The nine gifts of the Spirit
The Lord commanded His disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until they had received this power when the Holy Ghost had come upon them (Acts I : 8). The Lord had told them much about the 'Comforter' which would come after His departure from them.
The Lord commanded His disciples to tarry in Jerusalem
until they had received this power when the Holy Ghost had
come upon them (Acts I : 8). The Lord had told them much
about the 'Comforter' which would come after His departure
from them.
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THE GIFT OF PROPHECY<br />
It is <strong>of</strong>ten suggested that <strong>the</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> prophecy is <strong>the</strong> ability<br />
to preach. Actually, it is something entirely different. A sermon<br />
is prepared beforehand, with <strong>the</strong> help <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Word <strong>of</strong> God. To<br />
prophesy is to utter words which <strong>the</strong> Holy <strong>Spirit</strong> inspires at that<br />
particular moment, and <strong>of</strong> which nothing is known beforehand.<br />
<strong>The</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> prophecy is <strong>the</strong> God-given ability to give a<br />
message from <strong>the</strong> heart <strong>of</strong> God to <strong>the</strong> people in our own<br />
language. Such a message is always to <strong>the</strong> edification <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Church.<br />
'But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification<br />
and exhortation and comfort' (l Cor. 14: 3).<br />
How wonderful that <strong>the</strong> Lord desires to speak to us with<br />
comforting, exhorting words. How we need this encouragement<br />
in <strong>the</strong> world in which we live, full <strong>of</strong> hardship and struggle.<br />
Satan goes about as a roaring lion, and he shall try to<br />
antagonize people against us in order to hinder our work and<br />
witness for <strong>the</strong> Lord. When we <strong>the</strong>n come to a meeting where <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>gifts</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Spirit</strong> function, we receive new power through <strong>the</strong><br />
words <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lord, which He speaks to us through prophecy or<br />
<strong>the</strong> interpretation <strong>of</strong> tongues.<br />
Also, when <strong>the</strong> Lord warns us, He does not threaten us<br />
with judgment or damnation, but ra<strong>the</strong>r stimulates us to go on<br />
in <strong>the</strong> power <strong>of</strong> Jesus Christ, to stand in His victory, to fight and<br />
witness more. Perhaps you have noticed, that in <strong>the</strong> Bible we can<br />
find many prophecies <strong>of</strong> judgment and doom. Indeed, <strong>the</strong> Lord<br />
<strong>of</strong>ten speaks about darkness and judgment which shall come -<br />
but not for <strong>the</strong> children <strong>of</strong> God. Jesus has carried away all our<br />
punishment. We can be clo<strong>the</strong>d with His righteousness and<br />
stand on victory ground against all <strong>the</strong> works <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> evil one.<br />
'<strong>The</strong> chastisement <strong>of</strong> our peace was upon Him; and with<br />
His stripes we are healed' (Isa. 53 : 5b). <strong>The</strong> love <strong>of</strong> God for His<br />
creatures is so great! Jesus has borne all <strong>the</strong> punishment <strong>of</strong> our<br />
sin and now we only receive blessing and good <strong>gifts</strong> from our<br />
God. Everything <strong>the</strong> Holy <strong>Spirit</strong> gives is to bless us and to build<br />
us up. So many times, when we were discouraged in <strong>the</strong> battle<br />
and disappointed, we received encouragement and joy when we<br />
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