ROSE AND LINDA'S JOURNAL HOLY SPIRIT

1 Corinthians Chapter 12-Chapter 13

Part 1

Having just returned from a study on the Holy Spirit we feel lead to write again on the subject. We have found through years of research that when we see a discrepancy in teachings it is usually universal.   We feel that it is in our articles that we can share the truth.  It is for this reason we always tell any who reads our work, ask questions, take not our word nor any man's for the truth.  Read and seek the face of God Himself for yourself.  We seem to see confusion between the actual gift of the Holy Spirit and the gift of tongues.  Just as one can be saved without baptism, one can be filled with the Holy Spirit and not speak in tongues.   

In Chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians Paul begins by telling us in the first verse  he does not want us ignorant concerning the spiritual gifts.  Verse four tells us there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. Between 5 and 6 he tells us differences of ministries, and diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all. 

But he tells us starting in verse 7 and ends with verse 11 'But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:  for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.  But one and the same Spirit works all these things distributing to each one individually as He wills.'

From verse 12 to verse 27 Paul describes how together we make up the body of Christ.  Then in verse 28 he tells us God has appointed in this order apostles, prophets, teachers, after that miracles, gifts of healing, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.  Yes last on the list varieties of tongues.   But lets not stop there.  Paul goes on to ask are all apostles, prophets, teachers, all workers of miracles, do all have gifts of healing.  Then he asks in verse 30 'Do all speak with tongues?  Do all interpret? 31   But earnestly desire the best gifts.  And I will show you a more excellent way.'

In Chapter 13 only verse 1 speaks of tongues and tells us that to speak with the tongues of men and of angels without love we sound like brass or clanging cymbals. 

Again we want to share with you Acts 2:38-39  Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.' 

The gift of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter that Jesus promised to us.   The Holy Spirit a gift to all who believe and are saved.  Not something that we wait for, or ask for. 

Tongues, speaking in tongues, is also one of those gifts.  It is in Chapter 14 that Paul teaches on tongues.  That is what we will look at next.  Please understand though that the Holy Spirit is a gift given to all that ask the Lord into their life.  If you are saved you have the Holy Spirit living inside of you.

God Bless

recj/LJG