Old Dog V
GIFTS AND OFFICES
Bob Neumann
For a long time the concept of a FIVE FOLD MINISTRY in a ONE FOLD ORGANIZATION has ruled over THE SAINTS.
WHY…it serves the purpose and needs of the NICOLAITINS. Simple if you look at it honestly. Yet to me the OFFICES and GIFTS seem to sort of flow together. Seeing they all originate from THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT maybe we should all see it that way. But choose for yourselves on this.
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. BOTTOM LINE…diversities of gifts…different ones doing different things…for the PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS. And the all come from THE SAME MOST HOLY SPIRIT.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. ONE LORD with different STEWARDS doing different jobs. Again all with one purpose, getting THE SAINTS into MINISTRY.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
How BOB the DOG does things is not how Joe Cook or Stephen Bening will do them. If we all looked, sounded, and “tasted” the same it would certainly be vain repetitions. So toss aside all your preconceptions on how things should be…and get ready for the JOURNEY ONWARD.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
Every MAN…PERSON…no special elite core of anything. No “VERY ELECT” ruling over those who are “just barely elect”. So each of us personally will mature and bear good solid fruit through THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT in ourselves and our brothers and sisters.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
Now this does not fit with Pentecostals and charismatics who will openly tell you…. “Sure…everyone has to speak “IN TONGUES”…and the only way you can know that you are saved is that you speak in “tongues” just like i do.
So just repeat after me…”yaba daba do…”
(sorry, i could not resist)
Sure Paul said he wished we all spoke in tongues, but would rather all would prophesy. He NEVER tied TONGUE TALKIN’ with SALVATION…that is what “others” have taught for years…AND they do not have the same spirit…that is for sure.
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. Some have taught each “believer” got only one “gift”, Paul says each man gets “several”…
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
ONE BODY…many parts…ONE HEAD/LORD/KING/GOD…. then Paul finishes with…
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps,governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. So the only way for us to see “a more excellent way” is to see ourselves fitting into and working as an integral part of THE BODY.
Now we need to stop and “discuss” these things and find out were we fit together.
selah
Up Next: GIFTS AND OFFICES II