Statement of Faith

I. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

The Bible teaches that Spirit Baptism happens the moment one believes, and it occurs only one time. According to Paul, Spirit Baptism results in the believer being placed into the Body of the Messiah positionally. (Romans 6:1-10; Colossians 2:12; Ephesians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 12:13) This is membership into the universal Body of the Messiah. It also identifies and unites the believer with the Messiah in co-crucifixion, co-burial, and co-resurrection in regards to the sin nature of a believer. (Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12) In the context of Paul discussing spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:13, the Baptism of the Spirit is when the believer receives his or her specific spiritual gifts. Whatever gifts the believer is given at that time is all they get for their lifetime. There are not additional gifts given later in the believer’s life, and so the believer must discover which gifts he or she has. Therefore, gifts are not something given after salvation, but are given at salvation. Also, the believer will not evidence his or her salvation by one specific gift such as the gift of tongues. Some have tried to make a distinction between being baptized by the Spirit and baptized with the Spirit using the King James Bible. This is unjustified since the KJV translates some verses as reading “by” and others reading “with.” Therefore, people incorrectly teach that while all are baptized by the Spirit, only those who speak in tongues are baptized with the Spirit. This distinction of “with” or “by” is found only in English translation, primarily the KJV. This unfortunate interpretation fails to look at the Greek word which is the same Greek word for “with” or “by.”  Therefore, the Greek indicates that the same word is being used, so there is no basis for distinguishing between being Baptized by the Spirit or being Baptized with the Spirit.

II. The Anointing of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit anoints the believer at the moment of salvation, and He does not repeatedly give anointings subsequent times. The believer is anointed at salvation and this anointing will abide with the believer continually. The anointing of the Holy Spirt is very much like the sealing of the Holy Spirit in that it is connected to the believer’s position of being “in Christ.” (i.e., being part of the Body of Christ) (2 Corinthians 1:21-22) Therefore, the anointing of the Holy Spirit confirms this forever. According to 1 John 2:20, this anointing results in the believer knowing “all things” in regards to salvation, and not to the whole body of truth of the Bible. Furthermore, another result of the anointing of the Holy Spirit at salvation is that the believer does not need to be taught by someone anymore about the truth of the Gospel since they are now saved and regenerated. (1 John 2:27) This passage does not mean that the believer does not need a teacher for all the other doctrines. It means that the new believer does not need to be taught the Gospel again by someone. (Note: the Gospel is a technical term and does not refer to all of God’s Word. It refers to how one becomes saved through Jesus the Messiah.)   However, believers will need a teacher for the rest of the body of truth in the Bible and this is why the Lord gifts the Body of Christ with the gift of teaching. Practically, the anointing gives the believer the secure and strong conviction that the Gospel of the Messiah is true. The anointing also serves as a basis for the believer to go past the knowledge of the Gospel and to open oneself to gain more knowledge of spiritual truth from the whole counsel of God. (i.e., Genesis to Revelation) Lastly, the anointing of the Holy Spirit is the basis in which believers serve the Lord. Every believer is anointed at the moment of salvation, so every believer should serve the Lord from that point forward for a specific service based on his or her spiritual gifts. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 1 John 2:20; 1 John 2:27)

III. The Delay of the Holy Spirit’s Baptism in the Book of Acts

The book of Acts is a transitional book so it must be interpreted in light of this context, especially in regard to the delay of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Since the book of Acts is a transitional, then many of the events that transpire are descriptive in nature rather than prescriptive. This is a primary hermeneutical law that if something in scripture is descriptive and not prescriptive, then we are not to build theology based on the descriptive parts. If this rule is not applied properly, then historical accounts that are non-prescriptive are misinterpreted to be prescriptive, and hence, cause doctrinal error. For example, taking the delay of the Holy Spirit in Acts, which is descriptive and has a timebound theological reason for it, as normative for today, goes against the rules of hermeneutics. Furthermore, telling people that only those who speak in tongues have been baptized by the Holy Spirit is also a theological error based on applying a descriptive text. The next sections (see below) will discuss why there was a delay in the Baptizing of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts.

The book of Acts evidences a transition between the Mosaic Law Dispensation and the Dispensation of Grace, which includes a new ministry of the Holy Spirit in relationship to believers under the New Covenant. The book of Acts will also point out the Apostolic Authority that Peter and Paul have, which will contribute to the delay in the coming of the Holy Spirit to different people groups in the book of Acts. Regarding the gift of tongues (known languages), it is apparent that the gift was given at certain times to certain groups that correlates to the delay in the giving of the Holy Spirit. Tongues authenticated to Peter that the group had received the Holy Spirit. As will be explained below, the gift of tongues was given as a sign of opening the Gospel to three specific groups: Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles. Furthermore, this will not be repeated with Jews, Samaritans, or Gentiles after this opening of the Gospel to these groups is accomplished.

This delay has to do with the requirement that each group had to be authenticated, initiated, and inaugurated by the Apostle Peter. Messiah gave Peter the authority and responsibility of the Keys of the Kingdom to initiate, authenticate, and inaugurate the opening of the Gospel to three different people groups: the Jews, the Samaritans, and then the Gentiles. This doctrine of the Keys of the Kingdom is found in Matthew 16:19. Therefore, Peter had to be present when all three groups were incorporated into the Body of the Messiah, and therefore, the Holy Spirit was delayed in baptizing the Samaritan and Gentile believers. For example, in Acts 2, The Holy Spirit Baptized and filled the Jews who believed when Peter preached at Pentecost. Peter was there to authenticate that the Gospel had went to the Jews first. (Acts 11:15-17) Then in Acts 8, the Holy Spirit Baptized the Samaritans when Peter laid his hands on them. The issue of Peter laying his hands on them was to illustrate the authority of Jewish Apostles and the Jerusalem church since the Jews were the Samaritans’ rivals. This was meant to prevent the Samaritans from setting up a rival church like they had done by setting up a rival city of worship to Jerusalem, a rival religious system to Judaism, a rival Mosaic Law, and a rival Temple. Lastly, in Acts 10, Peter is a witness of the Holy Spirit’s baptizing the Gentile believers as he preaches the Gospel to them.

After this initial authentication, initiation, and inauguration, the group was incorporated into the Body of the Messiah. After this point, the door of the Gospel was permanently opened to that group and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit would not be delayed anymore and would occur at salvation. After, the transition period is over in which all three groups are reached, the doctrine of the Epistles states that every believer is now Baptized by the Holy Spirit at salvation. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Ephesians 4:5) As an example of this in Acts 19:1-2, Paul already expects people to have been Baptized by the Spirit at salvation, and in I Corinthians 12:13, 30 Paul gives a doctrinal statement by saying that not all speak in tongues, but all are Baptized by the Spirit.

IV.  The Holy Spirit’s Spiritual Gifting

Spiritual gifts are a God-given supernatural ability given to believers to minister to the Body of Christ and evangelize the lost. Only Jesus the Messiah, the God-Man, possessed all the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit. (Isaiah 11:2) The spiritual gifts are graciously given to all believers by the Messiah Himself through the agency of the Holy Spirit, (Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:11; Ephesians 4:7-8) Therefore, the Lord Jesus decides who gets which gifts. One cannot pray to have a gift because it is up to the Messiah to determine. One can seek a gift as the Apostle Paul states, but the seeking would allow the believer to discover what gifting they possess. Also, there is not one specific gift that is given to every believer such as the ability to speak in tongues. The main reason for believers being gifted is to edify the Body of the Messiah. Each believer will receive at least one or more spiritual gifts at salvation (Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:7,11,13, 27) which is the same time the person is Baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:13) However, no believer has every gift, and the reason for this is due to the Lord’s intent of linking the Body of Christ together through the different gifts. It creates an interdependency between believers that requires believers to be together to be edified by one another. This prevents believers living in isolation which stifles the spiritual growth of the person. The Body of the Messiah helps equip the saints for ministry (Ephesians 4:12), helps mature believers with the knowledge of scriptures (Ephesians 4:13), protects believers from false doctrine (Ephesians 4:14) and helps believers grow and mature spiritually (Ephesians 4:15). Therefore, believers are required to use their gifting to minister to other believers where the local Body of the Messiah is assembled. According, the Apostle Paul, the spiritual gifts have different values and an order of importance, so the gifts must be used in such a manner that is in accordance with this Holy Spirit inspired Pauline evaluation of the gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:28). The gifts are not for self, but are to be used for others responsibly, in order, and with love and wisdom. (1 Corinthians 13:1-13) Some of the gifts such as teaching, wisdom, knowledge, helps, and administration are given but must be developed through spiritual maturity, while others such as tongues, miracles, healings, and prophesying are given without being dependent upon spiritual maturity. Lastly, the spiritual gifts are not to be defined as a particular place of service in ministry, are not a type of office one has to occupy, are not related to our natural talents or experiences, are not designed for specific age groups, and definitely do not indicate the person’s spiritual maturity.

V. The Hierarchy of Spiritual Gifts

Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 12:27-31, that not all spiritual gifts are of equal position. There is an order of rank concerning the gifts so Paul will use a ranking system of numbers: first, second, third. Paul is not enumerating the gifts but is ranking the spiritual gifts in descending order. The reason for this is due to the particular gifts nature and ability to edify and mature believers. The lower ranked gifts do not edify and mature believers to the degree that the higher ranked gifts do. For example, a believer will spiritually grow faster under the gift of teaching than under the gift of tongues. (Ephesians 4:11-16) Therefore, the highest ranked gift is the gift of apostleship and the second highest ranked is the gift of prophecy. The gift of apostleship is now over (see discussion below), and the gift of prophecy is still extant today except that prophecy given for writing scripture is rendered inoperative. (See discussion below) The third highest ranked gift is the gift of teaching. The gift of miracles is ranked fourth. The gift of healings is ranked fifth. The gift of helps is ranked sixth which includes the gift of serving, the gift of showing mercy, the gift of giving, and the gift of discernment of spirits. The seventh ranked gift is the gift of administration or ruling, and tongues are ranked eighth and is last among the gifts since it is the least edifying. In 1 Corinthians 12:31 and 1 Corinthians 14:1, Paul admonishes the church to “earnestly desire the best gifts,” and “desire spiritual gifts.”  Paul uses the second person plural in Greek which translates “you all desire.”  Therefore, Paul is not telling them that believers should seek a specific gift because Paul already stated earlier in chapter 12 that the Holy Spirit distributes the gifts to individuals as He sees fit. (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) Instead, Paul is telling the Corinth church, and any local church for that matter, that they should seek with a great desire the higher ranked spiritual gifts because they bring the most edification for the Body of the Messiah. This seeking is not to be done to the exclusion of the lower ranked gifts but is meant to give more time to the higher ranked gifts for spiritual edification and spiritual maturity. This is what Paul meant when he said, “I show you a more excellent way.” (1 Corinthians 12:31)

VI. Not All Have The Same Gifts

According to 1 Corinthians 14:29-31, Paul points out that not all can have the same gifts. In the context, every question Paul asks requires a rhetorical negative answer, “No!”  Therefore,

no single gift is given to every believer. I Corinthians 12:13 teaches that every believer is baptized by the Holy Spirit, and verse 30 states that all do not speak in tongues, so it is wrong to require that all speak in tongues or require any other spiritual gift. Not all can have the same gift. The questions Paul points connect to the illustrations concerning the different body parts that cannot function alone and make up one body. In other words, as Paul points out, not everyone can be an eye, an ear, a hand, or a leg. By Paul’s wisdom, everyone in the Body of Christ will not have the same gifting.

VII. There Are 19 Spiritual Gifts That Emanate For The 7-Fold Ministry Of The Holy Spirit

1. The Gift of Service

The supernatural gift of serving concerns serving the Body of the Messiah in various roles and positions whenever and wherever God leads the person. (1 Corinthians 12:8)

2. The Gift of Teaching

The gift of teaching is the supernatural ability to organize the spiritual truth and make it understandable for other believers.

3. The Gift of Exhortation

The supernatural ability to apply the truth to the believer’s life so that the believer can live out the truth in a practical way. This gift allows one to connect biblical content and principles with application into current geopolitical events that align with Biblical prophecy of the last days, apologetics, wisdom, and living out the spiritual truths revealed by the illumination ministry of the Holy Spirit as one reads the scriptures.

4. The Gift of Giving

Fourth is the gift of giving. Those with the gift of giving can give to a far greater degree. While everyone is responsible to give what the Holy Spirit directs them to give in five areas, these believers supernaturally will be able to exceed the normal ability of a believer to give:

a. The believer’s family who are in true need. (I Timothy 5:8)

b. The work of ministry, which includes the believer supporting a church, pastors, missionaries, evangelists, etc. (I Corinthians 9:7-14; Philippians 4:10-16; 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15; I Timothy 5:17-18)

c. Jewish believers and Jewish evangelism. The scriptures note, “for the Jew first and then for the Greek.” (Romans 1:16) Therefore, giving towards Jewish evangelism is a high priority. Secondly, Paul notes in Romans 11:11-36, that Gentile believers are debtors to the Jews, particularly Jewish believers due to Gentiles having become partakers of these Jewish spiritual blessings. Therefore, Gentiles are to share their material things (i.e., give money) with Jewish believers. (Romans 15:27) The best way to do this is to support Jewish believers who are trying to reach unbelieving Jews with the Gospel.

d. The Bible Teacher. According to Galatians 6:6, if one is being taught the Scriptures by a bible teacher or Bible teaching organization, they are obligated to support the teacher or the organization financially. It might be a group, a school, a pastor, an evangelist, a missionary, or a disciple-maker, who teaches the Bible on television, radio, podcasts, the internet, DVD’s, etc.

e. Believers in need because of circumstances beyond their control or cannot afford something they truly need. (James 2:15-17) This principle does not mean supporting someone who will not work.

5. The Gift of Administration

Those who have this gift have the supernatural ability to organize people to accomplish a spiritual objective. They can organize the Body of Christ in such a way that it allows the church to function at the most spiritual effective and optimal level. Believers with this gift work well organizing teams and delegating roles to others.

6. The Gift of Mercy

This gift seeks to meet the immediate needs of others and alleviate any suffering physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The believers will sacrifice themselves for the sake of meeting the needs of others, especially for the Body of Christ. This gift is primarily to be used concerning the Body of Christ but also is used with unbelievers in terms of evangelism. When the gift of mercy is used for unbelievers then it must be accompanied with the truth of the Word of God. If not accompanied with propositional truth, then the person exercising the gift is seen as nothing more than a “good person” or philanthropy. The use of the gift of mercy without propositional truth has caused social justice and the social gospel to arise in the church.

7. The Gift of Apostleship (no longer in effect)

The first gift mentioned is the gift of apostleship. This was a unique gift, because, in order to receive this gift, one had to meet certain qualifications beyond that of being a believer.

(1) The Qualifications for Apostleship

(a) The 12: These were handpicked by the Messiah himself. One had to have been a follower of Jesus from the baptism of John. The person had to be a disciple of John, had to be picked by Jesus and follow Him, and had to see the resurrected Messiah and His Ascension. (Acts 1:22)

(b) The Second group: To be this second group, one had to have seen the resurrected Messiah. Barnabas, Jesus’ half-brother James, and Paul were in this class of apostles. This gift was only available to the 500-600 people who saw the resurrected Messiah. (Acts 14:14; I Corinthians 9:1; 15:7; Galatians 1:19)

8. The Gift of Evangelism

This is the supernatural ability to lead people to the Lord more effectively than other believers. The ability to talk with people without fear and to lead them to the Lord is easier for them.

9. The Gift of Pastor-Teacher

This is not an office but a gift of the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, some Bibles mistranslate the term “pastor-teacher” and separate the word into two words and concepts, but it is one word in the Greek language: Pastor/Teacher. This gift is the ability to organize the truth and present it in a logical and coherent manner. Please note: Someone may have the gift of teaching, but it does not make them a pastor-teacher. If one is a pastor, they will not only have the gift of teaching, but will have the gift of pastoring. Pastor-Teacher goes together because a pastor feeds the flock (teaching the Word) but also leads the flock. (i.e., shepherding) One can only lead the flock if one can teach the flock. However, all who take the office of pastor must have the gift of pastor-teacher.

10. The Gift of Singleness

The gift of singleness is a spiritual gift that allows the individual to have their sexual desires under total control, and therefore would not need to be married to channel their sexual desires. This gives them the ability to totally focus their time on ministry. (1 Corinthians 1:1,7)

VIII. Gifts That Are Misinterpreted by Cessationists And Continuationists

Many of the Cessationists have went too far in eliminating many of the gifts, created a false category for some of the gifts, and have simply failed to understand the implications of the Greek language rules in regard to the gifts. On the other hand, many of the Continuationist have grossly abused the gifts, went beyond the definition of the gifts, misapplied the gifts, have not followed the rules of Paul, and have added to the gifts aspects that do not come from the scriptures but from the occult. Therefore, there is much confusion these days concerning the spiritual gifts. Our desire at Rock Harbor Church is to have a biblical approach to the gifts rather than allowing denominationalism, preconceived notions, observing the outlandish and occultic abuse by many believers in this area, and our own bias or prejudice to affect our interpretation.

The foundation to understanding these gifts and whether or not they have ceased or continue is based on the Greek rules of grammar, correct lexical-syntactical analysis, proper hermeneutics, understanding of the eschatology of the church, and the eschatology of Israel and the Gentile nations in the Tribulation. Fundamental to the argument is the interpretation of Paul’s phrase, “When that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. (1 Corinthians 13:10)

A.      The Argument

Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 that in the future, a day will happen when all the gifts will not be needed. Paul mentions that the current gifts are partial and not perfect in verse 9. The gifts from the Holy Spirit to the Church will cause the Church to reach a level of maturity (v.8) that will require that something else must happen to the Church as seen in verse 10. Paul explains this in verse 10, “when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.”  The “that which is in part,” are the spiritual gifts of verse 9, and when this “perfect” comes, that which is imperfect (i.e., the gifts of the Holy Spirit) will come to an end. The perfect that Paul is discussing is not the “Parousia” (i.e., the Second Coming) or “the New Testament Scriptures.”  The Greek term for “perfect” (Gk. teleios) is a neuter term, and by the rules and laws of Greek grammar, a neuter cannot modify a feminine. Therefore, it cannot be the “Parousia” since that word is feminine, and it cannot be the Greek word for New Testament which is “kainei didachel,” which is also feminine.

Contextually, Paul began his explanation of spiritual gifts with 1 Corinthians 12 in which he discussed the concept of the “one Body with many members” and extends it through chapter 14. The Greek word for “body” is “soma,” which is a neuter noun and the natural antecedent to what the “perfect” refers to. Therefore, the “perfect” is connected to the Body of the Messiah so that when the Body of Messiah is perfected (i.e., complete) then the gifts will be done away. This will occur at the Rapture of the Church when the full number of believers that God planned to bring into the Church is achieved. (Acts 15:14; Romans 11:25; Ephesians 4:13) It is at this point that the spiritual gifts will end for the Church. Therefore, all the spiritual gifts except one (Apostleship) and a limited one (Prophet/Prophesying) are still given to the Church as long as the Church is here.

Furthermore, Ephesians 4:13a states that the Body of the Messiah will continue to grow until “we all come to the unity of the faith.”  What this passage means is that the Body of the Messiah will continue to grow until all believers of the church age are united into one Body. In other words, the growth of the Body of the Messiah will continue until all who are going to be saved and included into the Body of the Messiah have done so. Paul said this another way in Romans 11:25 when he stated that the Body of the Messiah will continue to grow “until fullness of the Gentiles comes in.”  Second, Ephesians 4:13b also states that Body of the Messiah will not be complete until all the believers who are going to believe and be included into the Body of the Messiah have attained the knowledge of the Son of God. Today, according to Paul, believers have a partial and dim knowledge (I Corinthians 13:9,12), but there will be a time when all believers in the Body of the Messiah will know the Messiah fully. This will occur at the Rapture when the Body of the Messiah is made complete. Third, Paul makes the point that our spiritual gifts help us in our spiritual growth until maturity is attained by the Body of the Messiah. This growing process will continue until the Body of the Messiah is complete. Once the Body is complete, it will be removed by the Rapture of the Church, and the gifts will cease for the Church since the gifts will no longer be necessary for the Body of Christ. However, the Holy Spirit’s gifting of believers will continue through the Tribulation due to the New Covenant’s guarantee of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the gifting of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, both Jew and Gentile believers during the Tribulation period, which is the last of the Mystery Kingdom dispensation, will be gifted by the Holy Spirit in the same way. This gifting is not for the body of Christ since the Church has been removed by the Rapture, but is for the equipping, the edification, spiritual stability, and the empowering of the Tribulation saints. (Zechariah 12:10-14; Joel 2:28-32; Revelation 7:4-17; 11:3-6; 14:1-5)

B.      Misinterpreted Gifts

11. The Gift of Prophecy and Role of a Prophet

The gifts of prophecy and the role of a prophet still exist because of the argument mentioned above concerning the Greek neuter “perfect” referring to the completion of the Body of the Messiah at the Rapture. (see introduction to this section) We believe that the scripture teaches several truths about the office of prophet and prophesizing that the Cessationists and Continuationists fail to understand.

a.      The Gift of Prophecy categories

There are two categories in Scripture in regards of prophesying:

1.      One category was the ability to receive direct revelation from God for writing Scripture and making predictions in terms of Biblical prophecy as seen in books like Daniel and the Book of Revelation. Today, receiving direct revelation from God for the purpose of writing Scripture has ceased with the Book of Revelation. In other words, according to Paul, the foundations have been laid down now. (Ephesians 2:19-22; 3:1-9; Jude 1:3; Hebrews 1:1-2; Revelation 22:18-19) This category of prophecy has ended. There will be no additional information given by God that will be added to the Cannon.

2.      The second category of prophesying which is still in effect as seen in scripture is either a warning (present or future) or for the edification of an individual or group (present or future). Proof of the continuance of this category of prophecy is seen with Paul stating it in Romans 12:6 and 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28.  Paul allows prophets and prophecy in the Church even after the transition period in Acts is over. (1 Corinthians 11:4-5; 13:2, 8-9; 14:1-6, 22, 24, 26-40; Ephesians 4:7-16)

This second category of prophesying does give revelation from God, but it is not Scriptural revelation. Notice that Paul uses the term “revelation” in 1 Corinthians 14:6, 26, 30: “by revelation,” “a revelation,” and “anything revealed.”  This category of prophesizing includes foretelling and forthtelling for either a warning or the edification of the church or individual (Acts 21:10-12; 1 Corinthians 14:5, 26) and tongues (i.e., a real foreign language that one has never learned with an interpreter, which also includes foretelling and forthtelling for either a warning or for the edification of the church or individual—1 Corinthians 13:1,8; 14:2-5, 6-23, 26-33, 39-40)  Therefore, it appears that the second category of non-scriptural revelation prophecies are still operative.

b.      The role of a prophet today and in the future

Based on scripture, one cannot say that the role of a prophet has ceased based on the following proofs:

1.      There were prophets in the church of Antioch (Acts 13:1); Agabus (Acts 11:27-28; 21:10-11); and the daughters of Philip (Acts 21:8-9) that did not write scripture but prophesied.

2.      The Greek Neuter concerning “perfection/body of Christ.” (see argument above)

3.      Paul admonishes us to not despise or have contempt for prophecy, but to test/examine what is said and then hold to that which is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21)

4.      Paul allowed the office of prophet to continue as evidenced when he calls certain believers “prophets,” and calls on “all” to prophesy, and admonishes all believers to “desire earnestly to prophesy.” (1 Corinthians 14:1, 29, 31, 39) Again, Paul’s allowance of prophesying and prophets is not for writing Scripture but for edification or warnings to the Body of the Messiah or individual believers.

5.      Lastly, in terms of proper eschatology, even though the Church is removed in the Rapture, the New Covenant is now in effect for every believer from the inception of it until the end of the Millennial reign of the Messiah. God will continue to gift the saints during the Tribulation and even into the Millennial reign of the Messiah. In fact, God uses the Two Witnesses to prophesize 3 ½ years during the 7 Year Tribulation period. (Rev. 11:3-12; Zechariah 4:11-14) Also, it is possible that the 144,000 Jewish males that are predicted to come (Revelation 7:1-17; 14:1-5) could, in fact, be considered prophets, although one cannot be dogmatic about it. Furthermore, when Israel is regenerated during the 7-Year Tribulation, they will receive the gifting of the Holy Spirit and He will cause some to be prophets. (Joel 2:28-29; Zechariah 12:10-14) Under the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit will continue to gift believers, Jew, and Gentile, during the Tribulation period and during the thousand-year Messianic Kingdom.

c.       Verification

In the Old Testament, a prophet needed to be verified by the Word of God and their near predictions coming to pass with the people they were prophesizing to. (Deuteronomy 18:20-22) For example, the prophecies of Agabus and Philip’s daughters were in line with scripture and did come to pass, so they were proven to have the gift of prophecy. Therefore, if someone claims to be a prophet or prophesizing, then they must be tested by the Word of God (1 Corinthians 14:32; 37-38; 1 Peter 1:20-21; 1 John 4:1) and a near prophecy that comes to pass. If they are in accordance with Scripture, then the near prediction involves a waiting period for it to come true. If the prophecy does come to pass, the person and the prophecy are verified. If the prophesy does not come to pass, then the person is a false prophet and is never to be listened to again. (Jeremiah 14:14; 23:21–33; Zechariah 10:2) One false prophesy categorizes the individual as a false prophet. Under the Mosaic dispensation and during the 7 Year Tribulation a false prophet was and will be executed. (Deuteronomy 18:20; Zechariah 13:1-6) Under the Mystery Kingdom and under the Law of the Messiah, one is not to listen to false prophets ever again. (1 Timothy 4:1-5; 2 Timothy 3:1-9; 4:3-4)

Even though Paul encouraged believers to prophesize, one cannot self-appoint themselves to prophesize or consider themselves to be a prophet when they have not been given the gift. If one speaks presumptuously for the Lord and is not ordained by the Messiah to be given the gift of prophecy, then the person is disqualified. It is the Lord Jesus who ordains which believers have certain gifts. (Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:7, 11) Therefore, if someone claims to have the gift of prophecy but does not have the gift, then the believer is speaking presumptuously for God and is now considered a false prophet and are not to be listened to again. (Deuteronomy 18:20; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; 2 Timothy 3:1-9; 4:3-4)

Even if a believer has the gift of prophecy, it does not mean that every time they prophesize that it is a message from God. Many claim that they have a message from God, but it does not mean we give them automatic credibility until they are properly vetted and tested. It is at this point that those with the gift of discernment must discern if the message came as either a direct revelation from the Holy Spirit, from the person’s own human spirit, or from a demonic spirit influencing the person. The rule is that the words of the prophets must be tested as noted above. Every message from believers (even if they do have the gift of prophecy) or an angel, must be tested.

d.   The rules of prophecy according to the Apostle Paul

1.       There can only be up to two or three who prophesy (see definitions of what constitutes prophesy in the above section) during the worship service and it must be in consecutive order; “one by one.” (1 Corinthians 14:29-31)

2.       Believers are to test what those who prophesy say in light of Scripture, and those with the gift of discernment are also to use their gift to discern which “spirit” the person is speaking by: the Spirit of God, their own spirit, or a demonic spirit. (Acts 17:10-11; 1 Corinthians 14:29-31; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21; 1 John 4:1)

3.       When a revelation is revealed to a second person, the first person should finish their revelation, remain silent as the rest of the congregation so that “all may learn, and all may be encouraged.”  This procedure should be the same for everyone who prophesies with a maximum of three speakers. (1 Corinthians 14:29-31)

e.      Therefore, we are left to conclude that prophesying for the purpose of writing Scripture has ceased. However, prophesizing and prophets have not ceased in the Church Age (i.e., from Pentecost to the Rapture) and nor in Mystery Kingdom dispensation. (i.e., from the rejection of the Messiah to the Second Coming—Matthew 13:1-52)

a.      Note: Paul gives the principle upon which the rules for the exercise of prophecy are based on when he states, “the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.” (1 Corinthians 14:32-33) This means that the gift of prophecy is controlled by the person using his or her gift. In other words, the believer cannot claim that they could not help themselves and were “taken over” by the Holy Spirit to prophesy something out of the order of the service, disrupting and causing confusion. It is the human spirit that speaks, and the human spirit is subject to the person. They cannot blame their outburst of prophecy and disruption to the services on the Holy Spirit. Those who want to prophesy, must restrain themselves until the proper time to prophesy. Biblical prophetic inspiration does not emotionally “carry away” the believer without his or her consent or against their will. This concept of being “carried away” or “taken over” stems from paganism where the person is controlled by a demon spirit that causes them to make outbursts of their so called “inspirations.” (1 Corinthians 12:1-3) Therefore, when one prophesizes, the believer must follow the rules that Paul laid out in 1 Corinthians 14. Believers who say they could not control themselves are deceived and are sinning. The Holy Spirit would not cause them to do such out of control behaviors that violate the Lord’s own inspired rules. (1 Corinthians 14:32-33)

12. The Gift of Wisdom

The gift of wisdom gives the believer the ability to use spiritual knowledge to apply truth correctly in each situation for the best spiritual results. (1 Corinthians 12:8) Those who have this gift will also have the gift of knowledge. The counterfeit to the gift of wisdom that derives from man is wisdom based on someone’s “spiritual experiences” or “cleverly invented stories” rather than the Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:7-10; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; 2 Peter 1:16) The counterfeit to the gift of wisdom that derives from the forces of darkness is occultic information and doctrines of demons that is revealed by fallen angels or demons masquerading as angels of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14:1 Timothy 4:1)

13. The Gift of Knowledge

This gift correlates to the gift of wisdom and has to do with spiritual knowledge from the Scriptures in terms of the ability to see the connecting principles in the Word of God. (1 Corinthians 12:8; 1 Corinthians 13:2) In other words, it is the ability to put the doctrines of Scripture into an understandable alignment of the Biblical subject matter. The gift of teaching requires this gift. However, not everyone who has the gift of knowledge would also have the gift of teaching or gift of wisdom.

There is a human and satanic counterfeit to this gift. The human counterfeit uses a technique called “cold reading.”  When someone says, “I have a word of knowledge from the Lord and someone out there has knee pain or you are depressed,” then that is not the Biblical gift. The Satanic counterfeit of this gift includes hearing audible voices or impressions from the demonic realm pretending to be God and giving the believer so called “secret knowledge” about the situation and people. Sometimes the counterfeit will include clairvoyance, which is clearly demonic.

14. The Gift of Faith

The spiritual gift of faith is different from saving faith. The gift of faith is the God-given ability to trust God in all circumstances for His personhood (i.e., his nature and character), His presence, His provision, His protection, His leading, His promises, His preparation of us, His providence, and His power. The counterfeit to the gift of faith stems from the Word of Faith heresy where faith is a force, words are the container of that force, and through the force of faith people can create their own reality. This is derived from magic in paganism.

15. The “Gifts of Healings”

a.      The aspect of the “gifts of healings” that exists today

The “gifts of healings” still exists because of the argument mentioned above concerning the Greek neuter “perfect” referring to the completion of the Body of the Messiah at the Rapture. (see introduction to this section) “Gifts” is plural and the word “healings” is plural in Greek which indicates that it is a repeated action that comes and goes according to God’s will for healing someone in each situation. This gifting of healings contrasts with the other gifts that can be used at any time and stays with the believer throughout their lifetime. This means that no one today has the “gifts of healings” permanently. The so called “faith healers” who claim to have this gift permanently are lying frauds. Furthermore, the plural word “healings” indicates that the gift provides individual, specific healings to a multiplicity of infirmities and diseases and not just one kind of healing. In other words, God can heal any disease or infirmity according to His will. If it is God’s will to heal someone, then the “gifts of healings” will be distributed to heal that particular person’s sickness, infirmity, or disease. (1 Corinthians 12:9)

There is not a limited number of people who have this gift. The gift can come to any believer for the application of healing and then it will leave them. The healing is determined by God, and according to the Bible, it is not God’s will to heal everyone in this lifetime. Ultimately, all believers will be healed at the resurrection, but healing in this life is rare and is considered a miracle. When it is God’s will to heal, He can do it directly or indirectly. When God chooses to heal indirectly, He sometimes chooses to heal through doctors and medicine. When God chooses to heal someone directly it can happen to the person from the person’s own supplication before God, the pastors/elders praying for the sick believer, (James 5:13-18) or through a believer who prays for another person. When God uses the pastors or another believer who intercedes for an afflicted person, God will grant the “gifts of healings” to the believer or group of pastors and thus, their prayer will be effectual in healing the person.

Furthermore, according to the Scriptures (Acts 3:1-7; 9:32-34, 36-42; 20:9-12; 28:8) healings were based on the administrating believer who was cooperating with the will of God and not the faith of the afflicted person. Therefore, it is not the lack of faith that causes someone not to be healed and vice versa. It simply is according to God’s will. Furthermore, the pursuit of healing by the believer is meant to conform to the pattern of James 5:14-15 where the infirmed calls upon the pastors of the church to pray for their healing. There have been countless stories of believers praying for other believers or unbelievers and witness a healing as a result. Therefore, the “gifts of healing” is sometimes granted a believer or pastors by God to heal someone through intercessory prayer. Once the healing has occurred, then the “gifts of healings” will be removed from the believer or pastors who were the instruments of the healing.

b.      Validation confusion

In the ministry of the Messiah and the early church, the Apostles were verified and validated by their ability to perform the signs of an Apostle. The gift gave them credibility with unbelievers and believers alike and allowed them to carry out the Great Commission. Paul notes that he also bore the signs of an Apostle when he was verifying his Apostleship to the Corinth Church. (2 Corinthians 12:12) Paul tells the Corinth church that the signs of the Apostles are “signs and wonders and mighty deeds.” (2 Corinthians 12:12)   Therefore, what we discover in scripture is that there were four categories of people who had the permanent gift of healing with them all their lives: 1. The Messiah, 2. The 12 main Apostles, 3. The 70 outer apostles, 4. The apostolic associates like Philip, Barnabas, and Stephen. (Matthew 4:23; 8:16-17; 10:1; Mark 16:17,18; Luke 10:1,9; Acts 8:5-7) Other than these examples, we have no biblical record that a non-apostle had the gift of healing permanently with them their entire life. Therefore, since one had to be either the Messiah Himself, the 12, the 70, or an associate of the Apostles to have this permanent gift, then it follows that it is not given permanently to any believer today. This coincides with the double plural “gifts of healing” in the Greek, which suggest that the gift comes and goes. Furthermore, even the Apostles were subject to the will of God in terms of who they could heal. For example, Paul was able to raise someone from the dead but, on other occasions, he was not able to heal Trophimus or Timothy. (2 Timothy 4:20: 1 Timothy 5:23) Even though Paul had the gift of healings permanently, Paul could not heal them because it was not God’s will. Therefore, since these categories of people do not exist today, then, today, the gifts of healings comes and goes with believers according to God’s will.

c.       The counterfeit

Of course, there is always a counterfeit to God’s miracles from the forces of darkness and sinful humans. The counterfeit version that originates with either misguided, biblical ignorant or deceptive people who claim to be a permanent healer and can heal at will. What this person is actually claiming is Apostleship, which cannot be established in this day since one had to see the resurrected Messiah to be an Apostle. These types of people are making a false claim and should be avoided. Concerning the satanic counterfeit, this type of healing originates from a fallen angel or demon inflicting a person with illness as Satan inflicted Job. (Job 1:12; 13-19; 2:6-7) Then, the fallen angels or demons will use a counterfeit human healer to simply lift the affliction via the power of the fallen angel or demon that inflicted the person in the first place. The occult world used Jannes and Jambres in Pharoah’s court to counterfeit Moses’ miracles. (Exodus 7:11-12; 22; 8:7) In the future, the Antichrist and the False Prophet will be empowered by Satan to perform miracles as well. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10; Revelation 13:13-15) Therefore, Satan, fallen angels, and demons have miracle working power, and they use this power to deceive through lying signs and wonders. One must test the spirits to discern if a supernatural event, experience, or incident comes from either God or Satan. (1 John 4:1)

16. The “Workings of Miracles”

a.      The aspect of the “working of miracles” that exists today

The workings of miracles still exist because of the argument mentioned above concerning the Greek neuter “perfect” referring to the completion of the Body of the Messiah at the Rapture. (see introduction to this section) However, today, this gift comes and goes based on God’s determination to heal someone. The word “miracles” is plural, emphasizing that there are various categories of miracles. The word “workings” is also plural, emphasizing that, like the gifts of healings, it is not with a believer all the time. It comes and goes as God wills it. Once the miracle has occurred, then the “gifts of miracles” will be removed from the believer, group or pastors who were the instruments of the “gift of miracles.”  Therefore, there are not so called “miracle workers” who constantly have the gift all their life or need an audience to supposedly perform a miracle. Miracles, which are rare, come to a person either by their own supplication to God, another believer’s intercessory prayer or the pastors’/elders’ intercession. Miracles are not performed by God based on the person’s faith or are withheld due to a lack of faith. It is based simply on God’s will. Therefore, miracles from God do occur and sometimes He will use an intercessory believer or a group of pastors/elders to pray for a miracle. If the miracle asked for is according to God’s will, then the intercessor/s will be granted a “working of miracles” by God through the means of their intercessory prayers. (see discussion on the gifts of healing) If one observes, 1 Corinthians 12:9-10: 28-29, the “gifts of healings” were not limited to the Apostles or their associates. In fact, Paul points out that this gift, which comes and goes, is given according to God’s will to various believers for specific circumstances. If one considers Galatians 3:5, Paul points out that the Lord worked miracles among the Galatians by the Holy Spirit and not because there was an Apostle there. Note: this gift of miracles is different from providential miracles, which are considered a different class of miracles. Providential miracles concern the lining up of events, places, people at the right time for something to be accomplished by God in the life of the believer.

There is not a limited number of people who have the gifts of miracles. The gift can come to any believer for the application of a miracle and then it will leave them. The miracle is determined by God, and according to the Bible, it is not God’s will that miracles commonly occur. In other words, they are extremely rare. When it is God’s will to perform a miracle, He can do it directly or indirectly. When God chooses to perform a miracle directly, then it will occur directly to the situation or person via the person’s or group’s own supplication before God. When God chooses to perform a miracle indirectly, He will grant the gift of miracles to a believer, group, or pastors/elders who pray for a miracle to occur for someone or something, and thus, their prayer will be effectual for the miracle.

Furthermore, according to the Scripture, miracles were based on the will of God. Therefore, it is not the lack of faith that causes someone not to have a miracle be granted. It simply is according to God’s will.

b.      Validation confusion

In the ministry of the Messiah and the early church, the Messiah and Apostles were verified by their ability to perform these signs. Paul notes that he also bore the signs of an Apostle when he was verifying his Apostleship to the Corinth Church. (2 Corinthians 12:12) Paul tells the Corinth Church that the signs of the Apostles are “signs and wonders and mighty deeds.” (2 Corinthians 12:12)   Therefore, what we discover in scripture is that there were four categories of people who had the gift of miracles with them all their lives. The Messiah, the 12 main Apostles, the 70 outer apostles, and the apostolic associates like Philip who might have been part of the 70 apostles. (Matthew 4:23; 8:16-17; 10:1; Luke 10:1,9; Acts 8:5-7) Furthermore, even the Apostles were subject to the will of God in terms of the miracles they could perform. Other than these examples, we have no biblical record that a non-apostle had the gift of miracles permanently. Therefore, since one had to be one of the 12, the 70 or apostolic associates to have this authenticating and permanent gift, then it follows that it is not given to any believer today in a permanent way. Since the permanent gift of miracles was an apostolic verification, then any claim to have the gift of miracles on a permanent basis is a claim to be an apostle. This claim to be an apostle is invalidated by scripture since one had to see the resurrected Messiah.

c.       The counterfeit

Lastly, there is a counterfeit to the gift of miracles. This supernatural ability to do miracles originates from Satan, fallen angels and demons who possess the supernatural ability to perform lying signs and wonders. (Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; cf. Revelation 13:14; 16:14; 19:20). The counterfeit version will use a person to be a “miracle worker” who can perform miracles at will. The individual is operating with the power of the forces of darkness, which pretends to be power from God. This is to be discerned, tested, and avoided.

17. The Gift of Discernment of Spirits

The gift of Discerning of Spirits still exist because of the argument mentioned above concerning the Greek neuter “perfect” referring to the completion of the Body of the Messiah at the Rapture. (see argument at the beginning of this section) This is the God-given ability to identify the true source of a teaching or problem. (1 Corinthians 12:10) Whereas most believers must test the spirits by the Word of God to see if something is demonic or not, someone who has the gift of discernment of spirits will be able to identify immediately whether someone else has a demonic problem or not. Believers with this gift know right away that the issue or teaching is demonic. Those who do not have this gift must test the spirits.

18. The Gift of Tongues

a.      What is the gift of tongues

Tongues (i.e., unlearned languages) still exist because of the argument mentioned above concerning the Greek neuter “perfect” referring to the completion of the Body of the Messiah at the Rapture. (see argument at the beginning of this section) Tongues are not some kind of gibberish, ecstatic speech, or the constant repetition of three or four syllables. It is an unlearned human language. (Acts 2:1-12; 1 Corinthians 14:10-11) Note, when Paul says that if he speaks with the tongues of men or angels, the tongues of angels is a Hebrew idiom referring to the Hebrew language. The language of Heaven is Hebrew due to all the angel’s names being in Hebrew, and this is before the nation of Israel even existed. Hebrew is the original language of humans and is the language of the angels and of Heaven. (1 Corinthians 13:1)

The Greek word for tongues means “languages.” The gift of tongues is a God-given ability to speak a language, which one has never studied or learned. (1 Corinthians 12:10) The fact that the word tongues simply means “languages” is evident from Acts 2:1-12. They were given the gift of tongues and began speaking with other tongues (i.e., languages). The Jews, who had come to Jerusalem from all over the world for the observance of the Feast of Pentecost, could hear the gospel proclaimed in their own language. The one who is using the gift of tongues may not understand what he is saying and probably will not in most cases. However, he is speaking a real, known language with all the rules of grammar, syntax, and diction, which every language requires. He is not speaking mere gibberish or ecstatic utterances. (see 1 Corinthians 14:7-11)

b.      Tongues are a sign to unbelieving Jews who have rejected the Messiah

Centuries before the Messiah, Israel was warned by the Lord in Isaiah 28:11-12 that if they did not stop their rebellion, idolatry, and apostasy, then the Lord would use the Assyrians to punish them. Israel refused to listen, obey, repent, and believe the Lord’s warning, so God allowed the Assyrian invasion to occur. The nation was punished for their refusal to believe what God had said, refused to understand, and repent as a nation of their wicked practices. Therefore, as Isaiah predicted, when the Assyrians invaded, the Israelites heard the Assyrian language (a foreign tongue), and this foreign language functioned as a sign to Israel. The sign through the foreign language meant that Israel had been judged by God for their unbelief, disobedience, and refusing to listen to the voice of the prophets. The Assyrian tongue was not heard to illicit belief in Israel but was to serve as a sign of their unbelief. Furthermore, God was showing Israel, that He was working in a new way based on their unbelief via judgment through the Assyrians. Therefore, Paul gives a literal plus application (i.e., a Drash) of this event in history with the Day of Pentecost. A Drash takes a point of similarity between two events and makes an application to the new situation with the similarity. Paul using a Drash, states that based on Isaiah 28:11-12, tongues at Pentecost was a sign to first century Israel of their unbelief in the Messiah. Therefore, the new work that God is doing now is creating a new entity called the Body of the Messiah. Instead of the Assyrians being the entity, God is using the Body of Christ as the new entity. The Church was born in Acts 2 and the gift that was displayed was the gift of tongues. This was a sign to the Jewish unbeliever of his or her unbelief in Jesus. However, one day, in the Tribulation, all Israel will be saved so God has not cast off his people permanently. It is a temporary setting aside until the nation comes to faith in the Messiah. (Zechariah 12:10-14; Joel 2:28-32; Romans 11:26-27)

c.       Tongues must exercise according to the rules laid out by the Apostle Paul

1.      When one speaks in tongues privately (i.e., a foreign human language) then it is to God and not man because there is no interpreter, so this needs to be done in private and not in the church setting. In the private use of tongues, the person speaking in another language will not even understand what they are saying unless there is an interpreter. In the private use of tongues, it will only edify the believer, but it will not edify the Body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 14:2-5)

2.      When one speaks in tongues in the church, then it is to be done in order and to edify the Body of Christ. Therefore, if someone wants to speak in a tongue (i.e., a foreign human language) in the church, he or she must pray for an interpreter. If there is no interpreter present, then one cannot speak in a tongue because it will not edify the congregation. (1 Corinthians 14:2, 5b-18, 26-33, 40)

3.      To emphasize tongues in a church in a primary role, shows immaturity rather than maturity because it is the least edifying of the gifts. (see hierarchy of gifts above) The higher gifts that edify the Body of Christ need to be emphasized over and above the other gifts. This hierarchy of gifts are laid out by the Apostle Paul who puts the gifts in the order of priority. Paul admonishes the believers to desire the best gifts in the church service. In other words, Paul is discussing how to prioritize the most edifying gifts above the least edifying gifts. Today, the most edifying gift is teaching and prophesy (we will define prophesy below) which should be given the majority of the time in the worship service.  On the other hand, the gift of tongues, which is not to be forbidden, is the least edifying of all the spiritual gifts and should be given the least amount of time the church’s services. In the Corinth Church, due to their carnality, they were emphasizing the gift of tongues the most and deemphasizing the greater gifts that produce more spiritual maturity such as teaching. Therefore, the Corinth Church was spiritually immature. (1 Corinthians 3:1-3; 12:27-31; 14:13-18, 20-25, 29, 40)

4.      There must be one interpreter. This means there must not be three interpreters for three different people. There is only to be one interpreter and this person is assigned by the authority of the church to do this. Furthermore, no interpreter means no one is allowed to speak in tongues. They can speak quietly to God and to themselves, but they must remain silent in the church. (1 Corinthians 14:27-28)

5.      There can be no more than two or three people giving a message in tongues during any single meeting of the church. (1 Corinthians 14:27-28)

6.      Speaking in tongues must be done in order: one at a time with an interpreter. Two or more people speaking in tongues at the same time is a violation of this rule. (1 Corinthians 14:27-28,40)

7.      If there is no one with the gift of interpretation present in the church’s service, then those who have the gift of tongues must remain silent. (1 Corinthians 14:28,40)

8.      Note: Paul gives the principle upon which the rules for the exercise of tongues are based on when he states, “the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.” (1 Corinthians 14:32-33) This means that the gift of tongues is controlled by the person using his or her gift. In other words, the believer cannot claim that they could not help themselves and were “taken over” by the Holy Spirit to speak in tongues out of the order in the assembled congregation, disrupting and causing confusion. It is the human spirit that speaks, and the human spirit is subject to the possessor. They cannot blame their outburst of tongues and disruption to the services on the Holy Spirit. Those who want to speak in tongues must restrain themselves until the proper time to speak in togues with an interpreter. Biblical prophetic inspiration to speak in tongues does not “carry away” the believer without his or her consent or against their will. This concept of being “carried away” or “taken over” stems from paganism where the person is controlled by a demon spirit that causes them to make outbursts of their so called “inspirations.” (1 Corinthians 12:1-3) Therefore, when one speaks in tongues, the believer must follow the rules that Paul laid out in 1 Corinthians 14. Believers who say they could not control themselves are deceived and are sinning. The Holy Spirit would not cause them to do such out of control behaviors that violate the Lord’s own inspired rules. (1 Corinthians 14:32-33)

d.                  Praying In a Tongue

Praying in a tongue is different than speaking in a tongue. The context of 1 Corinthians 14 is explained that prophecy edifies more than tongues and that rules of order must be followed when using the gifts in the church assembly. However, in 1 Corinthians 14:14, it appears that Paul discusses the possibility of a believer praying in a tongue (i.e., a foreign language) outside the gathered assembly. In the private use of tongues in prayer, the person’s spirit is edified, but not the soul or heart/mind since the person has no understanding of what they are saying to God. (1 Corinthians 14:2,4) The person is still using a foreign language to do this but has no interpreter to tell him or her what he or she is saying. Therefore, their spirit can only be edified in this experience. (1 Corinthians 14:2,4) Paul expresses the need for the believer who does pray in a tongue to pray with understanding as well. (1 Corinthians 14:15) However, Paul segues back to the church order context and explains that if this is done in a gathered church assembly, then an interpretation of what has been prayed about needs to have an interpretation either by the person praying in the tongue or by someone who has the gift of interpretation. (1 Corinthians 14:15, 28)

19. The Gift of Interpretation of Tongues

The Gift of Interpretation of Tongues still exists because tongues still exist. This is based on the argument mentioned above concerning the Greek neuter “perfect” referring to the completion of the Body of the Messiah at the Rapture. (see argument at the beginning of this section) There is a corollary gift to tongues, and it is the gift of interpretation of tongues. This is a God-given ability to interpret a language being spoken by someone who has the gift of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:10) In Acts 2, this gift was not necessary because there were Jews from all parts of the world who understood the languages being spoken. However, in the case of the church where the whole congregation speaks the same language, the gift of tongues can only be used when there is someone present who has the gift of interpretation. (1 Corinthians 14:26-28)

IX. The following practices are not from the Bible but originate either from the occult, other false religions, or people inventing them

Anti-intellectualism, “don’t think” mentality, “slain in the spirit,” “rhema guidance” from feelings, impressions, or experiences without being tested or checked by the authority of the Word of God and or wise counsel. “Mantle grabbing,” “grave soaking,” “grave sucking,” “afterglow,” “giving birth in the spirit,” “centering prayer,” “contemplative prayer,” “binding and loosening,” (binding and loosening refers to church discipline and nothing else) “looking for signs and wonders to make decisions,” “soaking prayer,” making prayer circles and claiming what’s in the circle, “resting in the spirit,” eastern meditation (i.e. repeating a word over and over again while blanking out the mind. (We are only to mediate on the meaning and application of the text.)  Practicing Yoga, auto dictation, acting like an animal in the church services, running around in the church services, “little gods” belief, ecstatic utterances, interrupting church services, necromancy, laughing uncontrollably in church services, “emotional ecstasy,” “name it and claim it,” seeing “faith as a force,” “Christian” or “angel” tarot cards, laying hands on people for non-biblical reasons.  (There are only three Biblical reasons to lay hands on someone: 1. Peter’s authentication of the Gospel reaching new groups. (this is now over) 2. An appointment to ministry such as a pastor, missionary, or deacon. 3. When someone is sick.) Kingdom Now, New Apostolic Reformation, Dominionism, Joel’s Army, Kansas City Prophets, Third Wave, Manifests Sons of God, Latter Rain, End time Apostles, Restoring the full office of the Prophet, “spiritual violence,” “resurrection life,” “violent intercession,” identifying other believers as “Nephilim” that supposedly channel demonic spirits, “living Rhema word,” “Spiritual gifts impartation,” “positive confession,” accusing people of a religious spirit, “Appropriate,” which means to claim and acquire spiritual gifts, power and attributes.   Calling those opposed to hyper charismatic practices as “Babylon.”  “Become the Word” made manifest in human flesh like Christ: “Be Christ,” “Be the Word.”  “Blowouts” which means spiritual failures that just didn’t have the “right stuff.” “Breakthrough!” or “Kingdom Breakthrough.” Entering into new spiritual levels. Releasing the spiritual power of the thing “loosed” in order to create the reality of it. (e.g., “Loose the word!” or “We loose faith.”) “Positive proclamation,” “Rebuking the Devil,” “Resurrection power,” “The spiritual power of the new kingdom age,” “Violence.” Spiritual elitism which means that God has given a certain group special revelation/power/anointing that other Christian groups or previous generations have not possessed. Marginalizing the Word of God, “spiritual drunkenness,” “prayerlessness in private,” “anti-Berean,” or “anti-discernment” teaching. Teaching that discernment is primarily the prerogative of leadership. The practice of “Mystery Religion,” which means that there are successive levels of knowledge and ‘deeper’ truths. Heightened interest with spiritual levels and rankings. Higher ‘spiritual’ rank is equated with greater closeness to God. Heightened interest in dreams, visions, new revelations, and novel insights. An increase in subjectivity. Looking for subjective impressions, personal ‘prophetic’ words and ‘revelation’ for guidance and direction. Seeking the mystical ‘inner voice’ as guide over the written Word. Detractors dismissed as having inferior vision. Detractors given derogatory labels, such as ‘religious,’ ‘old order,’ ‘old wineskins,’ or ‘Pharisees.’ Detractors denounced as not being able to ‘handle it,’ or they have a ‘Jezebel spirit,’ or a ‘spirit of criticism.’ New thing-ism which holds to God doing a ‘new thing’ and you’d better get on board. A special anointing, a new priesthood, and conference chasing to hear a new word from God.