MAX KLEIN BIBLE MINISTRIES
The Seven Baptisms
Written by: Max Klein
Baptism means identification or association:
Introduction:
1. This meaning began in Homer's time. Homer wrote of the one-eyed giant, Cyclops who had trapped Ulysses and his men in a cave and was eating them one at a time. The ingenious Ulysses devised a plan. He had his men sharpen a large log and together they rammed this log into the eye of the one-eyed Cyclops rendering him blind. They identified (baptized) the sharpened log with Cyclops’ eye which changed Cyclops from a seeing giant to a blind giant. Having blinded the Cyclops, they were able to maneuver their way out of the cave. Another example by Homer: Homer's Odyssey, book 9, used baptism for hot metal identified (baptized) with water when a smith dipped a piece of hot iron into water. This is how a blacksmith would temper swords in the ancient world. After this identification, the sword was made stronger and so less likely to bend.
2. Xenophon said that the Spartan military recruits after finishing infantry training would identify (baptize) their spears with pig’s blood. They would run by a barrel of pig’s blood and thrust their spears into this blood. This ritual, identified their spears with killing and the soldier’s readiness for combat with the enemy.
3. Euripides used the word for a ship identified with the bottom of the sea when it sank. Before sinking, the ship was valuable; after sinking it had no value at all.
4. So "baptize" in the classical Greek meant to identify one thing with another so that the characteristics of the original thing were altered. Therefore, the interpretation of the word "baptism" is identification with something that brings about a change.
5. There are a number of cognates related to this Greek word such as bapto, baptizo, baptisma, baptismos, baptistes, and embapto. A few examples follow:
6. John 13:26, “Jesus then answered, ‘That is the one for whom, I shall dip [the future of the Greek word bapto] the morsel and give it to him. So, when he had dipped [the aorist participle of bapto; the sop now takes on a new meaning that of honor] the sop [the morsel], He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.”
To give someone a sop [a special bit of food usually a piece of bread or meat with a tasty sauce] was the highest honor of a banquet. At a banquet a special piece of bread or meat was prepared along with a special sauce for the guest of honor who would then honor someone by giving it to that person. Jesus as the guest of honor took this sop and dipped it into a special sauce and gave it to Judas. In this way, the Lord Jesus Christ honored Judas as a member of the family of God, and for his ministry as an apostle to the Lost Sheep of Israel. This honor should have given Judas second thoughts regarding his plan to betray Jesus to the Sanhedrin.
7. Matthew 3:7, “but when he [John the Baptizer] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism [identification: the Greek word baptisma], he said to them, “You brood of vipers [poisonous snakes], who warned you to flee from the wrath to come [Baptism of Fire: identification with the fire of Torments and then the Lake of Fire]?”
8. Hebrews 6:1-2, “Therefore, leaving behind the elementary teaching about Christ, let us advance to maturity, not laying again the foundation [of the basics such as]: a change of thinking about dead works [just as an unbeliever must have a change of mind about Christ to obtain salvation, so the believer must have a change of mind about legalism (dead works) in order to obtain the spiritual life], and of faith toward God [Faith-Rest Drill], (2) doctrine of baptisms [the Greek word baptismos; a reference to the seven types of baptism as found in Scripture] as well as the laying on of hands [ritual rebound in the age of Israel], and of resurrection from the dead, and of eternal judgment [the Great White Throne Judgment].
9. Matthew 3:1, “In those days John the Baptizer [the Greek word baptistes; when John baptized someone into the Jordan River, the converts were identified with the plan of God and his kingdom.] came proclaiming [as a herald] in the desert of Judea.”
There are two categories of identification in Scripture namely an actual identification or a real baptism and a representative identification or a ritual baptism which uses water.
The four real or actual identifications with something that has significance.
1. The Baptism of Moses: 1 Corinthians 10:1-2 presents the baptism of Moses, "For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; (2) and all were baptized [the Greek word baptizo] into Moses in the cloud [the Lord] and in the sea." This was a real identification in which Moses was identified with the Lord and the open path through the Red Sea and the Jews were identified with Moses. By the way, none of the Jews got wet, only Egyptian unbelievers who were immersed in the water as a means of death.
2. The Baptism of the Cross is found in Matthew 20:22, “But Jesus answered [Salome by addressing her sons] and said, “You [plural: a reference to James and John] do not know what you [James and John] ask. Are you [James and John] able to drink of the cup [bear the punishment of all the sins of the world] that I am about to drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism [the sins of the world identified with Christ followed by the Father judging them] that I am baptized with [identified with]?” They [James and John] said to Him, “We are able. [the dumbest statement that James and John ever made]” [I selected the longer text as did Jerome.]
3. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Retroactive Positional Truth and Current Positional Truth) occurs at salvation for Church Age believers only.
Colossians 2:12. Having been buried [aorist participle] with Him [Jesus Christ] by means of the baptism [God the Holy Spirit identified us with the burial of Jesus Christ as part of our salvation] by means of which [Baptism] you have been raised up [main verb] with Him [in union with Jesus Christ seated at the right hand of the Father] through faith [at the point of salvation] in the operational power from the source of God who has raised Him [the humanity of Christ was given a resurrection body] out from the dead [physical death].
Romans 6:3-9:
Romans 6:3: Or do you not know that all of us who [a correlative] have been baptized into [identified with] Christ Jesus [Current Positional Sanctification: we are in union with Christ in his life in heaven], have been baptized into His death [Retroactive Positional Truth and so identified with his substitutionary spiritual death on the cross]?
Positionally, (in union with Christ) we share His righteousness, heirship, priesthood, destiny, election, eternal life, royalty, sonship etc. All these making us a new spiritual species in Christ Jesus. The plural correlative hosoi (ὅσοι) means that if we were identified with Christ in heaven and we were, then also we have been identified with Christ in his substitutionary spiritual death in which he removed the power of sin nature. Thus, the sin nature should not have power over our lives.
A few more points will be noted:
1. Note that the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation enters the believer into union with Christ at the right hand of God the Father which union is called current positional truth.
2. This verse also mentions identification with Christ in His spiritual death on the cross which identification theologians call retroactive positional truth. Retroactive positional truth also includes identification with Christ in His physical death and burial as well.
3. Identification with Christ in His death, then, has a two-fold connotation namely all personal sins were judged at the cross and since that is the case, God the Father is free to provide in grace, the Recovery Procedure. The second connotation is that good and evil were rejected by Jesus on the cross since good and evil are a part of Satan’s policy and plan. On the cross, Jesus relied on the proto-type spiritual life which operated under the two power options namely God’s power system.
4. So, the old sin nature’s ruling power over the Christian has been broken since all sins were judged on the cross and the Recovery Procedure has been provided. So, Retroactive Positional Truth has destroyed the sovereignty of the old sin nature over the life of the Christian.
5. Also, since Jesus rejected the good and evil policy of Satan so should the believer reject Satan’s policy of good and evil as the believer applies Retroactive Positional Truth.
Romans 6:4: Therefore, we have been buried together with Him through the identification [Baptism of the Spirit] into His death [physical], in order that just as Christ has been raised up from the dead [on Resurrection Sunday], through the glory of the Father [through the Father’s power], [So also we, the dead in Christ, will be raised from the dead by the power of the Father, and those alive at the Rapture, by the power of the Holy Spirit.] in this manner we also might walk in newness of life [Experiential sanctification should reflect our future ultimate sanctification.].
Christ had to die physically “and Jesus having shouted clearly with a loud voice said, Father, into your hands I deposit my [human] spirit, and having said this, he exhaled” (Luke 23:46). This last exhale caused His soul and spirit to depart from his mortal body resulting in physical death. Just as Christ had to die physically in order to obtain his resurrection body, so we must depart from our body of corruption, or mortality in order to receive our eternal body called our resurrection body.
The Newness of Life:
1. The newness of life provided through the baptism of the Spirit includes positional freedom from producing good and evil. Not only are we free from the tyranny of good and evil but we are also free from having to produce good and evil.
2. The believer has no obligation to improve the devil’s world through social action, socialism, welfare state, communism, environmentalism, or any social gospel, social action, getting involved, etc.
3. The human race is protected from Satan’s policy of good and evil through the laws of divine establishment which promote freedom instead of improvement at the cost of freedom.
4. In addition to the Laws of Divine Establishment the believer is insulated from good and evil positionally through the baptism of the Spirit.
5. Divorced from the Old Sin Nature positionally and its useless activity of human good and the function of evil, the life of the believer can be devoted to glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ through maximum knowledge and application of Bible doctrine.
Romans 6:5: For if we have become united with Him [Christ, the new husband] in the likeness of His death [the substitutionary spiritual death of Christ on the cross], and we have, and not only this, but also, we shall be [united in the likeness] of His resurrection [Current Positional Truth: in union with the resurrected Christ].
Romans 6:6: Be knowing this [through Retroactive Positional Truth], that our old man [our former husband, the sin nature dates back to the Garden] has been crucified together [with Him], in order that the [human] body, with reference to its sin nature, [the sin nature located in the body] might be rendered powerless [when we use Recovery Procedure and the two power options], that we should no longer be slaves to the sin nature.
“Our old man has been crucified with Him” meaning that the power of the sin nature has been broken on the cross. Since the power of the sin nature was broken by the work of the cross, we as believers have no excuse for not executing the spiritual life. We will not be able to say to Christ at our evaluation that our sin nature was too powerful for us to execute the spiritual life.
A few points for further clarification:
1. Retroactive positional truth is that phase of the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation which identifies the believer with Christ in His spiritual death, physical death and his burial.
2. In the substitutionary spiritual death of Christ on the cross all the personal sins in human history were imputed to Christ, but at the same time the other two trends of the old sin nature were not imputed for judgment.
3. Good and evil is the policy of Satan as the ruler of this world and the function of the old sin nature as the sovereign of human life. In fact, the sin nature functions as the agent of Satan.
4. Good and evil were not imputed for judgment on the cross. Hence, in the spiritual death of Christ on the cross they were rejected to remain an issue in the angelic conflict, rejected to be perpetuated in human history as an issue every believer must face, and either overcome through the intake of doctrine or be entrapped by ignorance of doctrine and therefore lose out in glorifying God in time.
5. We are identified with Christ in His spiritual death, which means that we must understand that our sins have been judged and that good and evil has been rejected.
6. It all adds up to the fact that the sovereignty of the old sin nature over human life has been made powerless through retroactive positional truth.
7. The imputation of all personal sins of the human race to Christ on the cross means that the believer through the rebound technique is instantly forgiven sins, cleansed from all wrong doing which includes Satanic good and evil, restored to fellowship and filled with the Spirit.
Romans 6:7: For we who have died [the Christian is identified with the substitutionary spiritual death of Christ: theologically called Retroactive Positional Truth] have been acquitted [positional deliverance] from [the power of] the sin nature.
A few points for further clarification:
1. A dead person is discharged from the obligations of his former sphere of life. This is why the word “death” is used in this context. It is not a literal, physical death we are discussing but identification with Christ in His death.
2. As unbelievers we were under the authority of Satan as the ruler of this world, and under the authority of the old sin nature as the sovereign of human life.
3. Both the power of Satan and the old sin nature have been abrogated through the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation.
4. This passage, then, emphasizes the annulling of the power and the authority of the old sin nature as the sovereign of human life.
5. Positionally, the power of the sin nature has been broken. Experientially, the old sin nature controls to the extent that we fail to understand and utilize the provision and support of logistical grace.
Romans 6:8: Now if we have died with Christ, and we have [retroactive positional truth], we also believe that we shall live in association with Him [the instrumental of association; a reference to Current Positional Truth].
In this verse, the 1st Class conditional sentence shows the relationship between Retroactive Positional Truth with Current Positional Truth. The protasis, the ‘if’ clause states the reality of Retroactive Positional Truth and the apodosis, the concluding clause states the doctrinal inference and the reality of Current Positional Truth. While Retroactive Positional Truth presents positional rejection and separation from good and evil as the policy of Satan and the function of the old sin nature, Current Positional Truth relates the believer to the function of the royal family of God. In other words, they have separate functions.
Romans 6:9: Knowing that because Christ has been raised from the dead [He received a resurrection body], no longer can He die; [physical] death is no longer a master over Him.
Analysis:
1. Retroactive positional truth destroys the sovereign authority of the old sin nature over human life. Current positional truth, on the other hand, destroys the limited authority of physical death in human life.
2. Instead of being ruled by the old sin nature located in the cells of the human body and influencing our souls toward sin, good and evil, we now have a new sovereign, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are identified with Him in His deaths, in His burial, resurrection, ascension and session.
3. Before salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit our lives were under the absolute rule of Satan who is the ruler of this world and under the rule of the old sin nature which is the ruler of life, and under the limited rule of physical death. All of that, of course, has been changed since salvation.
4. Now both retroactive and current positional truth have abrogated the authority and power of these former rulers. The power of Satan over our lives has been broken through identification with the rejection of good and evil namely Satan’s policy and plan and through our position in union with Christ. The power of the old sin nature is broken through retroactive positional truth and the power of physical death is broken through current positional truth.
5. Therefore, having studied these things by principle and by implication we are now ready for application, verses 12 & 13 specifically.
6. Having been positionally liberated from the sovereignty of the old sin nature as an absolute ruler, and the authority of physical death, we must recognise and apply doctrine for the experiential victory commanded in verses 11-13.
Galatians 3:25-28, “But now that faith has come, we are no longer under the authority of [have need of] a school bus. (26) For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (27) For all of you who were baptized into Christ [identified with Christ through union with Him] have clothed yourselves with Christ. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek [no racial distinction], there is neither slave nor free man [no social or economic distinction], there is neither male nor female [no gender distinction]; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [All Christians have the same privileges and opportunities to execute the spiritual life.]”
Current Positional Truth, Elaborated:
In the Church Age, Current Positional Truth establishes our relationship with Christ as opposed to religion. It refers to the Church Age believer in union with Christ and is the key to understanding the Church Age and how the royal family came into being. Therefore, it is the basis for distinguishing between Christianity and religion. Christianity is a relationship with God without merit whereas religion is a system of works to gain the approbation of God. Never shall the twain meet!
The mechanics of Current Positional Truth is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, whereby the Spirit enters us into union with Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:13, “For also by agency of the one Spirit we are all baptized [identification resulting in becoming a new spiritual species] into one body [in union with Christ], whether Jews or Greeks [racial distinctions are removed], whether slave or free [class and economic distinctions are removed], even all were made to drink [the aorist passive, the voice of grace] the one Spirit [The Holy Spirit did not ask us whether we wanted to be put into union with Christ or not.].” Ephesians 4:5, “One Lord [becomes our Lord positionally at Salvation]), one faith [faith alone in Christ alone; Acts 16:31], one baptism [Baptism of the Holy Spirit takes place at salvation].”
Current Positional truth guarantees that there will be no judgment for believers in eternity, Romans 8:1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Thus, the condemnation which occurred at the first birth was removed at the 2nd birth. As a result of being born with the sin nature and the imputation of Adam’s Original Sin, we were condemned to the Lake of Fire for all eternity, but now that has been removed. Romans 5:12, “For this reason just as through one man [Adam] the sin [nature] entered into the world [procreation], and so spiritual death through the sin [the imputation of Adam’s Original Sin to the sin nature], and so spiritual death spread to all mankind, because all sinned when Adam sinned [since we were all genetically in Adam when he sinned, we will receive Adam’s Original Sin].” However, at our spiritual birth, the 2nd birth, our pre-salvation sins were all forgiven including Adam’s Original Sin. After which, the Spirit entered us into union with Christ where there is now no condemnation (Romans 8:1).
Current Positional truth qualifies the believer to live with God forever. To live with God forever, the believer must have eternal life and God’s perfect righteousness, 1 John 5:11-12, “And this is the deposition [testimony] that the God [the Father] has given to us, eternal life, and this life is in his son [Since we are in union with Christ, we share this life.]. (12) and he who has the son [a relationship with the Son] has the life [eternal life] and the one who does not have the son of God [relationship with the Son] does not have the life [eternal life].” 2 Corinthians 5:21, “And He [the Father] made Him who knew no sin [perfection] to be a sin offering [imputation of sins on the cross] as a substitute for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him [current positional truth].” To live with God forever means you must have His life, and you must be as righteous as He is.
Positional truth guarantees the believer’s eternal security, Romans 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded that neither death [nothing in death] nor life [nothing in life] nor angels nor principalities [ruling angels] nor powers [human organizations] nor things present nor things to come (39) nor height [nothing in heaven] nor depth [nothing in Hades] nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Eternal life in Christ is for all eternity!
Positional truth belongs to all categories of believers whether they be apostate, mature, immature, spiritually adult, or carnal. Since Current Positional Truth occurs at the point of salvation before experience in the Christian life begins, it doesn’t depend on that experience. 1 Corinthians 1:2, “to the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus [at salvation], called saints together with all who call upon the person of Our Lord Jesus Christ, their [Lord] and ours.” So, even though you may be carnal or in reversionism, you still have positional truth. Being in union with Christ has nothing to do with what you do [experiential righteousness], or don’t do [failure to execute God’s plan]. Current Positional sanctification is completely the work of God the Holy Spirit and so is not based upon our volition, but on the sovereign decision of God. We make the decision to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, but we don’t make the decision to enter into union with Christ “all were made to drink the one Spirit” as per 1 Corinthians 12:13. God the Holy Spirit graciously did that for us and so it cannot be undone.
Current Positional truth creates a new spiritual species in Christ as per 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ and he is, he is a new spiritual species. The old things have lost their power; behold, new things have come to pass.” You become a new spiritual species at salvation by being put into union with Christ. It is what God does for you, and therefore it is grace. It is not what you do after salvation, such as the self-righteous works of legalism. The “old things” have to do with spiritual death and those things related to that death; the “new things” refer to things you receive at salvation such as the 40 assets and the unique spiritual life.
Positional truth should motivate the production of divine good and a pattern of life compatible with royalty as per Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his creation, having been created in Christ Jesus [a new spiritual species with many assets] for the purpose of divine good production [via experiential sanctification] which the God [the Father] has prepared in advance [in eternity past, God the Father provided election and predestination as part of our Portfolio of Invisible Assets], that we in the sphere of them [election and predestination] may pattern our lives.”
Even though a Christian may die the Sin on to Death, he will not lose his position in union with Christ (1 John 5:18-20), and so cannot lose his salvation. In order for a believer to lose his position in Christ, he would have to sin in that status, but since the believer cannot sin in union with Christ, he cannot lose his position in Christ and so cannot lose his salvation. Thus, it is comforting and reassuring to a believer to know that even though a loved one may have died the ‘sin on to death’, he has not lost his salvation.
Because we are in union with Christ, we share His:
1. Eternal life, 1 John 5:11, “And this is the deposition [testimony] that the God [the Father] has given to us, eternal life [At salvation, God the Father imputes this life to the human spirit], and this life is in his son [The Christian also shares the life of Christ through union with Him]. (12) and he who has the son [a relationship with the Son] has the life [eternal life] and the one who does not have the son of God [relationship with the Son] does not have the life [eternal life].”
John 14:6, “Jesus said to him [Thomas], ‘I am the way, the truth and the life [eternal life]; no person [in human history] comes face to face with the Father [having an eternal relationship with the Father] except through Me.’”
2. Perfect righteousness, 2 Corinthians 5:21, “And he (God the Father) made him [Jesus] who knew no sin (perfection) to be a sin offering as a substitute for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in him [positional truth]. Sharing the righteousness of Christ, we become the objects of God the Father’s love as per Romans 8:39.
3. Election, Ephesians 1:4, “just as He [the Father] has elected us for Himself in Him [Jesus Christ] before the creation of the world [in eternity past], that we may be set apart [experiential sanctification] and blameless [ultimate sanctification] in the presence of Him [Father].”
4. Destiny, Ephesians 1:5, “By means of love, He has predestined us for the purpose of adoption as adult sons to Himself through Christ Jesus our Lord according to the grace purpose of His will.”
5. Sonship, Galatians 3:26, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”
6. Heirship, Romans 8:16-17, “The Spirit Himself testifies together [bears witness] with our [human] spirit, that we are the children of God. (17) Now, if we are children and we are, also heirs, on the one hand heirs of God [the Father], and joint heirs with Christ. If indeed [if it is true that], we suffer with Him [pass all three stages of undeserved suffering], that also we might be glorified with Christ.”
7. Sanctification, 1 Corinthians 1:2, “to the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints together with all who call upon the person of Our Lord Jesus Christ, their [Lord] and ours.”
8. Priesthood, Hebrews 7:12-19, “For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change in the Law also. (13) For the One [the Lord Jesus Christ] concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe [the tribe of Judah] from which no one has officiated at the altar. (14) For it is evident that our Lord has descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests, (15) and this is clearer still, if another priest arises similar to Melchizedek, and there has, (16) who has become a priest not on the basis of physical requirement [a reference to the Levitical Priesthood] but on the basis of indestructible life [the Lord’s priesthood is forever]. (17) For this reason, it is witnessed, ‘You are a priest forever similar to the order of Melchizedek.’” [We are in union with Christ. Therefore, we are royalty and priests forever. We represent ourselves before God as royal priests.] (18) For, on the one hand, there is a rescinding of the former commandment [the Mosaic Law that authorized the Levitical priesthood] because of its weakness and uselessness (19) (for the Law brought nothing to completion), but on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope [the second door of hope for the Church Age believer—a personal sense of destiny—by which we enter the adult spiritual life] through which we draw near to God.”
Hebrews 7:26-28, “For it is fitting that we should have such a high priest, impeccable integrity, the One who cannot do evil, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; (27) Who does not need daily, like those Levitical priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for their own sins, and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He [Jesus] offered up Himself. (28) For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of His [God the Father’s] oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, who has become perfect forever [Jesus Christ is a perfect high priest].”
9. Royalty, 1 Peter 2:9, “ But you and only you are an elect [elect by God the Father] race [as a new spiritual species], a royal priesthood [since Jesus is a king-priest], a holy nation [God’s entity: a nation of priests: every Christian is a priest], a people for God’s own possession [a protected people], so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him [Christ] who has called [in eternity past] you out of darkness [spiritual death and the Cosmic Systems] into His amazing light [his plan];”
10. New Spiritual Species, 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ and he is, he is a new spiritual species. The old things have lost their power [Old Covenant]; behold, new things have come to pass [This would include the New Covenant to the Church.].”
Current Positional Truth changes our relationship with Angels.
1. Through current positional truth the believer is higher than angels positionally.
2. Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father, and so superior to all angels. By virtue of being in union with Christ, every believer is now positionally superior to angels.
3. Positional truth has fulfilled the believer’s triumph with Christ in the angelic conflict. We are victorious with Him already.
4. Furthermore, positional truth demands compatibility with experiential righteousness. Therefore, the believer’s walk on this earth must be compatible with positional truth since we have perfect security in Christ, we have the freedom to choose for Jesus Christ, to love Jesus Christ, to respond to His love, and to fulfill our purpose on this earth.
What positional truth is not?
1. It is not an experience, emotions or ecstasies.
2. It is not progressive; it cannot be improved in time or eternity.
3. It is not related to human merit or ability.
4. It cannot be changed by God, man or angels. It is eternal in nature.
5. It is not obtained gradually as you grow in grace, but in toto at salvation.
6. It is not known apart from the metabolization of doctrine.
7. From understanding the doctrine of positional truth, we progress in our spiritual life, but we cannot improve it since it is perfect at salvation.
8. We are not in Christ because of what we do (execution of the spiritual life) or fail to do (fail to execute the spiritual life), but because of what God has done.
A few points of explanation:
1. The conclusion from positional truth, whether retroactive or current, is that the Christian must apply these doctrines to his spiritual life.
2. In Romans 7:1-4 where we have an illustration of a woman whose first husband has died freeing her to marry another. This is what actually happens to us as believers at salvation. The old sin nature is the husband up to the point of salvation, but at the moment we believe in Jesus Christ positionally the sin nature is dead, as it were, the first husband has died and we have a new husband through union with Christ. Retroactive Positional Truth removes our first husband, the sin nature whereas Current Positional Truth enters us into union with Christ, our new husband.
3. The old sin nature-husband is still around, still seeking to regain his control over his former wife, the believer. But union with the second husband, the Lord Jesus Christ, has broken the first husband’s authority over the former wife.
4. The Baptism of Fire:
Matthew 3:11, “On the one hand I [John the Baptizer] baptize you [believers] by means of water because of a change of thinking [about Christ], but the one coming after me is mightier than I whose sandals I am not worthy to lace [loosen, remove]. He himself will baptize by means of the Holy Spirit [a reference to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in the Church Age] and by means of fire [a reference to the Baptism of Fire at the 2nd Advent].”
Baptism of Fire: The baptism of fire (identification with fire) is defined as the judgment of unbelievers both Jew and gentile at the Second Advent. They will be removed from the earth and placed in fire for 1000 years until the Last Judgment, Luke 3:16-17; Mathew 25:31, 33. The analogy to the Baptism of Fire is found in Matthew 24:36-41. The one left in the field is the mature believer; the one taken is the unbeliever.
Parables of the Baptism of Fire:
1. The wheat and the tares (the unbelievers), Matthew 13:24-30, 36-40.
2. The good and bad fish (unbelievers), Matthew 13:47-50.
3. The ten virgins: five wise, five foolish (the unbelievers), Matthew 25:1-13.
4. The sheep and the goats (the unbelievers), Mathew 25:31-46.
5. The talent test, Matthew 25:14-30. The one talent man represents the unbeliever.
If Jesus Christ had not been rejected by the Jewish people, then the age of Israel would have continued until its completion (the Tribulation completes the age of Israel). (However, they did reject Jesus Christ as Savior and Messiah and so the client nation was destroyed, and the Church age was intercalated that is inserted before the age of Israel was complete.) After the completion of the age of Israel at the end of the Tribulation, comes the wrath of God namely the Baptism of Fire when the Lord removes both Jewish and gentile unbelievers from the earth and identifies them with fire forever. After which, the Millennial reign begins.
The Three Ritual Baptisms. None are extant at the present time. They are representative identifications in which water is used as a training aid to represent some principle of doctrine.
1. The Baptism of John is found in Matthew 3:2-6, “Saying, ‘Change your thinking [regarding Christ] for the kingdom of heaven is near.’ [The future king was already on the earth] (3) For this is what was communicated through Isaiah, the prophet saying, ‘The voice of one [John the Baptizer] proclaiming loudly in the desert [of Judea]. Prepare [the aorist tense is a one time-decision] the way of the Lord [an idiomatic expression for salvation]. Keep on making upright [the use of the Recovery Procedure followed by the development of experiential righteousness] His paths!’ (Isaiah 40:3) (4) Now, John himself kept on having a garment of camel’s hair [very uncomfortable] and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. (5) Then [after John went where God wanted him to be] Jerusalem kept on going out to him [face to face] and all Judea and all the districts around the Jordan. (6) and they were being baptized [identified with the kingdom] by him [under John’s authority] in the Jordan River [where Israel crossed when they entered the land], and they kept on confessing their sins [post-salvation confession of sins].”
MAX KLEIN BIBLE MINISTRIES
First Corinthians Chapter Twelve
A verse-by-verse commentary by Max Klein
2 Chronicles 7:14, “And if my people [a client nation] who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven; will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” We need to pray for our president, our military and civilian leaders every day.
Even though we are facing great economic disaster (no manufacturing to speak of, a reserve currency that is being printed out of existence etc.) and social disaster and maybe even civil war (no truth and virtue in the souls of the American people for the most part), we have the greatest and most powerful spiritual life ever given to a group of believers. So, all we need to do is to learn and apply it!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “At all times, have inner happiness. Habitually, pray. In everything, give thanks for this is the will of God [the Father] in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Corinthians 12
The Team Concept: verses 1-7
When a person believes in the Lord Jesus Christ in the Church Age, he is given a spiritual gift which is designed to function in harmony with the spiritual gifts of others in the team (1 Corinthians 12:8-21). Therefore, we must understand how this team functions, and how this team becomes a great team. No team ever functions well together and becomes a winning team without a lot of instruction, training and respect for authority.
What is an effective Christian team, and how and when is it formed? The team formed by the Baptism of the Holy Spirit at Salvation is described as the body, and its leader is called the head. Jesus Christ is the head, and all Christians make up the different parts of the body. Some members of the team are eyes, some are hands, and feet etc. (1 Corinthians 12:20-22). At salvation, God the Holy Spirit gives each believer a spiritual gift which gifts determine the position the Christian plays on the team. Let us use American football as an analogy to illustrate how a team should function. There are different positions and functions on a football team. Not every Christian can be the quarterback; not every Christian can be the running back and carry the ball. Some Christians must do the blocking. Some Christians must do the tackling. Every position is important. The quarterback is not going to be effective unless there is good blocking and tackling. (Though spiritual gifts were designed to unite the members of a church into a harmonious functioning team, they were dividing the members in Corinth.) Furthermore, the team is not going to be effective unless every player on that team does his job.
1 Corinthians 12:1
Now concerning spiritual gifts [literally “spiritual matters,” but in the plural used for spiritual gifts as a general term] brethren, I do not wish you to be ignorant [the greatest enemy of the Christian].
Περὶ δὲ τῶν πνευµατικῶν, ἀδελφοί, οὐ θέλω ὑµᾶς ἀγνοεῖν.
In the Corinthian Church there was a great deal of misunderstanding regarding spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12-14). They thought that possessing a sensational spiritual gift such as speaking in Tongues (the communication of the gospel in a foreign language not known by the possessor of the gift) made one a superior Christian and that a sensational spiritual gift was thus more important than a non-sensational one. This was sheer nonsense since one’s spiritual gift is given in grace and merely determines what position one plays on the team. Furthermore, they did not for example understand the purpose of the gift of Tongues (the gift of speaking in a foreign language) nor how it functioned (1 Corinthians 14:1-19).
Application:
In some denominations, the pastor has the highest spiritual gift, and so the ministers in these denominations consider themselves as superior. For this reason, many churches use the expression “clergy and lay persons” (laity or ordinary believers). The Bible never uses these expressions. The church is a team made up of many spiritual gifts. No believer is superior based on his spiritual gift and no Christian is ordinary.
Pastors in ignorance or in arrogance are hindering spiritual growth by not understanding the importance of teaching technical words. Advancement in any subject requires the mastery of its technical words. Technical words save time, help in building a frame of reference and are used in communication. Because many pastors think that their gift alone allows them to comprehend theology, they refuse to teach the members of their respective congregations, technical theological words and so cause serious harm to the spiritual growth of their members. Thus, by not teaching technical words, pastors are deliberately sabotaging the spiritual growth of the members of their congregations.
1 Corinthians 12:2
You know that when you were heathen gentiles, as often as you were led face to face [The Greek preposition “pros” with the accusative case] with mute idols [worshipped idols], you were being led away [from the true solution].
Οἴδατε ὅτι ὅτε ἔθνη ἦτε πρὸς τὰ εἴδωλα τὰ ἄφωνα ὡς ἂν ἤγεσθε ἀπαγόµενοι.
A person who worships wood, stone or metal objects is completely divorced from reality, and the more a person moves away from reality, the farther he is from the truth. When the Corinthians were unbelievers, they worshiped the Greek pantheon. They worshipped these stones, wood, gold and silver statues which could not hear or speak. Each trip to a heathen temple took them farther away from the truth, and though the Corinthians could think and communicate well as they possessed large vocabularies, they would worship idols without brains. This was complete divorcement from truth and reality.
Paul is going to make an analogy between their ignorance as unbelievers with their ignorance as believers. They were irrational in their worship of mute statues, now they are irrational in their glorification of sensational spiritual gifts. The more irrational one is, the more he moves away from truth, reality and common sense. Paul must teach them in order to remove their ignorance of the doctrine of spiritual gifts, and how these gifts function in a group of believers. Just as knowledge about the Lord Jesus Christ solved their problem as unbelievers so knowledge of the spiritual gifts will solve their present confusion.
1 Corinthians 12:3
Therefore, I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God [filled with the Holy Spirit] says, “Cursed is Jesus,” and no one can say that Jesus is Lord [with meaning] except by the Holy Spirit.
διὸ γνωρίζω ὑµῖν ὅτι οὐδεὶς ἐν πνεύµατι θεοῦ λαλῶν λέγει, Ἀνάθεµα Ἰησοῦς, καὶ οὐδεὶς δύναται εἰπεῖν, Κύριος Ἰησοῦς, εἰ µὴ ἐν πνεύµατι ἁγίῳ.
Not only were the Corinthian Christians totally confused about spiritual gifts, but also had a problem with power lust. They were ignorant as unbelievers and did stupid things (verse 2) and now that they are believers, they are still doing stupid things (verse 3). Many Corinthian believers motivated by a lust for power and approbation were seeking to gain influence in the Church. For this reason, the Church became divided into different groups seeking control of the Church (1 Corinthians 1:11-17). Each group claimed superiority based upon who baptized them. One group said that Peter had baptized them, and that group maintained that since Peter was one of the earliest leaders of the Church, their group should be the most prominent. Another group said that Paul had baptizes them and argued that since Paul was the most knowledgeable apostle, they by association were the greatest. Others formed their group around Apollo’s reputation. The fourth group rallied around the reputation of Christ since he is the God-Man. In any case, these Corinthians were out of fellowship. Apparently, some of the believers became so angry at the Christ-group that they said, “Cursed is Jesus.” And apparently, the Christ-group were walking around uttering “Jesus is Lord” hoping to gain influence in this way. As unbelievers they were led away from truth; now as believers they are being led away from truth through their lust for power.
Some Christians might maintain that it is not possible for a Christian to curse his savior. These are the same Christians who would say that it is not possible for a believer to deny his Lord yet Peter, the great apostle, denied his savior three times. Remember that a Christian can commit any sin and any evil in life. A Christian possesses the same sin nature as does the unbeliever, and when a Christian is out of fellowship, he can say the same evil things as an unbeliever can.
Only a mature believer in fellowship with God can say with meaning “Jesus is Lord” for this phrase expresses the highest reverence and respect for the Lord Jesus Christ. (The two proper nouns ‘Jesus’ and ‘Lord’ are anarthrous (without an article) which means the high quality of the nouns are being emphasized.) Certainly, those Corinthians who were competing for power and approbation were not even close to loving Jesus Christ. Thus, even though they said, “Jesus is Lord,” it had no meaning.
1 Corinthians 12:4
Now there are differences [a variety] of [spiritual] gifts [χαρισµά], but the same Spirit [The Holy Spirit is the source of spiritual gifts].
∆ιαιρέσεις δὲ χαρισµάτων εἰσίν, τὸ δὲ αὐτὸ πνεῦµα·
The Holy Spirit at salvation forms the spiritual team. Just as there are many positions on a football team so there are many spiritual gifts on the spiritual team. It is the sovereignty of God the Holy Spirit who decides what position (what spiritual gift) each member of the body of Christ will receive. (The Greek word charisma “χαρισµά” means a gift freely and graciously given without any human merit.) This decision of the Holy Spirit was not to make one believer superior or inferior, but for harmonious team function.
List of Temporary Spiritual Gifts:
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Apostleship
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Prophecy
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Teaching
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Healing
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Miracles
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Languages or Tongues
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Interpretation of languages (Tongues)
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Wisdom
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Knowledge
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Exhortation [encouragement, comfort, counsel]
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Discerning spiritual matters
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Faith
List of Permanent Spiritual Gifts:
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Pastor-Teacher
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Evangelism (evangelizing before groups of unbelievers)
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Administrative Leadership (the chairman of the board of deacons)
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Administrative leadership under the chairman (the deacons)
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Ministry/Service (both men and women working on committees etc.)
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Helps with many manifestations and may be expressed in hospitality.
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Mercy: may be more dramatic than the gift of helps
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Giving
1 Corinthians 12:5
There are a variety of ministries [non-technical use of this word: kinds of Christian service], but the same Lord [we all serve the Lord with our gifts: the importance of occupation with Christ].
καὶ διαιρέσεις διακονιῶν εἰσιν, καὶ ὁ αὐτὸς κύριος·
There are different kinds of ministries or Christian service, but one correct motivation. For example, some with the gift of helps have a ministry toward unbelievers in need of some type of help or comfort, others toward believers. Some men with the gift of administrative leadership function in a local church, others in missionary organizations, seminaries etc. Some pastors teach in churches; others teach in Bible colleges and seminaries, and some even communicate through writing. All these services should be executed with the motive to please the Lord.
Spiritual growth must occur before service. Since correct motivation only comes with spiritual advance, the Christian should grow up spiritually before getting involved in Christian service. If not, he will more than likely become arrogant about his service and lose out in his opportunity to fulfill the spiritual life. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 states “All Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for teaching (by the Pastor), for rebuke (the Christian is rebuked when he fails), for correction (the good believer makes the necessary correction after his rebuke), for training in righteousness [reaching spiritual maturity with maximum virtue] in order that the man of God [the believer] might be proficient [capable], having been well equipped [prepared] for every good work [Christian service].” The only Christian properly equipped and qualified for Christian service is the mature believer. Christian service is not for children.
1 Corinthians 12:6
There are different kinds of jobs [activities, responsibilities], but the same God works all things in all persons [motivation from Bible doctrine to do your job as unto the Lord].
καὶ διαιρέσεις ἐνεργηµάτων εἰσίν, ὁ δὲ αὐτὸς θεός, ὁ ἐνεργῶν τὰ πάντα ἐν πᾶσιν.
These would be jobs that would support different ministries.
1 Corinthians 12:7
But to each one is given for his benefit [dative of advantage] the manifestation [the spiritual gift being brought to light through teaching and spiritual advance] of the Spirit [The Holy Spirit will reveal your spiritual gift through his teaching ministry] for the purpose of being beneficial [to the team].”
ἑκάστῳ δὲ δίδοται ἡ φανέρωσις τοῦ πνεύµατος πρὸς τὸ συµφέρον.
The team must be taught well by the pastor under the Filling of the Spirit. This means that each member of the team must learn the technical words of theology and all the doctrines related to establishment and the spiritual life. In order to accomplish this, the Holy Spirit communicates through the spiritual gift of pastor-teacher. The pastor is the agent, but it is the Holy Spirit who makes Biblical truth understandable to the believer.
The team benefits when spiritually advanced Christians function under their spiritual gifts. On the other hand, the team suffers when Christians do not function properly under their spiritual gifts. Every church, missionary organization, Bible college, seminary etc. consists of a team of believers. When the team consists of spiritually advanced believers, the team functions harmoniously under grace, but when the team is made up of emotionally non-thinking believers, the team becomes irrational and legalistic. So, for Christian organizations to function well, the believers in those organizations must either be in spiritual maturity or very close to it.
The Spiritual Gift: Correct Thinking and Motivation
Your thinking determines the kind of person you are. If your thinking is bad, then you are bad. If your thinking is noble, you are noble. If your thinking is limited, you are limited. If your thinking is self-centered, you are self-centered. If you are unable to think due to a lack of vocabulary and knowledge, you are vegetable and to be pitied. If your thinking is not in agreement with divine thinking, you are not a great believer. If your thinking is consistently aligned with God’s thinking, then you are a great believer with a proper functioning spiritual gift. “For as he thinks in his soul [nephes]) so he is” (Proverbs 23:7).
A right thing or action must be done in a right way to be right. Thus, Christian service must be done in a right way in order to be right. In order for Christian service to be done in a right way, it must be supported by correct thinking and motivation. (Correct thinking is the Word of God circulating in the soul of the believer. The desire to please the Lord is the only correct motivation.) So, when the Christian has God’s thinking in his soul and is motivated by his love for the Lord, then his actions (Christian service) etc. will be correct. He will have done a right thing in a right way! Thus, Christian service (a right thing) with the correct thinking and motivation (the right way) is right. Christian service (a right thing) with false motivation (the wrong way) is wrong. Taking the Nazarite Vow in the Church age (a wrong thing) by following all the requirements of the Mosaic Law (the right way) is wrong as Paul found out. Evangelism (a right thing) done in the wrong way (by disobeying the geographical will of God) is wrong again as Paul found out. Right plus right equals right!
1 Corinthians 12:8
For through the Spirit is given to one a word of wisdom, and to another a word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit.
ᾧ µὲν γὰρ διὰ τοῦ πνεύµατος δίδοται λόγος σοφίας, ἄλλῳ δὲ λόγος γνώσεως κατὰ τὸ αὐτὸ πνεῦµα,
The gift of wisdom and knowledge were temporary spiritual gifts given to some believers living in the pre-canon period of the Church Age. The gift of wisdom was the ability to explain and apply the mystery doctrine taught by the Christian with the gift of knowledge. So, some with the gift of knowledge taught the mystery doctrine; others with the gift of wisdom taught the application of that doctrine. Once the canon of Scripture was complete, these temporary gifts were removed.
In the post canon period of the Church age, wisdom comes through spiritual growth. In this same period of the Church Age, knowledge of God’s Word comes through the illuminating ministry of the Holy Spirit as the pastor filled with the Holy Spirit studies from the original languages of Scripture. He then teaches that knowledge to his congregation. As his members assimilate the principles and doctrines of the Word, they gradually come to understand how it can be applied to their circumstances and to people as well, the development of wisdom. The more one grows spiritually, the greater is the potential of wisdom.
The pre-canon Christians had to have the same information available to them as the post-canon Christians. How could this be possible since the pre-canon Christians did not have a completed canon? Well, God the Holy Spirit solved this problem by providing the right number of male communicators with the gift of knowledge, a temporary spiritual gift designed for the pre-canon period (1 Corinthians 13:8). This gift enabled those who possessed it, with the knowledge of everything which would be in the completed canon. With this knowledge they were able to teach the information which would eventually be found in the completed canon. Of course, once the New Testament books were all written down and distributed, this gift was no longer necessary.
1 Corinthians 12:9
And to another faith by the same Spirit; and to another the gifts of
healing [various types of healing gifts] by the one Spirit;
ἑτέρῳ πίστις ἐν τῷ αὐτῷ πνεύµατι, ἄλλῳ δὲ χαρίσµατα ἰαµάτων ἐν τῷ ἑνὶ πνεύµατι,
The gift of faith which was a temporary spiritual gift in the pre-canon period is to be distinguished from the use of the faith-rest drill which was also in use at that time and also in the post canon period of the Church Age (2 Corinthians 5:7). The faith-rest drill was the focal point of the Old Testament believer’s spiritual life (Hebrews11) and will be again be in the Tribulation, the last 7 years of the Age of Israel. In the middle of the Tribulation, they are told to leave all behind and flee to the mountains as per Matthew 24:15-18. This will take a lot of faith. Then, at the end of the Tribulation, they are told to fight against hopeless odds as per Zechariah 12:5, 6. However, this verse is not talking about the faith-rest drill rather it is talking about the temporary spiritual gift of faith of the pre-canon period which faith was possibly related to some miraculous function and/or used to encourage Christians in time of disaster. In the post-canon period of the Church Age there is no longer a need for this gift. God’s promises and truths are written down in the completed canon for the Christian to examine. The post-canon Christian merely applies these promises and truths to his experience through the faith gained through God’s Word. Romans 10:17, “So, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ.”
The gift of healing, a specific miracle used to vindicate the ministry as per Acts 19:11, 12, and miracles (mentioned in the next verse) to vindicate the person as per Acts 13:6-12 were temporary spiritual gifts. These gifts were given to the apostles and possibly to others with communicative gifts to establish their ministries. After their ministries were established, these temporary gifts were removed. Paul for example, after his ministry had been well established, his gift of healing was taken away; deduced from the fact that he could not heal Trophemus in 2 Timothy 4:20 nor Epaphroditus in Philippians 2:27. We could rightly assume that his gift of miracles was removed as well since they both had roughly the same purpose.
Occasionally, in the Church Age, God does heal a believer, but apart from the gift of healing. Sometimes he heals as an answer to a prayer, other times apart from prayer. All the same, God does not heal many in the Church Age since this is not the age of miracles. Maybe out of 20,000 sick and dying Christians, God may heal one.
Though miracles and healing were used to gain a hearing and to establish ministries, it was and is the Holy Spirit who convinces the unbeliever of the need for salvation as per John 16:8-11, “And after that one [the Holy Spirit] has come, he will convince the world [of unbelievers through gospel information] on the one hand concerning sin because they have not believed in Me. On the other hand, concerning righteousness because I am going to My father, and concerning judgment because the ruler of this world has been condemned.” Two powers are involved in the convincing ministry of the Holy Spirit namely his power and the power of the gospel.
1 Corinthians 12:10
And to another workings of miracles, to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spiritual matters; and to another the gift of foreign languages; and to another the interpretation of foreign languages.
ἄλλῳ δὲ ἐνεργήµατα δυνάµεων, ἄλλῳ [δὲ] προφητεία, ἄλλῳ [δὲ] διακρίσεις πνευµάτων, ἑτέρῳ γένη γλωσσῶν, ἄλλῳ δὲ ἑρµηνεία γλωσσῶν·
There were many who had the gift of prophecy in the pre-canon-period of the Church Age. Some used their gift to record prophecy in their writings (the apostles or those closely associated with them); others used it to teach or to warn of some near disaster in order that changes and or preparations could be made. Paul (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), Peter (2 Peter 3:10), and John (the book of Revelation) used their spiritual gifts of prophecy mainly in writing. (Regarding these prophetical writings as found in Scripture, each writer contributed a portion. When all of these parts were finally collected and put together into one book along with the other teachings, the Canon of Scripture was completed.) Others like Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, Judas (Acts 13:1), Silas (Acts 15:32) and Agabus used their gift to teach in a limited way and to warn about contemporary events; that’s why they are called “prophets and teachers” in Acts 13:1. For example, it was Agabus who prophetically warned Paul by illustrating what would happen to him if he continued with his plan to go to Jerusalem in 58 AD (Acts 21:10, 11).
Old Testament prophets were not only Bible teachers, but national leaders as well especially in a time of crisis, not so with the prophets of the pre-canon period of the Church Age. Some examples of Old Testament prophets having a ministry in a national crisis were Elijah who pronounced (no rain or dew except by his word) judgment because of the apostasy of King Ahab and the nation (1 Kings17:1). Elijah reprimanded King Ahab and commanded him to assemble all Israel along with all the false prophets of Jezebel on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:18, 19). Isaiah warned King Hezekiah not to seek help from the Egyptians against the Assyrians (Isaiah 31:1). All the same, Hezekiah ignored this warning (2 Kings 18:20, 21, 24). Then after Sennacherib had seized the fortified cities of the Southern Kingdom, Hezekiah had begun surrendering to Sennacherib (2 Kings 18:13-16). Because of this evil, Isaiah told Hezekiah that he would die the sin unto death (Isaiah 38:1). However, Hezekiah recovered fellowship and changed his mind about surrendering (2 Chronicles 32:1-8), and the death sentence was removed (Isaiah 38:4, 5). Jeremiah publicly taught that Israel should stay under the suzerainty of the Chaldeans rather than rely on the chariots of Egypt (Jeremiah 27, 28:3). On the other hand, those with the gift of prophecy in the pre-canon period of the Church Age stayed out of politics. For example, Paul never criticized Nero or interfered in his evil rulership. Peter did not criticize King Herod Agrippa I though Herod had murdered James, the brother of John and intended to do the same for him (Acts 12:1-3), nor did John ever make a political statement or criticize the persecution of the Christians by the Emperor Domitian. In fact, there is no record of any of the apostles to the Church interfering in politics or even criticizing the government. In summary, in the dispensation of Israel there was no separation between the prophets and priest on the one hand and the government on the other hand whereas in the Church Age, the Church and the State (government) are to remain separate (Matthew 22:21, Mark 12:17).
In the Church Age women are never given authority over adult men. For example, Paul did not permit women to speak in a Church much less teach adults in the assembly (1 Corinthians 14:34, 35). This principle was applied outside the Church walls as well for there is no instance of a woman exercising authority over a man in the New Testament. You might say, “What about the four prophetesses! Yes, there were these prophetesses, but they did not exercise authority over men. This explains why though the four virgin-daughters of Philip were prophetesses and staying with Paul in their father’s home, God did not use them to issue a prophetical warning to Paul, rather the Lord led Agabus from Judea to the home of Philip to deliver a prophetical warning (Acts 21:8-11). Apparently, these ladies had a prophetic ministry which was directed toward women only.
In the Church Age there must be a way of detecting false doctrine and false teachers. In the post-canon period of the Church, this detection is quite easy. We can just point to the Bible and conclude that someone’s teachings and or doctrine is correct or incorrect. However, remember that in the pre-canon-period of the Church Age there was no canon. People had no Bible. Thus, God the Holy Spirit provided the gift of discerning spiritual matters whereby a person with this gift would know whether a communicator’s teachings were correct or false. Once the canon was completed and circulated this gift was removed.
Regarding Tongues (the gift of languages) and the interpretation of Tongues (languages), read the book, “Tongues” by R. B. Thieme Jr.
1 Corinthians 12:11
All these spiritual gifts are the work of the one and same Spirit distributing to each one individually just as he determines.
πάντα δὲ ταῦτα ἐνεργεῖ τὸ ἓν καὶ τὸ αὐτὸ πνεῦµα, διαιροῦν ἰδίᾳ ἑκάστῳ καθὼς βούλεται.
Jesus Christ initially distributed spiritual gifts, after which it is the Holy Spirit who sovereignly distributes all spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11; Hebrews 2:4). The Lord Jesus Christ distributed spiritual gifts ten days after his ascension on the Day of Pentecost for it states in Ephesians 4:7, 8, 11, “To each one of us, this grace has been given according to the measure of the spiritual gift from Christ. Therefore, it [Old Testament Scriptures] says, ‘When He ascended into heaven, He led a host of captives [the Old Testament believers] in a triumphal procession from a state of captivity [Abraham’s Bosom], and He gave spiritual gifts to men [communicative gifts given to men on the Feast of Pentecost]. . . Then [resumption after the parenthesis of 9-10] He [the Lord Jesus Christ] gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastor-teachers,’”
1 Corinthians 12:12
For even as the body is one [one royal family in union with Christ] and has many parts [a body has hands, feet etc.: analogous to spiritual gifts], and all parts of the body though they are many, are one body; so also is the Christ [“the Christ” is Christ plus everyone in union with him].
Καθάπερ γὰρ τὸ σῶµα ἕν ἐστιν καὶ µέλη πολλὰ ἔχει, πάντα δὲ τὰ µέλη τοῦ σώµατος πολλὰ ὄντα ἕν ἐστιν σῶµα, οὕτως καὶ ὁ Χριστός·
1 Corinthians 12:13
For also by agency of one Spirit we are all baptized [identification resulting in becoming a new spiritual species] into one body [in union with Christ], whether Jews or Greeks [racial distinctions are removed], whether slave or free [class distinctions are removed], even all were made to drink [a non-meritorious function: an illustration of faith in Christ] the one Spirit [What God the Holy Spirit provided for us at salvation with emphasis on the Baptism of the Spirit.]
καὶ γὰρ ἐν ἑνὶ πνεύµατι ἡµεῖς πάντες εἰς ἓν σῶµα ἐβαπτίσθηµεν, εἴτε Ἰουδαῖοι εἴτε Ἕλληνες, εἴτε δοῦλοι εἴτε ἐλεύθεροι, καὶ πάντες ἓν πνεῦµα ἐποτίσθηµεν.
1 Corinthians 12:14
For the body [of Christ] is not one member [one spiritual gift], but many [members: many spiritual gifts].
καὶ γὰρ τὸ σῶµα οὐκ ἔστιν ἓν µέλος ἀλλὰ πολλά.
Paul will argue that just as all parts of the body are necessary so are all spiritual gifts, and just as a person would not argue that the foot is inferior to the eye, so we shouldn’t contend that the gift of helps for example is inferior to one of the more sensational spiritual gifts.
1 Corinthians 12:15
If [hypothetical case] the foot [not observed by many; possibly the gift of helps] should say, “Because I am not the hand [some spectacular gift], I do not belong to the body [a believer feeling sorry for himself because he does not have some spectacular gift.].” It [the foot] would not for that reason cease to be [any the less] a part of the body would it? Of course not! [false reasoning doesn’t remove the foot from the body: doesn’t remove the believer from his position in Christ].
ἐὰν εἴπῃ ὁ πούς, Ὅτι οὐκ εἰµὶ χείρ, οὐκ εἰµὶ ἐκ τοῦ σώµατος, οὐ παρὰ τοῦτο οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ σώµατος·
The arrogant Corinthians maintained that if one did not have either a sensational or communicative spiritual gift, he wasn’t much. The sensational temporary spiritual gifts were as follows: tongues, the interpretation of tongues, healing and miracles. The communicative gifts were apostleship, prophecy, evangelism, teaching and knowledge. The possession of a sensational or communicative gift does not make the believer superior. The gift the believer possesses only determines his position on the team.
Paul now moves from the parts of the body to the parts of the face.
1 Corinthians 12:16
And if the ear [for example the gift of mercy, helps, discerning spirits] shall say, “Because I am not the eye [representing a communicative gift], I do not belong to the body;” It therefore would not cease to be a part of the body would it? Of course not! [Arrogant dissatisfaction and or false reasoning does not remove it from the body]
καὶ ἐὰν εἴπῃ τὸ οὖς, Ὅτι οὐκ εἰµὶ ὀφθαλµός, οὐκ εἰµὶ ἐκ τοῦ σώµατος, οὐ παρὰ τοῦτο οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ σώµατος·
1 Corinthians 12:17
If [let’s assume: a first-class conditional clause] the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If [let’s assume] the whole body were an ear where would the sense of smell be?
εἰ ὅλον τὸ σῶµα ὀφθαλµός, ποῦ ἡ ἀκοή; εἰ ὅλον ἀκοή, ποῦ ἡ ὄσφρησις;
How can there be a team if everyone has the same position. Paul logically is revealing to the Corinthians their illogic. Not only were the Corinthians illogical, but so are the Christians who claim that if you do not speak in languages (Tongues: a temporary spiritual gift that went out in August of 70 A.D.), you are not spiritual. Are they not inferring that the body should be made up of one part? Can you imagine the body being one big eye or one huge proboscis! These Christians are illogical and completely ridiculous.
1 Corinthians 12:18
In fact God [the Holy Spirit] has arranged the parts of the body [the distribution of spiritual gifts], every one of them in the body just as he wills.
νυνὶ δὲ ὁ θεὸς ἔθετο τὰ µέλη, ἓν ἕκαστον αὐτῶν, ἐν τῷ σώµατι καθὼς ἠθέλησεν.
Spiritual growth or lack of it makes the Christian superior or inferior, not one’s spiritual gift. Since God the Holy Spirit sovereignly distributes spiritual gifts to each believer at the point of salvation, the spiritual gift a believer receives is not based on merit. Therefore, what spiritual gift one possesses cannot be the basis of inferiority or superiority. On the other hand, if a Christian will grow in grace and in knowledge, he will become a greater believer than the one who refuses to grow spiritually.
1 Corinthians 12:19
In fact, if it [the body] were all one part, where would the body be? [There would be no body].
εἰ δὲ ἦν τὰ πάντα ἓν µέλος, ποῦ τὸ σῶµα;
1 Corinthians 12:20
But now there are many parts [many spiritual gifts and not all may even be mentioned in Scripture], but one body.
νῦν δὲ πολλὰ µὲν µέλη, ἓν δὲ σῶµα.
1 Corinthians 12:21
And the eye [represents the arrogance of the believer with a sensational spiritual gift] cannot say to the hand [represents the gift of helps], I have no need of you [I do not need you]; nor again the head [Jesus Christ is the head: Ephesians 5:23. Colossians 1:18] to the feet, I have no need of you.
οὐ δύναται δὲ ὁ ὀφθαλµὸς εἰπεῖν τῇ χειρί, Χρείαν σου οὐκ ἔχω, ἢ πάλιν ἡ κεφαλὴ τοῖς ποσίν, Χρείαν ὑµῶν οὐκ ἔχω·
Someone with a spectacular spiritual gift cannot say to someone with a less spectacular gift, “I have no need of you.” Even Jesus Christ who is God cannot say to any believer, to any member of the body, I do not need you (eternal security).
1 Corinthians 12:22
On the contrary to a greater degree [a fortiori: a Latin phrase used in forming a comparison with an inference which produces an inescapable conclusion] the members of the body which seem [subjective thinking related to arrogance: an erroneous opinion not based on facts] to be weaker [useless] are necessary [to form the pivot of mature believers in a client nation as explained in the next two verses].
ἀλλὰ πολλῷ µᾶλλον τὰ δοκοῦντα µέλη τοῦ σώµατος ἀσθενέστερα ὑπάρχειν ἀναγκαῖά ἐστιν,
What spiritual impact brought about the Golden age of the Roman Empire from 96 AD to 192 AD? Was it the impact of believers with the sensational spiritual gifts such as Tongues, prophecy, apostleship, healing, miracles etc.? No, for they no longer existed. Was it the impact caused by those who had the gift of pastor-teacher (Ephesians 4:11) or by deacons (diakonos), or chairmen’s of the boards or other administrative leaders (1 Corinthians 12:28: administration: kubernetes (half of their responsibility); Romans 12:8: he who leads: proistemi (the other half of their responsibility))? No, for there was not enough to form a pivot of mature believers (a large group of mature believers having an impact on the nation). Rather it was the collective impact of those mature believers with the so called inferior spiritual gifts such as the gift of helps (1 Corinthians 12:28), mercy (Romans 12:8), service (ministry: the Greek word diakonia): those who work on committees; teach children etc. (Romans 12:7), giving (Romans 12:8: “he who gives with generosity”) that blessed the Roman Empire for nearly a century. Without this group this most famous pivot which blessed the Roman Empire would have never existed.
1 Corinthians 12:23
And [when we understand this principle of necessary spiritual gifts] those [parts] of the body which we erroneously judge [think to be] less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor around them [they have the honor of forming the pivot in the post-canon period]. And our unpresentable members have [are given] more abundant propriety [than all those sensational temporary spiritual gifts of the pre-canon period].
καὶ ἃ δοκοῦµεν ἀτιµότερα εἶναι τοῦ σώµατος, τούτοις τιµὴν περισσοτέραν περιτίθεµεν, καὶ τὰ ἀσχήµονα ἡµῶν εὐσχηµοσύνην περισσοτέραν ἔχει,
1 Corinthians 12:24
For our presentable [members: spiritual gifts of the pre-canon period] have no need [of honor and recognition], but God has so designed the body together, giving more abundant honor to that [member] that lacked honor [the so called inferior spiritual gifts];
τὰ δὲ εὐσχήµονα ἡµῶν οὐ χρείαν ἔχει. ἀλλὰ ὁ θεὸς συνεκέρασεν τὸ σῶµα, τῷ ὑστερουµένῳ περισσοτέραν δοὺς τιµήν,
The post-canon-Church Age believer with the so called inferior spiritual gifts is given the honor of producing the pivot with invisible impact on the client nation. These Christians come from those sitting in the pews. Without them, there would never be a client nation to God. So, in this way the Lord gives more honor and propriety to those Christian with spiritual gifts that many look down on.
1 Corinthians 12:25
That there not be division in the body [of Christ], but that the members [with different spiritual gifts] should have the same care for one another [based on understanding how this spiritual team functions].
ἵνα µὴ ᾖ σχίσµα ἐν τῷ σώµατι, ἀλλὰ τὸ αὐτὸ ὑπὲρ ἀλλήλων µεριµνῶσιν τὰ µέλη.
1 Corinthians 12:26
And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with [him]; if one member is glorified, all the members rejoice with [him].
καὶ εἴτε πάσχει ἓν µέλος, συµπάσχει πάντα τὰ µέλη· εἴτε δοξάζεται ἓν µέλος, συγχαίρει πάντα τὰ µέλη.
As a member of the team, one may rejoice on one occasion, and on another suffer. By analogy if one part of the body suffers, the entire body suffers. For example if you hit your finger with a hammer, your entire body suffers since the nervous system is connected. If one member is glorified, the others rejoice with him since the team helped to produce the winner.
1 Corinthians 12:27
Now, you are the body [Though the noun is anarthrous, not possessing an article in the Greek, we provide one in the English.] of Christ [a team], and individually members of it [For those of you who may be reading from the Greek please understand that this is a Greek idiom.].
Ὑµεῖς δέ ἐστε σῶµα Χριστοῦ καὶ µέλη ἐκ µέρους.
The anarthrous structure indicates the highest possible quality. Thus, Christians with many different spiritual gifts form a very important team in the Church Age. We are all on the same team, but each plays a different position, and since this team is of extreme importance each believer should fulfill his responsibility on that team.
1 Corinthians 12:28
And God has appointed in the church, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers then powers [miracles: a credit card to prove that a man was an apostle or a prophet or teacher], then gifts of healings [to vindicate someone’s ministry], helps, administration, kinds of languages [different languages].
καὶ οὓς µὲν ἔθετο ὁ θεὸς ἐν τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ πρῶτον ἀποστόλους, δεύτερον προφήτας, τρίτον διδασκάλους, ἔπειτα δυνάµεις, ἔπειτα χαρίσµατα ἰαµάτων, ἀντιλήµψεις, κυβερνήσεις, γένη γλωσσῶν.
The gift of language was very important since there were so many different languages spoken in the Roman Empire and many of these speaking different languages came to Corinth since it had two ports which was frequented by many ships from all over the Roman Empire. How is one able to communicate to these people without this gift?
1 Corinthians 12:29
All are not [the Greek “me’] apostles [authority], are they? No. All are not prophets [prophesied], are they? No. All are not teachers [synonymous with the gift of knowledge: able to teach the Church Age doctrines even though the canon was not complete], are they? No. All are not workers of miracles, are they? No.
µὴ πάντες ἀπόστολοι; µὴ πάντες προφῆται; µὴ πάντες διδάσκαλοι; µὴ πάντες δυνάµεις;
Questions with the Greek negative “me” expect a negative answer and should be answered in English as “No”. On the other hand, questions beginning with the Greek negative “ou” expect an affirmative and should be answered in the English as “Yes.”
1 Corinthians 12:30
All do not have the gifts of healings, do they? No. All do not speak with foreign languages, do they? No. All do not interpret [those foreign languages], do they? No.
µὴ πάντες χαρίσµατα ἔχουσιν ἰαµάτων; µὴ πάντες γλώσσαις λαλοῦσιν; µὴ πάντες διερµηνεύουσιν;
1 Corinthians 12:31
But keep on seeking the greater gifts [the communication gifts], and yet I point out to you for your benefit a way [a system] beyond all comparison [the spiritual life of believers in the Church Age].
ζηλοῦτε δὲ τὰ χαρίσµατα τὰ µείζονα. Καὶ ἔτι καθí ὑπερβολὴν ὁδὸν ὑµῖν δείκνυµι.
Spiritual Gifts: There are two categories of spiritual gifts namely temporary and permanent. The temporary spiritual gifts were operational during the pre-canon period of the Church Age, i.e., from circa A.D. 30, the day of Pentecost when the Church Age began, to sometime after the distribution of the canon of Scripture maybe as late as 120 A.D. The permanent spiritual gifts function from the completion of the New Testament in 96 A.D. until the Rapture of the Church. What was the purpose of the temporary spiritual gifts? They were designed to take up the slack for the lack of a completed canon. Once the New Testament Canon was completed and circulated, and the mystery doctrine of the Church Age was reduced to writing, there was no longer a need for these temporary spiritual gifts.
List of Temporary Spiritual Gifts:
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Apostleship: apostolos
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Prophecy: prophetes
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Knowledge: gnosis and teaching: didaskalos; They seem to belong together!
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Healing: iaomai, iatros is a doctor; used to confirm one’s ministry
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Miracles: dunamis (miraculous powers regarding authority at Lystra, Philippi; also at Ephesus as per Acts 19:11, 12], semeion (signs related to discipline at Crete), teras (supernatural wonders at Malta]
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Languages or Tongues: glossa,
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Interpretation of languages (Tongues): diermeneuo glosson
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Wisdom: sophia
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Exhortation, encouragement, comfort and counsel: paraklesis
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Discerning spiritual matters: diakrisis pneumaton
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Faith: pistis
List of Permanent Spiritual Gifts:
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Pastor-Teacher: poimen-didaskalos
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Administrative leadership (the chairman of the board of deacons): kubernesis; proistemi
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Administrative leadership (the deacons under the authority of the chairman): diakonos
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Ministry/Service (persons working on committees etc.): diakonia
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Evangelism (evangelizing before groups of unbelievers): euangelistes
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Helps (there are many manifestations of this gift; may be expressed in hospitality: antilempsis
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Mercy: eleos
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Giving: (beyond normal giving) didomi, metadidomi
Temporary Spiritual Gifts:
Apostleship: The Greek word, apostolos (apostle) is an Attic Greek word which was already 500 years old when used in the New Testament. It had two meanings. It was originally used for the highest-ranking naval admiral in command of the Athenian fleet or the general of the Athenian army. These men were chosen by a special council to command a military expedition generally against the Spartans. These apostoloi were given tremendous power during a war time situation. This would be equivalent to the authority given to the twelve apostles sent to evangelize the unbelievers of Israel and secondly, to the twelve apostles commissioned in the Church Age for the primary function of evangelizing, preparing young men for the ministry, establishing Churches and writing the Bible. Regarding its secondary meaning, the Athenian government would delegate authority to a person for the purpose of governing an Athenian colony. This new governor of the colony was called an apostolos as well. Paul, for example, delegated authority to many pioneer missionaries that they might have the necessary power to execute their responsibilities. Therefore, both uses of this word are found in the New Testament.
Regarding the apostles to the Lost Sheep of Israel, Jesus had approximately 5000 disciples at one point in his ministry. Out of these disciples only a small number would be promoted to the position of apostleship. Jesus realizing that he needed to promote some of his students to apostleship went up to a mountain and prayed all night regarding this matter. The next morning, he came down with a promotion list. Twelve disciples were promoted to the temporary rank of apostleship. It was temporary since they would hold this position until 30 A.D. when the Church Age would begin. These twelve had to be believers for their responsibility was to give the gospel to the “Lost Sheep of the House of Israel”.
And it was at this time that he went off to the mountain to pray, and he spent the whole night in prayer to God. When he returned, he called his disciples (approximately five thousand) to him and chose twelve from among them whom he named as his apostles: Simon whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James and John; Philip and Bartholomew and Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who became a traitor. (Luke 6:12-16)
What was their responsibility? Jesus gave these twelve the authority and responsibility to evangelize the unbelievers of Israel (Matthew 10:5, 6) and to announce that the rule of the Messiah was coming nearer (Matthew 10:7). They were given the gifts of healing and miracles to identify them as the Lord’s apostles. Their sensational gifts of healing and miracles were never designed to remove suffering. If it were so, they would have healed all and performed miracles to benefit all, but they didn’t. These gifts of healing and miracles were designed to gain an audience and then to motivate the audience of unbelieving Jews and gentiles to listen to the gospel message.
Eleven of the apostles to Israel were promoted to the permanent rank of apostleship in the Church Age. In order to become an apostle to the Church Age, one had to see the resurrected Christ. Acts 1:22, “One of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” The resurrected Christ appeared to the eleven disciples, and to Paul conferring on them the permanent rank of apostleship in the Church Age. 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 states, “And that he appeared to Cephas (Peter) then to the twelve [the twelve is a title, actually there were only eleven]. After that he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now [still alive], but some have fallen asleep [died]; Then he appeared to James [the Lord’s half-brother], then to all the apostles [the eleven] and last of all, as to one untimely born [a bastard born out of wedlock], he appeared to me [Paul] also.”
What was their responsibility? These twelve men had absolute power and authority. They had authority to teach the spiritual life of the Church Age along with its doctrines, to establish churches, to train men for the ministry and to write the New Testament epistles (Also, a few others wrote who were closely associated with apostles). They had rank with absolute power to get the Church Age started.
As the Athenian Commander had absolute power over the Athenian Navy so the twelve apostles had absolute power over the Churches. To illustrate their power, Paul had the authority and power to turn a Christians over to Satan for the purpose of being tortured to death (1 Corinthians 5:1, 5). 2 Corinthians 12:12, “Indeed the evidences of an apostle were produced among you in all fortitude and perseverance, by means of signs [as warning of personal discipline], by means of supernatural phenomena [as credit cards], by means of powers [express authority].”
The second meaning of the Greek word apostolos was used for pioneer missionaries who were under the authority of the apostles. They had tremendous powers, but they were delegated powers. They were called apostles because apostolos is also used for a Greek who founded and governed a colony. Acts 14:14, “But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out.” Also, Epaphras, Andronicus, Junias, Timothy, Silvanus were called pioneer missionaries (In the Greek: apostolos) just to mention a few. Philippians 2:25, “But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your spiritual ruler (in the Greek: apostolos), a minister to my needs.” Romans 16:7, “Pay my respects to Andronicus and Junias, my cousins, and fellow prisoners who are prominent among the missionaries (in the Greek: apostolos), who also have been in Christ before me.” 1 Thessalonians 2:6, “Nor did we (Paul, Silvanus, Timothy) seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles (Paul, Silas or Silvanus and Timothy) of Christ we might have asserted our authority.”
Prophecy: The gift of prophecy was not for national leadership like that of the Old Testament prophets. This gift was second in order of merit, and is so listed in 1 Corinthians 12:28. It is also mentioned in Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:10, and 1 Corinthians 14:1-40 where it is presented in contrast to the gift of tongues.
Old Testament prophets were national leaders, especially in times of crisis. In times of prosperity, they were the final authority on Bible doctrine. Many of the Old Testament prophets were great national leaders, e.g., Elijah. Isaiah dictated the correct foreign policy that saved Israel. But those with the gift of prophecy in the pre-canon period of the Church Age were not national leaders; they only functioned within the realm of the Church. The gift of prophecy included a message of divine guidance or a warning of judgment, or a prediction about the immediate future. In Acts 11, Agabus the prophet predicted the famine and depression to come. In Acts 21:10-11, he warned Paul not to go back to Jerusalem. Prophets in addition to their prophetic warnings, had a teaching ministry. That is why they are called "prophets and teachers" in Acts 13:1.
Males with the gift of prophecy recorded in Scripture are as follows: Agabus, Acts 11:27-28, 21:10-11. Others included Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, and even Paul, according to Acts 13:1. Judas and Silas had the gift of prophecy, Acts 15:32. Because of the tremendous amount of eschatology in the New Testament epistles, it is quite obvious that the apostolic writers also had the gift of prophecy.
Acts 21:8-11presents the four daughters of Philip, the evangelist as prophetesses. However, their authority was limited to women only. This explains why they did not warn Paul, not to go to Jerusalem; rather they humbly left that warning to Agabus. See also 1Corinthians 12:10.
Knowledge & Teaching: see 1 Corinthians 12:8: usually connected with one of the two categories of apostleship (2 Timothy 1:11: “I was appointed a herald, and an apostle and a teacher” ), the gift of prophecy (Acts 13:1: ‘prophets and teachers’), and to the pastors (elders: presbuteros) of the church; Peter hyphenated pastor with overseer in 1 Peter 2:25 “pastor-overseer” The gift of teaching was later attached to the word pastor (shepherd) by Paul as per Ephesians 4:11, “to pastors-teachers” Keep in mind that the only gift of communication in the post-canon period of the church age is the pastor. There is no need for others to communicate to adult men and women.
Healing & Miracles: The gift of healing is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28. 2 Corinthians 12:12, “The signs of an apostle were performed among you with all perseverance [under pressure] by signs [semeion], and wonders [teras] and miracles [dunamis].”
Tongues and the interpretation of Tongues: see 1 Corinthians 12:10, also the booklet, ‘Tongues’ by R. B. Thieme Jr.
Wisdom: see 1 Corinthians 12:8
Exhortation, encouragement, comfort, counsel: The gift of exhortation is found in Romans 12:8a, “If it is the gift of exhortation [a temporary gift of exhortation, comfort and encouragement], then let him counsel and comfort in the gift of exhortation…” Before the canon of Scripture was completed and circulated, the spiritual gift of exhortation was necessary. This was the temporary gift of counseling, comforting, warning, and advising. The Greek word used for this gift was paraklesis which means comforter. But today, the Holy Spirit is the paraklesis. Hence, with the completion of the New Testament, this temporary gift was no longer necessary.
Discerning spiritual matters: see 1 Corinthians 12:10
Faith: see 1 Corinthians 12:9
1 Corinthians 13:8-10 explains the temporary function of certain spiritual gifts, "Love is never phased out; but if prophecies, they will be discontinued; if tongues, they will be terminated; if the gift of knowledge, it will be discontinued. For we know in part [gift of knowledge], and we prophesy in part [gift of prophecy], but when the perfect comes [New Testament Canon], then the partial [the temporary spiritual gifts] will be discontinued [abolished, phased out, withdrawn]."
Permanent Spiritual Gifts:
The Greek noun charisma means a spiritual gift; charis means grace and the Greek suffix ma means the result of. So, all spiritual gifts are a matter of grace! No gift is given based on God's foreknown merit of the believer. Spiritual gifts are sovereignly given by the Holy Spirit to each believer at the point of salvation. Therefore, a spiritual gift is never earned or deserved through merit, nor developed through any form of emotional experience. The gift given represents the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Your spiritual gift has nothing to do with your spiritual life as such; i.e., you're not given a more spectacular or visible gift if it's anticipated that you'll be more spiritual, and you're not given a more "invisible" gift if it's anticipated that you won't turn out to be much anyhow. The initial distribution of spiritual gifts on the day of Pentecost came from the Lord Jesus Christ, according to Ephesians 4:7,8, 11, “Moreover to each one of us, this grace was given according to the measure from Christ’s gift. (8)Therefore He said, when He ascended into heaven up on high, He led a host of captives in triumphal procession from a state of captivity [from Abraham’s bosom], and He gave spiritual gifts to men [on the Day of Pentecost]. (11) Then, He gave some apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers.” But since that time, the Holy Spirit makes the distribution of all spiritual gifts, according to Hebrews 2:4 and 1 Corinthians 12:11,"But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills."
The Pastor-Teacher: This the highest communication gift extent in the Church Age today. It is given to male believers only and is designed to function primarily inside the local church (Ephesians 4:11-16). Though the pastor is not an administrator; he is a policy maker, and so has the responsibility of seeing that the policy of administration lines up with the Word of God, but he himself does not involve himself in administration.
This hyphenated form is derived from applying the Granville Sharp rule to the Greek of Ephesians 4:11. The pastor’s authority over his congregation only functions in the local church. Once a believer leaves the premises of the church, he is no longer under the pastor’s authority. As in all good leadership, the leader must gain the respect of those he has command over. Slowly, as he gains the respect of his congregation, he gains authority over them. His authority for the most part is his authority to teach the Word of God. Occasionally, if there is gossip etc. occurring in the church, he as the shepherd (the pastor) or the Chairman of the board or one of the deacons will have to deal with that problem. The primary role of the pastor is to feed his sheep by teaching them the Word of God (John 21:17).
Though the pastor does not have the gift of evangelism, he is told to do the work of one as per 2 Timothy 4:5.
Administrative leadership: The gift of administrative leadership is found in Romans 12:8, “. . . He who leads [proistemi] must do so with diligence. . .” 1 Corinthians 12:28 also mentions this gift under the word “governments” or “administrations [kubernesis].” These two Greek words from these two verses, proistemi and kubernesis, describe the two parts of this gift. It entails both authority and leadership and the function of administration. This gift would be held by the Chairman of the Board of deacons.
Deacon: This is also a gift of administrative leadership (Diakonos), held by men only who function under the authority of the Chairman of the Board. 1 Timothy 3:8-13, “In the same manner deacons must be worthy of respect, not given to double talk, be guarding against much wine [not a slave to alcohol], not be having an eager desire for dishonest profit, (9) Be having and holding the mystery, even the doctrine.(10) Moreover these also must be tested; then afterward serve as deacons, provided that they are blameless under the laws of establishment. (11) Likewise, wives [of deacons] must be honorable, not malicious gossips, not lushes, faithful in all things.(12) Deacons keep on being husbands of one wife; they should be ruling well their children and their own household. (13) For they who have served honorably as deacons have acquired for themselves a noble rank, and much confidence by means of doctrine [resident in the soul] associated with their being in Christ Jesus.”
Service: This gift relates to ministry or service (diakonia) which is found in Romans 12:7. (Some confusion arises because diakonia resembles diakonos.) Diakonia is a spiritual gift of service given to both men and women. Diakonos is an office in the local church, held by a man serving on the deacon board.
Evangelism: While the gift of pastor-teacher communicates the whole realm of doctrine inside the local church, the gift of evangelism is designed to communicate the Gospel outside the local church (Ephesians 4:11). The male believer with the gift of evangelism has the God-given ability to communicate the Gospel in a manner that holds the unbeliever's attention. This is the spiritual gift by which people will gather or assemble to listen to the presentation of the Gospel, and will give close attention and listen intently to the evangelist, where they would not listen to anyone else. His gift is designed to reach the unreachable with the Gospel message.
Helps: The gift of helps is found in 1 Cor 12:28. Possessed by thousands of believers; a sustaining gift which provides stability in a local church. This spiritual gift functions by helping and ministering to the sick, the afflicted, the handicapped, and the helpless. It is held by men and women and can function toward both believer and unbeliever.
Mercy: Romans 12:8, ". . . the one showing mercy, let him function with graciousness [cheerfulness: without any rancor; without the thought that this person is a jerk and has brought it on himself].” The persons who need mercy are usually not the attractive people in life. There is often great antagonism between the one needing mercy and the one showing mercy. This gift involves being nice, kind and loving toward someone whom you have a natural antagonism. This implies that if you have the gift of mercy, you will automatically show mercy, but you won't necessarily like it unless you have virtue. This gift extends primarily to the afflicted, to the persecuted, and to those who are victims of tyranny among believers and even unbelievers. Therefore, it is perhaps more dramatic than the gift of helps.
Giving: The gift of giving must be distinguished from the individual believer's responsibility in giving. Romans 12:8, ". . . if it is the gift of giving, let him [give] generously [but not necessarily to the local church] . . ." This is a special spiritual gift given to both rich and poor for the extravagant use of their earthly possessions in providing for the needs of both believers and Christian institutions, such as the local church, missions, Christian service organizations, to the destitute and needy, and to those who are financially helpless.
Regeneration:
Regeneration is a theological term explaining spiritual birth through faith in Jesus Christ. Regeneration means a second birth or being born again, as Jesus said in John 3:3, "Jesus answered and said to him, `Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a person is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'" John 3:7, "Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born again.'" How is a person born again? Jesus answered this question in John 3:16, "For God loved the world so much, that He gave His Son, the uniquely born one, so that anyone who believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." Jesus answered the question a second time in John 3:18, "He who believes in Him is not condemned [Romans 8:1]; [ but], he who does not believe is condemned already [at birth], because he has not believed in the person of the uniquely born Son of God."
(3) ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, Ἀµὴν ἀµὴν λέγω σοι, ἐὰν µή τις γεννηθῇ ἄνωθεν, οὐ δύναται ἰδεῖν τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ. (7) µὴ θαυµάσῃς ὅτι εἶπόν σοι, ∆εῖ ὑµᾶς γεννηθῆναι ἄνωθεν. (16) Οὕτως γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν κόσµον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν τὸν µονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν µὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλí ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. (18) ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν οὐ κρίνεται· ὁ [δὲ] µὴ πιστεύων ἤδη κέκριται, ὅτι µὴ πεπίστευκεν εἰς τὸ ὄνοµα τοῦ µονογενοῦς υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ.
Regeneration is the basis for the Jewish race.
The Old Testament Jews were not just a race of people born physically, but certain Jews were the chosen or elect people of God by being born again through faith in Jesus Christ as He was revealed. The pattern for the Jews as a chosen people is not related to their self-righteousness or to their first birth, but to their second birth, a spiritual birth. Abraham was born again through faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 4:1-5, "What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? (2) For let us assume that Abraham was justified [made righteous] by works; he has something about which to boast, but not before God. (3) For what does the Scripture say? "And Abraham believed in God, and it [his faith] was credited to him for imputed righteousness." (4) Now, to the one who works [for salvation], his wage is not credited [reckoned] on the basis of grace, but on the basis of debt [the more he works, the greater is his debt]. (5) But to the person who does not work [for salvation], but believes in Him who justifies [declares righteous and qualified for an eternal relationship with God]the unbeliever [a person without a relationship with God, the spiritually dead unbeliever], his faith is credited [reckoned] for [the imputation of] righteousness."
Τί οὖν ἐροῦµεν εὑρηκέναι Ἀβραὰµ τὸν προπάτορα ἡµῶν κατὰ σάρκα; (2) εἰ γὰρ Ἀβραὰµ ἐξ ἔργων ἐδικαιώθη, ἔχει καύχηµα· ἀλλ’ οὐ πρὸς θεόν.(3) τί γὰρ ἡ γραφὴ λέγει; Ἐπίστευσεν δὲ Ἀβραὰµ τῷ θεῷ, καὶ ἐλογίσθη αὐτῷ εἰς δικαιοσύνην. (4) τῷ δὲ ἐργαζοµένῳ ὁ µισθὸς οὐ λογίζεται κατὰ χάριν ἀλλὰ κατὰ ὀφείληµα· (5) τῷ δὲ µὴ ἐργαζοµένῳ, πιστεύοντι δὲ ἐπὶ τὸν δικαιοῦντα τὸν ἀσεβῆ, λογίζεται ἡ πίστις αὐτοῦ εἰς δικαιοσύνην,
Therefore, the origin of the Jewish race was based on regeneration, or faith in Christ as He was revealed in the Old Testament. The line of regeneration is Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Jewish race was founded through regeneration, Romans 9:6-12, “However, this is not to imply that the Word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel [racial] are really Israel. (7). Neither because they are Abraham's posterity [racial Jews] are all children [of eternal inheritance], but [quote Genesis 21:12] "in Isaac your spiritual seed shall be elected." (8) This means that the descendants of the flesh [racial Jews] these are not the children of God, but the children of the promise are imputed for the seed [regenerate - true Jews]. (9). For the word of the promise is this: [quote Genesis 18:1] "At this time [at Abraham's maturity] I will come [to impute blessing] and Sarah will have a son. (10). And not only [the previous case history - Isaac, Ishmael], but also Rebecca when she became pregnant from one Isaac, our father. (11) For though the twins had not yet been born, and though they had not accomplished anything good [divine good] or evil, in order that the predetermined plan of God [the divine decree] might remain in status quo in relationship to election, not from works but from Him who elects. (12) It was said to her [quote Genesis 25:23], "The older [Esau] shall be subservient to the younger [Jacob].”
Οὐχ οἷον δὲ ὅτι ἐκπέπτωκεν ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ. οὐ γὰρ πάντες οἱ ἐξ Ἰσραήλ, οὗτοι Ἰσραήλ· 7 οὐδí ὅτι εἰσὶν σπέρµα Ἀβραάµ, πάντες τέκνα, ἀλλí, Ἐν Ἰσαὰκ κληθήσεταί σοι σπέρµα. 8 τοῦτí ἔστιν, οὐ τὰ τέκνα τῆς σαρκὸς ταῦτα τέκνα τοῦ θεοῦ, ἀλλὰ τὰ τέκνα τῆς ἐπαγγελίας λογίζεται εἰς σπέρµα· 9 ἐπαγγελίας γὰρ ὁ λόγος οὗτος, Κατὰ τὸν καιρὸν τοῦτον ἐλεύσοµαι καὶ ἔσται τῇ Σάρρᾳ υἱός. 10 οὐ µόνον δέ, ἀλλὰ καὶ Ῥεβέκκα ἐξ ἑνὸς κοίτην ἔχουσα, Ἰσαὰκ τοῦ πατρὸς ἡµῶν· 11 µήπω γὰρ γεννηθέντων µηδὲ πραξάντων τι ἀγαθὸν ἢ φαῦλον, ἵνα ἡ κατí ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις τοῦ θεοῦ µένῃ, 12 οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων ἀλλí ἐκ τοῦ καλοῦντος, ἐρρέθη αὐτῇ ὅτι Ὁ µείζων δουλεύσει τῷ ἐλάσσονι·
The "Chosen Race" title belongs to the Jew who believed in Christ during Old Testament times. There is no chosen race on the basis of physical birth, but on the basis of regeneration. Consequently, the racial Jew is not God's chosen or elect people, but the born-again Jew who believes in Christ. Jesus. Christ was revealed in the Old Testament and confirmed in the New Testament as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (Exodus 3:6; Matthew 22:32; Acts 3:1).
When do human life and eternal life begin? Human life begins at birth when God creates soul life and imputes it to biological life (The fetus after it emerges from the womb is no longer mother dependent.) Conception can only produce biological life in the womb only in the sense that it unites the sperm with the egg which are already biologically alive. Birth and the creation of soul life is required for any human being to come into existence. Furthermore, for human life to have eternal life a second birth called regeneration is required. While human life begins at birth, eternal life begins at the second birth.
Conception is not the issue in the origin of life; for conception relates to genetics and what man can do in copulation. But human life relates to birth and what God can do at that moment. Eternal life relates to the second birth--faith in Christ--which emphasizes the work of God. Just as mankind does no deed or work for physical life, so mankind does no deed or work for eternal life. The first birth is the origin of human life; the second birth is the origin of eternal life. In both births, the work and grace of God is the issue.