The gifts of the Spirit were given to benefit and bless one select group of people – the body of Christ, the redeemed sons and daughters of God alone! Not only do the charlatan faith healers decline to visit nearby hospitals and heal all the patients, those true servants of the Lord blessed with the gifts of healing do not do so either. I do not possess the gifts of healing, but even if I did, you would not find me in the nearest hospital, going from room to room hoping to be used of God to heal everybody there. The gifts of the Spirit are given “that the church might receive edifying” (See I Corinthians14:5).
“Even so you, for as much as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, SEEK that you may excel to the edifying of the church” (See I Corinthians 14:12). And notice that FOUR TIMES Paul urges these Corinthians believers to “covet (desire) earnestly the best gifts” (I Corinthians 1`2:31), “and desire spiritual gifts,” (I Corinthians 14:1), “seek (spiritual gifts) that you may excel to the edifying of the church,” (I Corinthians 14:12), and “covet to prophesy” (I Corinthians 14:39). Why would Paul do this if he knew these gifts were to shortly disappear?
In I Corinthians 1:7, Paul alludes to these spiritual gifts being utilized right up until the return of the Lord! Why would God withdraw from the church those things that helped the church to grow and maintain their spiritual life?
A gross misunderstanding of I Corinthians 13:8-13 has led millions of believers to think that the Lord withdrew the gifts from the body of Christ either when the Bible was completed or the last apostle died! “But when that which is perfect is come,THEN (and only then) that which is in part shall be done away (I Corinthians 13:10). “And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers (as well as the various gifts of the Spirit) FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God UNTO A (SPIRITUALLY) PERFECT MAN, UNTO THE MEASURE OF THE STATURE OF THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST, that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight (deceitful scheming) of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, but speaking the truth in love, MAY GROW UP INTO HIM IN ALL THINGS, WHICH IS THE HEAD, EVEN CHRIST, from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that WHICH EVERY JOINT SUPPLIES, ACCORDING TO THE EFFECTUAL WORKING IN THE MEASURE OF EVERY PART (EVERY MEMBER) MAKES INCREASE OF THE BODY UNTO THE EDIFYING OF ITSELF IN LOVE” (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Just as in the human body every member of that body has a particular and definite function, such as the hand, the eye, the ear, etc., so, too, in the body of Christ, every member has a definite and particular function. (See I Corinthians 12). In most denominational assemblies only a few of the members have a definite and easily identifiable function, usually the pastor, the musicians and a few deacons. It appears the only function the other members have is to financially support the pastor and pay the mortgage on the building, the electric bill, and what have you.Many of the Pentecostal assemblies exhibit what they call the gifts of the Spirit, but no one seems to have the gift of healing, the gift of miracles, the ability to accurately foretell the future, etc. Many of them are certain they have the gift of “tongues,” but it is always a “heavenly” language they speak. None ever speak Chinese, or Japanese, or Arabic.
Satan and his demonic hordes have marched through the ranks of Christianity for nineteen hundred years, leaving in their wake assemblies that our Lord’s apostles would find utterly unrecognizable. Satan has skillfully replaced God’s truth with his profound error. And he has replaced our Lord with another Jesus, as well as the Spirit of the Mighty God with another spirit, and the gospel with his own perverted gospel. (See 2 Corinthians 11:1-4 and 12-15). God help you to understand.
Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley