| Author | Message | ||
| Joni |
In the adventist church I was taught that we believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Adventists seemed to dwell on the prophet part leaving the others out. Since leaving the adventist church and it's doctrine, I have come across so many Christian's with so many different interpretations of the Gift's. From speaking in tongues, saying it is not just another language, as I was taught, to healing, etc. I want God's wisdom on this subject. I am sooo tired of man's wisdom. Any thought's, books, etc that anyone might suggest? | ||
| Colleentinker |
Actually, Joni, the best book I've read on the Holy Spirit is out of print now. It was A Mighty Wind by Mel Tari, and it was published in the late 60's or early 70's. (I didn't read it until a couple of years ago, though; I'd had it for years but never noticed it until we were on our way out of Adventism!) I Corinthians 12 has a wonderful set of lists of spiritual gifts. I Corinthians 14:1-19 also has a rather interesting discussion of tongues. Jesus also said that his followers would do even greater things than he did. I'm confident that he does inform us and give us his thoughts. I Corinthians 2 also ends by saying, "Öbut we have the mind of Christ." and Phillipians 4:6-7 says that God will guard our hearts and minds. I like that because our minds are where we think and reason and analyze. I love it that God doesn't only guard our hearts and spiritual perceptions but also our minds and our thinking and reasoning. The Holy Spirit makes us completely new, and our spiritual gifts are part of the uniquely new persons that God makes of us. Since the gifts of the Spirit are given to build up the church, it seems that not everyone will have the same gifts. ("Is the whole body an eyeÖ?") But God does gift us, and the gifting is not the same for everyone. Colleen | ||
| Lydell |
Joni, so glad to see you are open to learn about this aspect of our Lord! Really in the SDA's you were taught that "the Holy Spirit" gives gifts. Yet only one person, EGW, ever actually got one of them. Then they warn us about how dangerous it is for someone to see the gift of the Spirit in operation because of all the kooky stuff going on "out there". And tell us we have to be so careful because Satan has such power to trick people. What a laugh! It just takes us awhile to realize that if Satan is so intent on tricking people with some fake stuff, then then the real stuff must be awfully darn awesome! When you look at the complexity of our human minds and emotions, when you think about the depths of the hurts in people, it only makes sense that there would have to be some pretty amazing things that the Lord would have to do to cut through all our confusion to reach down and really touch the spot where the hurt began to begin the healing process. Sometimes He will do that directly, and sometimes he will minister through one of us to deal with the hurt. We certainly don't have the widom in ourselves, so it has got to come from Him. I think most Christians have experienced some form of the gits of the Spirit in operation and just haven't realized it. For instance, the time a Christian friend is praying with you about a problem and they suddenly say something that exactly touches the heart of the situation. Most likely it wasn't their wisdom in operation but a prompting of the Spirit as to what to say. It's been such a refreshing thing being in a church where the gifts of the Spirit are welcomed. It's a bit like I wake up one morning and walk in my living room and find my husband putting the finishing touches on the most awesome oil painting I've ever seen. "Hon! I didn't know you could do that!" "Oh yes, he tells me. I've always been able to do this. Why there are painting of mind hanging all over the house." And as I walk through the house I discover it's true. His handiwork is everywhere! I've lived with this Spouse for 30 years, yet here is an aspect of His character that I never knew exsisted. It's so humbling. Joni, you are going to have such fun discovering this part of your Lord! Colleen has already given you the best advice of just going to the word and letting it say what it says about this subject. Would it help you for some of us to share specific experiences that we have had? | ||
| Joni |
Lydell, What do you mean it's a refreshing thing to be in a church where the gifts are welcomed. How are they welcomed and what goes on? Colleen, One group of people taught me that in 1 Cor. 12:1-10 "Pneumatikos" which means "things pertaining to the Spirit",(gifts is in italics therefore not in the greek so it is does not mean the gifts in this particular place)............ But that, word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healing, effecting of miracles, prophecy, distinguishing of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues, are for each born again believer. They taught that you (when you are sealed with the Holy Spirit)are equipped to do God's work with all these. The other places in Romans, 1Cor. and 1Peter, where it says gifts, such as teacher, prophet,etc. are for individual believers. Does this make sense the way I explained it? Actually this makes more sense to me because as Lydell said we all have used word of wisdom, healing, discernment, knowledge,etc. But my gift is teaching, exhortation, and possibly healing. These are what I do. Anyway like I said there are many views. Maybe this is not a subject for this forum. I just think that Lydell is right about the adventist who think that prophet is the the only gift and no one else can have it. Is this really scriptual???? I have not seen this in scripture. I again want God's wisdom. I have a hard time "trusting" man's interpretation of scriptures. It will take time. God is teaching me slowly, and now what I am learning is going deep, even though slow. Things like I have assurance of my Father's love, I am saved, I don't have to worry about loosing my salvation, He gives me what I need to walk in His way, He equips me. ETC, ETC. I want it all to sink in and become part of me. Please know that I am not sure as pertaining to gifts. I am not trying to argue, just want to know what other former adventists have gone through about this subject. Thank you so much for your comments. Joni | ||
| Linda |
Hey Joni, Im not a former adventist technically but had strong teaching from a loved one, as you might know, but I am a former baptist. I have sought a better understanding of the Holy Spirit and the spiritual gifts also. I am watching with interest this discussion, but I would like to make a point about the assurance of our salvation. Being thoroughly drenched in baptist beliefs, I was taught "once saved, always saved" the "Eternal Security" doctrine. I have come to change my view on this and believe that at any time I could walk away from the Lord, turn my back on Him and reject Him and at that point I would not be saved. Nor do I think that there is anything I can do or any works that I have to do to acquire salvation. It is a gift and it is accepted by faith. There is too much in the Word about obediance and faith and the narrow way to just assume that it is a contract deal, non-refundable. See what I mean? Linda | ||
| Bruce H |
Linda I disagree with you on this point. I have a Question for you, do you believe that God knows the beginning and the end. Does not God give prophesies about future events to show that he is out side of time and thus know's what will happen (by the way science is saying that time is a physical property and is slowing down and they believe that it is posible to step out side of time) God is outside of time and thus know's the future. So If God knows the beginning from the End why would he seal a Christian if He know's that later on they would walk away from Him? The real Qestion is do you give your whole life over to him, the past present and future. Will you pierse your ear to God's door and become his Bondservant and say I will be yours forever. When Cortez sailed to South America when he got to dry land he made a permanent decision and Burned his ships. I believe that a lot of Adventist do not want to burn their ships they want to be in charge to make the dicisions to leave and thus be in change. Is this the kind of commitment that God wants, I will be with you until I dont want to be any more. | ||
| Lynn W |
Joni, You're right. Gifts is a supplied word in 1 Cor. 12:1; however, if you look at verses 4 & 9, you'll see that the words are in the Greek. I find it interesting that the Greek word here is the same as the root word for grace used elsewhere. 5486 charisma (khar'-is-mah); from 5483; a (divine) gratuity, i.e. deliverance (from danger or passion); (specifically) a (spiritual) endowment, i.e. (subjectively) religious qualification, or (objectively) miraculous faculty: 5485 charis (khar'-ece); from 5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude): Also, check 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:" Notice there's 6 different groups of people listed here. I always thought it was strange that this entire prophecy could be fulfilled in one woman. |
