THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE GIFTS

The gifts of the Spirit are the very essence of the Ruach HaKodesh Himself working through a believer to display the divine attributes of the Godhead and meet the needs of man.

"Now concerning spiritual gifts brethren, I don't want you to be ignorant .. " 1 Corinthians 12: 1

The word 'gifts' here is not in the original, and so it is written in italics in the NKJ version as used here. The subject is 'spiritual things' or 'things of the Spirit'. Emanations may be a more appropriate word to use.

In verse 7 of the same chapter the word 'manifestation' of the Spirit is used. 'Manifestation is 'PHANEROSIS' and means 'shining forth' or "flashing out' - i. e. supernatural projections of the Spirit breaking through into the natural realm.

Two terms are used in these instructional chapters on the operations of the Holy Spirit. They are: PNEUMATIKA literally meaning 'spirituals' or spiritual emanations and CHARISMA meaning 'grace', 'favour', 'gift'

When 'gifts' is inserted in italics in the text, the word in Greek is 'pneumatikos' - spiritual emanations This is the case in 1 Corinthians12: 1; 13: 2; 14: 1; 14:12 When 'gifts' is in normal print, the word in Greek is 'charisma', a gift in the sense of a manifestation of the Spirit. This is used in 1 Corinthians 12: 7-10 ; 12:31

Thus the emanations of the Spirit operate through the believers to minister to the body. They never become 'gifts' in the sense that they become the possession of the person operating them. The 'gifts' (emanations) of the Spirit cannot be received, possessed or operated at will independently of the Ruach HaKodesh. A believer can operate all the 'gifts' of the Spirit or he may specialise in one or two which he feels more comfortable with, but it will always be as He, the Ruach 'wills' (verse 11). They are gifts operating through the agency of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) and are not related to natural talents and abilities.

Every Spirit-filled believer has the potential capacity for every manifestation of the Spirit, as a channel through which the will and purposes of Yahweh can be effected to build up the Body of Messiah.

The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man for the profit of all (1 Corinthians 12: 7) Note. Manifestation is singular, the 'gifts' are not manifestations (plural) of the Spirit, but they are a manifestation of Himself in taking the things of Messiah and expressing them to us in various forms.

The Father has given the Spirit to us as a Comforter/Counsellor. As part of this role, He takes the things of Messiah and reveals them to us, giving us understanding of Messiah Himself. But then, having shown us the glory of Messiah it becomes the desire of the Spirit to manifest through us the ministry of Messiah and make us participants in His ministry to the Body and to the world. To do this the Spirit brings to the believers 'diversities of gifts' so that through them they can act as the Body of Messiah - the expression of Himself on the earth. John 14:12

"However, when He the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears he will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is mine and declare it to you." John 16:13-14

"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all." 1 Corinthians 12: 4-6

Diversities of gifts (charismaton - manifestations)- Holy Spirit's ministry Differences of Ministries - Y'shua, the Head and Administrator of the Body Diversities of Activities (lit. energies or workings) - God the Father of all, Who is over all and in all

The Holy Spirit gives expression to the ministry of Messiah at His direction, by the energising power of the Father.There are many forms of expression of the manifestations, ministries and the effectual workings of the Father's power to effect them, but all are in an established order and according to the divine purpose for each member and the Body as a whole.

OPERATION OF THE GIFTS

The nine gifts are usually categorised into sets of three VOCAL/INSPIRATIONAL GIFTS POWER GIFTS REVELATION GIFTS

1. The Inspirational Gifts, the utterances of the Holy Spirit include Prophecy Tongues Interpretation

These are under the control of the human will and therefore can be used wisely or foolishly, or can be withheld from use. They can be contaminated by the person's own spirit by unforgiveness causing bitterness, erroneous doctrines and/or perceptions, limited understanding/knowledge of spiritual realities and of truth, thus distorting the message.

Prophecy in particular needs to be judged, the sphere of prophecy is in encouragement, exhortation and edification. It is not usual for prophecy to be used to foretell the future as it does not contain revelation, and it is definitely not intended for the correction of error in other members of the Body

It takes faith to step out and operate these gifts and yield the faculties of voice, mind and will to the motivations of the Spirit flowing along and allowing Him to use one's self to speak forth a message to edify others. Tongues and Interpretation are a couplet. Speaking in tongues in this manifestation is a powerful 'voice' expression for the Ruach HaKodesh to carry the energising influence of His presence in a gathering of believers, but it must be interpreted for understanding, and it will not be expressed in a word for word translation, but an interpretation of the general meaning.

2. The Power Gifts are demonstrations of the power of the Spirit. Faith Healings Miracles

These demonstrations of the kingdom convince man of the reality of God and are a necessary part of outreach.

The Gift of Faith is a supernatural impartation of the Holy Spirit for a specific purpose or need in situations above the normal faith level of the individual. It may serve the purpose of prayer, guidance or to meet a circumstantial need.

Healings - is in the plural, as there are many manifestations of healing gifts, this is supernatural and not that which originates from natural sources. It can be through laying on of hands, anointing with oil, prayer, a rhema word or anointed cloths.

Miracles are an intervention into the natural world overiding natural laws and principles, to change the course of nature and natural circumstances through a demonstration of His power.

3. The Revelation Gifts imparting to the believer divine insight Discerning of spirits Word of Wisdom Word of Knowledge

These are impartations to the believer, not through the believer, and therefore the exercise of them is subject to specific guidance. They are not necessarily spoken out, they may just be for personal guidance in ministry.

Discerning of spirits is not natural discernment. It is of spirits It operates in three areas - divine, human and satanic to discern what forces are at work in another person or situation. The purpose is to give knowledge and wisdom for direction.

Word of Knowledge - a word of revelation, specific to a situation or a need which can't be known by normal means.

Word of Wisdom - a supernatural impartation of the mind and will of Yahweh, concerning situations, people and places. It concerns Yahweh's plans and purposes and is given where natural wisdom cannot answer the problem.

Although these manifestations have been categorised for clarification in this manner, they are not compartmentalised. Often they will be grouped together differently in their operation, according to the need. For instance, a word of knowledge may be given of a physical ailment, which is the result of an oppressing spirit that needs a gift of healing. Knowledge, Discernment and Healing gifts being operated together. Many such combinations occur, as He, the Spirit of God wills to meet the needs of the Body of Y'shua and bring it to perfection and maturity in Him.

We are called to be servants of one another and good stewards of the grace of God which is given to us, keeping one another in high esteem, so that whatever we minister of His gifts, it will be with dignity and faithfulness to what we have been given.

"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. Pursue love, and desire spiritual manifestations/gifts "1 Corinthians 13:13-14:1