Love is vital for the flow of the Spirit. Paul teaches us spiritual gifts depend on love. In his teaching on spiritual gifts we find in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul declares love is “a way of life which transcends all others” (1 Cor 12:31). Then Paul writes the love chapter of the Bible (1 Cor … [Read more…]
The flow of the Spirit comes from the throne of grace. We come to the throne, setting the enlightened eyes of our hearts (Eph 1:15-23) on spiritual things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God (Col 3:1-4). The throne of grace is located in the heavenly Jerusalem. We are … [Read more…]
The heart of early Christian worship was table fellowship. Throughout the first three centuries Christian communities gathered once a week for a meal. Alan Kreider, The Patient Ferment of the Early Church: The Improbable Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire, 2016, pg 186. I like that Alan uses the word “communities” rather that “church.” … [Read more…]
In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul tells us how to put our minds to work in our one another gatherings. He begins by urging us to prophesy when we gather together. All of us have a need to gather together for edification and exhortation and consolation. We prophesy by the unction of the Spirit, using our … [Read more…]
10 I fell down before his feet to worship him. He said to me, “Look! Don’t do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers who hold the testimony of Yeshua. Worship God, for the testimony of Yeshua is the Spirit of Prophecy.” Rev 19:10 WMB The Greek words translated testimony and … [Read more…]
Gifts of the Spirit I began functioning in the gifts of the Spirit back in 1974. I flow in several of the gifts of the Spirit and have seen them all in action. I have also seen and heard way to much weirdness and charismatic razzel dazzle. So, here, I present the solid wisdom and … [Read more…]
Gifts of the Spirit Paul began this teaching: “Fellow Christians, I want you to know about the gifts of the Spirit” (1 Cor 12:1). He concludes: “But try to have the better gifts. And now I’ll show you the best way of all (1 Cor 12:31 AAT). Cultivating love is the best way to function … [Read more…]
Gifts of the Spirit Paul introduces his teaching on the gifts of the Spirit: “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant” (1 Cor 12:1 KJV). In order to understand what he meant by that, we need to consider several factors to get the big picture. In the opening of his letter … [Read more…]
God brought forth one another ministry by pouring out His Spirit. 14 But Peter, standing up with the Eleven, lifted up his voice and spoke out to them, “You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words. 15 For these aren’t drunken, as you … [Read more…]
Discerning prophecy is a vital part of our spiritual maturity. Yet, not much discernment goes on when we gather together. With prophecy on the internet, even less discernment goes on. In the inspired word of God given to us by the God of the Bible, the Word tells us we are to grow up in … [Read more…]