The Holy Spirit gave me some more insight into the scriptures that many people use to say that 'not everybody speaks in languages' and many believe that languages are not the sign that a believer of Jesus Christ will manifest as initial evidence that they have received the Holy Spirit.
Well let's take a closer look at the scriptures in question and break down what they really say. I'll be using my Greek-English Interlinear bible and the NKJV.
1st Corinthians 12:1-3
"But as to spiritual things brothers, I do not wish you to be ignorant. You know that being led away, you Gentiles were led to dumb idols. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says Jesus is a curse. And no one is able to say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit."
The first thing we need to take a look at is who is Paul talking to? As we can see in the first verse of chapter twelve Paul is addressing the Corinthian brothers, those who were already converted to Christ when Paul went to preach the gospel in Greece. (See Acts 18)
He was talking to the believers about spiritual matters because he didn't want them to be ignorant of the workings of God through His Holy Spirit.
In truth, every epistle (letter), after the book of Acts was written to the churches that were established in the first century and to the individual saints who were made disciples by the apostles and baptized in water and Spirit.
Yes, every scripture is most certainly God-breathed and profitable for teaching, correction, etc..., but the scriptures need to be read in their proper context, and we need to understand that we cannot apply every single scripture literally to ourselves.
1st Corinthians 12:4
"But there are differences of gifts, but the same Spirit;"
So Paul is telling the saints that the Spirit gives different gifts. Notice he is not talking to them about salvation, receiving the Holy Spirit, or being baptized with the Holy Spirit.
1st Corinthians 12:5-7
"And there are differences of ministries, yet the same Lord. And there are differences of workings, but the same God is working all things in all. But to each one is given the showing forth of the Spirit to our profit."
Paul is saying that each individual member that enters the body of Christ is given a spiritual gift of the Spirit to profit the entire body.
1st 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 Spirit;"
Now let's take a deeper look into the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to individual believers in the body of Christ.
1) Word Of Wisdom
The spiritual gift of word of wisdom is given to a believer by the Holy Spirit. It is the wisdom of God spoken by the Spirit to the saint supernaturally, and gives them divine answers and counsel in any given situation, or circumstance. It is the supernatural impartation of God's wisdom; it is not natural, it does not come by carnal reasoning, and it cannot be gained by study or experience.
Luke 20:21-26
"Then they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth: Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Why do you test Me? Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?” They answered and said, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” But they could not catch Him in His words in the presence of the people. And they marveled at His answer and kept silent."
Luke 21:12-15
"But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist."
Mark 13:11
"But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit."
Matthew 10:18-20
"You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you."
Acts 6:8-10
"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke."
2) Word Of Knowledge
The spiritual gift of word of knowledge is given to a believer by the Holy Spirit. It is supernatural revelation from the mind of God about a person or situation which is not learned through the efforts of the natural mind. It is a fragment of the divine knowledge of God spoken by the Holy Spirit to a believer disclosing the truth which God desires to be made known concerning a particular person, group of people, or circumstance. This divine knowledge speaks most often about the present or something which happened in the past.
John 4:13-18
"Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.” Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”
Acts 10:17-20
"Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate. And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there. While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”
1st Corinthians 12:9
"And to another, faith by the same Spirit; and to another, gifts of healing by the same Spirit;"
3) Gift Of Faith
The spiritual gift of faith is given to a believer by the Holy Spirit. It is the supernatural manifestation of the Spirit that miraculously gives a believer the assurance that what they speak, ask, or pray for will come to pass BEFORE it is seen with the natural eyes. It is God working on behalf of the believer to perform something impossible by ordinary human efforts. It is believing you have it WHEN you pray, and knowing the roots are cursed before you see the tree die. It is the supernatural ability to believe God without doubt, combat unbelief and visualize what God wants to accomplish.
Mark 11:12-14, 20-24
"Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it."
"Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.” So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."
Mark 4:35-41
"On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
Acts 3:13-16
"The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all."
4) Gifts Of Healing
The spiritual gifts of healing are given to a believer by the Holy Spirit. It is the supernatural ability to heal all kinds of disease, illness, sickness, and oppression of the devil without human aid.
Matthew 4:23-24
"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them."
Luke 6:17-19
"And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all."
Acts 10:37-3
"That word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him."
Acts 5:12-16
"And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed."
1st Corinthians 12:10
"And to another workings of powers; and to another, prophecy; and to another, discernings of spirits; and to another kinds of languages; and to another, interpretations of languages."
5) Workings Of Powers (Miracles)
The spiritual gift of workings of powers (miracles) is given to a believer by the Holy Spirit. It is a direct intervention in the natural universe by God who works through His Spirit in an earthen vessel to perform His will on earth. It is a supernatural intercession that transcends natural laws and a divine act by which God reveals Himself to mankind.
John 2:6-11
"Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!” This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him."
John 4:46-54
"So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!” Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household. This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee."
Matthew 14:13-21
"When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.” But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” He said, “Bring them here to Me.” Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children."
Matthew 14:22-27
"Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
John 11:40-44
"Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying.And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”
Acts 9:36-42
"At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord."
6) Gift Of Prophecy
The spiritual gift of prophecy is given to a believer by the Holy Spirit. It is a divinely inspired and anointed utterance, a supernatural proclamation in a known language of man. It is a direct and immediate word from God Almighty to His people spoken by His Spirit through His chosen vessel. It is spoken forth to reveal truth, exhort, edify, comfort, strengthen, to bring correction, judgment, and repentance to the hearer(s).
2nd Peter 2:19-21
"And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."
Matthew 24:1-2
"Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
Acts 13:9-12
"Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord."
Acts 11:21-28
"And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar."
Acts 21:8-11
"On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”
1st Corinthians 14:3
"But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men."
7) Discernings Of Spirits
The spiritual gift of discernings of spirits is given to a believer by the Holy Spirit. It is the supernatural ability to perceive and see into the spiritual realm, and discern the source of a spiritual manifestation to determine whether it is of God, Satan, or man. It is the ability to see in the spirit to know the root causes of oppression (pride, unbelief, bitterness, lust, etc..) and true motives of people, to discern whether they have a good or evil spirit.
Matthew 16:21-23
"From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”
Luke 8:26-31
"Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs.When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss."
Luke 9:51-56
"Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village."
Acts 8:18-24
"And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”
Acts 16:16-18
"Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour."
8) Kinds Of Languages
The spiritual gift of kinds of languages is given to a believer by the Holy Spirit. It is the supernatural ability to speak in a foreign language that one has not previously studied or had knowledge of. It is known languages of men (French, Spanish, etc.) that can be understood by others and interpreted by the speaker or one who has been given the spiritual gift of interpretation of languages.
The spiritual gift of kinds of languages should not be confused with the language that is spoken by all believers as the initial evidence or sign that they have received the Holy Spirit into their heart. This is a language that cannot be understood by man, and is commonly called 'prayer language'. It's a language that you speak through your spirit to edify, build yourself up, and talk to God.
When Paul asked the Corinthian saints 'Do all speak languages?' he was talking about the spiritual gift of kinds of languages! Not that some believers would speak new languages and some would not. It is true that all believers won't receive the spiritual gift to speak in kinds of languages (Russian, Chinese, German, etc.), but all believers of Jesus Christ will speak in other languages as the Spirit gives them ability when they are baptized or filled with the Holy Spirit!
If it were true that every believer wouldn't speak new languages then Paul would be contradicting his own self and going against the very words of Jesus who sent him out to preach the gospel as His apostle!
Acts 2:5-11
"And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own languages the wonderful works of God.”
1st Corinthians 12:27-30
"And you are a body of Christ, and members in part. And God placed some in the church; firstly apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then works of power; then gifts of healing, helps, governings, kinds of languages. Are all apostles? All prophets? All teachers? All workers of power? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak languages? Do all interpret?"
1st Corinthians 13:1
"If I speak in the languages of men even of angels, but I do not have love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal."
1st Corinthians 14:13
"So then, the one speaking in a language, let him pray that he may interpret."
1st Corinthians 14:18-19
"I thank my God that I speak more languages than all of you. But in a church I desire to speak five words with my mind, that I may also instruct others, than myriads of words in a foreign language."
1st Corinthians 14:22
"So that languages are not a sign to those believing, but to those not believing."
1st Corinthians 14:26-28
"Then, brothers,what is it? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm; he has a teaching; he has a language; he has a revelation; he has an interpretation. Let all things be for building up. If one speaks in a language, let it be by two or three at the most; and in turn, also let one interpret. And if there is no interpreter, let him be silent in church; and let him speak to himself and to God."
***Prayer or spirit language***
1st Corinthians 14:2,4,14-17
"For the one speaking in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God; for no one hears, but in spirit he speaks mysteries."
"The one speaking in a tongue builds himself up;"
"For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. What then is it? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the mind; I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the mind. Else, if you bless in the spirit, the one occupying the place of the unlearned, how will he say the amen at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you say? For you truly give thanks well, but the other is not built up
*** Signs And Gifts***
There is a difference between the word Signs and the word Gifts in scripture. Let's take a look at how they are used in scripture to get a better understanding of the two.
The word for Signs in the Greek means:
4592. semeion say-mi'-on neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of 4591; an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally:--miracle, sign, token, wonder.
John 4:46-48
"So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.”
John 12:37
"But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him."
Mark 16:14-20
"Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen."
Acts 2:42-43
"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles."
Acts 6:8
"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people."
2nd Corinthians 12:12
"Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds."
Hebrews 2:4
"God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?"
The word for Gifts in the Greek means:
5486. charisma khar'-is-mah from 5483; a (divine) gratuity, i.e. deliverance (from danger or passion); (specially), a (spiritual) endowment, i.e. (subjectively) religious qualification, or (objectively) miraculous faculty:--(free) gift.
Romans 11:28-29
"Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable."
Romans 12:5-8
"so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness."
1st Corinthians 1:4-7
"I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ."
1st Corinthians 12:4
"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit."
1st Corinthians 12:31
"But earnestly desire the best gifts."
Hebrews 2:4
"God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?"
Now we can understand the difference between signs and wonders that follow true believers in Christ, and the gifts that are given to each individual member of the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit as He wills.
9) Interpretations Of Languages
The spiritual gift of interpretations of languages is given to a believer by the Holy Spirit. It is the supernatural ability to interpret a message being spoken in a foreign language not previously known by the speaker, and reveal the meaning of it. The interpretation of the message being spoken can come to the speaker themselves as they speak or to another believer who has been given the spiritual gift of interpretations of languages.
It's important to note that 'interpretations' of languages is not the same as 'translation' of languages, because the interpreter never understands the foreign language being spoken. The interpretation of the message is given to the interpreter supernaturally by the Holy Spirit and the interpreter just speaks out what they hear. The message in languages could be long, but the interpretation short, because the interpretation only gives the meaning. On the other hand, the message could be short, but the interpretation long or it could also be a word for word interpretation.
1st Corinthians 12:27-30
"And you are a body of Christ, and members in part. And God placed some in the church; firstly apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then works of power; then gifts of healing, helps, governings, kinds of languages. Are all apostles? All prophets? All teachers? All workers of power? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak languages? Do all interpret?"
1st Corinthians 14:5
"And I wish all of you to speak in languages, but rather that you may prophesy - for greater is the one prophesying than the one speaking in languages, unless he interpret that the church may receive building up."
1st Corinthians 14:13
"So then, the one speaking in a language, let him pray that he may interpret."
1st Corinthians 14:26-28
"Then, brothers,what is it? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm; he has a teaching; he has a language; he has a revelation; he has an interpretation. Let all things be for building up. If one speaks in a language, let it be by two or three at the most; and in turn, also let one interpret. And if there is no interpreter, let him be silent in church; and let him speak to himself and to God."
In Closing
1st Corinthians 12:11
"But the one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing separately to each as He wills."
This study has been a very enlightening one for me, and I praise God for His Spirit who teaches me all things, and guides me into all truth!
Zechariah 4:6
"So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts."
In His Ever Increasing Love,
Tyrone
