The Baptism And Gifts Of The Holy Spirit

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< > Chapter Five The three gifts of power and demonstration The gift of workings of miracles. “energemata dunameon” The workings of miracles comes fifth in the list in 1Cor.12v8-12., just after the gifts of healings, however, being a work of greater spiritual power and authority than gifts of healings, it is put before them in the list in 1Cor.12v28. The gift of workings of miracles should not be confused with the other power gifts. The words “workings of miracles” are a translation of “energemata dunameon,” both words are in the plural. Robinson says this means, “operations of miracles, i.e. put for miraculous effects, the gift of working miracles.” Arndt and Gingrich say it means, “activities that call forth miracles.” “Dunameon” is the plural of “dunamis,” which is usually translated as “power,” as in Acts.1v8.. “Workings of powers,” could obviously refer to the operation of all the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, but this gift works in a specialised area of miracles. It is not in the realm of knowledge, edifying gifts, physical healing or the gift of faith. The gift of workings of miracles is an operation of God's power that changes natural law and material things, and produces seen miraculous effects. It produces miracles in man's material environment. The workings of miracles is the least common of the gifts of power, for the following reasons. It is placed on a higher level of authority than gifts of healings in 1Cor.12v28., so it will not be manifested as regularly. It demands a very close walk with God; and human sin and failure have hindered God's plans and desires. Christ's miracles of protection and provision show God's will and desires, not the many centuries of Old Testament backsliding when all the power gifts were lacking because of mankind's sin and failure. People seldom need a power miracle to deal with their environment, whereas people often need gifts of healing, and the gift of faith to bless and help them in their spiritual conflicts. Most of people's material needs can be met by human resources, it is only in severe emergency that miracles of provision become necessary. The Lord Jesus sent His Church to deal primarily with people's need for spiritual and physical healing; however, Jesus did care for the poor and needy both naturally and supernaturally. Jn.12v4-8. 6v1-13. In the Old Testament the working of miracles was often used in judgement, however, in this age of grace, it has been almost totally used in blessing. The emphasis is upon forgiveness of sin and healing of the body. Mt.10v8. Lk.9v1,2. 10v1,9,17. Mk.16v17-20. It is not until the end of the age that working of miracles is used regularly in judgement. Rev.11v5,6. A DEFINITION OF THE GIFT OF WORKINGS OF MIRACLES. The gift of workings of miracles is a supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit, to interrupt, suspend, or control the laws of nature. It is the operation of the power of God upon material things; it operates upon man's environment, as a sign and wonder. God usually manifests this gift in blessing, but sometimes also in judgement. SOME EXAMPLES AND USES OF THE GIFT OF WORKINGS OF MIRACLES. As a sign. John.14v9-12. To cause people to see the might and majesty of God. All spiritual gifts are intended to reveal the majesty and glory of God, but miracles that effect nature have a particularly profound effect on people. The magicians of Egypt were empowered by evil spirits to create serpents, and do other striking miracles, and they withstood the gifts of the Holy Spirit through Moses. Ex.7v10-12,20-22. 8v6,7,16-19. 2Tim.3v8,9. However, even Egypt's Satan inspired magicians were terrified at God’s acts through Moses, and had to admit, “This is the finger of God.” Exod.6v6,7. 8v19. 9v16. God hardened Pharaoh's heart by letting him off, and by allowing a lying spirit to deceive him. 2Chron.18v20-22. and Rom.2v2-6. with Exod.7v13,14,22. 8v15,19,32. 9v7,12,34,35. 10v1,20,27. 11v10. 14v8. 4v21. 7v3. 14v4,7. These signs were also for the benefit of surrounding nations. Exod.15v11-16. Deut.4v34. 5v15. Joshua. 2v9-11. 5v1. The working of miracles was often used by God to confirm His message to a nation through a prophet. The prophet in 1Kings.13v1-10.. Samuel. 1Sam.12v16-25. Elijah’s remarkable sign at Carmel. 1Kings.18v36-39. To confirm God's word and call to a person. Gideon. Judges.6v1-40. 7v9-14. Hezekiah. 2Kings.20v1-11. Aaron's rod. Exod.7v10. Numb.17v8. Elisha. 2Kings.2v13-15. Christ's future apostles were convinced to help Jesus by a miraculous catch of fish. Lk.5v1-11. Sometimes angels gave miraculous signs to confirm the truth of their words. Lk.1v20-23,63,64. 2v10-12,34. Heb.2v3,4. To establish faith and confirm the preaching of the Gospel. Mk.16v15-18. Miracles in Jn.2v1-11,23. Multitudes fed. Jn.6v1-14,26,27. Mt.15v32-39. Walking on water. Mt.14v22-36. Jn.5v19,20,36,44. To provide for those in need. There are many cases of miraculous provision in the Scriptures. Water. Exod.17v1-7. Manna and Quails. Exod.16v13,15-35. Numb.11v31. Elisha's miracles. Kings.2v19-22. 4v1-7. 38v44. 6v1-7. 2v13-15. Our Lord's miracles. Mk.6v32-44,48. 8v1-9. Lk.5v1-11. Jn.21v3-11. Mt.17v24-27. Supernatural transport could be under this gift, and the gift of faith. Elijah, Ezekiel, the apostolic band, and Philip experienced this supernatural transport. 1Kings.18v11,12. 2Kings.2v16-18. Exek.3v12-15. 8v3. Acts.8v39,40. Jn.6v20,21.This still happens today, David Duplessis records an instance of it in his life, and I have heard of others. This is a gift for the last days. N.B. Rev.12v14. To deliver from danger. Pharaoh's chariot wheels. Exod.14v16,21. 15v23-25. Samson's lion. Judges.14v5,6. 16v1-3. Goliath. 1Sam.17v37,45-50. Storms stilled. Lk.8v22-25. Mt.14v24-33. 6v18-21. Earthquake freed Paul and Silas. Acts.16v25-34. Harmless snake poison. Acts.28v1-6. with Mk.16v18. To bring judgement. Most of the plagues of Egypt came through the gift of workings of miracles. Exod.8v1 to 10v29. The sons of Korah. Numb.16v19-35. Joshua's long day. Joshua.10v6-14. Elijah's famine. 1Kings17v1. 18v1,42-46. James.5v14-20. The cursed fig tree. Mk.11v12-14,20-24. As we have said before, the emphasis during this age of grace is upon God's love and mercy, and not upon judgement. However, at the end of this age the Two Witnesses will have authority and power given to them to bring judgement upon their evil foes. Rev.11v1-8. This kind of power will be absolutely essential to deal with the wickedness in the world due to Antichrist and his followers. < >
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Chapter Five

The three gifts of power and demonstration

The gift of workings of miracles. “energemata dunameon”

The workings of miracles comes fifth in the list in 1Cor.12v8-12., just after the gifts of healings, however, being a work of greater spiritual power and authority than gifts of healings, it is put before them in the list in 1Cor.12v28.

The gift of workings of miracles should not be confused with the other power gifts.
The words “workings of miracles” are a translation of “energemata dunameon,” both words are in the plural. Robinson says this means, “operations of miracles, i.e. put for miraculous effects, the gift of working miracles.” Arndt and Gingrich say it means, “activities that call forth miracles.” “Dunameon” is the plural of “dunamis,” which is usually translated as “power,” as in Acts.1v8.. “Workings of powers,” could obviously refer to the operation of all the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, but this gift works in a specialised area of miracles. It is not in the realm of knowledge, edifying gifts, physical healing or the gift of faith. The gift of workings of miracles is an operation of God's power that changes natural law and material things, and produces seen miraculous effects. It produces miracles in man's material environment.

The workings of miracles is the least common of the gifts of power, for the following reasons.
It is placed on a higher level of authority than gifts of healings in 1Cor.12v28., so it will not be manifested as regularly. It demands a very close walk with God; and human sin and failure have hindered God's plans and desires. Christ's miracles of protection and provision show God's will and desires, not the many centuries of Old Testament backsliding when all the power gifts were lacking because of mankind's sin and failure. People seldom need a power miracle to deal with their environment, whereas people often need gifts of healing, and the gift of faith to bless and help them in their spiritual conflicts. Most of people's material needs can be met by human resources, it is only in severe emergency that miracles of provision become necessary. The Lord Jesus sent His Church to deal primarily with people's need for spiritual and physical healing; however, Jesus did care for the poor and needy both naturally and supernaturally. Jn.12v4-8. 6v1-13.

In the Old Testament the working of miracles was often used in judgement, however, in this age of grace, it has been almost totally used in blessing. The emphasis is upon forgiveness of sin and healing of the body. Mt.10v8. Lk.9v1,2. 10v1,9,17. Mk.16v17-20. It is not until the end of the age that working of miracles is used regularly in judgement. Rev.11v5,6.

A DEFINITION OF THE GIFT OF WORKINGS OF MIRACLES.
The gift of workings of miracles is a supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit, to interrupt, suspend, or control the laws of nature. It is the operation of the power of God upon material things; it operates upon man's environment, as a sign and wonder. God usually manifests this gift in blessing, but sometimes also in judgement.

SOME EXAMPLES AND USES OF THE GIFT OF WORKINGS OF MIRACLES.
As a sign. John.14v9-12.
To cause people to see the might and majesty of God.
All spiritual gifts are intended to reveal the majesty and glory of God, but miracles that effect nature have a particularly profound effect on people. The magicians of Egypt were empowered by evil spirits to create serpents, and do other striking miracles, and they withstood the gifts of the Holy Spirit through Moses. Ex.7v10-12,20-22. 8v6,7,16-19. 2Tim.3v8,9. However, even Egypt's Satan inspired magicians were terrified at God’s acts through Moses, and had to admit, “This is the finger of God.” Exod.6v6,7. 8v19. 9v16. God hardened Pharaoh's heart by letting him off, and by allowing a lying spirit to deceive him. 2Chron.18v20-22. and Rom.2v2-6. with Exod.7v13,14,22. 8v15,19,32. 9v7,12,34,35. 10v1,20,27. 11v10. 14v8. 4v21. 7v3. 14v4,7. These signs were also for the benefit of surrounding nations. Exod.15v11-16. Deut.4v34. 5v15. Joshua. 2v9-11. 5v1. The working of miracles was often used by God to confirm His message to a nation through a prophet. The prophet in 1Kings.13v1-10.. Samuel. 1Sam.12v16-25. Elijah’s remarkable sign at Carmel. 1Kings.18v36-39.

To confirm God's word and call to a person.
Gideon. Judges.6v1-40. 7v9-14. Hezekiah. 2Kings.20v1-11. Aaron's rod. Exod.7v10. Numb.17v8. Elisha. 2Kings.2v13-15. Christ's future apostles were convinced to help Jesus by a miraculous catch of fish. Lk.5v1-11. Sometimes angels gave miraculous signs to confirm the truth of their words. Lk.1v20-23,63,64. 2v10-12,34. Heb.2v3,4.

To establish faith and confirm the preaching of the Gospel. Mk.16v15-18.
Miracles in Jn.2v1-11,23. Multitudes fed. Jn.6v1-14,26,27. Mt.15v32-39. Walking on water. Mt.14v22-36. Jn.5v19,20,36,44.

To provide for those in need.
There are many cases of miraculous provision in the Scriptures. Water. Exod.17v1-7. Manna and Quails. Exod.16v13,15-35. Numb.11v31. Elisha's miracles. Kings.2v19-22. 4v1-7. 38v44. 6v1-7. 2v13-15. Our Lord's miracles. Mk.6v32-44,48. 8v1-9. Lk.5v1-11. Jn.21v3-11. Mt.17v24-27. Supernatural transport could be under this gift, and the gift of faith. Elijah, Ezekiel, the apostolic band, and Philip experienced this supernatural transport. 1Kings.18v11,12. 2Kings.2v16-18. Exek.3v12-15. 8v3. Acts.8v39,40. Jn.6v20,21.This still happens today, David Duplessis records an instance of it in his life, and I have heard of others. This is a gift for the last days. N.B. Rev.12v14.

To deliver from danger.
Pharaoh's chariot wheels. Exod.14v16,21. 15v23-25. Samson's lion. Judges.14v5,6. 16v1-3. Goliath. 1Sam.17v37,45-50. Storms stilled. Lk.8v22-25. Mt.14v24-33. 6v18-21. Earthquake freed Paul and Silas. Acts.16v25-34. Harmless snake poison. Acts.28v1-6. with Mk.16v18.

To bring judgement.
Most of the plagues of Egypt came through the gift of workings of miracles. Exod.8v1 to 10v29. The sons of Korah. Numb.16v19-35. Joshua's long day. Joshua.10v6-14. Elijah's famine. 1Kings17v1. 18v1,42-46. James.5v14-20. The cursed fig tree. Mk.11v12-14,20-24. As we have said before, the emphasis during this age of grace is upon God's love and mercy, and not upon judgement. However, at the end of this age the Two Witnesses will have authority and power given to them to bring judgement upon their evil foes. Rev.11v1-8. This kind of power will be absolutely essential to deal with the wickedness in the world due to Antichrist and his followers.

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