Topical Encyclopedia The miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, as described in the New Testament, are extraordinary abilities granted to believers for the edification of the Church and the advancement of the Gospel. These gifts include, but are not limited to, prophecy, healing, speaking in tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. The Apostle Paul provides a comprehensive list of these gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 : "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues."The purpose of these gifts is to build up the body of Christ and to serve as a testament to the power and presence of God among His people. In the early Church, these gifts were instrumental in spreading the Gospel and confirming the message of the apostles. Hebrews 2:3-4 underscores this, stating, "how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, and was affirmed by God through signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will." Despite their divine origin and purpose, the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit have not always been universally accepted or appreciated. In some instances, they have been met with skepticism or outright disdain. This is evident in the reaction of some religious leaders during the ministry of Jesus, who attributed His miraculous works to demonic influence rather than the Spirit of God (Matthew 12:24: "But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, 'Only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, does this man drive out demons.'"). The Apostle Paul also addresses the potential for these gifts to be misused or misunderstood within the Church. In 1 Corinthians 14, he emphasizes the importance of order and edification in the exercise of spiritual gifts, particularly the gift of tongues, which had become a point of contention in the Corinthian church. Paul advises that all things be done for the strengthening of the Church and that love should be the guiding principle in the use of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 14:26: "What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church."). The miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit continue to be a topic of theological debate and discussion. Some Christian traditions hold that these gifts ceased with the apostolic age, a view known as cessationism, while others believe that they remain active and available to believers today, a perspective known as continuationism. Regardless of one's stance, the New Testament affirms the divine origin and purpose of these gifts as manifestations of the Holy Spirit's work within the Church. Nave's Topical Index 1 Thessalonians 5:20Despise not prophesyings. Nave's Topical Index Library Gifts no Certain Evidence of Grace. The Foundation of the Church among the Jews The Day of Pentecost. Acts XIX C??sarius of Arles. The Extension of the Church Throughout the World Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews. On the Words, and in one Holy Catholic Church, and in the ... Of the Five Sacraments, Falsely So Called. Their Spuriousness ... The General Service to a Nun. Resources Are the miracles in the Bible to be taken literally? | GotQuestions.orgHow can we discern counterfeit miracles? | GotQuestions.org What are the greatest miracles in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit of Different Kinds Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit were not to Be: Despised Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit were not to Be: Neglected Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit were not to Be: Purchased Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit were to be Sought After Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Christ Was Endued With Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Communicated by the Laying on of the Apostles' Hands Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Communicated for the Confirmation of the Gospel Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Communicated for the Edification of the Church Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Communicated: Upon the Preaching of the Gospel Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Counterfeited by Antichrist Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Dispensed According to his Sovereign Will Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Enumerated Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Foretold Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Might be Possessed Without Saving Grace Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Poured out on the Day of Pentecost Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Temporary Nature of Related Terms |
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