Apostles and Spiritual GiftsClick to go to related article: "Pentecostal quotes from Famous Christians in History" "So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." [1 Corinthians 1:7,8] Critics postulate that Pentecost died out with the early church. As you see in the above verse, all the charismata and dorea gifts are meant to be here until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. God the Father gives gifts called "created workmanships". These are resident in a person from birth, and become evident as he or she grows in stature and maturity. This created workmanship is given to Christians and non-Christians. The Son of God, Jesus, gives "dorea" [Greek] gifts. These are office gifts given only to Christians who are elders in the Church. Such gifts are not resident at birth, but require instead a change of heart by the touch of Jesus. The office gifts are apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher. These offices carry with them an anointing of the Holy Spirit, Which is the grace (ability) needed to fulfill the duties of that office. The third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit, bestows "charisma" [Greek] gifts, also called "manifestations of the Spirit". In New Testament Greek, the word "manifestation" means a sudden disclosure. These nine supernatural charisma gifts are available to all Christians who covet them. God desires all believers to covet the gifts of the Holy Spirit: "I would that you all spake with tongues ..." I Cor. 14:5
"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they
shall speak with new tongues ... they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Mk.
16:17,18
Why all the fuss about the Spirit gifts?
Spiritual gifts prove that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead, and that we are risen with
Him. The modern day Pharisees still want to kill the resurrected Lazarus--they want to kill
the miracles. The Spirit brings life, but law without Spirit brings death. The mouths of the
Pharisees are open sepulchers because they speak death, but the words of Jesus and His
prophets are Spirit and resurrection Life. Spiritual gifts are a sign to unbelievers, leading
to salvation. The devil hates God's plan of salvation. The gifts expose Satan and his lies.
The anointing casts out Satan. Signs and wonders confirm the preaching of the Word of
God. Praying in tongues makes the demons furious, because they cannot understand the
prayers uttered in tongues [1 Cor 14:14,15]. The existence of spiritual gifts threatens the old
ecclesiastical pharisaical order of dead religion.
"... the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him." Acts 5:32 Now no longer do just a few monopolize ministry, but instead, the entirety of believers can minister. The ecclesiastical seclusive pharisaical hierarchy hates the liberty of the saints and is in structural disobedience to God, being, as a result, devoid of the Spirit. Tradition says that the charisma gifts, as well as apostles and prophets, ceased after the first century A.D. Man's tradition does not please God and is in disobedience to Him (Col. 2:8) . Jesus was hated by jealous priests. Jesus had the power--they did not. The false church of the final generation is described below: "... Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" II Tim. 3:5 It is the same today. The religionists hate those who worship in Spirit and Truth.
What is this talk about modern day apostles and prophets? What is the relationship between apostles, prophets, and the charisma gifts? Five-Fold Ministers
"And He [Jesus] gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,
pastors and teachers ... for the edifying of the body of Christ : till we all come in the unity of
the faith ..." Eph. 4:11-13
The Church is Christ's body, and the Bible says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday,
and today, and for ever [Heb 13:8]; all the functioning parts of His body are as necessary
today as they were originally. The enemy would like to maim the Body by cutting out the
apostles and prophets. The devil wants a dysfunctional body that cannot grow, mobilize
itself, or reproduce.
In simplicity, we know that there are modern day apostles, because the body is not yet in unity of faith. We are in unity of Spirit, but not faith. Apostles, etc. are given till we unify. Likewise, if we agree that pastors, teachers, and evangelists exist today, then we must
accept the reality of present day apostles and prophets.
The Bible says that God spake in times past to the prophets, but in these last days hath
spoken unto us by His Son. [ see Hebrews 1:1,2] Some use this verse to attempt to prove
that there is no need for New Testament prophets, because Jesus speaks to us today. In
reality, Hebrews 1:1,2 only substantiates the existence of modern prophets. The prophets of
old spoke of Jesus' coming. The prophets of today tell of His future return. Paul said that
he taught what Jesus taught. The Son, Jesus, continues to speak through His prophetic
people. "... God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba,
Father." [Gal 4:6] Jesus, the Spirit of Prophecy is in us [Rev 19:10] We are commanded
not to despise prophesyings [1 Thes 5:20]. When we despise them, we are despising the Son
of God, and directing despite toward the Spirit of Grace [Heb 10:29].
New Testament prophets are mentioned in Eph 3:5; 4:11; Ac 11:27,28; 21:10; 13:1; 15:32;
1 Cor 14:29,32,37; 12:28,29.
Prophecy edifies, comforts, and exhorts. If you know anybody who needs encouragement,
then prophecy is for today.
The adversary, the devil, wanted apostles out of the church, because they are church-builders. The devil wants to tear down. Furthermore, signs and wonders, which the enemy hates, follow the apostles. "Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders
and mighty deeds." II Cor. 12:12
However, the glory of the latter house shall be greater than the former [Haggai 2:9] and the Lord will restore all the glory of the first century church with its apostles and prophets before Jesus returns. "[Jesus] Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God
hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began." Acts 3:21
Incidentally, there were more than twelve apostles, even in the first century. Here's just a few: Barnabas (Acts 14:14; I Cor. 9:5-6) Silvanus and Timothy (I Thess. 1:1; 2:6-7) Apollos (I Cor. 4:6, 8-9) Andronicus and Junias (Rom. 16:7) James - the resident apostle of Jerusalem. Most people assume that he was one of the two disciples named "James" among the twelve. No, this James was the brother of Jude, the brother of Jesus. Luke and Jude - the foundation of the apostles and prophets is the Word of God. Luke and Jude wrote 3 books of the Bible. They are apostles. Paul and Matthias - If a person believes in only twelve apostles, is the twelfth man Paul or Matthias? Answer: They are both apostles. Jesus appeared to Matthias after the resurrection before the Ascension. The eleven had not chosen Matthias yet, but Jesus already knew Matthias would be the twelfth, because Jesus appeared to 12 not 11. [1 Cor 15:5]
Most seminaries and Bible colleges teach that there were only twelve apostles. Since
theologians were wrong about that, in what other ways have they erred in their thinking?
The power of the anointing flows from the head to the foot (Ps. 133). That is, from Jesus to the elders to the saints. When the church comes under the right organizational structure, the miracle-working
power will manifest itself in a greater measure.
The CONTROVERSY against TONGUES and MODERN DAY PROPHETS Spiritual charisma gifts are still operating today, and will do so until Jesus comes: "... Ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." I Cor. 1:7
Is the Holy Spirit fighting Himself, when He says that tongues, and prophecy and knowledge will pass away when that which is perfect comes? "... Whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."
[1Cor 13:8-13]
Is God giving a choice between love and spiritual gifts, as some would try to say? As if you
can choose love and reject spiritual gifts. Love is a fruit of the Spirit in which all should grow.
God is love--the Spirit is love. Love and gifts come from the same source and should be
present together. Gifts should be ministered in love.
However, the Bible has not come in the native language of thousands of languages or
dialects. Wherever there is a new missionary movement, signs and wonders are necessary and
available today. Signs confirm the Word; Signs follow believers. See Mark 16:17,20.
Do the signs only follow the 12 disciples? No, Jesus sent out seventy people also. James tells the
elders of all churches to anoint with oil and lay hands on the sick and they shall be healed.
These signs follow believers, not just the 12 apostles.
"... There are three that bear witness in the earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood ..."
(I John 5:8)
--but the perfect One is yet to come, revealing to us at that time the fullness of His
manifested perfection. We are in travail, we minister in part [1 Cor 13:10], waiting for a perfection yet to come when He shall
appear in the clouds, and then we will put off these vile bodies and shall put on incorruption.
Jesus will return at the Battle of Armageddon. He is "that which is perfect".
Peter, quoting Joel said,
Acts 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit
upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see
visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Acts 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my
Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Acts 2:19 And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood,
and fire, and vapour of smoke:
Acts 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that
great and notable day of the Lord come:
Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord
shall be saved.
Acts 2:22 Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and
signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know ...
Acts 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not
possible that he should be holden of it ...
Acts 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father
the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear." [Tongues
were heard.]
Acts 2:41 ... And ... there were added unto them about three thousand souls!"
3000 saved souls because of tongues with no interpretation.
But many churches don't allow tongues without interpretation, thereby hindering salvation.
Do you think God was all upset about them talking in tongues without an
interpreter? He started it all. Nobody knew whether there be such a thing as the
gift of interpretation. The Book of 1st Corinthians was not written yet!
Were tongues just a one-time event? No, this also happened in Acts chapters ten and eleven, Acts 19, and most likely
in Acts 8 (when the evil magician observed something tangible because he too wanted the gift of
laying on of hands that people might receive the Holy Spirit.) Paul calls this laying on of
hands a foundational doctrine. This doctrine is also lacking in most of the churches today,
along with the doctrine of (the) apostles.
Notice in the power-packed quote from Acts above that the sun will be black and the moon
red and there will be other signs and wonders at the same time as there is prophecy! This
refers to the future. The Book of Revelation talks about the sun and moon being darkened
in the future. Prophecy has not ceased. Also notice that "your children" shall prophesy, not
just the apostles. As a matter of fact, it is the apostles' desire to see this happen to their
children, because the apostle has a father's heart. (1 Thess. 2:7,11; 2 Cor. 12:14 and 1 Cor.
4:15). He wants to see his kids prophesy better than him.
Did the Twelve Disciples Receive the indwelling Spirit of Salvation First at Pentecost?
No, they received the Spirit into their hearts in John Chapter Twenty. At Pentecost they received the Spirit upon them.
The disciples were saved in John Chapter 20. Jesus said, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost."
And they did receive the Holy Ghost. The eyes of their understanding were opened.
Jesus said, "Whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them ..." Jn. 20:23
In Luke 24 He said, "... Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His
name among all nations ... and, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry
ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." vs. 47,49 Again, He says in Acts 1:8 "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me ... unto the uttermost part of the earth." Although the disciples preached to all of the known world at that time, they did not go to the ends of the earth. That is our job. Although Jesus had the Spirit within Him at birth, yet He did no miracles until the Spirit came upon Him at the age of thirty. If we are to follow His example and instructions, we should make sure that the Spirit comes upon us, not just in us. Much of the Church is fighting this move of the Spirit, sadly enough. In Mark 16:17,18 He said, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; in My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues ... they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Jesus didn't say that this is only for the original twelve, but this promise is for them that believe. If not, what part of the Bible can we believe? This author has seen people instantaneously healed of cancer and deafness and all manner of illnesses in many years as a Christian. We should thank God for the free gift of tongues that He wills for all believers. You should ask Jesus for this gift if you do not pray in tongues. It is yours for the asking. We can look forward to an even greater move of the Spirit. The Spirit of Elijah, that is, the final outpouring of the Holy Spirit with signs, must precede the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. [Malachi 4:5,6] To go to related article: "Pentecostal quotes from Famous Christians in History" apostolic signs | revival | tongues | tongues #2 | all can speak tongues | how you can | last revival | last 7 years |
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