Thought For The Week 06/12/2005
June 12, 2005
Dear Friends:
You sometimes hear the argument that we are not able to make decisions or do things as did the Apostles and others of the first century because we are not endowed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit as were those believers The argument goes something like this A Scriptural precedent is cited where Jesus, the Apostles or a disciples did or said something For example, Paul in 1 Corinthians 5 tells the brethren in Corinth to remove the sexually immoral man from their congregation The argument then follows that although Paul did things like that, we cannot, for he was endowed with the Holy Spirit gifts and we are not In other words, the suggestion is that not having the Holy Spirit gifts today places us at a distinct disadvantage compared to our brethren in the first century and renders the living examples of Jesus and his first-century disciples irrelevant to the modern man.
I would like to challenge this notion and offer proof to you that we are, in fact, fully-equipped to follow the examples of Jesus and the Apostles First, let’s challenge the notion that the Holy Spirit gifts gave the disciples perfect understanding on things Here are several examples where the gifts of the Holy Spirit don’t appear to help at all.
The “Jerusalem Conference” in Acts 15: Despite being endowed with the Holy Spirit gifts the Apostles still needed to gather in Jerusalem to discuss the matter of what restrictions, if any, to put on the new converts If the Holy Spirit gave them instant understanding, why would they even need to convene? Yet, they meet and discuss things very much like we would do today
The Problems in Corinth: Despite having many (all?) members who had the gifts of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Cor. 12), the ecclesia in Corinth had a multitude of problems from moral issues to schisms to serious doctrinal error (there is no resurrection – 1 Cor. 15) Not only is there no evidence that the Holy Spirit gifts were assisting these brethren, there is considerable evidence that these gifts were causing more problems by being abused and used incorrectly.
Peter’s Rebuke: In Galatians 2:11-14, the Apostle Paul rebukes the Apostle Peter for refusing to eat with the Gentiles when “men from James” arrive Even Barnabas is caught up in the problems So we have a man with the Holy Spirit gifts rebuking another Apostle with the Holy Spirit gifts when men who come from another Apostle with the Holy Spirit gifts bringing a false message Obviously, possessing the Holy Spirit gifts didn’t make this problem avoidable.
We could cite more examples, but the point should be obvious, the Holy Spirit gifts didn’t make spiritual decision making or discerning God’s will a given There doesn’t appear to be any substantial difference between their problems/resolutions and our own today This is supported by other New Testament comments as well They were dependent on the Scriptures We are dependent on the Scriptures “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (1 Tim. 3;16,17) Notice that it says the Scriptures made them “thoroughly furnished” or “fully-equipped.” Also notice the testimony of Paul in the book of Romans “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Rom. 12:2) It was “mind renewal” not the Holy Spirit gifts that made you able to discern God’s will
We haven’t addressed the purpose or the benefits of the Holy Spirit gifts (which were considerable) However, we wanted to address a simple point We should not shy away from following the example of Jesus or his disciples because we feel we have been “short changed.” The examples of Jesus and the Apostles as presented in the Bible are to be followed to the best of our abilities We, like them, need to prayerfully use the Holy Scriptures to guide us The brothers and sisters of the first century had the same problems as we do This should comfort us, not confound us.
Have a great week!
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