Desire Spiritual Gifts

[Richard Kent]

What is your opinion on the spiritual gifts that God gives his people? Does your church believe in such gifts? Do they teach of them, and allow their practice in the worship service? Do you believe in the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Do you believe that evidence, is one particle gift or many different gifts? Some teach that the one main evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit is the evidence of speaking in tongues. Though it is true that many indeed are, I debate this stance and submit that God grants gifts differently according to each of our callings. Just because one does not speak in diverse tongues does not mean they have not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

 First let us look at Ephesians 4: 11 “it was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers” Here we see that the calling of God is different for each of us. We all have different functions within the body, but work together as one unit. What would happen if the people decided they wanted different gifts, or the gift of their buddy? I believe it would mean total chaos in the spiritual realm, and a body of disobedient and rebellious people and ultimately a dysfunctional church body. We must thank God for what gifts he gifts us and not be envious of the gifts of others. Knowing this, we can move forward in realizing that with the different callings also means different gifts of the spirit for each individual. That though we are all equal in God’s eyes, we have different duties he calls us to. If we step outside our call, the outcome is failure.

 In 1 Corinthians 12: 28-30 we read what a little deeper about this. “And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?” The author is telling us that we are all different- Amen. If we back up a little in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 we are told that -To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues^] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

Always remember “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace“(1 Cor.14, v. 33), and to “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts.”(1Cor.14 v. 1) But, seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Mat. 6-33)  What this all means is to seek God not the gifts. Desire all, which God has for you, whatever it may be. Accept that calling and the gift that goes with it. The body needs functional hands, arms and legs to operate. The Church is like that body. Praise God for what he gives you, and walk in it today. Do all things in love.

Richard A. Kent

 

[Rev. Louis J. Guarine]

Brother Richard,

I do believe that speaking in tongues is the main evidence of being baptized with the Holy Spirit. However, take note that this initial evidence of speaking in tongues is not one of the Spiritual Gifts of the Holy Ghost as outlined in 1 Cor. 12.

There is a big difference between speaking in one's Holy Spirit prayer language given to him and being used in the gift of speaking in tongues as one of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. All of God's children should ask for and be given the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and be able to use their prayer language whenever they desire, speaking privately to God in mysteries, but not all of those being baptized in the Holy Ghost will be used in the speaking in other tongues as one of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit as defined in 1 Cor. 12.


Therefore I conclude:

1. As you say, it's true that just because you are not used in the Gift of speaking in other tongues as one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit as outlined in 1 Cor. 12, does not mean that you have not been baptized in the Holy Spirit.
2. Not all who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, are used in the Gift of speaking in tongues as outlined in 1 Cor. 12
3. All Christians who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit have a divine heavenly prayer and thus speak in other tongues, though this is not one of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit as outlined in 1 Cor. 12
4. The phrase "speaking in other tongues" has caused much confusion amongst Christians today simply because they do not know there's a difference between speaking in other tongues when using their prayer language and speaking in other tongues when using one of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit as outlined in 1 Cor. 12.
5. Praying in the Holy Ghost in a prayer language should be used privately. Being used in the Gift of speaking in other tongues as a gift as outlined in 1 Cor. 12, should be done openly before the saints when one receives a message from God and has the responsibility of sharing it with the congregation. This must be followed by an interpretation by someone, and if no interpreter is present, he has the responsibility of interpreting God's message. If he doesn't have it, he should remain silent.
6. The speaking in other tongues as a gift of the Holy Spirit as outlined in 1 Cor. 12 followed by the Gift of interpretation of tongues is the equivalent is the equivalent of Prophecy.