Part 9 – General James Green
THE CORINTHIAN CONTEXT provides a case study of glossolalia in the early church. Beginning in 1 Cor. 12:1: “Now concerning gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant;” Paul starts out dealing with “ta pneumatika”—literally to “the spirituals” (i.e., “spiritual persons”) or “spiritual things.” In chapters 12-14, he deals with the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to the body of Christ. These gifts were an indispensable part of the infant Church’s ministry. The Lord intends that these gifts CONTINUE in operation until Jesus’ return (see 1 Cor. 1:7).
PURPOSES OF THE GIFTS
1) TO MANIFEST THE LOVE, POWER, AND GRACE AMONG GOD’S PEOPLE (SEE VV. 4-7; 14:25; ROM. 15:18, 19; EPH. 4:8).
2) TO HELP MAKE THE GOSPEL PREACHING EFFECTIVE BY GIVING SUPERNATURAL CONFIRMATION TO THE MESSAGE, AND POWER TO THE MESSENGERS (SEE MK. 16:15-20; ACTS 14:8-18; 16:16-18; 19:11-20; 28:1-10).
3) TO MEET HUMAN NEEDS AND TO STRENGTHEN AND BUILD UP SPIRITUALLY BOTH THE EKKLESIA (VV. 7, 14-30; 14:3, 12, 26), AND THE INDIVIDUAL, SAVED BELIEVERS (14:4), I.E., TO PERFECT CHRISTIANS IN “CHARITY OUT OF A PURE HEART AND OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE AND OF FAITH UNFEIGNED” (1 TIM. 1:5; 1 COR. 13).
4) TO WAGE EFFECTIVE SPIRITUAL WARFARE (SEE IS. 61:1; ACTS 8:5-7; 26:18; EPH. 6:11-12). SCRIPTURES THAT DEAL WITH SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE FOUND IN ROMANS 12:3-8; 1 COR. 1:7; 12-14; EPH. 4:4-6; 1 PET. 4:10, 11.
Pneumatika vs Charismata
THE APOSTLE Paul quickly redirects the focus away from pneumatika toward the charismata. This shift takes the emphasis off the one who manifests such “spiritual thing” (pneumatika), with its implication that the individual is ‘spiritual’ simply because he or she manifested these phenomena. Instead, it sets the emphasis on the giver of these pneumatika, since they are in fact charismata—“manifestations of grace” (1 Cor. 12:4) (G. F. Hawthorne and R. P. Martin, and D. G. Reid, “Dict. Of Paul and His Letters,” pg. 940).
KINGDOM OF GOD
“BUT IF I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Mt 12:28).
“THE NATURE OF THE KINGDOM. The kingdom of God (or heaven) carries the idea of God coming into the world to assert his power, glory, and rights against Satan’s dominion and the present course of this world. It is more than salvation, or the church; it is God expressing himself powerfully in all his works.
(1) The kingdom is primarily an assertion of divine power in action. God is beginning his spiritual rule on earth, in hearts and among his people (Jn 14:23; 20:22). He comes into the world with power (Isa 64:l; Mk 9:l; I Co 4:20). God does not intend at this time to redeem and reform the world through social or political activism, or through violent action (Mt 26:52; see Jn 18:36, note). The world throughout this age will remain an enemy of God and his people (Jn 15:19; Ro 12:1-2; Jas 4:4; I Jn 2:15-17; 4:4)…
(2) Because God asserts himself with power, the world enters into a crisis. God’s expression of power fills the devil’s empire with alarm (Mt 4:3ff; 12:29; Mk 1:24), and everyone is confronted with the decision whether or not to submit to God’s rule (Mt 3:1-2; 4:17; Mk 1:14-15). The necessary and fundamental condition of entry into God’s kingdom is, “REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOOD NEWS” (Mk 1:15).
(3) This breaking into the world with divine power involves:
(a) spiritual power over Satan’s rule and dominion (Mt 12:28; Jn 18:36)—the coming of the kingdom is the beginning of the destruction of Satan’s rule (Jn 12:31; 16:11) and of humanity’s deliverance from the demonic (Mk 1:34, 39; 3:14-15; Ac 26:18) and from sin (Ro 6);
(b) power to work miracles and to heal the sick (Mt 4:23; 9:35; Ac 4:30; 8:7);
(c) the preaching of the gospel, convicting in regard to sin, righteousness, and judgment (Mt 11:5; Jn 16:8-11 Ac 4:33);
(d) the salvation and sanctification of those who repent and believe the gospel (see Jn 3:3; 17:17; Ac 2:38-40; 2 Co 6:14-18); and
(e) the baptism in the Holy Spirit for power to witness for Christ (see Ac 1:8, notes; 2:4, notes).
(4) An essential evidence that one is experiencing God’s kingdom is a life of “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Ro 14:17).
(5) This kingdom has both a present and a future aspect. It is a present reality in the world today (Mk 1:15; Lk 18:16-17; Col 1:13; Heb 12:28), yet God’s rule and power are not completely realized. The work and influence of Satan and evil people will continue until the end of the age (I Ti 4:1; 2 Ti 3:1-5; Rev 19:19-20:10). The future manifestation of God’s glory, power, and kingdom will occur when Jesus returns to judge the world (Mt 24:30; Lk 21:27; Rev 19:11-20; 20:1-6). The ultimate fulfillment of the kingdom comes when Christ finally triumphs over all evil and opposition and hands over the kingdom to God the Father (I Co 15:24-28; Rev 20:7-21:8; see also Mk 1:15)” (taken from page 28 out of “Full Life Study Bible,” NIV version).
1 Corinthians 12:1-7
THE TERM that the Bible uses for spiritual gifts, specifies their nature:
a) “Spiritual gifts” (Greek pneumatika, derived from pneuma, “Spirit”) refers to supernatural manifestations which come as gifts from the Holy Spirit operating through believers, for the common good (vv. 1, 7; 14:1).
b) “Gifts” or “grace gifts” (Gk. charismata, derived from charis, “grace”) indicates that spiritual gifts involve both an inward motivation and the power to perform their (i.e., actualized enablement), received from the Holy Ghost. Such gifts strengthen the body of Christ spiritually…so why would God cause these gifts to cease?
“Administrations” or “ministries” (Gk. diakoniai, from diakonia, “service”) emphasize that there are different ways to serve, and that certain gifts involve being given the ability and power to help and assist others (vv 4, 5, 27-31; Eph. 4:7, 11-13)
So, the apostle Paul indicates that the ministry aspect of the gifts reflects the “servant” ministry of the Lord. Therefore, the operation of the gifts are defined in terms of Christ’s presence and operation in our midst (see 1 Cor. 1:4; 12:3).
“Operations” or “effects” (Gk. energemata, from energes, “active, energetic”) signifies that spiritual gifts are direct “OPERATIONS” of the power of God, and produce certain results (vv. 6, 10). So, WHY would God cause His “active power” to cease?
The “Manifestations of the Spirit” (Gk. phanerosis, from phaneros, “manifest”) emphasizes that spiritual gifts are direct “manifestations” of the working and presence of the Holy Ghost in the midst of God’s people (see vv. 7-11).