____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ June 3, 2001 ____________________________________________________ Miraculous Gifts by Robert F. Turner Surely no Bible believing student doubts that various "signs and wonders" (miraculous gifts) were manifested by members of the early church. Nor can such a believer doubt that God has the power to give such gifts today. The question is, does He? It is ridiculous to argue He must, or be a respecter of persons. Not all early Christians had the same gifts (1 Cor. 12:4-11). He made Paul an apostle, not me. Nor is our lack of faith the answer. The apostle's hands seem to have been required in usual cases of spiritual gifts, even for believers (Acts 8:12-18; 19:2-6; Rom. 1:11). Some say God has promised such powers (Mk. 16:11). If this verse refers to all believers in all ages, it certainly raises questions about those who do not manifest such powers. But if not all believers are included, then who are intended, and why? For a starter, notice the immediate context of the citation. The apostles "went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following." For special reasons (the "why?") only special ones (the "who?") had miraculous gifts and powers. Even Jesus said, "That ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins..." and then healed (Mk. 2:5-12). A lady once told me she was "tarrying for the Spirit" (Lu. 24:49), and was embarrassed when I pointed out she must "tarry...in Jerusalem" not in Urbana, Illinois. We must not appropriate to ourselves promises made to others. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to the apostles as another (allos, "similar to Himself," Trench) Advocate. He had been their teacher, but now the Spirit of Truth would guide them (14:16-17, 26; 16:12-13). Inspiration would stand by their side when they were brought to trial (Lu. 21:12-15). Attention to context would remove many so-called promises of Holy Spirit functions claimed for today. The apostles confirmed the word with signs following. Bagster says confirm means "establish, render constant and unwavering; to establish by arguments or proofs, ratify." Notice its use in Heb. 2:3-4, "confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, etc." The Holy Spirit miraculously delivered truth, and miraculously proved its divine origin. (Compare "signs of an apostle" 2 Cor. 12:12.) Will charismatics of today claim apostolic powers? A distinctive outpouring of the Spirit ("as on us at the beginning") marked the bringing of the gospel to Gentiles (Acts 11:15-f), and there is no evidence of a repetition of this. Do those who claim current miraculous spiritual powers believe new divine revelations are being given, or that the New Testament needs reconfirming? The apostles were accompanied in their work of delivering the New Covenant by others, called Prophets (see Eph. 2:20; 3:5); and it seems spiritual gifts served the same purpose with them. Stephen (Acts 6:8-10), and Philip (8:6, 26-39), are examples of men who, in the absence of the written New Testament, were directly aided by the Spirit to deliver truth. -- The Who, The Why, And The When The use of spiritual gifts could be abused by early saints, for "The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets" (1 Cor. 14:32). Remember that when you are told, "The Spirit is moving me; I can't help myself." Peter acted hypocritically (Gal. 2:11 -13), and Paul had to buffet his body lest he be rejected (1 Cor. 9:27). But the message which the Spirit gave, using the earthen vessels as a mouth piece, was inerrant and unified. The case of Balaam (Num. 22:24:) is an 0. T. example; and 1 Cor. 14 is an account of N.T. saints who could misuse their gifts, but through whom a unified truth was presented. This emphasizes the true purpose of such gifts. The message was the thing. Paul could say, "I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue" (v. 19). He told the Corinthians, "I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied (taught, rt) for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying" (v. 5). The unification of the message is apparent in that Paul could say, "If any man think himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord" (v. 37). The testing of one who claimed to have the Spirit was done by comparing his message with that of John and other inspired men (1 Jn. 4:1- 6). So-called "miracles" were also tested by the message, or content of teaching (See Deut. 13:1-3; 2 Thes. 2:9-l2). Further study of 1 Cor. 12, 13, 14 shows us that although Paul wanted the Corinthians to have and use spiritual gifts, he recognized their transient nature. Note, "Covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way" (12:31). The more excellent way was not a new or different way (love was intended for all saints) but it was an enduring way as opposed to spiritual gifts that would serve their purpose, and them cease. Miraculous prophecies, tongues, and knowledge were to cease; for "we know in part, and we prophesy in part (i.e., piece by piece, rt) but when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away" (13:8-10). Some say this refers to Christ's coming at the end of time, but "that which" is not "He who." Marshall's interlinear translates, "When the perfect thing comes, the thing in part will be abolished." The perfect (mature, full - grown) thing is the complete revelation. Miraculous gifts served, in the "child" or developmental stage of New Testament revelation, but when the job was done, the scaffold--the trappings of development--would have accomplished its purpose and cease. The Holy Spirit did His work well, delivering through chosen messengers a confirmed and established standard of truth for all men and all time. We believe the WHO? WHY? and WHEN? study of miraculous spiritual gifts will make clear this truth. Current ecstatic "gifts" (?) do not conform to N.T teaching--hence are not of God. -- Plain Talk, September 1976 ___________________________________________ Criticism Among Brethren by Dan Richardson I have observed through the years, as I've labored with different congregations, that negativism breeds negativism, and such can destroy the will to work. Every Christian must be on guard concerning this. Of course, not all criticism is bad. There's "constructive criticism," as opposed to the "destructive" type. We can all use some good ol' constructive criticism from time to time. I've benefited from it many times myself, and I know I'll continue to need it. When our brethren need our help we should love them enough to help, especially if that help is needed to "restore" to the faith one who has been overtaken in sin (Gal. 6:1). The commands (in 1 Thess. 5:14) to "...admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering to all" are addressed to you and me. But problems arise in the church whenever brethren begin to "dish out" criticism of the destructive kind. This is negativism and it is most effective in destroying the growth of God's people. This very fact is seen from a consideration of two scriptures. Nehemiah 5 records a particular problem that arose among the Jews that could have been very effective in stopping the good work they were doing. The people had a mind to work (Neh. 2:18; 4:6) and were not slowed by outside attacks from their enemies. However, the problems described in chapter 5 were from the inside. When there is discord among God's people, the "mind to work" gives way to conflict. When, under the leadership of Nehemiah, the problems were solved, the strife ceased and the work continued. Acts 6 is another passage that shows the importance of loving unity among brethren. How easily this problem with the widows could have halted the growth of the church of Christ if not for the leadership of the apostles and the willingness of faithful brethren working together to solve their problems. This made possible the continued work of gospel preaching and the expanding borders of God's kingdom (Ac. 6:2-7). To view the problem of destructive criticism among brethren from a Bible perspective will reveal several causes: Self-Righteousness Some brethren fail to see their own shortcomings because they are engrossed in finding everyone else's. They gripe, complain and criticize just about everything that is being done, developing an atmosphere of strife. Instead of using God's word as a "mirror" that reveals one's own sins (Jas. 1:23-25), they use it as binoculars for viewing everyone else! Inactivity When brethren, for lack of leadership, vision and faith, bury their "one talent" (Matt. 25:24-30) and do nothing, they will have plenty of time on their hands to devote to criticizing one another. The growth of Christianity, according to the book of Acts, came about because brethren were busy spreading the word of God (Ac. 6:7; 8:4). We must not lose our perspective concerning the work we have to do lest we become guilty, like the Pharisees, of "straining out the gnat and swallowing the camel" (Matt. 23:24). Worldliness The truth is, we either love and serve the God of heaven, or we love and serve the "god of this world" (1 Jn. 2:15-17; Matt. 6:24; Rom. 6:16). To love and serve God is to love our brethren (1 Jn. 4:20-21). This means we will not be guilty of fault-finding and adverse criticism toward them. To the contrary, we will "consider one another unto love and good works" (Heb. 10:24) and will view their spiritual needs of far greater importance than earthly matters (Gal. 6:1-2). Brethren, let us not be guilty of putting the worst possible construction on what each of us may do. That is contrary to love, which "believeth all things" and "doth not behave itself unseemly," but "suffereth long and is kind" (1 Cor. 13:4-7). Instead, let us have a mind to work, and give glory to God. -- Via Think on These Things, July-August-September, 2000 ___________________________________________ Created or Evolved? by Paul Smithson The Bible teaches that God created man in his present form in the beginning (Gen. 1:26). The theory of evolution says that humans developed millions of years later from less advanced forms of life. Some people try to harmonize both, embracing "theistic evolution." This theory states that God initiated life on earth and allowed evolutionary principles to bring man to where he is today. In other words, they believe God guided the process outlined by Darwin. The Scripture however states, "For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day..." (Ex 20:11). The question is, "If in six days God created everything in the heavens and on the earth, what does that leave out that God did not create?" The obvious answer is, "It doesn't leave anything out!" The animals were created, according to the Scriptures on days 5 & 6. They state man was created on day 6. These are literal days; for after each creation it is stated that "there was evening and there was morning, one day", or "a second day," etc. Gen. 2:1-2 states, "Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their host. By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done..." It is true that God allowed variation in the gene pools of animals and humans. However, God's creating of kinds and types was finished. The opening verses of the Bible speak of the creative word of God. God "created," i.e. when God speaks, it occurs. He said, "Let there be..." and there was. These passages do not teach that God said, "Let there be a slow development through an evolutionary process over a period of millions of years." The Scriptures teach that man was made from the "dust of the ground" (Gen. 2:7). Evolution teaches that man evolved from life forms that developed in the ocean. If God allowed man to come into existence through the evolutionary process then how is the creation of Eve explained? The Scriptures teach that she was created by God (Gen. 2:22). The consequences of denying the truth of Gen. 2:22 is to deny the validity and authority of Jesus Christ; for Jesus, quoting from the book of Genesis, declared, "But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female"' (Mk. 10:6). There is no way to accept both Jesus' words and a theory which includes the process of evolution. Thus, the term "theistic evolution" is actually an oxymoron. "Theism" is the belief in the existence of God, especially belief in a personal God as Creator and Ruler of the world. "Evolution" is the theory that life developed by chance out of inorganic material and then grew over a period of millions of years in complexity and variety into all the species we have today. Though much more could be stated, it should be obvious that theistic evolution and the Scriptures cannot be harmonized. ___________________________________________ News & Notes George Oseyemi was recently attacked and robbed while at a gas station. The mugger was apprehended. George received four stitches near one of his eyes and had been seeing double for a while. Plus, he has had some soreness in one of his arms, where he was also hit. Let us pray for George's complete and speedy recovery! We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Minnie Tuggle who recently passed away. (She was a mother-in-law to Wayne Combs, one of Barney's sons.) Greetings Visitors! Please come again! ________________________________________ Avondale CHURCH OF CHRIST P.O. Box 421 1606 Glen Willow Rd., Avondale, PA 19311 (610) 268-2088 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 11:00 A.M. Worship 6:00 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:00 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (610) 925-3567 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://www.mypage.onemain.com/tedwards/avondale ________________________________________