Gifts of the Holy Spirit are yours
The gifts operate by faith in God, not faith in a specific theory. They are not channelled through any doctrine except that of redemption. The Holy Spirit only glorifies the crucified Christ. Testimonies that this or that formula has brought success are always to be found, but they do not prove what they are supposed to prove. God’s mercies are “broader than the measures of our mind.”1
There is only one secret—faith. “This is the victory … our faith” (1 John 5:4). New techniques and highly publicised methods may seem to bring results, but they do not. God separates the techniques from the faith and responds only to faith.
In the New Testament, whenever healings and miracles are attributed to anything at all, it is invariably to faith. Otherwise it is the sovereign action of God. “Thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace,” Jesus said to the woman with a hemorrhage (Luke 8:48, KJV).
In the New Testament, whenever healings and miracles are attributed to anything at all, it is invariably to faith. Otherwise it is the sovereign action of God. “Thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace,” Jesus said to the woman with a hemorrhage (Luke 8:48, KJV).
Her “method” could not have been more simple and childlike. Those seeking healing can be helped by teaching, but the essential miracle ingredient is still simple, trusting faith in Jesus. That is all God bothers about, no matter what notions or innovations occupy our sometimes muddled brains.
GIFTS COME WITH OPPORTUNITY
They are issued to workers as they clock in at the door. Like modern technology, God’s work needs specialised equipment, but it is found “on the job.” He does not hand it to us to keep handy in case we can use it sometime somewhere.
The need for the healing gift arises when we are moved by the plight of sufferers. That is when the gift operates. Jesus was moved with compassion. The word means physically churned up and shocked. When your stomach turns over, and you have to blink tears away at the sight of people, miserable and depressed with afflictions and ailments, and you feel like screaming in protest at their condition—go ahead; God will give all you need.
GIFTS DO NOT COME SECONDHAND
It is solely the prerogative of the Spirit to bestow them. Many have presumed to give “gifts” to other believers, but mainly it has led to disappointment—miracle powers have not followed. We have not heard of any outstanding ministry produced by such attempts at transference.
I would like to give some guidance on meetings held to “teach” gifts. Teaching about gifts is good, but to receive gifts purely by being taught how to do things is no more possible than to acquire a musical or artistic gift by learning.
However, where there is faith and true desire in our heart, a true gift may be bestowed by the Spirit at any time, so it may happen, not surprisingly, where people are listening eagerly to explanations about the charismata.
GIFTS COME WITH OPPORTUNITY
They are issued to workers as they clock in at the door. Like modern technology, God’s work needs specialised equipment, but it is found “on the job.” He does not hand it to us to keep handy in case we can use it sometime somewhere.
The need for the healing gift arises when we are moved by the plight of sufferers. That is when the gift operates. Jesus was moved with compassion. The word means physically churned up and shocked. When your stomach turns over, and you have to blink tears away at the sight of people, miserable and depressed with afflictions and ailments, and you feel like screaming in protest at their condition—go ahead; God will give all you need.
GIFTS DO NOT COME SECONDHAND
It is solely the prerogative of the Spirit to bestow them. Many have presumed to give “gifts” to other believers, but mainly it has led to disappointment—miracle powers have not followed. We have not heard of any outstanding ministry produced by such attempts at transference.
I would like to give some guidance on meetings held to “teach” gifts. Teaching about gifts is good, but to receive gifts purely by being taught how to do things is no more possible than to acquire a musical or artistic gift by learning.
However, where there is faith and true desire in our heart, a true gift may be bestowed by the Spirit at any time, so it may happen, not surprisingly, where people are listening eagerly to explanations about the charismata.
But it is by the will of the Holy Spirit, not man’s will. Be assured that, while the Spirit completely ignores the pretentious “giftings” of the will of men, He does not ignore true openness and prayer. We can pray humbly for one another that we may be equipped for the work.
Paul himself asked for prayer that he might open his mouth boldly because the door of opportunity was there (1 Cor. 16:9; Eph. 6:19; Col. 4:3). The point to learn in those verses is that when the opportunity arose, Paul sought prayer help from everybody.
Perhaps we should take a few minutes to examine scriptures that have been offered as grounds for “giftings.” As a preliminary, we mention the fact that no scripture is ever claimed to exist that gives instructions or commands for the practice. There are, at best, no more than oblique inferences.
Romans 1:11 says, “I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift [charisma], so that you may be established.” What is that charisma? He tells us—“that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me” (v. 12). “This verse does not apply,” says Dr. S. Schatzmann in “A Pauline Theology of Charismata,” “for it has not the same technical sense of ‘gift’ as in 1 Corinthians 12.”2
Perhaps we should take a few minutes to examine scriptures that have been offered as grounds for “giftings.” As a preliminary, we mention the fact that no scripture is ever claimed to exist that gives instructions or commands for the practice. There are, at best, no more than oblique inferences.
Romans 1:11 says, “I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift [charisma], so that you may be established.” What is that charisma? He tells us—“that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me” (v. 12). “This verse does not apply,” says Dr. S. Schatzmann in “A Pauline Theology of Charismata,” “for it has not the same technical sense of ‘gift’ as in 1 Corinthians 12.”2
It must be taken in context. Many charismata (gifts) are mentioned by Paul that are not miraculous endowments for believers. Indeed, the whole Christian faith consists of charismata, from salvation to sanctification.
However, it is quite clear that Paul in Romans 1:11 is not thinking of giving an individual a “gift,” for he is addressing the whole body of believers at Rome. He was not travelling all the way to Rome to bestow a gift of wisdom or discernment upon one man or woman but, as he says, to “establish” the whole church.
Other scriptures are 1 Timothy 4:14 and 2 Timothy 1:6.
Paul told Timothy, “do not neglect” and “to stir up” the gift (charisma) given him by the laying on of Paul’s hands and that of the eldership. Was this a “gift” as in 1 Corinthians 12:8–10? If so, how could he “stir it up”? However, we are actually told what this gifting was, namely “a spirit of power, not timidity, and of love and self-discipline” (See 2 Timothy 1:7, NIV.) The “gifting” by the elders was for his general ministry as a young Christian worker.
“Souls of Men, Why Will Ye Scatter” by Frederick W. Faber. Public domain.
1 “Souls of Men, Why Will Ye Scatter” by Frederick W. Faber. Public domain.
Siegfried Schatzmann, “A Pauline Theology of Charismata” (PhD dissertation, Elim Bible College, Nantwich, UK, n.d.).
2 Siegfried Schatzmann, “A Pauline Theology of Charismata” (PhD dissertation, Elim Bible College, Nantwich, UK, n.d.).
Bonnke, R. (2012). Taking Action: Receiving and Operating in the Gifts and Power of the Holy Spirit. Charisma House.
However, it is quite clear that Paul in Romans 1:11 is not thinking of giving an individual a “gift,” for he is addressing the whole body of believers at Rome. He was not travelling all the way to Rome to bestow a gift of wisdom or discernment upon one man or woman but, as he says, to “establish” the whole church.
Other scriptures are 1 Timothy 4:14 and 2 Timothy 1:6.
Paul told Timothy, “do not neglect” and “to stir up” the gift (charisma) given him by the laying on of Paul’s hands and that of the eldership. Was this a “gift” as in 1 Corinthians 12:8–10? If so, how could he “stir it up”? However, we are actually told what this gifting was, namely “a spirit of power, not timidity, and of love and self-discipline” (See 2 Timothy 1:7, NIV.) The “gifting” by the elders was for his general ministry as a young Christian worker.
“Souls of Men, Why Will Ye Scatter” by Frederick W. Faber. Public domain.
1 “Souls of Men, Why Will Ye Scatter” by Frederick W. Faber. Public domain.
Siegfried Schatzmann, “A Pauline Theology of Charismata” (PhD dissertation, Elim Bible College, Nantwich, UK, n.d.).
2 Siegfried Schatzmann, “A Pauline Theology of Charismata” (PhD dissertation, Elim Bible College, Nantwich, UK, n.d.).
Bonnke, R. (2012). Taking Action: Receiving and Operating in the Gifts and Power of the Holy Spirit. Charisma House.
