King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Tuesday, December 03, 2024
Chapters: I Corinthians Chapters 12-14
Message: The Manifestation of The Spirit
Hello My Friend,
The other day I was peeling sweet potatoes when the peeler slipped and caught my thumb and peeled off some of the nail. While thank God it did not do too much damage it did make my thumb useless for a while and that was when I discovered the importance of having thumbs. It is incredible how something that seems so insignificant can be so important and it reminded me of what the Bible says.
[1 Corinthians 12:15-18 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.]
Of course, there is a deeper message to all of this, but we are to never take what abilities we have for granted, while God does indeed use our infirmities to His advantage, we should never make light of the amazing gifts of being able to walk or even get out of bed. As we continue in the reading of 1 Corinthians, Paul, addresses what is known as spiritual gifts, these are the God given talents that we are blessed with.
[1 Corinthians 12:1-7 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.]
[the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.] [Manifestation; The act of disclosing what is secret, unseen or obscure; The discovery to the eye or to the understanding; The exhibition of any thing by clear evidence; The evidence of God’s power in creation, or of His benevolence in redemption.] Wow! In other words, faith is the substance that brings us to God while the evidence of our faith is revealed through the use of the spiritual gifts that we are given by Him for the purpose that He has given them. Paul, goes on to describe the diversity of the spiritual gifts that one is given by the Holy Spirit
[1 Corinthians 12:8-13 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.]
[dividing to every man severally as he will.] All saved, born again Christians are given at least one of these spiritual gifts, wisdom grants one the ability to become lawyers, judges, and government officials while knowledge the ability to become teachers, scholars, and legislators. Healing, grants one the ability to become doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists while the working of miracles the ability to become scientists. Prophecy, grants one the ability to preach the Gospel, while discerning of the spirits grants one the ability to know the truth from lies. Having divers of tongues grants one the ability to speak several languages, while interpreting tongues the ability to translate in other languages. Paul, goes on to explain this and how everything we do affects one another.
[1 Corinthians 12:21-22,26,28,31 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.]
[covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.] In other words, we are not to think of ourselves as more highly than others because we have one or more of these gifts. None of these gifts will do us any good if we are not saved and do not use them wisely, which Paul goes on to stress.
[1 Corinthians 13:1-3,8 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.]
[have not charity, I am become as sounding brass,] [Charity; Love, benevolence, goodwill; that disposition of heart which inclines men to think favorably of their fellow men to think favorably of their fellow men, and to do them good; The supreme love of God toward mankind.] Think about it, we could have all the wisdom in the world, but if we do not love what we do then we are not going to get very far. I know everything there is about baking a cake, but if I am sloppy and careless in my efforts then all I end up with is soup in a pan. Love, is something that every living creature desires and those who are short of it literally become tyrants. Love, is more than showing some affection, it is giving our very best even if it is not reciprocated. Look at the love that Jesus has for all mankind yet very few give it back, but the more love we show the more of those spiritual gifts we will receive.
[1 Corinthians 14:1-4,7 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?]
[He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself;] God, gives all of His children the ability to discern His Word as the Holy Spirit directs them, while some people may respond with deep knowledge of all the writers and history that led to how we got His Word, most respond to the simple Gospel and that is all we need to reach someone, [Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.]
One thing that bugs me when people read these verses is that they replace the word charity with love. Yes, charity does mean love, but if God wanted it to say love, then He would have instructed Paul to pen down the actual word love. Well, in Paul’s case since he wrote this letter in the Greek language, it would have been the word agape, which means love without question. Paul, stresses the importance of charity being the most important spiritual gift.
[1 Corinthians 13:8-13 Charity never faileth: but 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.]
[For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.] As of today there are no more prophets in the sense that one speaks directly to God and they in turn speak it to us because we now have access to the Holy Spirit the second we get saved. However, there are some of us who have the gift of prophecy in that through the Holy Spirit will are able to both lead souls to Christ and teach saints how to discern the Scriptures. In other words, we can interpret or help them understand God’s Word more clearly, which brings us to what is called the edification or improvement of the mind in regards to the Scriptures. Paul, stresses the importance of us understanding that speaking in tongues is actually speaking different languages.
[1 Corinthians 14:13-16,20 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? 20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.]
[howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.] [Malice; Extreme enmity of heart.] There are some things in children in which it is advisable for believers to be like them, like having no pride or bitterness in our heart since their understandings were opened and enlightened to the childlike faith that brought them to Christ, [Luke 18:16-17 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.]
However, there does come a time when we must grow up stop using our flesh to do what it feels like and start learning what the Scriptures are applying them to our lives. It does nothing for a congregation to start speaking words that very few people understand. God, has designed His Word so that we always get something new from what we are reading, but the overall message who is Christ, ought to be the same. If it is not, then it is not something that we need to be hearing, and if they are speaking in a foreign language we are not able to know whether or not what they are saying lines up with the overall message. This is what Paul is getting at, God, is not the author of confusion.
[1 Corinthians 14:26-28,33-35 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.]
[Let your women keep silence in the churches:] This is in regards to their preaching and teaching above men in the church. This is addressed to women who overstep men in the church, those who seek leadership roles and are pastors and deacons, which is not biblical, [1 Timothy 2:9-12 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.]
[for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.] Since all spiritual gifts come from the Holy Spirit that indwells us, no one is above anyone else. Whether a person is given several spiritual gifts or just one, we are all important to Him, no one is left out, yet no one is irreplaceable. This was a Jewish ordinance in which women were not allowed to teach in the assemblies, or even to ask questions. All that changed after Christ’s passion, the prophet Joel even prophesied this, [Joel 2:28-29,32 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. 32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [1 Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.]
Today’s Prayer: God, It is truly amazing all the things I have learned over the years, and that You use all of them for me to serve a purpose for You. Thank You for Your mercy, grace, and love, and for giving the spiritual gifts You have given me, may I know how to use them all for Your glory. Lord, lead me and guide me, help me learn to yield to the Holy Spirit as He teaches me to serve You with all my heart, soul, might, and to have charity just like Jesus. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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