CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 12:

THE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE HOLY GHOST IN THE CHURCH SERVICE

The 12th chapter of Paul's letter to the Corinthians is a widely misapplied text of scripture. In this chapter Paul itemises 9 of the manifestations of the Holy Ghost as they are apparent in the church meeting. What many have done today is to cite various texts from this chapter to say that one person is gifted with this and another is gifted with that. A result of this is that some boast of having gifts of healing, miracle and knowledge and given themselves a promotion over others who they perceive as being less gifted. That was never the desire of Paul who wrote the letter of God who inspired Paul so to write. The following is a brief summary of this chapter that hopefully will clear up any misunderstandings.

1st Corinthians Chapter 12:

1Co 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
1Co 12:2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Note: Paul draws attention to "dumb idols" as opposed to God who proves himself.

Earlier in this letter had pointed out to the Corinthians that Christianity is a dynamic miracle working religion when he said. 1Co 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 1Co 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. (Demonstration of the Spirit) the antithesis of Dumb Idols.

1Co 12:3 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. (You cannot call Jesus Lord without the Holy Spirit)

Is this ability for a select few; or all? The former would lead to resentment perhaps and maybe even a spiritual hierarchy. In many  groups who practice the "grading of gifts i.e. Tongues is the least and prophecy or healing are the greatest. This practice also results in a large amount of "non-participant members. While the more extraverted make all the noise. The Bible calls this being "Unequally yoked". This may not seem a big deal to many however the purpose of fellowship is to present the gospel to unbelievers, exhort and edify. Many in these groups are placed in the position of "spectators" to the show. The Corinthians chapters 11 through 14 model is INCLUSIVE as opposed to EXCLUSIVE. Allowing the weaker to edify the strong and vice versa.

1Co 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

We who have received the Holy Spirit are partakers of ONE Spirit. We are born again, our lives are not our own. Jesus lives through us. The concept of each person receiving more or less DEPENDANT on their FAITH is more about SELF GLORY than that of GOD. Anonymity in receipt of the gifts of God, and our use of them bring with them greater rewards in the world to come. That is consistent with Jesus' nature.

1Co 12:5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
1Co 12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

Note in verse 6: ALL in ALL! This can be read a couple of ways. (1) "ALL in ALL" meaning: ALL (each and every one of the gifts) in ALL (Each and every Christian) (2) "ALL in ALL" meaning: ALL (each gift that is operated) in ALL (Each Christian through whom the gift is operated.) Paul's letter to the Ephesians helps us to understand the correct application.

Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. This verse in Ephesians supports interpretation (1) but flies in the face of (2)

1Co 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

This is a key verse: Because it opens with "But the manifestation" ("But" included to contrast previous verse) The Christian is "filled" with all the capabilities available.(verse 6) BUT the manifestation ( DURING the OPERATION) of the spiritual gifts is not displayed by all, but is for EVERYONE’S good. (verse 7)

1Co 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 1Co 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 1Co 12:10 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: 1Co 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 

Though it is understandable that in isolation verses 8 to 11 clearly say that one will get this gift and another will get a different gift it is totally wrong to apply these verses to a setting that ignores the fact that this section of scripture is describing how the gifts would be manifested in a church service. The context is "the manifestation of the Spirit" [IN THE MEETING](sunerchomai Greek). To apply these 9 gifts in the greater "Body of Christ" is stepping away from the grammatical order. To say that these 9 listed gifts represent the entirety of the grace of God is also untrue. There are many more gifts that come with the infilling of the Holy Spirit. God is NOT a RESPECTER of persons. (the separate gifs doctrine is opposite to this statement from God. We are "thoroughly furnished" so as to not "come behind or LACK any gift".

Further and most importantly; to say that one has the "gift of FAITH" and another has "The gift of Miracles" and so on, has created a position of spiritual ladder climbing which is the opposite of the intended purpose of this chapter. Besides that without the gift of FAITH it is impossible to please God. So we all MUST have that Gift.

Miracles are performed by GOD not our special abilities. Further if someone is healed of blindness it is the patient who has the GIFT of healing not the person praying for another.

1Co 12:12 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. 1Co 12:13 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. 1Co 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many.

Unity of the Body is emphasized. The Context is specifically (dysfunction in the "meeting or assembling together") Verse 12-14 is however true in application to the greater Body of Christ. But the application in this chapter is IN THE CHURCH SERVICE.

1Co 12:15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 1Co 12:16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 1Co 12:17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

1Co 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

IMPORTANT: In the Revival Fellowship the operation of this pattern or structure has been running very successfully over the last 60 years.

Some of the gifts are only manifested in the meeting. "Divers kinds of tongues, interpretation and prophecy. Of course If someone never interprets it does not mean that they don’t have the Holy Spirit. The difference with tongues is that tongues had several purposes not the least of which is a confirmatory sign. Notice that tongues in the meeting is termed “Divers kinds of tongues”. We don’t all manifest these gifts in the meeting but according to the “measure of faith” we will manifest them. The gift is already present within us it is unlocked by OUR FAITH!
Tongues are the easiest gift to manifest during the operation of the spiritual gifts because we all received that manifestation upon belief as seal of the Holy Spirit. (See Acts 2:4 & 10:44)

1Co 12:19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 1Co 12:20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 1Co 12:21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 1Co 12:22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 1Co 12:23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 1Co 12:24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: 1Co 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 1Co 12:26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. 1Co 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

When read in context all the members encourage one another and there is NO SCHISM. It is a wonderful experience to see God work amongst his people. Jesus said "I have many things to say to you but you cannot bear them yet" Interpretation and Prophecy have saved marriages, prevented backsliding, saved lives, converted believers and unlocked mysteries before my eyes.

1Co 12:28 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.
1Co 12:29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
1Co 12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
1Co 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.

Not all will have manifestations of all gifts "IN THE CHURCH" But this cannot be a foundation of the belief that All only get one gift or that we are not fully equipped with the potential for all. Of the 9 gifts; tongues was given other functions they are as follow: 1)Sign following believer, 2)Prayer, 3)Edification of our inner man. False religion is rampant, if ever people needed confirmatory evidence of entry into God's plan and the infilling of the Holy Spirit, it is today. Our motivation needs to be careful, studious, loving leadership in the church, not finding the point of least resistance.