The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
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Just as a body is crippled by <strong>the</strong> paralysis <strong>of</strong> its members, so <strong>the</strong> Christian community is<br />
weakened by <strong>the</strong> loss <strong>of</strong> gifts. Whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>y may be "natural" or "supernatural." This is why Paul<br />
rejoiced that <strong>the</strong> Corinthians did not lack any spiritual gift (I Cor. 1:7).<br />
<strong>The</strong> healing ministry <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> church is commanded as an ongoing obligation (Jas. 5:15-<br />
18). James shows that this type <strong>of</strong> ministry models <strong>the</strong> work <strong>of</strong> Elijah. Jesus' ministry <strong>of</strong> preaching<br />
<strong>the</strong> good news and healing <strong>the</strong> sick was motivated by a deep compassion for those who were<br />
helplessly lost (Mt. 9:36), not as a technique for convincing people <strong>of</strong> His deity. <strong>The</strong> latter was,<br />
and is, a by-product <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ministry <strong>of</strong> love and compassion.<br />
Narrow Definitions<br />
Ano<strong>the</strong>r flaw in <strong>the</strong> cessation teaching is <strong>the</strong> narrow definitions given to apostleship and<br />
prophecy. To claim that prophecy can only refer to giving new revelation and an apostle as only<br />
one who was an eyewitness <strong>of</strong> Christ's resurrection is erroneous. Although such meaning is at <strong>the</strong><br />
heart <strong>of</strong> what apostleship and prophecy is, it is too restrictive. Apostles were not only those who<br />
saw <strong>the</strong> resurrected Lord, but also those who had been gifted by <strong>the</strong> Lord for planting churches<br />
and advancing <strong>the</strong> gospel (Acts 14; Rom. 16:7).<br />
Prophecy is sometimes used for an explanation <strong>of</strong> a revelation already given. Zechariah, when<br />
filled with <strong>the</strong> <strong>Holy</strong> <strong>Spirit</strong>, prophesied (Lk. 1:67-79). <strong>The</strong> content <strong>of</strong> his prophecy was not a new<br />
revelation but an announcement that <strong>the</strong> Old Testament revelation had been fulfilled and was now<br />
to be his and Israel's experience. Thus it was prophecy for <strong>the</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong> streng<strong>the</strong>ning,<br />
encouragement and comfort (I Cor. 14:3).<br />
God's Name<br />
I believe that one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> strongest arguments for <strong>the</strong> validity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> "supernatural" gifts for<br />
today is God's name. <strong>The</strong> name Yahweh is compounded with seven names. One <strong>of</strong> those is:<br />
"Yahweh (Jehovah)-rapha, <strong>The</strong> Lord who heals (Ex. 15:26).<br />
God's name does not change. Names in <strong>the</strong> Bible always represent <strong>the</strong> nature and character <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> person. This is also true <strong>of</strong> God. It is, <strong>the</strong>refore, God's very nature to heal.<br />
When Moses asked God what His name was God replied:<br />
"'I am who I am.' This is what you are to say to <strong>the</strong> Israelites: 'I am has sent me to you.'"<br />
(Ex. 3:14)