Spiritual Gifts - Part 1

A word from Minister Orpheus Heyward from the West End Church of Christ in Atlanta, Georgia. Please visit our E-store at estore.theweste... to download additional sermons.

[@fredlee3340]

Just had this conversation with a relative about miracles and wonder and signs ceased oftentimes than not relatives takes matter personally as an attack on their misguided beliefs when all I want to convene is the truth of the gorgeous gospel of GOD in Christ Jesus any Household of Faith members here listening please lift up prayers for me that I will be able to convert my love one's to obey the gospel and that my relatives will return to the Church of Christ I will continue to lift up prayers to Almighty GOD for his for the household of Faith members

[@r.o.7179]

Miss him preaching the truth like this.

[@LisaLisa-os8ws]

Gods word will not come back void,

[@kimbleotis8872]

Preach and teach Big Brother ❤

[@luispaz9868]

Truth will Stand ! COC!

[@aloysiuswalker4048]

Thank! brother

[@elizabethgowens7993]

Read the red. Christ's prayer for us in full. New Testament applies to us. We're not too "late". Specifically John 17:20 "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;"

[@maryheeren1608]

❤

[@belindajones9148]

Thank you brother

[@derekchildress5]

He has put God in a box!

[@jimmymerchant1613]

what do you mean?

[@bkj58]

How is he wrong? He specifically pointed you to the scriptures that back up what he is saying? You are not disagreeing with him, you are disagreeing with scripture.

[@rosecoleman9090]

Brian J AAAMEN

[@smisomagubane2439]

Brian J.....I agree. Those who are disputing what the preacher is preaching should provide supporting scriptures.

[@LisaLisa-os8ws]

Amen, WOW! Speaking in truth don’t fight the word cause you r comfortable, let God !

[@blueskies3752]

Yes. I need my mind restored I can't even walk without my husband picks me up our OK f the floor. I need deliverance

[@ChristisSaviour]

For the scriptures relating to tongues to be relevant and applicable to both known languages miraculously spoken and to glossolalia, they must both be of the same character, purpose, nature and be un-falcifiable. 1st Corinthians was written in C55 AD, whereas Acts was written in C63 although many biblical scholars believe it to be after C70. My point, and it's not an essential one, is that for Paul's instructions to the Corinthians to make sense, he must be writing about the type of tongues we see in operation in Acts. We know that the tongues in Acts were world languages. Here are some things we know about the miraculous gifts; they are given sovereignly by The Holy Spirit as he pleases and for the building up of The Church (Heb 2:3-4). I am not aware of any gifts being spoken of by The Holy Spirit (i.e. revealed in The Word, The Bible) as being for personal use and personal edification. 1 Cor 12:7 and 14:12 ".....the good of all". i.e. the church. God never intended any spiritual gift for private benefit. If tongues are for the common good how can their use be personal? There is no scripture that clearly states that there is a non-world language given by the Holy Spirit as a prayer language but there are several misunderstood ones that could be read as indicating there is: 1 Cor 14:2 "For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God". In context this is saying at church, when no one present understands the language spoken, only God understands what is being said. 1 Cor 14:4 "Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church". This is not a statement of doctrine or clarification of purpose. No gifts are given for personal edification, but for the common good. It is saying that is wrong. vs7-9 Must be intelligent words with definition that can be understood (and therefore can be translated) otherwise you speak into the air. If this is speaking of glossolalia, then what is the point of a prayer language that needs an interpreter? If this refers to glossolalia as a private prayer language, which as you know is not understood by the one speaking it, then this verse tells you it us just speaking into the air i.e. is of no value or use as a prayer language. v10 "Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning". This passage makes it very clear the instructions Paul is giving relates to known languages. Therefore none of it relates to glossolalia. That being the case you can't use these verses as proof text for glossolalia. v14 "For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful". Is praying with an unfruitful mind what God wants ? NO ! being unfruitful is not good in any context. So how should we pray? v15 "So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding". You see here that to pray in the Spirit requires using your mind, that is prayer that God wants to hear. "God is Spirit and his worshipers must worship in theSpiritand in truth" (John 4:24). When asked how to pray, Jesus said "And when you pray, do not keep on babblinglikepagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words". You cannot fail to be impressed by the examples of prayer in the Bible. Daniel, Ezekial, Stephen, to mention only a few who were clearly praying in The Spirit. Today, the term "praying in the spirit" is used more often than not to mean praying in an ecstatic language. Biblically, that concept is false. Furthermore, we are told to not think about what we are saying or wanting to say when praying in tongues. That is a false teaching that has no basis in scripture by way of instruction or example. I take Paul's warning in 1 Tim 4:1 seriously. 1 Cor 14:17 "You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified". If tongues are for the common good how can their use be personal? 1 Cor 14:21 In the Law it is written: With other tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord. (Isaiah 28:1-12) 22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers"; This, like v10, clarifies that Paul's instruction relates to world languages. The nature of biblical tongues is that they are known world languages. Also, we are informed that tongues are a sign for unbelievers, so how can their use as a private prayer language achieve that? Let us be clear, The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to give instruction for the use of tongues as the gift was being used in an out of control manner contrary to the way intended. The context of ch 14 relates to the use of tongues in The Church. May be there was even babbling resurfacing among the Corinthians whose background was pagan worship. Anyway, ch14 is not legislating the use of a prayer language. We are told tongues are a sign for unbelievers, and their purpose is given in 1 Cor 14:6 "if I speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?" Tongues bring something revealed from God that must be shared. It is not a personal message. It's source is God. I have never heard an interpretation revealing something the speaker didn't know already. SO, by definition it was not a biblical tongue and whatever was interpreted was already known to the speaker and so could have been said in English. in 1 Corinthians 13:1, Paul refers to the language of the angels. This passage is often referred to as proof that glossolalia is a spiritual, even angelic language. However, the context is hyperbolic and not to be taken as a proof text. A proof text out of context is a pretext. No, Paul is saying "even if I could speak in the language of angels (notice language is singular), but don't have love, it would be of no use. That is the purpose of all the other hyperbolic statements in order to make the illustration that it doesn't matter what you do or could do unless you have Love. Love is greater than even the greatest spiritual gift. In the next verse, he referred to knowing all mysteries, having all knowledge and all faith. These are rhetorical devices and out of our grasp. So we might think that the language of the angels is as well. Logically, if glossolalia were angel language, given each person speaks a different style of it, must mean every angel (and presumably there are billions), speaks a different language. Hence they don't understand each other either without an interpreter present. Another proof text taken out of context is Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Two key points make it highly unlikely that Romans 8:26 is referring to tongues or glossolalia as a prayer language. First, Romans 8:26 states that it is the Spirit who groans, not believers. Second, Romans 8:26 states that the groans of the Spirit cannot be expressed. The very essence of speaking in tongues is uttering words. So far I have only referred to scripture to explain the view I take. I have not yet drawn on my observations of glossolalia in practise. There are many ways that the practise of glossolalia can be seen to be not adhering to scripture and that cannot be right if it is The Holy Spirit is at work. Neither is it of The Holy Spirit if glossolalia is something that someone is encouraged "to do" or made to think they should be speaking glossolalia. The Holy Spirit sovereignly distributes gifts for the edification of The Church and those given the gift that we read about in scripture did not need to learn and perfect the use of it. Neither was it falsifiable. If I speak Chinese to you next time I see you, or rather to enable me to preach the gospel to a lost Chinese person, you will know The Holy Spirit has chosen to give me the gift of tongues.

[@arlenegiddens736]

COGIC who is C.H.Mason?

[@stephancobb13]

Arlene Giddens i believe he started the COGIC!

[@bkj58]

Thank you preacher Christians are so far away from the bible that when you speak the truth, they won't receive it. They have latched on to the doctrine of devils and don't want to change...

[@koyotemark4664]

TELL EM SON!!!!!!!!!!! THE TRUTH IS TRUTH!!!!!!

[@johnroyster1014]

I like to hear two dollar preachers tell me what GOD can and cannot do

[@LisaLisa-os8ws]

Preach that’s some truth, yeah man takes advantage of people their a Prophet, scripture stick with the scripture

[@fredspear5817]

I find that this sermon revolved around modern day charismatic charlatans not properly applying the spiritual gifts rather than focusing on what scripture actually says. Cessationism is not biblical but is borne out of a fear that we will be disappointed by seeking the gifts. I, myself, am willing to pursue these gifts if God so wills it to be so. I ask for them in prayer and, if they never come, I am still willing to be His servant. If they do come, I am a willing servant. I don't know why people from both camps teach extreme and unbiblical doctrine to support their predispositions. God is on the throne. If he wants to pour out His spirit for a purpose, he will. If He chooses to withhold the gifts for a purpose, He will. It is really that simple. We need to be willing vessels and not make the mistake of hand waving away the spiritual gifts OR insisting on seeing them. I agree with the brother that God can change his methodology but he kind of defeated his point with that statement. God can change his methodology by pouring out His Spirit as well. Is he also ready to accept that?

[@rorschach162]

Fred Spear Explain a little clearer please.

[@ladyk7751]

Hmmmm...I think the preacher proved his point. There is a distinct difference between the spiritual gifts that were applied then to the stuff that goes on today. We have to be careful not to apply our logic but God's word & His way in the matter. When we apply our own stuff we come up with the many practices of today & most of the practices of today are contrary to God's word.

[@derekchildress5]

Amen! Brother! Amen! In chapter 13 of first Corinthians, later in the chapter, says that when the perfect comes the partial (gifts) will be fine away with! God bless you!

[@unapologeticallymeasistaha7820]

Let GOD be true and EVERY man a liar

[@tonymccraney8942]

Tony 😂 😂👏 👏

[@henrinoubicier900]

This a false teacher James (3:1) says; Not many [of you] should become teachers [serving in an official teaching capacity], my brothers and sisters, for you know that we [who are teachers] will [a]be judged by a higher standard [because we have assumed greater accountability and more condemnation if we teach incorrectly].

[@kennethwatkins3231]

Why you say that

[@michellewilson2995]

What scriptures do you have to contest what is being said. Not YOUR OPINIONS. Please provide scriptures

[@MastaE2288]

2024 and still awaiting contesting scripture.

[@shlahla]

If you say there is no more speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gives the utterance, you are saying God has changed. Christ said these signs shall follow them that believe, In My name they SHALL cast out devils, they SHALL speak with new tongues. Now who are you then to contradict the very words of God through your own unbelief.

[@stephancobb13]

shlahla but who was Christ talking about when he said that?

[@shlahla]

These signs will follow them that BELIEVE. It is very clear. He was talking about believers. Furthermore, every single time in the book of Acts when people were baptized in the Holy Ghost, they spoke in other tongues as the Spirit of God gave them the utterance; Acts 2, Acts 10, Acts 19. And bear in mind that scripture says in the mouth of two or three witnesses every truth shall be established. God Himself said: (Isaiah 28:11 KJV For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.) And then you have the 120 disciples on the day of Pentecost speaking in other tongues, you have Cornelius and his family speaking in other tongues, you have the 12 disciples of Ephesus speaking in other tongues and Paul himself admitting to speaking in tongues. That is a lot of witnesses establishing the truth that when the Holy Ghost is received, the person SHALL speak in new tongues. And this is how the apostles knew that a believer had received the gift of the Holy Ghost: (Acts 10:44-47 KJV While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. [45] And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. [46] For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, [47] Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?) How did Peter and those Jews which accompanied him to Cornelius's house KNOW that Cornelius and his family had also received the gift of the Holy Ghost? Scripture gives a very clear answer "For they HEARD them SPEAK WITH TONGUES and magnify God" Jesus made this very clear to Nicodemus when He was explaining to him about the new birth: (John 3:8 KJV The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.) Jesus Christ said the wind blows where it will and you HEAR the SOUND thereof but cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. Then He said; so also is EVERYONE that is born of the Spirit, without exception. This is exactly what happened on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2. When those who had gathered to celebrate Pentecost heard the 120 speak in other tongues which they had never learnt and declare the works of God, they were amazed. They heard the SOUND of other tongues (scripture says "when this was noised abroad) but they did not know how this came about or what it meant until Peter made it known unto them that this was God pouring out His Spirit upon flesh as He spoke about through the prophet Joel. Jesus Christ is He who still baptizes with the very same Holy Ghost that the early church received. And He is the same yesterday, today and forever. The gift of the Holy Ghost is for everyone who will believe and obey the gospel of Christ. And the same sign of receiving the Holy Ghost is still speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gives the utterance because God has no shadow of turning or variableness. He is the same for all eternity.

[@stephancobb13]

shlahla jesus was talkin to his apostles, not us

[@shlahla]

That is your own doctrine and own belief and not the teaching of scripture. As for scripture itself, the statement of Jesus was simple enough, those who BELIEVE.

[@shlahla]

Let me rephrase this reply, Jesus was talking to His apostles but He was talking to them about signs that would not follow just anyone but only they that believe. So if you don't believe then you can exclude yourself from that because it does not apply to you and you can exclude yourself by all means. But God's word is just as true today as it was when He spoke those words, believers have authority in the name of Jesus Christ and these signs spoken of in scripture do follow them.

[@1stladyAle]

This is wrong and inaccurate

[@stephancobb13]

cokecola1031 what makes it wrong?

[@derekchildress5]

I agree! Amen! This is not right at all.

[@rorschach162]

@@derekchildress5Please give scriptures explaining why he is wrong.

[@MastaE2288]

Still waiting on those scriptures. The issue is, this preacher gave scripture, but I don't see any scriptures here. Man's word vs God's word.

[@prophetmaw814]

Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is the only unforgivable sin... This man's boastful banter regarding the fact that His power no longer exists within which the Word tells us we as His children shall be given is something he and all those bearing witness to him will have to give an account for...His inability to rightly divide the Word of God shows that satan has many false teachers and preachers out there...

[@LisaLisa-os8ws]

Truth is hard but as u know God can’t lie, nothing but truth keep studying

[@doriswilliams1495]

So this man is basically saying he doesn't believe in the COGIC church because they believe in the speaking of tongues. Matter of fact G.E. Patterson said if you are filled with the Holy Ghost you will speak in tongues in one time or another. This minister has not studied the word Of God. This is sickening to me, how could he know more than God and his will.

[@ronaldowens5400]

+Doris Williams please write down the scriptures he is preaching from and study them yourself. you are not suppose to believe what your pastor or this minister says you are to believe what the bible says.

[@JayThrilla]

Glossolia which is the type of speaking in tongues today came over a thousand years after Christianity started. After first century historically no documents ever mentioned speaking in tongues ever again. The stuff done today is traced to those that are not even real Christians according to scripture, before COGIC. So if one does not want to accept scripture which is God's perfect word. Then history and logic also backs up the bible

[@derekchildress5]

Very good point! He has put God in a box!

[@jenniferbolton1799]

Read for your self ... what he is saying coming from God holy word .. u not going against this man because he didn’t write the Bible ....

[@LisaLisa-os8ws]

Open ur Bible, and then ur mind don’t look at the man but scripture, don’t add or subtract