The Bible describes first-century Christians as being led by the Spirit. What this means is different among professed Christians, today. Some believe that God gives us strong impressions, unctions, or stirrings to either direct or confirm personal decisions in each individual life. These gifts from God are usually believed to be given only when a…
We have already shown that the spiritual gifts were imparted through the laying on of the hands of the apostles. We have shown with the impartation on the Samaritans (Acts 8) and the Ephesian saints (Acts 19) proves it was accomplished by apostles laying their hands on those who had been baptized in the name…
We can learn from the little information given in the Bible concerning the method of teaching. Teaching was done through direct guidance of the Holy Spirit either through Apostles and prophets or spiritual gifts. In the context of spiritual gifts, instructions were given to Corinth about speaking in their gatherings (1 Cor. 14). If anyone…
The list is as follows: PROPHECY Divinely inspired teaching (reproof, admonish, comfort, reveal) designed to make known His will and purposes to influence MINISTERING “Serving” from Gr. diakonian translated “deacon” TEACHING Skilled in providing meaning, context, and application of the Word EXHORTATION “Encouragement” describes the consistent reminders given to heed God’s Word and follow…
Some of these gifts were a part of the same system, sharing a specific task. Since all divine power was not given to anyone person (except Jesus), they were all needed in sharing their gift. 1 Corinthians 12:27-30 reads, Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles,…
Several references in Acts speak of people being full of the Holy Spirit. Some of this is as a result of the laying on of an apostle’s hands. Stephen was stoned to death in Acts 7:59. Chapter 6 tells us that he had the hands of the Apostles laid on him. As he was being kicked,…
Laying on of hands is a practice used as a means of contact to confer a blessing from one person to another. There is an identification with the object/person through the contact whereby the anointed hands become a channel through which something from the Holy Spirit is transferred from one to the other. The usage…
As mentioned in our examination of Acts, part of the description of the Holy Spirit’s work included the gifts through the laying on of the apostle’s hands. The first letter to the Corinthians provides this context in chapters 11-14. In particular, chapter fourteen seeks to correct an abusive attitude toward the gifts, especially the gift…
One of the purposes of the outpouring was to provide testimony for the induction of Jews and Gentiles into one body. The Holy Spirit would transform Israel from the Old covenant glory to the New covenant glory. This was the mission of Paul, who speaks of his ministry in 2 Corinthians chapters 3-6. The Israel…