I. THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN APOSTLES AND PROPHETS DIFFERENT IN
CHARACTER FROM HIS WORK IN ALL OTHER PERSONS
The first thing that the Bible teaches on this point and claims for
itself is, _that the work of the Holy Spirit in apostles and prophets,
in the various human authors of the different books of the Bible,
differs from His work in other men, even in other believers in Christ_.
It teaches that the Holy Spirit imparts to apostles and prophets an
especial gift for an especial purpose. We find this clearly taught in 1
Cor. 12:4, 8-11, 28, 29, where we read, "+Now there are diversities
of gifts, but the same Spirit. . . . (8) for to one is given through
the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge,
according to the same Spirit; (9) to another faith, in the same Spirit;
and to another gifts of healing, in the same Spirit; (10) and to
another workings of miracles (powers); and to another prophecy; and
to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues,
and to another the interpretation of tongues; (11) but all these
worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally
even as He will. . . . (28) And God hath set some in the church, first
apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then
gifts of healings, helps, governments, divers kinds of tongues. (29)
Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers
of miracles?+" This chapter is the fullest and clearest chapter in
the Bible on the subject of the various gifts of the Holy Spirit. It
is the classical chapter on the whole subject, and the teaching of
these verses is as plain as language can make it, and it states in
terms, the meaning of which is unmistakable, that the gift bestowed
on apostles and prophets _differed in kind_ from the gifts bestowed
on other believers, even though those believers were filled with the
Holy Spirit. Not only did the work of the Holy Spirit in the apostles
and prophets differ from His work in men of genius, but even from His
work in other believers. These verses make it as plain as day that
the doctrine which has become so common and so popular in our day,
that the work of the Holy Spirit in preachers and teachers and in
ordinary believers, illuminating them and guiding them into the truth
and into the understanding of the Word of God, is the same in kind and
differs only in degree from the work of the Holy Spirit in Apostles
and Prophets is thoroughly unscriptural and untrue. This doctrine
overlooks what is here so clearly stated and so carefully elucidated,
that while there is +"the same Spirit" "there are diversities of
gifts" "diversities of ministrations," "diversities of workings" (1
Cor. 12:406 R. V.) and that not all are Prophets or Apostles. (1 Cor.
12:29.)+
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account