement the other and augment a life walked in the Spirit!

(1) ForthtellingForthtelling is to retell that which has already happened. Each

time we preach from God's Word retelling the lives of individuals, the

happenings to God's people, the miracles fo the Bible, we are inessence forthtelling or prophesying. Forthtelling is a setting forth orbringing forth that which already has happened.

Have you ever noticed that while Holy Ghost filled preaching isgoing forth and the examples and stories are being preached thatsuddenly the age old account takes on life? You can see Davidpicking up the stone, you can hear and see the ugly giant, you can


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heart the whistle of the sling as it cuts through the air, the roar or theretreating and conquering armies as Goliath crashes into the earth --the young David leaping upon the giant and off with his head! Thepreached stories of the Bible release their characters from the inkand paper, and as they step out before us, we see, feel, touch, andhear them. This is 'forthtelling' -- (prophecy). The man of God isactually in this sense a prophet -- he prophecies! There is nosubstitute for anointed preaching that actually is seasoned withforthtelling. It is the kind of preaching that convicts and converts us.We see Jesus Christ, we hear Him speak, we watch the lame walk,see blind eyes flutter open, and watch Him speak to the dead. Weview with our own eyes the dead raised and watch a funeralprocession filled with weeping and mourning become a praiseservice! The procession makes an about face entering the city gates

with shouts of praise and victory. We ourselves worship and join thehappy throng. We are never the same since forthtelling has broughtHim out of the ink and paper, and He stands before us in full view!

Prophecy is among us in all of its resplendency. We hear itoften, and now perhaps we will recognize it more readily. We arethankful for forthtelling and its unforgettable influence, but let us goon to the next dimension of prophecy.

(2) ForetellingWe have such wonderful examples of foretelling in the Old

Testament, and we thrill at such a manifestation and divineintervention from God. During the Gospels we hear Jesus foretellmany things, but at the end of John's Gospel, can we accurately andintelligently say that we do not leave foretelling here, but that it doescarry over and is seen and heard in the church? I think so! Let ustake a close look:

Prophecy is definitely one of the nine gifts of the Spirit. ICorinthians 14:3 tells us that, "...he that prophesieth speaketh untomen to edification, and exhortation, and comfort." Does out

understanding of this scripture rightfully exclude foretelling? Do weunderstand fully edification, exhortation, and comfort, or could it bethat foretelling enhances and becomes edification, exhortation, andcomfort? Let us see what occurred in the New Testament Church.

In Acts 21:9-12 we find a certain 'prophet' named Agabus. Heforetold in verse 11 actually stating, "Thus saith the Holy Ghost...."

Agabus exhorted Paul and in the process he foretold coming events.


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I Corinthians 12:28 states that prophets are set in the church.Where have they ever been removed? Nowhere! In I Corinthians14:29 we find admonition and instruction for the prophets and theirutterances. Read on; notice that verse 31 states, "...that...all may becomforted!"

In Ephesians 4:11-13 we again find the office of prophetmentioned. Here in verse 12 we see God's complete perfect will andplan. It is the will of God for a five-fold ministry to perfect the saints,for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Forhow long you may ask? Verse 13 answers this so completely. "Tillwe all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Sonof God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of thefullness of Christ." Let me ask you, have we perfected the saints orattained any of the other things mentioned? The answer, of course,

is no! These ministries, including the office of a prophet, are neededand will be needed until the coming of the Lord.

Please note the Bible says he gave some apostles, someprophets, some evangelists, some pastors, and some teachers.There is no indication here that any one of these offices or callings ishigher or greater than the other. They are mentioned with equalimportance. There are those that say a prophet and apostle aregreater callings, higher callings. I fear that we have exalted thesetwo offices above measure, and we have done this ignorantly. Theseoffices or calling of prophets and apostles are no more exalted thanthat of the calling and office of a pastor, teacher, or evangelist. Theapostle or prophet has to, or necessity, pick up his cross and bear itas do the teachers, pastors, and evangelists. There is with eachoffice or calling that share of humiliation and suffering for the cause ofChrist. No office or calling is exempt from the devil's attack -- this isobvious from reading the Bible itself. We are all in this together, and Ipersonally thank God for the five-fold ministry that we might behelped and finally presented to Him a glorious church. There shouldbe no dispute as to who is the greatest among us or what calling is

the highest -- Jesus strongly indicated that he who is greatest amongyou, let him be the servant of all.

Foretelling is definitely in the church at the beginning, and itshall continue to the end.

Many frown upon upon foretelling and the office of a prophetbecause of abuse and fraudulence through the years, but everythingthat is good, the devil would counterfeit and destroy. There are


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frauds in everything -- always have been and always will be. But Godgave us the safety guide, and that is found in I Corinthians 14:29 - theword 'judge' -- the right to judge. Just because someone hasmisused or abused any one of the nine Gifts of the Spirit does notvalidate anathema to the subject at hand. There is the genuine -- theauthentic -- and it is for this that we so earnestly contend!

The Gift of Prophecy or foretelling works by an unction orprompting of the Spirit and is easily identified. Anyone filled with theBaptism of the Holy Ghost may possess the Gift of Prophecy: laity,teachers, pastors, evangelists, and apostles. The Gift of Prophecy inoperation will appear and sound almost exactly like an interpretationof tongues, except there will be no tongues utterance preceding it. Itwill be just simply spoken out by the person who has the Gift ofProphecy as he speaks the mind, wisdom, or plan of God.

Many preachers prophesy foretelling as they preach. They willbegin by saying things that are quickened to them by the Spirit ofGod which they had no intention of saying. They themselvessometimes even marvel at that which they utter as they feel the Spirittake hold upon them. Many sermons have a mixture of forthtellingand foretelling.

The actual Gift of Prophecy will be similar to the following inoperation. The author can remember a little old man standing in achurch service and while testifying, his Gift of Prophecy began towork. He expressed to us that the tavern on the corner would burndown and that our church would secure the property! Perhaps if youhad heard this, you would feel like laughing or become embarrassedand wish the little man to sit down. However, in a matter of three orfour days day, the tavern burned and the lot was eventually securedby the church for only about one third of its original set value! Thereare many such examples that can be compiled and presented but thisis sufficient.

Caution: Make sure you assuredly gather the facts before youhearken to the voice of a so-called Gift of Prophecy which demandsyou to sell all that you have and give the proceeds to the prophet ortear up roots and move to another state, etc. It is this type of activitywhich destroys faith in the genuine manifestation of God. In the OldTestament false prophets were stoned if their prophecies did notcome to pass, but it did not stop the true prophet from expounding


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what "Thus saith the Lord!"

To understand the full dimension of prophecy, we must listthe three aspects of its personality:

(1) Spirit of prophecy -- "...for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit ofprophecy"(Revelation 19:10). The spirit of prophecy can move uponus as we witness for or testify of Jesus quickening the truth of Jesusto the hearer. An anointed testimony given for Jesus may havewithin it the spirit of prophecy. This is what preachers feel when theypreach. This is the unction or the anointing which enables a preacherto preach far above his own mentality or ability.

(2) Gift of Prophecy -- The Gift of Prophecy may be possessed

by anyone who seeks for it, and the Gift will manifest itself when theunction of the Spirit so leads. The Gift of Prophecy is to give forth ananointed utterance proclaiming or foretelling as herein discussed.

(3) Office of a Prophet -- The office of a prophet has within itthe resident spirit of a prophet as we find throughout the OldTestament.

We definitely find prophets mentioned as a very active part ofthe New Testament Church! Note the following references: Acts11:27, 28, "...prophets from Jerusalem...."Acts 13:1, "...prophets andteachers..."Acts 15:32, "And Judas and Silas, being prophets alsothemselves...."Acts 21:9-12; Here again we find Agabus prophesying!

Also note these statements relative to prophets and instructionsconcerning their gifts. I Corinthians 12:28; I Corinthians 14:29-32;Ephesians 4:11-13.III.To Act - PowerFAITH

GIFTS OF HEALINGWORKING OF MIRACLES

These three gifts demonstrate the power of God -- they givecredence to His reality and presence.The Gift of Faith

All of us know that without faith it is impossible to please God,


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i.e., Hebrews 11:6. Every born again child of God has faith,otherwise he would not be living for God; for where there is no faith,there is spiritual death. All of us as Christians possess faith, but letus go on to that special endowment of faith within the nine Gifts of theSpirit called the 'Gift of Faith.'

There is a special endowment of faith, an impartation of faiththat is supernatural and will exhibit itself when circumstances arebrought into our lives such as tragedy, danger, sever illness,accident, fearful happenings or other situations that seem impossible(be they good or bad). We all know that God is able but the abovementioned circumstances will demand us as believers to reachbeyond the acknowledged ability of God and say, "God is going to doit!" or "It's going to be all right." We need 'Now Faith' and 'NowPower' in our lives!

How many pastors raising up a work have reached theseemingly bitter end of hopelessness; no finance, no support, no bigcongregation -- despair grips him. Suddenly on the scene walks aprecious saint of God and says, "Pastor, God is going to raise thiswork up by your hand, and there is going to be a great work for Godhere!" Anyone might have said those words, but there is somethingdifferent about this -- there is a ring to it! Confidence and hope springup within you. You are lighted by the fire from an unseen power, andit was ignited by someone other than self. On the other hand whenyou as minister face a family who have resigned themselves to thefact that a loved one is going to die or the surgery is inevitable,suddenly you find yourself as a pastor telling them boldly with greatanointed, confident authority that they will not die or surgery will notbe necessary, and it comes to pass exactly as that special unction offaith hath declared. It becomes almost a defiance of prognosis, adefiance of diagnosis and rests solely upon a great surge of 'Faith' inGod's power and ability. We are talking about the Gift of Faith!

Faith moves God. He simply breaks all laws and barriers whenfaith is lifted to Him. Prayer, it have been stated, is the key to

heaven, but FAITH unlocks the door!The Gift of Faith herein discussed is a measure of faith above

and beyond that faith which all of us have as children of God whowalk daily with Him through life. It is a special portion of faithquickened to us by the Spirit, as are the other Gifts of the Spirit.

The Gift of Faith then is a special unction of the Spirit withinone's life which comes to the rescue when ordinary faith, or we might


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say that regular portion of faith required to live daily unto the Lord, isnot sufficient. It is a miraculous, instantaneous touch of abundantfaith which surpasses all reason, looks impossibilities in the face andturns them into miracles. We must expect a miracle -- keep in mindthat every miracle begins with an impossibility!

For more clarity let us consider the following: The three Hebrewchildren expressed passive faith when they said, "If it be so, our Godwhom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace,and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be itknown unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worshipthe golden image which thou hast set up" (Daniel 3:17-18). God diddeliver them, and they were not burned to any degree by the fire.Please note, however, that the three Hebrew children did not say,"God is going to get us through the fire." They were simply willing to

accept whatever God wished to do for them or to them. But what ifthe unction of the Gift of Faith had come on them, and they boldlydeclared by this special unction of Faith, "We will get through the fireand not one hair upon our heads shall be burned," and it happenedas faith declared it. This would be faith getting them through the fire.On the other hand what if, when the three Hebrew children enteredthe fire, they commanded the fire to go out, and it immediatelystopped burning! Can you see that this would be the working of amiracle?

Let us say that you are in a ship. A severe storm comes; otherships are destroyed by the wind, and raging waves are all aroundyou. But the Gift of Faith comes to you, and with assurance, youdeclare that all will be safe and no damage done. In other words,faith gets you through the storm. If you went to the bow of the shipand spoke to the storm commanding it to subside, and all becamequiet, can you understand that this would be the working of amiracle?

To go through the fire safely would be the Gift of Faith. Toput the fire out would be the Working of a Miracle. To go through

the storm safely would be the Gift of Faith, to stop the storm would bethe Working of a Miracle. Faith in itself is an exerted energy. It is definitely anawareness within, and this awareness within is intensified when theGift of Faith is upon us. Here again when the Spirit moves upon us,we must act upon it and claim it. Action and obedience on our part inresponse to God's touch are most pleasing to God. He is ever


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touched by our faith and motivated to intercede on our behalf.Substance -- Evidence

In Hebrews 11:1 the Bible states, "Now faith is the substance ofthings hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Biblical faith contains twoelements: substance and evidence.

Someone once said to the author, "I have never understood thatscripture; it is meaningless to me. Can you help me?" theyquestioned. The following example helped them, and perhaps it willhelp you.

In a particular revival meeting which the author conducted achild of God came. She came on crutches and wore a brace. Eachnight she took her place on the front pew and placed the crutchesand the removed braced on the floor. The foot and ankle were with

some little difficulty placed on a cushioned folding chair. On oneparticular night, while the Spirit was moving mightily in the service,the ministry present felt impressed to leave the platform and go to ourvisiting sister in the Lord and pray for her. The author rememberslaying hands upon her as did the others and closing his eyes inprayer. Though his eyes were closed, yet he could see this sisterwalking across the front of the auditorium. He opened his eyes, andshe was seated praising God but, nevertheless, still a slave to thebrace and crutches. Again he closed his eyes and continued prayingwith the others -- He could see her walking. Immediately he openedhis eyes and whispered in her ear, "I believe you can walk in Jesus'Name!" Instantly she began to remove her foot and leg from thechair and made effort to stand. She did so! The power of the Lordwas mighty and manifested throughout the congregation. Afterturning in a circle, dancing lightly on the weakened foot and ankle,she began to walk across the front of the auditorium completely anddivinely healed. The next day she went out and purchased a newpair of shoes. Praise the Lord! Hip surgery had incapacitated thatankle and leg for one year, and the prognosis was that it would be

another year before she could walk upon that foot. Faith united withthe Spirit of God defies all prognosis.

The little mental picture of his sister in the Lord walking was'substance' and he held to substance until substance became'evidence.' Faith can stand in the place of what you ask for until it ismanifested visibly. your faith is the exact image of that which you askfor, and as an image, is but the reflection of the actuality. When faith


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is present it means that the things which we asked for are ours, andwe only now await their manifestation by God!Gifts of Healing

For this particular Gift the key to proper understanding is theword, "Gifts." Please note the plurality of the word, "Gifts." TheBible does not say 'Gift.' There is no such thing as the 'Gift ofHealing,' but there are 'Gifts of Healing' within the church.

Mark 16:18 makes known to us the promise that if the believerslay hands on the sick, they shall recover -- this we know to be true.James 5:14 talks about the sick calling for the elders of the churchanointing them with oil in the Name of the Lord, and the prayer offaith shall save the sick.

These are wonderful promises to the believers, but in addition to

this, there is a special unction from the Spirit imparting the operationof the 'Gifts of Healing' within one's life

Some who have the 'Gifts of Healing' in their lives havedisclosed to the author that God has given them a sign, and theyalways know by that manifested sign that God is going to heal thatparticular person no matter what the problem. one minister told theauthor that there was a warmth which came into his hand as a sign tohim that God was going to heal the sick before him.

When the Gifts of healing are in operation and hands are laidupon the sick, God can remove the cause of disease or affliction andhealing ensue. Many times the devil defeats us by causing us todoubt and waver, knowing that he can steal out victory if out faithdoes not remain firm. For example, if I cut a tree down in my yard,and the neighbor man comes by and says, "Oh, that tree is still alive,"I say, "No, it has been cut down.' The neighbor may contendearnestly that the tree is alive simply because the leaves remaingreen, and they may do so for several days, but the truth of thematter is -- the tree is dead because it has been cut off from theroots. It will die and the leaves turn brown, thus the neighbor will be

convinced! So it is many times when we are prayed for divinehealing. Because the tree stays green (the symptoms remain) weagree wholeheartedly with the devil that the disease is still there. Wemust hold fast the profession of our faith that the Name of Jesus,through prayer and laying on of hands, has cut the thing off from theroots, and it is dead! Many have obtained their healing by consistentprofession of their faith thanking God for the victory.


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Special attention should be given to this aspect of the Gifts ofHealing. Has it ever occurred to you that some people can prayespecially for the blind and see great and constant success in theblind recovering their sight? While others can pray for the deaf andthey are healed, still others pray for the lame and they are healed,others pray for cancer victims and they are healed. Why, you mayask? The reason is that just as within the medical profession'Specialist' exist, so within the Gifts of Healing there are'Specialists' who seem to specialize in one particular disease. If youcan understand this, then you will not be shocked if a man who has areputation for praying for the blind with great success prays for a deafman and nothing happens and vice versa. The Gifts of Healing coverthese various aspects being discussed.

God has so wonderfully set up the Gifts of Healing, until we

stand amazed at His power over all sickness and disease. One whois used by God in the Gifts of Healing could be a 'Specialist' inseveral areas. Also, God will be present through the ministry within alocal church to meet the needs of the people therein. This has beenproven over and over again!

Within the New Testament Gospels we find the statement , "Andthe power of the Lord was present to heal them" (Luke 5:17). Howwonderful that the power of the Lord is present to heal all manner ofsickness and disease, as He channels Himself through the Gifts ofHealing held resident within the lives of believers. We understandthat healing is one of the signs which automatically follows believers,and that the ministry can pray for us, and we will recover. Thesepromises and signs are normal for the New Testament Church butbeyond this, there is a special endowment of God's divine Spirit uponindividuals to manifest the Gifts of Healing which are a part of thenine Gifts of the Spirit outlined for us in I Corinthians chapter 12.

It has been stated that there are 39 major killing diseases inthe world today. Our attention is then drawn immediately to the 39strips placed upon our Lord's back of which it is written, "...and with His

stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). The Lord was beaten for us with39 strips, hence, there is a stripe for every major killing disease. Godhath done all things well!

Sickness and disease have two sources: (1) Demonic spirits.Note how many times throughout the life and ministry of Jesus, spiritswere cast out and healing ensued. Comments have been made onthis under -- Discerning of Spirits. (2) Organic causes.


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There are three dimensions in time -- Past, present, andfuture. We live in one dimension -- the present. God lives in allthree -- He is not limited by time as you and I are. This is difficult forus to understand; but let me illustrate. In Matthew chapter 12 we findthe account of Jesus restoring the little man's withered hand. Theword 'restore' immediately indicates to us that the hand had notalways been withered! Jesus simply made it again as it once was!Not being limited by time He reached into the past and brought thepast to the present thus restoring the man's hand.

To heal is to make the body as it should be. For example, aninjured hand that takes six weeks to heal brought into the presence ofJesus does not have to wait for six weeks to pass, for Jesus canreach into the future six weeks, pull the future back to the presentand you are healed! Jesus can connect the past to present or the

future to the present!When the ministry prays or when anyone prayers for the sick,

we pray for encouragement and results, ever mindful of the will ofGod and His power through His promises to believers and theresident Gifts of Healing within the lives of individuals.

Let us now proceed to the Working of Miracles for further clarityand enlightenment.The Working of Miracles

To be prayed for by a man of God and then to recover day byday to the point of perfect health again is one thing but to be prayedfor and become healed instantaneously is quite another! The manwho is prayed for and healing ensues is involved with the Gifts ofHealing, but he who is prayed for and healed by the power of Godinstantly is involved with the Working of Miracles.

Please note the sudden conspicuous healing in Acts 3:1-8where the lame man heard words, "Such as I have, give I thee: in theName of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." Immediately the manleaped to his feet and tan into the Temple worshipping and praising

God. Acts 4:16 speaks of this as a notable miracle and again verse22 refers to this healing as a miracle. Thus instantaneousconspicuous healings are termed as miracles.

The Working of Miracles is a Gift of the Spirit in whichsupernatural power is released by God through a person's life toeffect a supernatural healing or happening. Throughout the Biblethere are marvelous miracles wrought by believers: the rolling back of


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the Red Sea, the feeding of the 5,000, walking on the water by Jesus,raising the dead, and many others.

The author knows personally a man of God who took youngpeople and children out into the country during the winter to ice skate,all of them participating in Christian youth fellowship. In the processof the ice skating party a small girl fell on the ice breaking her armresulting in a compound fracture. The bone had come through theflesh. The man of God simply fell on his knees and laid hands uponthe child praying in Jesus' Name! Before their very eyes the bonewithdrew and the hole closed over, the child being completely healed!

The Working of Miracles through the Gifts of the Spirit areneeded in our day as never before to close the mouths of gainsayersand scoffers in these last days. The Gifts of the Spirit many times do not work

independently of each other or totally alone. Many times the Giftsof the Spirit will work together, perhaps several of them at once tobring the desired effect.

For example: Many people had been raised from the dead inBible times and in our present day! Upon raising the dead, it is easyto see that the Gift of Faith could be working, plus the Gifts ofHealing, plus the Working of Miracles, as they overlap and join handsbringing about the desired result.

The Gifts of Healing and the Gift of Faith many times worktogether. The Word of Knowledge and Word of Wisdom worktogether along with Discerning of Spirits.

The Gifts of the Spirit are a closely knit family working for onecause, the advancement of the Church. Though they be ninemembers, yet they are the sublime influence of the invisibleremaining presence of a Saviour who desired our deliverance fromdeath, hell, and the grave. Jesus desired this to such an extent thatHe himself died an ignominious death for the security of such achurch wherein dwelt the demonstration of His Spirit and Power!Thank God for such a Church! All of the truth is being restored to us

in these last days!Conclusion

The author has either been used himself by God or has seen theGifts of the Spirit herein discussed at work in the lives of other men ofGod. The validity and authenticity of these Gifts cannot be disputed.You too will thrill as God permits you the privilege of being used by


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the Spirit or to see these mighty tools of the Spirit fashion and make aglorious bride fro Jesus Christ which shall appear before Him withoutspot or wrinkle!

We must evangelize the world! Our age is coming to a close,and the unreached masses who kneel before millions of man-madegods have neither heard the voice of nor seen the lowly Man fromGalilee. How can we reach the world that is before us without thedemonstration of the Spirit and power which enabled the firstChristians to turn their world upside down? Consider this -- twelveignorant, unlearned fishermen for the most part did turn their worldupside down! They shook the Roman Empire from center tocircumference with the story of a man called Jesus! That Palatine Hillwas not immune to its effects! How did they do it? They had a burning desire, they

believed completely, and the Spirit of the Lord worked with themeverywhere confirming the Word with signs and wonders! Wemust have it! We cannot survive without it! Our world is fastreverting to paganism -- Communism has enslaved its millions --Buddha overshadows other millions with cold lifeless smile -- eyesthat see not, ears that hear not -- India has millions of gods!

I know only One that lives, walks, talks, sees, and hears amongus. Place Him beside the millions that have been made, make allthat can be made, and yet He will have no equal, for the Lord, He isGod!!!

Let us pray, let us seek, let us knock, let us believe, and thedoor will open wide ushering us into an age where the Gifts of theSpirit present Him alive among us in the demonstration of the Spiritand power of the only true God -- Jesus Christ!

May your Christianity be challenged, your spiritual life explodedinto an undaunted boldness and unwavering faith as you read thisbook. We must together reach our lost world! God help us!

A prayer has been prayed over this book that all who read itscontents may be thrown into building of the latter house, the glory of

which there shall be no end! In Jesus' Name -- Amen.

gifts of the spirit by lee stoneking

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