The DEFINITIVE answer on Spiritual gifts

A recent decision by the Southern Baptist Convention International Mission Board, reversed a previous rule that disallowed those who practiced ‘speaking in tongues’ from being missionaries through their organization. Many have heralded this, as do I, as a step in the right direction. There is no meaningful policy change or doctrinally change associated with this. On the IMB website, this statement is found, “persistent emphasis on any specific gift of the Spirit as normative for all or to the extent such emphasis becomes disruptive,” leaving little doubt about the stance they still hold. On my most recent podcast, I touched on this subject a little more in depth than I will here, listen here. Spiritual gifts, the importance of them, and if they are in operation today, are matters of great contention within the Body of Christ.

This article is not a defense or intended to promote, the idea of ‘speaking in tongues’. As a matter of clarification, the spiritual gift of speaking in ‘tongues’ is mentioned in the books of Acts and 1 Corinthians. The Greek word translated ‘tongues’ in the King James, and language in others, is γλῶσσα (Transliteration: glōssa). It, that is, the practice of speaking in tongues is only demonstrated in Acts. Each instance there, someone seems to understand the language spoken, especially in Acts chapter 2. The mention of tongues in 1 Corinthians is first in chapter 12, as a listed spiritual gift, then in chapter 15, as the proper use, or practice of it. These are the extent of tongues in scripture.

I am not Charismatic, that is, I don’t practice the use of tongues, at least that is the usual definition of a Charismatic (or sometimes Pentecostal-referencing the Day of Pentecost). I am Charismatic if the definition means that I believe in the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit, which I most certainly do. Many Charismatic/Pentecostal denominations list a definitive list of spiritual gifts, which looks something like this (from 1 Corinthians 12:8-10):

1) Word of Wisdom

2) Word of Knowledge

3) Faith

4) Gifts of Healing

5) Working of Miracles

6) Prophecy

7) Discerning of Spirits

8) Divers (or different) kinds of Tongues

9) Interpretation of (different) Tongues

Most Biblical scholars and theologians think this list is not exhaustive, though I have debated with a few Pentecostal types who believe that this IS the list. I, for one, think this list was Paul’s way of saying, here is the gifts working in your church (the Corinthian) and the importance, or more importantly, the proper place in the fellowship of believers. The list Paul has here is prefaced with, (1 Corinthians 12:4 KJV) “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” In Romans chapter 12, Paul says a similar statement, namely, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us…” In the list that follows this verse, Paul gives a list of spiritual gifts, some repeated later in 1 Corinthians (though Romans may have been a later letter-chronologically). I believe these two lists were intended to show that there was multiple spiritual gifts, at least at the time.

I actually think the scriptures lays down a definitive list, one not to add to or take away. It is important to note that scripture is progressive in revelation, thus, latter revelation would supersede previous scripture. For example, Paul encounters, in Acts 19, men baptized with John’s baptism, and he expounds unto them the ‘new’ way and the Christian baptism. Revelation had brought a new way of being baptized, or new purpose, if you will. There are plenty of other examples; New Covenant and Old Covenant, Aaronic Priesthood and the Melchisedec Priesthood, and goats, bulls, and rams versus Christ’s atoning death.

So first, the wording used in later scripture, “As every man hath received the gift…” is similar to Paul’s earlier writings in 1 Corinthians and Romans. The writer proceeds to describe the gifts, and without any doubt in my mind the list is exhaustive. The reasons I believe it is exhaustive are simple. First, the list is the last list in scripture, leaving it the authoritative list. Second, the list is descriptive, clearly enumerating the gifts, and their functions. And finally, the list could not be added to, there is no conceivable gift unlisted. As an addendum, this list would have to have the authority of a writer as prominent as Paul, and I believe it does. Here, for the end of all debates: 1 Peter 4:11 (KJV) “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

So there you have it. Peter, as least as authoritative as Paul, says there are two gifts; speaking and (what I like to call ‘doing’) ministering. This writing by Peter, by most scholar’s belief, is at least a few years after Paul’s letters that address this issue. I think that the Holy Spirit wanted us to know this list IS exhaustive. So if you have a speaking gift, be it; preaching, prophesying, singing, or even tongues, do as the oracles (utterances) of God. If you minister (again I say, ‘doing’), be it; helps, administration, cleaning church bathrooms, or whatever, do with all the ability God has given you.

GOD BLESS

#tongues #spiritualgifts