Recently I have felt the pull to seek an aspect of God in the works and power of the Holy Spirit. I feel this is an area I have been skeptical of and avoided. But I believe is absolutely biblical and we can follow Jesus and Paul's example in asking for and using the gifts of the Holy Spirit for God's work and ministry to others. So I am digging into and praying into scripture around the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12
1Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
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27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
The biggest argument against asking for and hoping for God's miracles and healings today is that only the Apostles and heroes of the early church had these gifts. But now we have the bible and don't need those same spiritual gifts of healing and miracles.
But I don't see any evidence of this in scripture. In fact what purpose is there in me reading 1 Corinthians 12 and other passages about the Holy Spirit if they no longer apply? Why are they even included in scripture. What is so different today for us than the churches like the one in Corinth in the early church? Both churches have great facets of their faith and teaching. Yet both are broken and off of the truth and life of following Christ.
Today churches and the world need the miracles, healing, prophecies and other gifts of the Holy Spirit. I need them just as much in my life and in the ministry to college students!
Another argument against these gifts is 1 Corinthians 13:
If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poorand give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
But I don't think this says anything about gifts being unnecessary or obsolete. It simply points out gifts and power of the Holy Spirit can do no good without love. This also says giving everything to the poor is worthless without love. That is a powerful statement and yet it doesn't mean nobody should give to the poor or give up everything. Instead in all these things it says do them with love and they will be powerful workings of God.
God as I continue this journey of learning more about the aspect of you as the Holy Spirit who dwells in us who believe in Jesus I ask for your guidance. I ask for your truth and wisdom as guided by your Word and your Spirit! For I believe your Spirit is alive and active in me. I believe I could not understand the gospel or the bible or repent without the Holy Spirit. So I beg, fire of the Holy Spirit fall on me more and more. Not for my glory or for my boasting or my pleasure. I pray for more of your gifts and i desire the greater gifts so that you can work through me more effectively to minister to others.
Amen
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