The Baptism And Gifts Of The Holy Spirit

Home \| Foundation Truths \| Original Sin & Eternal Punishment \| C L Parker \| Bill Turner \| Bibliography \| Contact
< > Chapter Five The three gifts of power and demonstration Introduction The gifts of power and demonstration consist of the gift of faith, gifts of healings, and workings of miracles. The gifts of action and power rely on the gifts of revelation for information, the gifts of revelation rely on the gifts of power for action, and the gifts of inspiration build up character and love, and spiritual strength for the manifestation of the other gifts. The three gifts of power give the Church the authority to fulfil its commission, they are gifts that deliver people from sin, sickness and Satan, and meet material and spiritual needs. Those who have closed-shop religious attitudes, usually resist the workings of the Holy Ghost; just as the tradition-bound persecutors of Christ and the prophets did. The last revival movement is often the most outspoken opponent of a new revival, because they will not admit that they have lost God’s power. Religious leaders often refuse to believe that God has passed them by, and has chosen someone else to manifest His power through, just as the Jewish religious leaders refused to recognise the ministries of Christ and His apostles, and attributed their miracles to the Devil. Jesus warned those who attributed His works to Satan; that they were committing the most serious sin possible, the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Mk.3v22-30. Mt.12v22-32,43-45. It is a staggering fact that demons said that Christ's authority and power were from God; whereas, most of Israel's religious leaders said they were from Satan; and wilfully and determinedly went on to eternal judgement. Jn.15v18-25. 8v24. Some people scoff, ridicule, oppose and blunder on, where even wicked angels fear to tread. Worldly power-hungry religious structures, have brought disgrace on the Gospel, not the gifts of the Holy Spirit. THE THREE SPHERES OF OPERATION OF THE POWER GIFTS. The gifts of revelation fall into easily recognisable departments, and their spheres of operation are easily distinguishable from each other; however, the areas of operation of the power gifts need more careful thought. The important thing is to have the gifts of power in operation, for possession of the gifts is far more important than a correct definition of them. However, as a correct definition of the gifts helps us to experience them, we will now consider the areas of operation of the power gifts. The three power gifts operate in three different spheres of authority. The gifts of revelation give us the knowledge that we need to possess of the spiritual, physical and material world; the gifts of power give us authority and power, as we need them, in these same areas. A gift of healing obviously only deals with the healing of the body, and physical well being, so the other two power gifts cover all the other needs for the power of God, that a Christian requires in the other areas of his life and ministry. If we say that the workings of miracles produces miracles in the unseen spiritual world as well as the material world, we are left with no reason for the gift of faith, as its area of operation would be covered by the workings of miracles. I suggest that the workings of miracles operates directly upon man's environment, that is, upon material things and nature. I suggest the following reasons why Paul calls the gift of faith by this name. Because the gift of faith deals with the spiritual realm and spiritual things. This is the area where only faith can see and minister. Man being a creature with a spirit and capable of having faith and communing with God, is in a different category and sphere of authority than animals, vegetables and material substances. Because faith describes both the nature, and the area of operation, of the gift of faith. It trusts God to manifest His power in us, for us, and on our behalf, rather than through us in miracles visible for all to see, as in the workings of miracles and gifts of healings. The gift of faith in the areas of protection and provision causes God's power to act on our behalf, rather than as an open demonstration of power through us. The gift of faith will protect a child of God by clothing them with supernatural power, but does not change material things or alter natural law; the workings of miracles protects by altering material things and influencing nature. The gift of faith provides for a child of God by dealing directly with men or angels, the working of miracles provides by directly affecting nature, by either creation, alteration, or direction. I am not dogmatic over these areas of operation of the power gifts, but after many years of study and consultation with godly teachers, I feel that these arguments are reasonable and Scriptural. Christians vary considerably in the authority they manifest through the power gifts. Paul's list of ministries in 1Cor.12v28., informs us of the order of spiritual authority in the Christ's Church. Christian authority, “exousia”, is proved in the New Testament by power, “dunamis,” and the miracles that God's power performs. The authority given to the apostles to bind and loose in Heaven and Earth, definitely goes beyond the authority given to the seventy evangelists, who were given “power over all the power of the enemy.” Mt.16v18,19. 18v15-19. Jn.20v21-23. Lk.10v19. Both groups had the authority in the spiritual realm over evil spirits, but the apostles had the additional authority to raise the dead and execute judgement, which the seventy did not have. Mt.9v1,2. 10v1,7,8. with Lk.10v1,9,17. Acts.5v1-11. 13v6-12. 1Tim.1v20. This authority to discipline, which was given to apostles as individuals, could only be manifested in the local church by Christians acting as a body. Mt.18v15-19. with 1Cor.5v1-7. Indeed, the higher ministries of the Church have the greater gifts operating through them at a greater level of power through one person, than the local church will manifest as a body. It is one thing to have a prophecy, a revelation, or even a miraculous provision of one's needs, it is quite another thing to raise the dead, or to judge a nation by God's power as the two witnesses will in Rev.11v3-6.. We see from 1Cor.12v28. and other Scriptures, that a Christian may have the authority from God to have a regular ministry of one gift, but no authority to have a regular ministry of another gift. Christian authority can only be kept by fervent prayer and abiding in Christ, as the apostles found to their shame and sorrow. Lk.9v1,2,40. with Mk.8v28,29. Jn.15v7. The three power gifts are all acts of power that produce miracles. All three power gifts could be called “energemata dunameon,” that is “acts of power;” however, it is the sphere of operation of the power of God that decides what name each particular operation of power is called by. All three power gifts can be manifested on one occasion in one burst and display of God's power. However, Paul tells us that they can be looked upon as separate gifts operating in different spheres of authority, and producing totally different effects. The three power gifts are all manifested through a divinely increased faith. With all the gifts, and particularly the gifts of power, there is a deepening and impartation of faith through the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In Mk.11v22., “Have faith in God,” is “echete pistin theou;” “echete,” the present imperative of “echo,” “to have, possess, be furnished with.” It is the objective genitive, as in Rom.3v22. “By faith of Jesus Christ.” And Gal.2v20., “the faith of the Son of God.” And Gal.3v22., “by faith of Jesus Christ.” This would make Mk.11v22., read, “Have the faith of God,” and interpret it as speaking of a divinely imparted faith, given to us through God's presence and indwelling. In Gal.2v20., Paul states that he lived the life he did through the faith that Jesus imparted to him. God's faith is an imparted faith that is nourished by a life of prayer and love. God wants us to operate on the same principle, by which He made creation, He said, and it was done; however, this demands a life of communion with God, and a divinely imparted authority, and a special filling of the Holy Spirit to manifest His gifts. Exod.28v3. 31v3. 35v31,35. Lk.1v41,67. Acts.2v4. 13v9,52. 4v8,31. To summarise, then, we can say; that the gift of faith, believes, commands and directs in the unseen spiritual realm, and deals directly with men and angels. The workings of miracles, believes, commands and directs in the material realm, it deals directly with mans environment. The gifts of healings, believe and command in the physical realm, and deal directly with illness, disease, infirmity and sickness. THE CLOSE CO-ORDINATION OF THE GIFTS OF POWER ON SOME OCCASIONS. God’s Word reveals many cases of several gifts of the Holy Spirit being manifested in one burst and display of God's power. The gift of faith and the workings of miracles often gave Israel victory in war. On many occasions the power of God protected the Israelites and worked miracles to defeat their foes. The operation of the power gifts through Moses was greater than Israel's military might. Ex.17v11-13. Joshua conquered Jericho through the power gifts. Josh.6v20. Samuel's power gifts frightened the Philistines more than Saul's picked army. 1Sam.7v4-14. with 13v1-23. Elisha’s power gifts and God's compassion delivered Jehoahaz and Israel when they did not deserve it. 2Kings.13v1-6. Time would fail us to tell of Abraham, Gideon, Samson, Jonathan, David, Asa, Jehoshaphat, and many others, who defeated “invincible” foes through the grace, power and gifts of God. Gen.14v1-17. Judges.7v16-25. 15v7-20. 1Sam.14v1-14. 17v11-58. 2Chron.14v9-13. 15v6. 17v3. 20v1-25. The gift of faith and gifts of healings may be manifested in one burst of God's power. A person who is sick and demon oppressed or possessed can be delivered physically and spiritually, by what we could call two gifts, in one burst of God's power. Paul's aprons. Acts.19v11,12. Elisha's bones. “Kings.13v20,21. Lk.4v17-19. In deliverance from danger or death. When the apostles were delivered from prison by angels, we could say that there were two gifts of power and three gifts of revelation in operation, but it was really one display of God's power and ability. Acts.5v16-24. 12v1-17. The resurrection of the dead operates at least two of the power gifts. The return of the spirit and soul to the body, and the healing, or recreation of the body can take place in one burst of God's power. 1Kings.17v17-24. 2Kings.4v32-37. Lk.7v11 Mk.5v22. Lk.8v41. Jn.11v41,47. Mt.28v1-10. with Mt.27v51-53. Acts.9v36-42. 20v9-12. 14v19,20. N.B. Acts.26v8. and Lk.16v19-31. Even this great miracle will fail to win some people to God, for if people don't want to believe, nothing will make them believe, some people fight God to the bitter end. Jn.12v37-41. 15v22-25. Rev.19v19,20. < >
The Disastrous Effects Of The Doctrine Of Original Sin \| By His Stripes We Are Healed \| The Book Of Revelation \| The Second Coming Of Christ \| The Baptism And Gifts Of the Holy Spirit \| The Comforter Is Come

Chapter Five

The three gifts of power and demonstration

Introduction

The gifts of power and demonstration consist of the gift of faith, gifts of healings, and workings of miracles. The gifts of action and power rely on the gifts of revelation for information, the gifts of revelation rely on the gifts of power for action, and the gifts of inspiration build up character and love, and spiritual strength for the manifestation of the other gifts. The three gifts of power give the Church the authority to fulfil its commission, they are gifts that deliver people from sin, sickness and Satan, and meet material and spiritual needs.

Those who have closed-shop religious attitudes, usually resist the workings of the Holy Ghost; just as the tradition-bound persecutors of Christ and the prophets did. The last revival movement is often the most outspoken opponent of a new revival, because they will not admit that they have lost God’s power. Religious leaders often refuse to believe that God has passed them by, and has chosen someone else to manifest His power through, just as the Jewish religious leaders refused to recognise the ministries of Christ and His apostles, and attributed their miracles to the Devil. Jesus warned those who attributed His works to Satan; that they were committing the most serious sin possible, the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Mk.3v22-30. Mt.12v22-32,43-45. It is a staggering fact that demons said that Christ's authority and power were from God; whereas, most of Israel's religious leaders said they were from Satan; and wilfully and determinedly went on to eternal judgement. Jn.15v18-25. 8v24. Some people scoff, ridicule, oppose and blunder on, where even wicked angels fear to tread. Worldly power-hungry religious structures, have brought disgrace on the Gospel, not the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

THE THREE SPHERES OF OPERATION OF THE POWER GIFTS.
The gifts of revelation fall into easily recognisable departments, and their spheres of operation are easily distinguishable from each other; however, the areas of operation of the power gifts need more careful thought. The important thing is to have the gifts of power in operation, for possession of the gifts is far more important than a correct definition of them. However, as a correct definition of the gifts helps us to experience them, we will now consider the areas of operation of the power gifts.

The three power gifts operate in three different spheres of authority.
The gifts of revelation give us the knowledge that we need to possess of the spiritual, physical and material world; the gifts of power give us authority and power, as we need them, in these same areas. A gift of healing obviously only deals with the healing of the body, and physical well being, so the other two power gifts cover all the other needs for the power of God, that a Christian requires in the other areas of his life and ministry. If we say that the workings of miracles produces miracles in the unseen spiritual world as well as the material world, we are left with no reason for the gift of faith, as its area of operation would be covered by the workings of miracles. I suggest that the workings of miracles operates directly upon man's environment, that is, upon material things and nature. I suggest the following reasons why Paul calls the gift of faith by this name.

Because the gift of faith deals with the spiritual realm and spiritual things.
This is the area where only faith can see and minister. Man being a creature with a spirit and capable of having faith and communing with God, is in a different category and sphere of authority than animals, vegetables and material substances.

Because faith describes both the nature, and the area of operation, of the gift of faith.
It trusts God to manifest His power in us, for us, and on our behalf, rather than through us in miracles visible for all to see, as in the workings of miracles and gifts of healings. The gift of faith in the areas of protection and provision causes God's power to act on our behalf, rather than as an open demonstration of power through us. The gift of faith will protect a child of God by clothing them with supernatural power, but does not change material things or alter natural law; the workings of miracles protects by altering material things and influencing nature. The gift of faith provides for a child of God by dealing directly with men or angels, the working of miracles provides by directly affecting nature, by either creation, alteration, or direction. I am not dogmatic over these areas of operation of the power gifts, but after many years of study and consultation with godly teachers, I feel that these arguments are reasonable and Scriptural.

Christians vary considerably in the authority they manifest through the power gifts.
Paul's list of ministries in 1Cor.12v28., informs us of the order of spiritual authority in the Christ's Church. Christian authority, “exousia”, is proved in the New Testament by power, “dunamis,” and the miracles that God's power performs. The authority given to the apostles to bind and loose in Heaven and Earth, definitely goes beyond the authority given to the seventy evangelists, who were given “power over all the power of the enemy.” Mt.16v18,19. 18v15-19. Jn.20v21-23. Lk.10v19. Both groups had the authority in the spiritual realm over evil spirits, but the apostles had the additional authority to raise the dead and execute judgement, which the seventy did not have. Mt.9v1,2. 10v1,7,8. with Lk.10v1,9,17. Acts.5v1-11. 13v6-12. 1Tim.1v20. This authority to discipline, which was given to apostles as individuals, could only be manifested in the local church by Christians acting as a body. Mt.18v15-19. with 1Cor.5v1-7. Indeed, the higher ministries of the Church have the greater gifts operating through them at a greater level of power through one person, than the local church will manifest as a body. It is one thing to have a prophecy, a revelation, or even a miraculous provision of one's needs, it is quite another thing to raise the dead, or to judge a nation by God's power as the two witnesses will in Rev.11v3-6.. We see from 1Cor.12v28. and other Scriptures, that a Christian may have the authority from God to have a regular ministry of one gift, but no authority to have a regular ministry of another gift. Christian authority can only be kept by fervent prayer and abiding in Christ, as the apostles found to their shame and sorrow. Lk.9v1,2,40. with Mk.8v28,29. Jn.15v7.

The three power gifts are all acts of power that produce miracles.
All three power gifts could be called “energemata dunameon,” that is “acts of power;” however, it is the sphere of operation of the power of God that decides what name each particular operation of power is called by. All three power gifts can be manifested on one occasion in one burst and display of God's power. However, Paul tells us that they can be looked upon as separate gifts operating in different spheres of authority, and producing totally different effects.

The three power gifts are all manifested through a divinely increased faith.
With all the gifts, and particularly the gifts of power, there is a deepening and impartation of faith through the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In Mk.11v22., “Have faith in God,” is “echete pistin theou;” “echete,” the present imperative of “echo,” “to have, possess, be furnished with.” It is the objective genitive, as in Rom.3v22. “By faith of Jesus Christ.” And Gal.2v20., “the faith of the Son of God.” And Gal.3v22., “by faith of Jesus Christ.” This would make Mk.11v22., read, “Have the faith of God,” and interpret it as speaking of a divinely imparted faith, given to us through God's presence and indwelling. In Gal.2v20., Paul states that he lived the life he did through the faith that Jesus imparted to him. God's faith is an imparted faith that is nourished by a life of prayer and love. God wants us to operate on the same principle, by which He made creation, He said, and it was done; however, this demands a life of communion with God, and a divinely imparted authority, and a special filling of the Holy Spirit to manifest His gifts. Exod.28v3. 31v3. 35v31,35. Lk.1v41,67. Acts.2v4. 13v9,52. 4v8,31.

To summarise, then, we can say; that the gift of faith, believes, commands and directs in the unseen spiritual realm, and deals directly with men and angels. The workings of miracles, believes, commands and directs in the material realm, it deals directly with mans environment. The gifts of healings, believe and command in the physical realm, and deal directly with illness, disease, infirmity and sickness.

THE CLOSE CO-ORDINATION OF THE GIFTS OF POWER ON SOME OCCASIONS.
God’s Word reveals many cases of several gifts of the Holy Spirit being manifested in one burst and display of God's power.

The gift of faith and the workings of miracles often gave Israel victory in war.
On many occasions the power of God protected the Israelites and worked miracles to defeat their foes. The operation of the power gifts through Moses was greater than Israel's military might. Ex.17v11-13. Joshua conquered Jericho through the power gifts. Josh.6v20. Samuel's power gifts frightened the Philistines more than Saul's picked army. 1Sam.7v4-14. with 13v1-23. Elisha’s power gifts and God's compassion delivered Jehoahaz and Israel when they did not deserve it. 2Kings.13v1-6. Time would fail us to tell of Abraham, Gideon, Samson, Jonathan, David, Asa, Jehoshaphat, and many others, who defeated “invincible” foes through the grace, power and gifts of God. Gen.14v1-17. Judges.7v16-25. 15v7-20. 1Sam.14v1-14. 17v11-58. 2Chron.14v9-13. 15v6. 17v3. 20v1-25.

The gift of faith and gifts of healings may be manifested in one burst of God's power.
A person who is sick and demon oppressed or possessed can be delivered physically and spiritually, by what we could call two gifts, in one burst of God's power. Paul's aprons. Acts.19v11,12. Elisha's bones. “Kings.13v20,21. Lk.4v17-19.

In deliverance from danger or death.
When the apostles were delivered from prison by angels, we could say that there were two gifts of power and three gifts of revelation in operation, but it was really one display of God's power and ability. Acts.5v16-24. 12v1-17. The resurrection of the dead operates at least two of the power gifts. The return of the spirit and soul to the body, and the healing, or recreation of the body can take place in one burst of God's power. 1Kings.17v17-24. 2Kings.4v32-37. Lk.7v11 Mk.5v22. Lk.8v41. Jn.11v41,47. Mt.28v1-10. with Mt.27v51-53. Acts.9v36-42. 20v9-12. 14v19,20. N.B. Acts.26v8. and Lk.16v19-31. Even this great miracle will fail to win some people to God, for if people don't want to believe, nothing will make them believe, some people fight God to the bitter end. Jn.12v37-41. 15v22-25. Rev.19v19,20.

< >