The Aaron Papers  www.the-aaron-papers.net 

ADDENDUM "B"       

-GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT-

  There appears to be a great deal of denominational opposition to the operating gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Many Churches have determined that these gifts are no longer functional and firmly believe that their use within the Church is totally inappropriate.  This present conclusion would appear to be greatly prejudiced by their own preconceived understanding of the Spiritual gifts.   

  Now I firmly believe that this current understanding is being propagated by some denominations, because of the group of believers who call themselves Pentecostals or Charismatic.  This group called Pentecostals are a bit like the members of the Church of Corinth. They appear to have received the Holy Spirit with the evidence of the accompanying Spiritual gifts, and they also appear to be handling these same gifts in a similar manner as did those Christians who were in the Corinthian Church.  

  I would strenuously suggest that those who call themselves Pentecostals read First Corinthians chapters 11-14 again and again, giving particular attention to chapter 12 verses 27-31: Endeavoring to understand the apostle Paul's instructions and exhortations on the order that is to be followed when Spiritual gifts are present.  Understanding that all are not apostles or prophets; all do not have the gift of miracles or healing; all do not speak in tongues or interpret.  

But those who have gone so far in their criticism, as to believe that the Pentecostals are not really part of the legitimate Church, could be treading upon very dangerous ground.  This problem exists because we do not properly understand, nor do we accept, the full operational activities of the Holy Spirit during this present dispensation of grace.  That is, for reasons known only to God, the manifestations of the Spiritual gifts are not readily visible in their Churches.  And because of this lack of visibility, they would be so presumptuous as to believe that if these special gifts are not active in their Church, then they are no longer to be recognized nor practiced.

  Some of these denominations which openly oppose the Pentecostals, use 1Cor.13:8-12 as a proof that some Spiritual gifts are no longer to be practiced: "Love never fails.  But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.  For we know in part and we prophesy in part.  But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.  For now we see (through a glass darkly), but then face to face.  Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known."   They would also say, that some Spiritual gifts were apostolic gifts, and that these gifts passed away with the apostolic age.  To support this understanding, some of these denominations have interpreted verse 10 "that which is perfect" as the Holy Bible.  

   John Calvin writes in his commentary on First Corinthians Chapter 13:

 9. Paul’s meaning, however, is--that it is owing to our imperfection that we at present have knowledge and prophecy.  Hence the phrase in part means --“Because we are not yet perfect.”  Knowledge and prophecy, therefore, have place among us so long as that imperfection cleaves to us, to which they are helps.  It is true, indeed, that we ought to make progress during our whole life, and that everything that we have is merely begun.  Let us observe, however, what Paul designs to prove--that the gifts in question are but temporary.  Now he proves this from the circumstance, that the advantage of them is only for a time--so long as we aim at the mark by making progress every day.  

10. When that which is perfect is come.  “When the goal has been reached, then the helps in the race will be done away.”  He retains, however, the form of expression that he had already made use of, when he contrasts perfection with what is in part.  “Perfection,” says he, “when it will arrive, will put an end to everything that aids imperfection.”  But when will that perfection come?  It begins, indeed, at death, for then we put off, along with the body, many infirmities; but it will not be completely manifested until the day of judgment, as we shall hear presently.  Hence we infer, that the whole of this discussion is ignorantly applied to the time that is intermediate.

Calvin’s Commentary - First Corinthians - xiii. 9 and 10  Vol. I p.428  

I believe the apostle Paul explained the clear meaning of this passage in v.12 "For now we see (through a glass darkly), but then face to face" which must be referring to our coming into the presence of Jesus--when we will be face to face with our Master and our Lord.  

Paul also tells us that only a partial knowledge is attainable in our present state.  But when we do come to stand face to face with our Lord and Savior, we will then know just as we are known.  If this is the case, "that which is perfect" of v.10 would clearly represent our Lord Jesus.  

  John Calvin's writings seem to be in complete agreement with this last interpretation: "Our faith, therefore, at present beholds God as absent.  How so?  Because it sees not His face, but rests satisfied with the image in the mirror; but when we shall have left the world, and gone to Him, it will behold Him as near and before its eyes. 

  Hence we must understand it in this manner--that the knowledge of God, which we now have from His Word, is indeed certain and true, and has nothing in it that is confused, or perplexed, or dark, but is spoken of as comparatively obscure, because it comes far short of that clear manifestation to which we look forward; for then we shall see His face.  

(footnote 2 "The blessed God's manifestation of himself," says Mr. Howe, "is emphatically expressed in 1 Cor. xiii. 12--of seeing face to face, which signifies on his part, gracious vouchsafement,--his offering his blessed face to view,--that he hides it not, nor turns it away, as here sometimes he doth, in just displeasure.  And his face means, even his most conspicuous glory, such as, in this state of mortality, it would be mortal to us to behold; for `no man,' not so divine a man as Moses himself, `could see his face and live.'  And it signifies, on their part who are thus made perfect, their applying and turning their face towards his, viz., that they see not casually, or by fortuitous glances, but eye to eye, by direct and most voluntary intuition; which, therefore, on their part, implies moral perfection, the will directing and commanding the eye, and upon inexpressible relishes of joy and pleasure, forbidding its diversion, holds it steady and intent."  Howe's Works, [Lond. 1834,] p.1016. )  

Thus this passage is not at all at variance with other passages, which speak of the clearness, at one time, of the law, at another time, of the entire Scripture, but more especially of the gospel.  For we have in the Word (in so far as is expedient for us) a naked and open revelation of God, and it has nothing intricate in it, to hold us in suspense, as wicked persons imagine; but how small a proportion does this bear to that vision, which we have in our eye!  Hence it is only in a comparative sense, that it is termed obscure.  

  The adverb then denotes the last day, rather than the time that is immediately subsequent to death.  At the same time, although full vision will be deferred until the day of Christ, a nearer view of God will begin to be enjoyed immediately after death, when our souls, set free from the body, will have no more need of the outward ministry, or other inferior helps.  Paul, however, as I noticed a little ago, does not enter into any close discussion as to the state of the dead, because the knowledge of that is not particularly serviceable to piety."

Calvin's Commentary--First Corinthians--Volume I--pp.430, 431  

I believe that John Calvin and I have come to the same conclusion: That is, as long as we are carried about in these frames of clay, that decaying quality of our corrupt nature will tightly cling to us all until our final release at the time of our death.  Only then will we commence to journey on, free from our old corruptible nature.  The gifts and the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which are presently evident within the Church, are necessary aids for the propagation of God's Kingdom.  They are necessary aids which help all believers as they move on through their earthly struggles.  And these aids will continue to visibly exist only as long as the elect invisible priesthood/ or Church continues to have a presence here on earth.  

  One denomination would say: "The Pentecostals are all of the devil".  While another would say: "The Pentecostals are only a cult."  You know, from one who denominationally sits outside looking in, these denominations who criticize the Pentecostals look and sound much like the High Priest and the Pharisees during the early days of the Christ and His Church.

  To understand this present confusion, we must carefully look at all of the Scriptures when we consider this matter concerning the Pentecostals:

"Now John answered Him, saying, Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.  But Jesus said, do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.  FOR HE WHO IS NOT AGAINST US IS ON OUR SIDE. (Mk.9:38-40)

  Are we not also guilty of this same attitude that the disciples exhibited here in this passage?  Because they are not part of our particular denomination, are we not also saying "Lord, make them stop doing those things!"?  

  We find additional insight on this matter in Nu.11:27-29 "And a young man ran and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.  So Joshua, the son of Nun, Moses assistant, one of his choice men, answered and said, Moses, my lord, forbid them!  Then Moses said to him, are you (jealous) for my sake?  Oh, that all the Lord's people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!"   If we go back to v.25, we discover that the people of God prophesied whenever the Holy Spirit rested upon them.  

  Now this may be a good time to define what prophecy is and what a prophet does.  A prophet prophesies--they speak forth the mind and the counsel of God.     "(Though) through much of the Old Testament, prophecy was purely predictive: prophecy is not necessarily, nor even primarily, fore-telling.  It is the declaration of that which cannot be known by natural means: it is the fore-telling of the will of God, whether with reference to the past, the present, or the future.  The purpose of (the prophets) ministry is to edify, to comfort, and to encourage the believer." (Vine's dictionary of NT words)   The prophet is a proclaimer of the Divine counsels: Speaking with the authority of the in-dwelling Holy Spirit.  

  John Calvin writes in Vol. I p.415 of his commentary on First Corinthians 12:28, the elements associated with the office of the prophet on what he ought principally to do.  Calvin writes: (1) He must devote himself to: (a) Consolation, (b) Exhortation, and (c) Doctrine.  These things are distinct from prophesying (foretelling).  "Let us, then, by prophet in this passage understand, first of all, eminent interpretation of Scripture, and farther, persons who are endowed with common wisdom and dexterity in taking a right view of the present necessity of the Church, that they may speak suitably to it, and in this way be, in a manner, ambassadors to communicate the divine will." 

"Paul restricts the number of those who ought to speak, to two or three; (1Cor.14:29) , which would not accord with a bare interpretation of Scripture.  I find my opinion is this - that the prophets here spoken of are those who make known the will of God, by applying with dexterity and skill prophecies, threatenings, promises, and the whole doctrine of Scriptures, to the present use of the Church...  For it is difficult to form a judgment as to gifts and offices of which the Church has been so long deprived, excepting only that there are some traces, or shadows of them still." 

Excerpts from "PAUL - And Outline of His Theology" Herman Ridderbos:  pp.450, 451  Prophets:

"Along with the apostles the prophets occupy an important place in the enumerations given by Paul (1Cor.12:28 ["secondly" prophets]; Eph.4:11; cf. Rom.12:6; 1Cor.12:10).  He devotes special and separate attention to the prophetic CHARISMA (1Cor.14).  Whereas the speaker in tongues edifies himself and is intelligible only to God, THE PROPHET IS CONCERNED TO BUILD THE CHURCH, TO EXHORT, TO ENCOURAGE (14:3, 31).  It holds for prophecy, in distinction from language of tongues, that it takes place not only with the (Spirit), but also with the understanding, just as for public prayer in the Church, the singing of psalms, and the giving of thanks (1Cor.14:13-19).  

  Unbelievers and interested auditors, too, will be brought to true self-knowledge only by prophecy (and not by glossolalia).  For glossolalia must impress them as madness; prophecy, on the other hand, is addressed to them and can lead them to repentance and worship.  

  Prophecy is a special form of the Spirit given to and working in the Church.  For this reason the speaking of the prophets can also be called revelation (1Cor.14:30, cf. v.26; v.6, cf. Eph.3:15), and they are mentioned together with the apostles (Eph.3:5; cf. 2:20).  This character of prophecy as revelation is to be sought in speaking under the direct impulse of the Spirit (cf. 1Cor.14:30), but also in the content of what is spoken in this way.  The prophet receives an insight into the mysteries of God (cf. 1Cor.13:2); he explains the meaning and progress of the divine redemptive activity (Eph.3:5).  When in Romans 11:25; 1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:13, Paul announces and interprets to the Church the redemptive work of God still to be expected, he also speaks in virtue of prophetic endowment.  Yet prophecy does not only or primarily have reference to the future.  It consists as well in pointing out the will of God (1 Tim.1:18; 4:14), serves the Church for EXHORTATION, ENCOURAGEMENT, and INSTRUCTION (1Cor.14:3, 31; cf. vv.24,25).  PROPHETS ARE THE SPIRIT-IMPELLED PROCLAIMERS OF THE WORD OF GOD TO THE CHURCH, WHO UNFOLD GOD'S PLAN OF REDEMPTION, AS WELL AS ELUCIDATE AND IMPRESS UPON IT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WORK OF GOD IN CHRIST IN A PASTORAL AND PARAENETIC (EXHORTATORY) SENSE." 

  Closely following the Scriptures, we are able see the fulfillment of Joel 2:28 "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions;" in Acts.2:15-17 "For these are not drunk as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.  But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: `And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on ALL Flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams'."      

As well as Lu.10:17; Acts.5:16; 8:7; 16:18; 19:12; Acts.2:4; 10:46; 19:6; 1Cor.12:10, 28 and 30; 13:1; 14:2; Lu.10:19; Acts.28:3-5; Mk.5:23; 6:5; 7:32; 8:23; Lu.4:40; 13:13; Acts.9:17; 28:8; and 6:6; which does support and confirm the present charismatic activity.  And also remembering 1Cor.14:14, where our own spirits are directly edified by an angelic communication (language).  How then can we, as the people of God, totally disregard 1Cor.14:39 and 40 "Therefore brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.  Let all things be done decently and in order."?  And most importantly, where does the fruit of the Spirit appear in these divisive prohibitive practices?  

  In conclusion, I would directly challenge those denominations who oppose the Pentecostals, or any other denomination, to take a close look at the Scriptures they use to support their prohibitive understandings: And caution them to carefully consider Mk.9:42 "And whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea."   And Rev.22:19 "If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the Holy City, and from the things which are written in this Book."   -AMEN-