Are the Gifts of the Spirit Operating in your church?

[sayso]

Would anyone like to discuss the "gifts of the Spirit" spoken of in 1 Corinthians 12?

Are they operating in your church today? How can you recognize them?

[Bob Carabbio]

In my PRESENT church (AoG), I've seen Tongues, Interpretation, Prophesy, Word of knowledge, and Healings.

Recognizing 'em isn't a problem - they're just THERE. WHen somebody HAS a physical problem, and then DOESN'T chances are there's been Healing ministered - etc.

[sayso]

In my PRESENT church (AoG), I've seen Tongues, Interpretation, Prophesy, Word of knowledge, and Healings.

Recognizing 'em isn't a problem - they're just THERE. WHen somebody HAS a physical problem, and then DOESN'T chances are there's been Healing ministered - etc.

Sorry Bob, I didn't see your answer here until just now. I also attend AoG. Yes healing is an obvious gift to recognize.

I don't question that the gifts are still given through the Holy Spirit. Some things passing for the gifts of the Spirit I do question.

[Bob Carabbio]

In our church (DeSoto Assembly of God) back in the '80s there was a "Prophetic utterance" that came forth and the GIST of the message is that "I, the Lord DO NOT want you to grow at this time".

The effect was that they canceled all their outreach activities, and proceeded to shrink as a church until they ALMOST went out of existence by '90. Fortunately a new pastor took over, recognized the prophesy for the demonic deception that it was, and brought the church back from death's door.

Now you'd think that a congregation with more than two operational brain cells among them would have RECOGNIZED that "prophetic Word" for the unbiblical piece of trash that it was - but the fools ate it whole, and - just shelved their external witness.

The Bible, of course states that ANY "prophetic word" (and by extrapolation, Word of Wisdom/Word of Knowledge/Interpretation, etc) it SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION assumedly by another person gifted in like manner. And at the LEAST it's to be submitted to the Word to see if it "Squares".

The business of "falling out in the Spirit" in Pentecostal/Charismatic churches has been "developed" into a cooperative religious ritual unrelated to the REAL "falling in the Spirit" which doesn't require "Pushers", or "Catchers" or "Coverers" in the fashion it's most popularly seen today.

But the real question - suppose in YOUR Church, a well-to-do couple sold a property and gave you a PILE of ca$h - but weren't completely honest about the PERCENTAGE of the sales proceeds they were giving -

And God proceeded to KILL them right in your sanctuary in front of OTHER members of your church. What would YOUR opinion be about whether it was "Real Holy Spirit thing or not". And how would your church handle the consequences of that situation?????

Todd Bentley kicks somebody and it's "Proof positive" he's a "Charlatan". Smith Wigglesworth punches somebody in the stomach, and he's a great "apostle of Faith". Peter entraps two folks that have just given him a pile of ca$h, and they BOTH WIND UP DEAD!!!!! What does that make HIM??? The Bible says a "Great Fear" came upon the people - Boy Howdy, I'll just BET there was!!!

It's a GOOD idea, I think, NOT to "judge before the time".

[Heart2Heart]

I don't question that the gifts are still given through the Holy Spirit. Some things passing for the gifts of the Spirit I do question.

Which gifts of the Spirit do you question?

[sayso]

Which gifts of the Spirit do you question?

H2H,

I don't question the gifts of the Spirit, but I question some of the things that happen and is credited as being a "gift" of the Spirit.

I once heard a woman say that she had been at a worship service and was so overcome by the Holy Spirit that when she drove home she was driving like someone who had been drinking alcohol. She laughed and shared how she thought, Lord how will I explain this if I get stopped by a patrolman.

I believe that some people want so badly to experience miracles and signs and wonders that they try to make them happen on their own.

We were told not to seek signs and wonders but to seek God's face. I have witnessed miracles and gifts but everything that happens and is taught must be tested by the scripture to see if it is so.

Miracles and the gifts of the Spirit have a specific purpose; to bring Glory and Honor to God.

Would a lady coming from a church service being pulled over by a patrolman because she appears to be driving drunk bring Glory to God?

Plus the obvious fact that if she is driving while incapacitated whether it is from drinking alcohol or not, she is putting her own life and the lives of others in danger. IMO, I don't believe God would cause someone to act like this.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit as described in the Bible are given to each member of the body of Christ as God determines for the edification of the church and to bring Glory to God.

That is why when someone says, Thus saith the Lord we need to search the scriptures and test the spirits.

1 John 4

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

[Heart2Heart]

H2H,

I don't question the gifts of the Spirit, but I question some of the things that happen and is credited as being a "gift" of the Spirit.

I once heard a woman say that she had been at a worship service and was so overcome by the Holy Spirit that when she drove home she was driving like someone who had been drinking alcohol. She laughed and shared how she thought, Lord how will I explain this if I get stopped by a patrolman.

I believe that some people want so badly to experience miracles and signs and wonders that they try to make them happen on their own.

We were told not to seek signs and wonders but to seek God's face. I have witnessed miracles and gifts but everything that happens and is taught must be tested by the scripture to see if it is so.

Miracles and the gifts of the Spirit have a specific purpose; to bring Glory and Honor to God.

Would a lady coming from a church service being pulled over by a patrolman because she appears to be driving drunk bring Glory to God?

Plus the obvious fact that if she is driving while incapacitated whether it is from drinking alcohol or not, she is putting her own life and the lives of others in danger. IMO, I don't believe God would cause someone to act like this.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit as described in the Bible are given to each member of the body of Christ as God determines for the edification of the church and to bring Glory to God.

That is why when someone says, Thus saith the Lord we need to search the scriptures and test the spirits.

1 John 4

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

I can relate to your story. Some Christians say God caused them to laugh, the "holy laughter" during church service.

[Norrin Radd]

Which gifts of the Spirit do you question?

He didn't say he questioned ANY of the gifts of the Spirit. He said he questions some things PASSING as gifts.



Edit: Sorry, I haven't yet sussed out how the threading works. Didn't notice he'd already replied.

[sayso]

He didn't say he questioned ANY of the gifts of the Spirit. He said he questions some things PASSING as gifts.



Edit: Sorry, I haven't yet sussed out how the threading works. Didn't notice he'd already replied.

Hi Norrin,

No problems, jump right on in there. But he is a she. Nice to meet you!

[Bob Carabbio]

"I once heard a woman say that she had been at a worship service and was so overcome by the Holy Spirit that when she drove home she was driving like someone who had been drinking alcohol. She laughed and shared how she thought, Lord how will I explain this if I get stopped by a patrolman."

This is commonly referred to as "being drunk in the Spirit" (based on Eph 5:18). It's a known phenomenon, and has been for the last century. I've witnessed it in folks I know, and I don't question that there can be a lingering euphoria resulting from exposure to the Holy Spirit.

However operating a vehicle in that state would appear to me to be VERY foolish behaviour, and why the folks in the meeting she was at would NOT make arrangements to get her home is totally beyond me.

There's cases on record of folks spending DAYS in a euphoric state (It's said that Agnes Ozman - the first one to manifest a tongue in 1900 - Chinese) was unable to speak or write in English for several days afterward.

[sayso]

"I once heard a woman say that she had been at a worship service and was so overcome by the Holy Spirit that when she drove home she was driving like someone who had been drinking alcohol. She laughed and shared how she thought, Lord how will I explain this if I get stopped by a patrolman."

This is commonly referred to as "being drunk in the Spirit" (based on Eph 5:18). It's a known phenomenon, and has been for the last century. I've witnessed it in folks I know, and I don't question that there can be a lingering euphoria resulting from exposure to the Holy Spirit.

However operating a vehicle in that state would appear to me to be VERY foolish behaviour, and why the folks in the meeting she was at would NOT make arrangements to get her home is totally beyond me.

There's cases on record of folks spending DAYS in a euphoric state (It's said that Agnes Ozman - the first one to manifest a tongue in 1900 - Chinese) was unable to speak or write in English for several days afterward.

Hey Bob,

In this case the woman had been at the church by herself as far as I know for intercessory prayer. Hence, nobody there to stop her from driving.

I do not question that there have been people overcome by God's presence to the degree that they may be unable to speak, stand up etc.
If God through the Holy Spirit is the One doing it that's just fine with me.

But I do believe there are some today mimic what they've seen or heard thinking that is what they must do to "be spiritual". But man doing what he thinks is spiritual looking is of the flesh.

I wonder if those things in some instances are being done ritualistically like other things have throughout the history of Christianity.

[Bob Carabbio]

ABSOLUTELY!!!!!

The whole "pushers"/"Catchers"/"Coverers" "slain in the spirit" routine that is so common in Full Gospel churches these days is ABSOLUTELY a "Religious Ritual" unrelated to "falling out in the Spirit" - in most cases.

It's "harmless", and folks are still ministered to/healed/whatever in spite of their participation in it. BUT it OFTEN ain't the "Real thing" - simple as that.

What a "Catcher" really doesn't enjoy at all is somebody that really DOES "Fall in the spirit" since they won't do it backward and stiff legged like they're supposed to. They just drop like sacks of potatoes, and they're just "Dead weight".

In fact in Pentecostal churches there are ALWAYS accounts of this or that person who "went down" in the Spirit, and HIT the furniture (Pews, Alter rail, whatever) - often HARD, but suffered no brusing or injury from it.

The other conditions you mention are well known, and a conscious , but temporarily paralyzed state appears to be fairly common. When A friend of mine Went down at a "Jesus festival" some years ago, Nobody was near him - we were standing in a cow pasture in Western PA, he stayed down probably for a half hour, and could hardly speak in English or walk straight for several hours afterward.

The Bible indicates a variety physiological effects resulting from the power of God, so I don't have any issue with their existence.

[johe64]

No. Our church's position is that the apostolic gifts actually ended after the apostolic age. Hence, these gifts are no longer in existence as stated in I Corinthians 12. I know that there is some high-folutin' explanation as to which gifts are no longer part of our Church age, and which ones are, but I forget where I heard it. Dr. John MacArthur had an excellent sermon series on this very topic which I would highly suggest you listen to.

[alanmolstad]

Would anyone like to discuss the "gifts of the Spirit" spoken of in 1 Corinthians 12?

Are they operating in your church today? How can you recognize them?

The gifts did not pass away...

But the gifts are also not in the church via our own efforts,,,