Gifts of the Spirit
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Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. (1 Corinthians 12:1)
God does not want us to be ignorant concerning the spiritual gifts that are supposed to be operating in the body of Christ, the Church. There are many people who are attending churches faithfully and they are completely ignorant of the operation of the Spirit of God in His Church.
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. (1 Corinthians 12:1)
First things first. You need the baptism of the Holy Spirit before you are even a member of the Body of Christ, the Church of Jesus Christ. If you have not received this glorious experience you are not a member of God's Church and when Jesus Christ returns you will not be resurrected into His kingdom.
Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Romans 8:9-11)
If you haven't received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, pray that you will. God wants to give people His Holy Spirit.
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13)
You really need to be born of God's Spirit to enter into the kingdom of God. Make it a top priority to receive His Holy Spirit. All you have to do is ask Him, as mentioned by Luke in the verse above.
Also, please make sure that you have been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. It is the only way that the first Christians baptized. When you are baptized by someone saying "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ..." you have never used the name, and the Apostles never taught this method nor practiced it. It indicates to me that whoever is baptizing in this manner does not have a revelation of the name of Jesus Christ. For more on the subject on baptism and baptism of the Spirit, see this book's chapters 7-9 on this web site (back to chapters). Unless you have fulfilled the first requirements, it's useless to seek after the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Anyhow, back to the subject of gifts of the Holy Spirit. First of all, we need to understand about the working of the Holy Spirit in the Church. God does not want us ignorant of these gifts and their uses.
The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. (1 Corinthians 12:7)
And there is nothing wrong with wanting these gifts, if a person desires them for the good of the Body of Christ and its edification.
Desire spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 14:1)
Let all things be done unto edifying. (1 Corinthians 14:26)
Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. (1 Corinthians 14:12)
I pray constantly for the gifts of the Spirit to be working in the Body of Christ. I pray for the power of God's Spirit to be manifested according to His will. We need to all pray and seek after the best gifts of the Spirit for the edification of the Church and for the salvation of those who don't know Christ. Everything we do should be done in the love of God and for edification of the entire Body. The Church of Jesus Christ is a powerful entity; God's Spirit is dwelling in us. Let us use it as prescribed for His glory.
For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. (1 Corinthians 4:20)
So, here are the gifts of the Spirit to be used for the edification of the Body of Christ. Covet them, desire them, and seek them (1 Corinthians 12:31; 14:1; 14:12).
1.) Word of wisdom 2.) Word of knowledge 3.) Faith 4.) Gifts of healing 5.) Working of miracles 6.) Prophecy 7.) Discerning of spirits 8.) Tongues 9.) Interpretation of tongues
These gifts of God's Spirit are gifts from Him. He wants us to have them and use them for His glory. All we have to do is ask Him for them.
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