Spiritual Things: The Conversion of Cornelius

Posted by on January 1, 2010 under Articles

If you carefully read Acts chapters 10 and 11, you will see that Cornelius received gifts of the Spirit and not the indwelling Spirit. One receives the indwelling Spirit when one is baptized for the remission of sins. (Acts 2:36-39.) On the day of Pentecost, three thousand became believers and asked what to do. Peter told them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” When sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus at baptism, one’s body is cleansed for a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. Sin goes out and the Holy Spirit comes in. In Galatians 3:26-27 we are told that we become children of God when we believe and put Christ on in baptism, and he tells us that because we are children, God sends forth His Spirit into our hearts. (Galatians 4:6)

In Acts 10:6, Peter was to tell Cornelius how he and all in his house could be saved. The Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius as Peter began to speak. (Acts 11:15.) The Holy Spirit did not come to dwell in him, but the Holy Spirit “fell on them.” There is a difference in the indwelling Spirit which is given to every child of God and spiritual gifts, one of which was given to Cornelius at this time. The Holy Spirit gave him the gift to speak in tongues. (Acts 11:45-46)

This gift was given to Cornelius, the first Gentile convert, to prove to the Jews that God had accepted the Gentiles. (Acts 11:18.) Peter took seven Jewish brethren with him to witness the events; but he still had to go to Jerusalem and explain to the Apostles and brethren why he went into a Gentile home. In Acts 11, Peter explained in order the events as they took place. First, his vision of clean and unclean, and the spirit telling him to go; Peter enters Cornelius’ house and begins to speak. The Holy Spirit falls upon Cornelius and his house. Peter was to tell them how they could be saved; but before he told them, the Holy Spirit fell upon them. This is showing to all that God approved of this meeting. And as Peter reported these things to the Apostles and brethren they glorified God and said, “Then to the Gentiles has God granted repentance unto life.” (Acts 11:18)

If we look back to Acts 10:47-48, we see that they were commanded to be baptized in water.

The blood of Christ washes away our sins when we believe, repent and are baptized. (Revelation 1:5; Acts 22:16.) And then we have a clear conscience. (1 Peter 3:21)

Can a Child of God Lose His Salvation?

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I have often been asked this question.

Salvation is a gift from God offered to all mankind. We are free to accept or reject salvation. Once we accept salvation, we are still free to make choices. We can become unfaithful and lose our salvation or we can remain faithful until death and receive a crown of life. (Revelation 2:10)

Most of the New Testament was written to Christians encouraging them to remain faithful and receive eternal life. If a man could not lose his salvation, why write all these letters encouraging him not to lose it?

“Work out your own salvation in fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12)

Most preachers who teach the doctrine of “once saved always saved” quote John 10:28, “and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” Then they will say that includes yourself. If we read John 10:18, we will understand this statement better. Jesus says, “no man takes My life but I lay it down of Myself.” There was no external force that could take Jesus’ life but He could lay it down and He did. There is no external force that can take salvation from a child of God; but he can lay it down. He can go back into the world. Salvation is a choice that the child of God made to become a Christian and he still can make choices whether or not he will continue to serve God or Satan.

Some questions:

  1. Does Satan tempt Christians?
  2. If they can’t lose their salvation, why is Satan tempting them?
  3. If we can’t fall, why does the Bible warn us that we can?

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). Peter says in II Peter 1:5-11, if we add the Christian graces we will never fall, but if we lack these things we have forgotten that we were cleansed from our old sins. The Hebrew writer warns us, “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:12-13)

“Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.” Hebrews 4:1.

In Hebrews, the writer warns the Jewish Christians if they turn their back on Jesus and go back to Judaism, they have no hope.

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. (Hebrews 6:4-6)

See also Hebrews 10:26-29.

False teachers had taught the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians in Galatia that they must be circumcised and keep the law of Moses or they cannot be saved. Some believed these false teachers, and Paul tells them the results: “You have become estranged from Christ. You who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace” (Galatians 5:4).

In Acts chapter 8, we have an example of a man who became a believer and was baptized. According to Jesus’ promise in Mark 16:15-16, this man, Simon, was saved. Can he lose that salvation? Yes, as we read further we see that Simon reverted back to his old ways of wanting to earn money by any means. When Simon saw that through the laying on of the Apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying “Give me this power also that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

But Peter said to him, “Your money perishes with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money. You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you, for I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” Then, Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.” (Acts 8:18-24)

There were some teachers in Ephesus by the names of Hymenaeus and Philetus who departed from the truth and overthrew the faith of some saying that the resurrection had past already. (II Timothy 2:17-18.) In II Timothy 4:10 Paul said, “Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world.” You cannot depart from where you have never been.

Notice that Demas loved this present world. We are warned in 1 John 2:15-17 not to love the world.
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but of the world and the world passes away and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

John was writing to Christians.
Can a child of God lose his love for God and fall in love with the world? These scriptures prove that he can. Demas did. Christians have done it in the past and are doing it now and will do it in the future.

Peter points out the condition of those who depart from God. “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true Proverb: ‘A dog returns to his own vomit’ and ‘A sow having washed to her wallowing in the mire.’” (II Peter 2:20-22)

You have the power of choice to reject the salvation that is in Christ Jesus or you have the power to accept it.

You have the choice to reject Jesus and go back into the world and be lost throughout all eternity, and you have the choice to remain faithful until death and receive the crown of life.

In conclusion I borrow the words of Moses that he spoke to the children of Israel as they were getting ready to enter the promised land, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19)

Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit

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What is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit? Recently, I received this question concerning blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Since this question is frequently asked, I thought others would benefit from the answer given. The following is the answer I gave to the question.

Thank you for your question concerning blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Jesus deals with this subject in Matthew 12 and Mark 3. Matthew 12 does not give us the answer specifically, but Mark does. Jesus performed miracles to prove He is the Son of God (John 20:30-31). No one who witnessed these miracles could deny them. They could attribute them to the power of Satan or the power of God. If they attributed the miracles to God they would have to say Jesus is from God. The Scribes chose to attribute them to Satan, rejecting Christ’s deity; therefore, rejecting the only means of forgiveness.

Question #2: Can this sin be committed today?

Since you and I are more than two thousand years removed from the time that Jesus walked the earth and performed these miracles, we will not have the privilege of witnessing them; therefore, we cannot judge as eye witnesses. We must draw our conclusions from the New Testament. The nearest thing to blasphemy of the Spirit today would be to read the New Testament and say, “I believe Jesus performed these miracles, but I believe He did them because He had an unclean spirit.” That is exactly what Mark said blasphemy against the Spirit is.

“Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin” — Because they said, “He has an unclean spirit” (Mark 3:29-30, NRSV).

In Mark 3:28, Jesus said, “All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men.” All means all: murder, adultery, etc. There is only one exception, attributing the power of the Holy Spirit to Satan.

After Conversion

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Acts 2:38-42
Acts 22:16
SAVED – PAST SINS		 I Tim. 4:16
Rev. 2:10
SAVED ETERNALLY
THINGS TO
REMEMBER		 GOD WANTS
YOU TO
NEW CREATURE II Cor. 5:17
Rom. 6:4		 LOVE HIM FIRST Matt. 22:37
Matt. 10:37
BABES IN CHRIST I Pet. 2:2
I Cor. 3:1-2		 STUDY II Tim. 2:15
Acts 17:11
CRITICAL PERIOD Matt. 4:1-11
I Cor. 10:11-13		 PRAY Phil. 4:6-7
I Tim. 2:8
POSSIBILITY OF FALLING John 8:31
I John 2:1-2
Acts 8:17-24		 ASSEMBLE Heb. 10:25-27
Matt. 18:20
REPRESENTATIVE II Cor. 3:2
I Tim. 4:12		 GIVE I Cor. 16:1-2
II Cor. 9:6-7
CHRIST YOUR EXAMPLE Heb. 12:1-2
I Cor. 3:1-7		 HELP SAVE OTHERS Matt. 28:19-20
John 15:1-6, 16

Adorning the Doctrine

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In Titus 2:10 Paul told Titus that servants are to adorn the doctrine of God.

To adorn means, “to arrange, to put in order,” (W. E. Vines, NIV, Titus 2:10) so that in every way the servant or teacher will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. Therefore, the servant or teacher must conduct himself in such a way that his message will be acceptable and attractive.

Paul told Timothy to “Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (I Timothy 4:16).

Personality traits of the successful teacher:

  • His personal life must be pure (I Timothy 5:22).
  • He must be emotional, compassionate in nature (Matthew 9:36).
  • He must be optimistic in outlook. He knows that the word of God will not return unto God void (Isaiah 55:11).
  • He must show his appreciation for the good qualities in his students. Remember Jesus’ words when he met Nathaniel: “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile” (John 1:47).
  • He must be patient. Many students will be ungrateful and unkind. He must remember that “God is long-suffering, not willing that any should perish” (II Peter 3:9).
  • He must be tactful. Not only must he know the Bible, but he must know human nature. He must follow the instruction given by Paul to the church of Colosse. “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Colossians 4:6).

If you follow these instructions, then it can be said of you, “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things” (Romans 10:15).

Let us adorn the doctrine of God by the life we live.

How Much God Hates Sin

Posted by on February 22, 1998 under Articles

The Psalmist said, “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way” (Psalm 119:104).

Today, there is a tendency to play down sin. Here are some examples:

  • Homosexuality is referred to as an “alternative life style.”
  • Legalized abortion, in my opinion, is the greatest catastrophe in America since we became a nation. Millions of unborn babies are murdered annually, all because we do not realize how much God hates sin.

How much God hates sin can be seen in the punishment of sin in the past. In the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15-19):

  • The serpent – condemned to destruction.
  • The woman – condemned to submission and pain.
  • The man – condemned to toil and tears.
  • All men – condemned to death (1 Corinthians 15:22).

The Flood: In Genesis 6, we see the condition of man’s heart, that it was evil continually.

  • God’s solution – the flood. He will destroy mankind along with the creatures. Why? All because of sin; God hates sin.

Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19).

  • These cities were destroyed along with their inhabitants because of the sin of sodomy (homosexuality) and other sins (Ezekiel 16:49).

Many other examples could be cited, but these are enough to show that God hates sin, and that he punishes it without mercy when men continue in it. We can see how much God hates sin by the future punishment he has promised to the wicked. Please read 2 Peter 2:4-9).

We can see how much God hates sin by looking at what he has done to redeem us from it. He sent his Son to earth to die on a cross to condemn sin and to make us righteous (Rom. 8:3-4). He sent his Son to save his people from their sins (Matt. 1:21). He made his Son, who knew no sin, to be sin that we might be made righteous (2 Cor. 5:21). He sent his son to bear our sins in his body that we might be dead to sin (1 Peter 2:24).

These passages not only teach now much God hates sin but also how much he loves us. God hates sin so much that he commands that we turn from it. He loves us so much that he sent his Son to die for us (John 3:16).

Let us, “Hate every false way.” This is possible only by loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

The Indestructible Kingdom

Posted by on February 1, 1998 under Articles

As seen from the book of Revelation, the saints in John’s time were undergoing a great trial of persecution. They needed encouragement and assurance that they might face up to these trials.

The Lord gives them this encouragement when he said, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (2:10). This seems to be the purpose of the book. He expands this by showing the ultimate triumph of the Kingdom.

In 7:9, he gives us a glimpse of the Kingdom beyond the grave. A great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. The angel said to John, “These are they which came out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And he that setteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore.

John spoke of himself as being a companion of those who were undergoing tribulation in the Kingdom (1:9). With this revelation, they could look forward to victory beyond the grave. “O grave, where is thy victory?”

John said, “. . . I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season . . .” (6:9-11). These were slain, yet they lived; they were now comforted. Things were good now, but they will get better. This is why the Spirit said, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them” (14:13-14).

God promises that, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things” (Rev. 21:7). The souls under the alter haven’t inherited all things yet. They don’t have perfect peace and happiness because they haven’t been avenged. But in Chapter 20, the Great Day comes when the wicked are judged, and along with Satan, are cast into the lake of fire where the beast and false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Then John saw the final triumph of the faithful; the holy city coming down from God out of heaven and a great voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (21:3-4). “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever” (21:5). “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (22:14).

So we see from this the destiny of the redeemed: perfect fellowship with God (21:1-8); perfect protection by God (21:9-27); and perfect provision from God (22:1-5).

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Rev. 4:11).

God had the eternal kingdom in mind before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4). Instead of Satan hindering the purpose of God, he only put God’s people through a refining fire to purify them for that eternal realm with God.

The wonderful thing about it all is, it is not only for the saints in the first century, but, “whosoever will, let him come and take of the water of life freely.” We, too, can overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of his testimony, if we love not our life unto death (Rev. 12:11). We are made clean by the blood of the Lamb, by being baptized into his death (Rom. 6:3-4). And his blood continues to cleanse us as we walk in the light and have fellowship one with another.

Walking in the light includes proclaiming his word (testimony). Because we are debtors (Rom. 1:14-16), we owe an eternal debt of love to our fellowman. We must show this love by telling him about the blood of the Lamb, and the word of his testimony. Then we must give our bodies as living sacrifices unto God (Rom. 12:1-2). We must crucify the old man and let Jesus live in us (Gal. 2:20).

If we are with the Lamb, victory is assured. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Voltaire, a French philosopher and skeptic of two centuries ago, said that he “hated life and dreaded death.” How different from the Christian! Voltaire had nothing to look forward to, but the Christian everything.

Christianity spans two worlds, time and eternity. Time is needed to prepare for eternity, to know Christ, “and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings” (Phil. 3:10). But we must keep in mind “our citizenship is in heaven.” We cannot be heavenly minded unless we are conscious of our heavenly citizenship and that we are only sojourners on earth. We must not, while sojourning among the ungodly, become ungodly, but remember that we are the salt and light of the earth.

As the Christian closes the book of Revelation, he understands how he can be content with his lot in life. The words of the Spirit, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again, I say rejoice” (Phil. 4:4) has meaning. What can he say to the ungodly? Groan, and again I say groan, for the misery that will come upon you. Why? Because they have united with Satan and “the God of peace shall bruise Satan” under the saints’ feet shortly (Rom. 16:20)!

The Christian looks backward to God’s promise in Eden to bruise the Serpent’s head (Gen. 3:15) and forward to its perfect fulfillment in the Serpent’s being “cast into the lake of fire and brimstone (Rev. 20:10), and praises Christ because he is counted worthy to suffer with him. “Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (Rev. 1:5).

Holy Father, we praise you and thank you for allowing us to be a part of your Son’s “Indestructible Kingdom.”

Do We Need a New Gospel for the New Age?

Posted by on July 6, 1997 under Articles

There have been more changes in our lifetime than in any other period in the history of the world — changes in travel, communications, medical science, education, etc.

Our present world is dreaming and planning for a more modern age. The world will continue to change with a more rapid pace. But does this mean we need a new gospel for the new age? Many modernists think so. They think the Bible, as it is, is not adapted to man as he is.

Can we take the inspired writer, Jude, seriously when he says, “Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints?” Yes! Man has not changed. We live in a changing world, but man remains basically the same. His needs and desires are the same. He is still flesh and spirit. His body still needs water, food, air, and sunshine. We are still dying spiritually because of our sin (Romans 6:23) and the only power to save our soul is the gospel (Romans 1:16; James 1:21).

Man is still struggling with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17). No man in this modern age is tempted any more or less than men were in the first century. Man’s adversary, the devil, has not changed; he still walks about seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). Satan still works today, as he always has, through agents who appear as servants of God. The Bible says, And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve (2 Cor. 11:14-15).

The message that “we need a new gospel for the new age” is from Satan and not from God. The simple gospel of Christ met every need in the first century and it will meet man’s every need as long as the world stands.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

The Holy Spirit and Miraculous Gifts

Posted by on January 1, 1996 under Articles

INTRODUCTION

    1. When you and I read the Bible we will know as much as can be known about spiritual gifts because all that can be known about them is found in the Bible.
    2. We cannot fully comprehend all that is involved in these gifts because no one possesses them today.
    3. Many think the Bible teaches that these gifts are available today, so they try to help God out by trying to manufacture these gifts.
    4. These people are hindering the cause of Christ rather than helping. They are causing unbelief among thinking people. Many think these gifts and the Bible stand or fall together and since they see nothing they can come to grips with they dismiss the Bible as the word of God.
    5. On the other hand there are those who deny the indwelling Spirit. Perhaps they think to admit to the indwelling Spirit would be to accept the miraculous gifts of the Spirit. This is not true.
  1. WE NEED TO MAKE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE SPIRIT HIMSELF AND GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT.
    1. The Holy Spirit is a person. One of the three modes of being in the Godhead. “Howbeit when HE, the Spirit of truth . . .” (John 16:13).
    2. The Spirit dwells in every obedient person. (Acts 5:32)
      1. Before Christ died the Spirit was in the world (Genesis 1:2) but did not in-dwell. The Spirit could not dwell in an unclean tabernacle. Man was separated from God because of sin and until the sin problem was solved man would remain so. (Isaiah 59:1-2; Hebrews 10:4, 9:13-15)
      2. Jesus said “He that believeth on me as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: For the Holy Ghost was not yet given because that Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:38-39) After Jesus died man could have forgiveness of sins by obedience to the gospel (Romans 6:17-18) and at that time his body would become a temple of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19-20). Notice John 14:17 concerning the indwelling Spirit. “For He dwelleth with you and shall be in you.” Jesus is speaking of a new relationship. The Spirit has been beside you but He shall be inside you.
      3. The first gospel sermon preached after the death of Jesus is recorded in Acts chapter 2. In this sermon Peter told the people to “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” We cannot tell from this text whether or not he was speaking of the Spirit himself or gifts of the Spirit. But we can tell from other passages he was speaking of the Spirit as in chapter 5:32. Peter said, “and we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him.” (Acts 5:32)
      4. In Galatians 3:26-27 Paul tells us how to become children of God. And in chapter 4:6 he tells us what happens because we are sons. “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
      5. We have people who tell us God dwells in us through the Word. There is no passage that teaches this as far as I know. But there is a passage that tells us how God in-dwells. Paul said to the Ephesians “Ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:22)
      6. When we think about the Spirit dwelling through the Word we must realize there is no difference in a man’s knowledge before and after baptism. We recognize a man’s body is not the temple of the Holy Spirit before baptism and we recognize it is after baptism. He must accept the Word before baptism or he is not scripturally baptized. We receive the Spirit at baptism (Galatians 3:26-27; 4:6) but we do not necessarily possess more of the Word. Therefore the indwelling of the Spirit is based on forgiveness of sins and not how much knowledge one possess of God’s Word.
    3. What does the indwelling Spirit do?
      1. The realization that my body is a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in me serves as a restraint against the abuse of my body. Paul said to the Corinthians “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of THE HOLY GHOST which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (I Corinthians 6:19-20)
      2. The Spirit helps us bear fruit. (Galatians 5:22-23) Love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. This is not your fruit but “the fruit of the Spirit.” Concerning love notice John 13:34-35; Romans 5:5.
      3. The Holy Spirit working in cooperation with our spirit enables us to put to death the deeds of the body. “If ye through the Spirit do mortify (put to death) the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” (Romans 8:13)
      4. The Spirit helps us in our prayer life. (Romans 8:26)
      5. The Holy Spirit is given as an earnest and a seal. (Ephesians 1:13-14) A seal indicates ownership. One of the functions of the Holy Spirit is to make actual the ownership of God in my life. (I Corinthians 6:19-20) An earnest is a pre-sample, plus a guarantee of something to come. What does that mean? I believe this has to do with the quality of life the Spirit enables me to live. The Holy Spirit has been given to enable me to live now the same quality of life that I will live hereafter in the eternity to come. (Romans 8:13; Hebrews 6:4b-5) That is an “earnest” or pre-sample. (Galatians 5:22-23)
      6. When we abuse our body, or do not produce the fruit of the Spirit, or fail to “put to death the deeds of the body”, or neglect our prayer life, or do not display the seal and earnest of our inheritance, we “grieve” and “quench” the Spirit of God. (Ephesians 4:30; I Thessalonians 5:19)
  2. MIRACULOUS GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT.
    We have looked at the indwelling of the Spirit. Now let’s look at the gifts of the Spirit.

    1. There are nine gifts of the Spirit listed in I Corinthians 12:8-10. Wisdom, knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues.
    2. How did a Christian receive these gifts?
      Through the laying on of the apostles hands! It is recorded in the 8th chapter of the book of Acts “that Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ unto them” (verse 5). Verse 12 says, “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ ,they were baptized, both men and women.” According to what we have already learned they received the indwelling of the Spirit but not gifts of the Spirit. (Acts 2:38; 5:32)

      1. When the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word they sent Peter and John that they might pray for them to receive the Holy Spirit. “For as yet He was FALLEN UPON none of them.” There is a difference in indwelling and “falling upon.” We know from Acts 5:32 that they had already received the indwelling of the Spirit. Verse 17 says, “then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost.”
      2. And Simon saw that through laying on of the Apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given. Why didn’t Philip lay his hands upon them to impart the Holy Spirit? Evidently only the apostles had this power. Verse 18 says, “and when Simon saw.” What did he see? Can you see the Holy Spirit? No! But you can see manifestations of the Spirit, such as speaking in a tongue or prophesying. I would conclude from this that the Samaritans received the indwelling Spirit at baptism and gifts of the Spirit through the laying on of the apostles hands. (Acts 19:1-6)
    3. What was the purpose of these spiritual gifts?
      1. Revelation: Man needs a revelation from his Creator “It is not in man to direct his own steps;” therefore God gave the gifts of knowledge and wisdom. (Jeremiah 10:23)
      2. Proclamation: Man needed to proclaim the right message in the right language; therefore God gave the gifts of:
        1. “Prophecy” – the message.
        2. “Discerning of spirits” – the right message. (I John 4:1)
        3. “Interpretation of tongues” – the right language.
      3. Confirmation: Early Christians did not have the Bible as we do today. They had to prove that the revelation they had received and were proclaiming was from God. How would the audience know they were speaking God’s Word without miracles. (Acts 8:6) Therefore God gave the gifts of:
        1. Faith – I Corinthians 13:2.
        2. Healing – Acts 3:11.
        3. Miracles – Acts 13:11.
        4. Tongues – I Corinthians 14:22; Acts 2:1-5.
          “These signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay hands on the sick; and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where the Lord working with them; and confirming the Word with signs following.” (Mark 16:17-20) “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.” (Hebrews 2:3) “Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.” (Galatians 3:15)
    4. How long were these miraculous spiritual gifts to last?
      To answer this we must look again at their purpose.
      Revelation, Proclamation, Confirmation.

      1. A complete revelation from God was given in the first century or during the life time of the apostles. In John 16:13, Jesus promised the apostles that the Holy Spirit would guide them into ALL TRUTH. That doesn’t leave any truth to be revealed. Jesus said in John 17:8, “I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them.” Paul said in Ephesians 3:3-5, “How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery as I wrote afore in few words. Whereby, when you read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ, which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.”
        1. Paul said the Holy Spirit revealed the mystery unto him. He wrote it down and we can read it and understand it. Our faith is to be based upon the written Word (John 20:30-31). It is complete and final (II Timothy 3:16-17). This statement would take into consideration the concluding work of the then living apostles and prophets.
        2. Jude said “contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (verse 3). Not over and over again, not even twice but “ONCE”.
        3. Therefore, since we have a complete and final revelation from God, I would conclude that no one has the gift of “wisdom” and “knowledge” (miraculous) today. These gifts served their purpose and terminated in the first century.
      2. Proclamation: There are three gifts of the Spirit that fall into this category.
        1. Discerning of spirits. John said, “believe not every spirit. But try the spirits whether they are of God: Because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (I John 4:1) We do not need this gift today because we test a man’s message by the Bible. (Revelation 22:18, 19)
        2. Interpretation of tongues. Within 29 years after the church was established the gospel was preached in every nation to every creature. (Colossians 1:6, 23) The ability to translate the message of God into a man’s own language helped to make this possible. After this was accomplished this gift was no longer needed.
        3. Prophecy. “The speaking forth of the mind and counsel of God . . . it is the declaration of that which cannot be known by natural means.” (W.E. Vine, p. 221) With the completion of the canon of scripture prophecy passed away. In his measure the teacher has taken the place of the prophet. (I Corinthians 13:8, 9) Note the significant change in II Peter 2:1. The difference is that, whereas the message of the prophet was a direct revelation of the mind of God for the occasion, the message of the teacher is gathered from the completed revelation contained in the scriptures. (Notes on Thessalonians by Hogg and Vine, pp. 196, 197) Therefore this gift ceased with the completion of scripture in the first century.
      3. Confirmation: Men of God received a revelation from God and the abiltity to proclaim it; but they also needed to confirm it, so God gave the gifts of “FAITH” that could remove mountains (I Corinthians 13:2), the gift of “healing” (Acts 3:11), the ability to perform “miracles” (Acts 13:11), and the ability to speak in other “tongues” (languages) as a sign. (I Corinthians 14:22) All of these “gifts” were to back up or confirm the message they taught. Once the message was revealed, proclaimed, and confirmed, there was no further need for these gifts. The message was revealed, proclaimed, and confirmed in the first century. (Mark 16:17-20; Hebrews 2:3; Galatians 3:15) Unless a man has a new revelation from God there is no need for these gifts today. And if any man preaches a new message he is to be “accursed;” and he “hath not God.” (Galatians 1:7-8; II John 9)
  3. HOW LONG WERE THESE MIRACULOUS SPIRITUAL GIFTS TO LAST?
    Until “that which is perfect is come.” (I Corinthians 13:10)

    1. In view of their purpose and the fact that that purpose has been fulfilled I would conclude that these gifts ceased with the death of the apostles and prophets and at the death of those on whom the apostles laid their hands to impart these gifts.
    2. “Whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” (I Corinthians 13:8-10)
    3. We notice here instead of bringing all nine gifts from chapter 12 to chapter 13 Paul only brings three, one from each category.
      1. Prophecies: Having to do with the proclamation of the Word.
      2. Tongues: Having to do with the confirmation of the Word.
      3. Knowledge: Having to do with the revelation of the Word.I understand this to be inclusive of all nine gifts.
    4. We understand these gifts will cease when that which is “PERFECT” is come. What is that which is perfect? There are three views that I know of.
      1. LOVE.
        Some say love because of the dominating theme of the chapter. I am looking at this answer from a critical view and it doesn’t make sense. Did the apostle Paul not possess love? And did he not also possess these spiritual gifts? Many at that time possessed love and sprititual gifts. Love is the new commandment. (John 13:34-35) Without love we do not know God. (I John 4:7-8) Love is proof of our sonship and spiritual life. (I John 4:10-14)
        God was not waiting on an overwhelming of love to engulf them before He removed the spiritual gifts! But He was waiting on that which is “PERFECT.”
      2. CHRIST.
        Christ is perfect and some say that when Christ returns then these gifts will cease. We know this is not true by what follows. Some things are ceasing (spiritual gifts) and some things are remaining (faith, hope, and love – I Corinthians 13:13).

        1. The Corinthians were envious and jealous of each other over these gifts. Paul is saying you are desirous of something that is of a temporary nature. You should be seeking those things that abide: faith, hope, and love. If “that which is perfect” is Christ, then “spiritual gifts” faith and hope will cease at the same time. This would destroy Paul’s argument on the time differential between the two. What will happen to faith when Christ returns? It will become sight. (Hebrews 11:1; I John 3:lff)
        2. What will happen to hope when Christ returns? It will become realization. (Romans 8:24-25) Love is eternal!
        3. Besides there is no point in saying these gifts will cease when Christ returns. That is self evident. When Christ returns we will not be given the message but judged on the basis of what we did with the message. (John 12:48; Revelation 20:12).
        4. These miraculous gifts will cease. But faith, hope and love will continue until Christ returns.
      3. PERFECT KNOWLEDGE, COMPLETE REVELATION.
        Paul said, “We know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” That which is “in part” gives way to that which is complete. The things that were in part must balance with that which is complete. The things that were in part, the spiritual gifts, were used of the Lord to bring the revelation of His will to man. But when this revelation was committed to writing as it was in the first century, there remained no further purpose to be fulfilled by these gifts. Therefore, when the completed revelation, the Bible, came the things that were in part were abolished.

        1. Notice the amplified Bible on this text: “For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect). But when the complete and perfect (total) comes, the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away, become antiquated, void, and superceded.”
        2. There are many scriptures that point out the perfection and completion of the scriptures. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (II Timothy 3:16-17)
          1. There are some, before they would take the apostle seriously in this statement, would have him and his fellow apostles lay aside their pens at this point.
          2. I believe this statement (II Timothy 3:16-17) would be inclusive of the remaining work of the then living apostles and prophets. However, I believe it would be carrying it a bit too far to take on a second generation of apostles and prophets. The apostle John was privileged to put that final touch to the scriptures. (Revelation 22:18-21)
        3. There are some who apply Mark’s statement, “these signs shall follow them that believe,” to all believers. (Mark 16:17-20) If this passage applies to all believers then all believers perform miracles! If not, why not? I see three alternatives from Mark’s statement.
          1. I perform miracles.
          2. I do not believe.
          3. I admit Jesus was speaking to the apostles.I do believe! I do not perform miracles! I am forced to the conclusion He was speaking to the apostles. What is your conclusion?

CONCLUSION

    1. To appreciate the indwelling Spirit we should read Romans 7:14-24, “man without the Spirit.” And Romans 8:1-18, “man with the Spirit.”
    2. Some feel that because we do not have these “miraculous spiritual gifts” we have a sub-standard spiritual life. They feel this way because they do not really understand what the Christian possesses.
      1. When I was baptized into Jesus all of my sins were forgiven; God made me as though I had never sinned. (II Corinthians 5:21; Romans 6:3-4)
      2. As I walk in the light His blood continues to cleanse me from sin. (I John 1:7)
      3. Over nineteen hundred years ago Jesus went to heaven to prepare a place for me. (John 14:1-3) And now reservations are made. (I Peter 1:3-5) It is “a place that is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven” for me.
      4. He told me, if I would “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” I would not have to worry about food, shelter, and raiment, these would be supplied. (Matthew 6:33)
      5. He said, He would not allow me to be tempted above my strength. (I Corinthians 10:13) That He would never, never, never, leave me. (Hebrews 13:5)
      6. He said, if I continue to love Him He will work all things for my good. (Romans 8:28) I know all these things are true because of what Romans 8:32 says.
      7. The substandard spiritual life is seen in the one who would neglect these things and go back to those “childish things” that were needful in the infancy of the church. We need to act like men and put away childish things. (I Corinthians 13:11)
    3. Miraculous spiritual gifts of  I Corinthians 12:8-10 are no longer available. They have ceased. But the gospel still remains God’s power to save. (Romans 1:16) Will you not obey?
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