THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY
SPIRIT
We are going to look at the nine gifts
of the Holy Spirit, which follow the nine fruits of the Spirit in the lives of
believers.
Bible
Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.
1.
Now, dear brothers
and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit
gives us. I do not want you to misunderstand this (to be without knowledge).
2.
You know that when
you were still pagans (without faith in Christ), you were led astray and swept
along in worshiping speechless idols.
3.
So, I want you to
know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can
say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.
4.
There are different
kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.
5.
There are different
kinds of service (ministries), but we serve the same Lord.
6.
God works in
different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.
7.
A spiritual gift is
given to each of us so we can help each other (for the profit of all).
8.
To one person the
Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice (wisdom); to
another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge (word of
knowledge).
9.
The same Spirit gives
great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gifts
of healing.
10.
He gives one person
the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy.
He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the
Spirit of God or from another spirit (discerning of spirits). Still
another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while
another is given the ability to interpret what is being said.
11.
It is the one and
only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each
person should have.
Within this bible study, we need to
give special attention to the fact, that each of the fruits and gifts of the
Holy Spirit, cannot come through human ability or talent. But, by the Holy
Spirit and our desire to be filled.
We will soon discover the added
strength and power received through the “baptism
in the Holy Spirit.” As we learn and understand the fruits and gifts of the
Holy Spirit, you will begin to find ourselves, able to be used by the Holy Spirit
of God (Who is God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit), in their effective
manifestation.
A. The THREE gifts of Inspiration: Tongues,
Interpretation, and Prophecy.
2. The Gift of Interpretation
of Tongues. “To another, the interpretation of tongues.”
“Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown
languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is
being said” 1 Corinthians 12:10.
The
interpretation of tongues is to explain, to give the meaning. When, a “message
in tongues” is given in a PUBLIC meeting, it should be followed by an “interpretation,”
which is not a translation, but to give the meaning of the “message in tongues,”
(which is not unlike prophecy, when the Lord speaks direct to us, through the
gift). So:
1.
First the message in tongues.
2.
And then the interpretation, of the message.
Tongues, by them self, edifies us in
our private worship. When tongues are used, we speak to God. Yet, by the
interpretation, all are edified. When interpretation is used, God speaks to us.
For interpretation, brings strength, encouragement, and comfort to the saints.
Concerning: tongues and interpretation, in their use
in PUBLIC meetings. The “gift of tongues” twice, at the most three times, yet,
let them keep silent, if there is no interpreter present.
Let us pray for the interpretation, “So then, one who speaks in a tongue should
pray that he may interpret” 1 Corinthians 14:13.
We need to take close attention to 1 Corinthians 14:27-28.
“If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in
turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep
silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. Let two or three
prophets speak, and let the others judge.”
For the Holy Spirit, does not confuses
us, so we need to wait upon our gifts, and to let the Holy Spirit rule our use
of the gifts. Or, as 1 Corinthians
For ALL the “gifts of the Spirit” are
not for self, but for the edifying of the Church. So, we must take care that
ALL are used in order. How does it come? Your spirit will have a great urge, a
sort of bubbling up, so that will want to bust forth in worship, praise, etc.
Then speak forth in faith.
Interpretation means “explanation,” or
to give the meaning. The interpretation of tongues is not the translation of
the tongue spoken but the giving of the meaning spoken. This ability to give
the meaning of tongues comes only from the Holy Spirit.
What is the interpretation of tongues?
When tongues are spoken in a public service, the interpretation is given that
all may understand what was said. Without an interpretation, it violates Paul's
instruction in 1 Corinthians 14:12 “Even
so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the
edification of the church that you seek to excel.”
What if you feel an urge in your spirit to
speak forth a “message in tongues” during a service and no one interprets what
you said. Does this mean you should have not spoken? No! It could mean that
someone who was to be used by the Holy Spirit to interpret did not have faith
to interpret. “For those who live as the
Spirit tells them to, have their minds controlled by what the Spirit wants”
Romans 8:5.
Also, if no one interpreted what you
said it could mean that you failed to follow the Bible rule which says, “But if no one is there who can explain,
then the one who speaks must be quiet and speak only to himself and God” 1
Corinthians 14:28. So you need to take care not to be carried away in the
blessings of God.
There is often another question asked,
“How can I know the Holy Spirit wants to manifest the “gift of interpretation”
through me?” The answer is much the same as that of all spiritual gifts given
by the Holy Spirit. In your spirit you will a great urge, a sort of bubbling up
within, after someone has given a message of tongues. You now want to bust
forth in worship, prayer, blessing or thanksgiving to God.
Then you should speak forth clearly
what the Holy Spirit gives you to say. You may have received only a few words
at the beginning.
But as you speak forth in faith, more
words will come. Soon you will have given the whole meaning of the message.
What is the purpose of the gift of “interpretations
of tongues”? To build up the body of Christ after tongues has been spoken in
the public service. This interpretation should lift the church to new heights
of worship, prayer, blessing, or giving of thanks to God.
Often when this happens believers find
their burdens lifted, their problems solved, their joys increased, and their
spiritual lives enriched. So that the whole church is strengthened as the
members unite in this Holy Spirit-inspired reaching unto God.
So be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Seek the Lord for the “gift of interpretation of tongues.”
End of part two, part three will
follow.
