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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It is true that Paul speaks <strong>of</strong> God as One who ‘gives you His <strong>Spirit</strong> and works miracles among<br />
you” (Gal. 3:5), while <strong>the</strong> writer to <strong>the</strong> Hebrews says that His salvation God also testified by<br />
“signs, wonders and various miracles and gifts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Holy</strong> <strong>Spirit</strong> distributed according to His will”<br />
(Heb. 2:4). Such miracles were performed in Jerusalem after Pentecost (Acts 2:43) and <strong>the</strong> Lord<br />
granted such gifts (Acts 5:12).<br />
THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND MIRACLES<br />
Jesus’ public ministry had basically two elements:<br />
<br />
<br />
Proclamation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Good News <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Kingdom <strong>of</strong> God<br />
Demonstration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> power <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Kingdom <strong>of</strong> God<br />
Jesus commissioned <strong>the</strong> Twelve and <strong>the</strong> Seventy-two to preach and demonstrate <strong>the</strong><br />
kingdom <strong>of</strong> God. Healings and miracles are given to demonstrate <strong>the</strong> power <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> kingdom since<br />
God <strong>the</strong> Fa<strong>the</strong>r sent Jesus to destroy <strong>the</strong> kingdom <strong>of</strong> Satan and its evil works (Jn. 12:31; I Jn. 3:8)<br />
and to establish <strong>the</strong> kingdom <strong>of</strong> God.<br />
<strong>The</strong> following sums up Jesus’ instruction on <strong>the</strong> kingdom <strong>of</strong> God:<br />
1. God’s reign entered <strong>the</strong> world in <strong>the</strong> Person <strong>of</strong> Jesus (Mt. 12:28).<br />
2. Through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, people are redeemed from <strong>the</strong> world, <strong>the</strong><br />
flesh and <strong>the</strong> devil and thus come under <strong>the</strong> reign or rule <strong>of</strong> God’s kingdom (Jn. 3:1-21).<br />
3. <strong>The</strong> kingdom <strong>of</strong> God is destroying <strong>the</strong> kingdom <strong>of</strong> Satan (I Jn. 3:8).<br />
4. At <strong>the</strong> second coming Satan will be eternally destroyed as Christ ushers in <strong>the</strong> fullness <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> kingdom <strong>of</strong> God (Mt. 13:36-43).<br />
DELIVERANCE MINISTRY (EXORCISM)<br />
Since <strong>the</strong>re is so much ignorance and confusion about demonic “possession” it is important<br />
that it is dealt with in a thorough and balanced manner. David Pytches, in his book, <strong>Spirit</strong>ual <strong>Gifts</strong><br />
in <strong>the</strong> Local Church, gives a good treatment on <strong>the</strong> subject. Thus most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> following material<br />
dealing with this sensitive topic is taken from his book.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Bible is clear that some mental and physical illness is <strong>the</strong> result <strong>of</strong> demonic activity. <strong>The</strong><br />
Greek word daimonizomai, most <strong>of</strong>ten translated “demon possessed,” is most accurately<br />
translated “demonized.” <strong>The</strong>re are degrees <strong>of</strong> demonization from <strong>the</strong> milder form <strong>of</strong> “afflicting”<br />
demons to <strong>the</strong> acute form <strong>of</strong> “controlling” demons.